Question about stringer construction on older Sea Rays

[Silly Seville]

Greetings Guys and Gals!

I have emailed Sea Ray with this question, but as I await their response, I would like to get opinions from folks here who have owned or operated a mid to late 90's 215 Express Cruiser or Sundancer. The question is this...are the stringers and transom solid fiberglass or do they still have wood in them? I can't get a straight answer by just googling for info, and the local dealer is not helpful at all. I've seen a number of internet articles about SR having VERY poorly designed stringers and bulkheads that love to rot internally for a variety of reasons. I don't want to buy a 10 year old boat that already needs stringers or a transom replacement, and I get the impression that the newer boats are built more cheaply and haphazardly than they were 25 years ago! Any thoughts on this? I need lots of feedback!

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Question about stringer construction on older Sea Rays

Visit the Resto thread if you want to see the ugly side.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Question about stringer construction on older Sea Rays

Greetings Guys and Gals!

I have emailed Sea Ray with this question, but as I await their response, I would like to get opinions from folks here who have owned or operated a mid to late 90's 215 Express Cruiser or Sundancer. The question is this...are the stringers and transom solid fiberglass or do they still have wood in them? I can't get a straight answer by just googling for info, and the local dealer is not helpful at all. I've seen a number of internet articles about SR having VERY poorly designed stringers and bulkheads that love to rot internally for a variety of reasons. I don't want to buy a 10 year old boat that already needs stringers or a transom replacement, and I get the impression that the newer boats are built more cheaply and haphazardly than they were 25 years ago! Any thoughts on this? I need lots of feedback!

I don't have a Sea Ray. Never have. I've heard a lot about them, mostly because I love Sea Ray's hull design. I think they have great lines. I've heard some horror stories. I've also heard that they've gotten much better in regard to the stringer issues of the past. I don't know much more than that, though. I'm not in the market now, and havn't done any recent research. I've never heard that they've become "haphazard" or lacking in quality... Only that they've improved the stringer issues.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Question about stringer construction on older Sea Rays

I don't have a Sea Ray. Never have. I've heard a lot about them, mostly because I love Sea Ray's hull design. I think they have great lines. I've heard some horror stories. I've also heard that they've gotten much better in regard to the stringer issues of the past. I don't know much more than that, though. I'm not in the market now, and havn't done any recent research. I've never heard that they've become "haphazard" or lacking in quality... Only that they've improved the stringer issues.

What are you going for the most useless post of 2011 award?

Also your inbox is full

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Question about stringer construction on older Sea Rays

Yep, but I've gotta deal with this Canadian Hijacker who's got me beat, hands down!!!:facepalm:

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Question about stringer construction on older Sea Rays

Greetings Guys and Gals!

I have emailed Sea Ray with this question, but as I await their response, I would like to get opinions from folks here who have owned or operated a mid to late 90's 215 Express Cruiser or Sundancer. The question is this...are the stringers and transom solid fiberglass or do they still have wood in them? I can't get a straight answer by just googling for info, and the local dealer is not helpful at all. I've seen a number of internet articles about SR having VERY poorly designed stringers and bulkheads that love to rot internally for a variety of reasons. I don't want to buy a 10 year old boat that already needs stringers or a transom replacement, and I get the impression that the newer boats are built more cheaply and haphazardly than they were 25 years ago! Any thoughts on this? I need lots of feedback!

Silly,

The issue is really not the wood but rather water intrusion into the wood. Wood has been used in boat construction for years, so no problem with using wood. You just have to protect it from water. Almost in all cases water penetration in and around bolts and screws and through the decking will cause rot. Floatation foam under the deck of small boats (<23') collects and holds water. This wet foam is of course around all of the wood. Even though the wood most times is covered with a layer of fiberglass, the water will still get to the wood over time. You CANNOT dry out the foam or wood. Once rot starts it's there until there is no more wood or the wood is replaced.

I don't know if the mid-90s Searays still used wood in their construction. My guess would be "Yes" for the smaller boats. Someone will correct me if am wrong.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Question about stringer construction on older Sea Rays

Here is a link to a restoration on a 95 Sea Ray and its exactly how Greg says it is
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=454460

Like VH I like the Sea Rays but this situation is definitely a problem your going to need to keep an eye on as You don't want to be taken advantage of like the Op in the linked thread was. I don't think that the Sea Ray is a Poorly designed boat overall but but the design of foam and stringers that Sea Ray used is questionable at best.

 

[Silly Seville]

Sea Ray response...

Sea Ray response...

"...these boats would have wooden stringers and wood in the center of the transom. It is marine grade wood and the gel coat should keep the water out but if there are any voids in the gel, water could have gotten in to the wood. We would suggest having a surveyor or your local dealership do a moisture reading on the hull to see if water did get in to the wood."

Thanks.

Chris L.
Product Support
Sea Ray Headquarters

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Sea Ray response...

Re: Sea Ray response...

Wow,a reply! not that I expected any less though Sea Ray is an excellent company But in all honesty what can they do? Can you imagine any Company recalling their entire product line of twenty years to do this serious of restoration?....ANYWAY They are telling you the same thing as most of us, should you find a Sea Ray you like have it checked out extensively, There are plenty of Boats out there that have that anal owner that your looking for and he will have your boat. ANY boat that is not properly maintained will have similar issues but the boat your interested in clearly has an issue and now you know exactly what you need to do to make sure the boat you like is in really good shape. And truth be known just about every knowledgeable person here will tell you to have a boat more then 10 yrs old Surveyed professionally prior to purchase anyway.

Good Luck!