1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

[Metabo]

I will be closing the deal on this boat week providing everything checks out. The last four numbers of the HIN are 1176 which means it's a 1976 made in November of that year. The seller is saying it's a 1977. Which is it? Anyone know. Even if it's a 1976 it's still a great boat if all that is stated is true, but I'd still like some clarification on the year.

Metabo

UPDATE:

Well the boat is a 1977 that's what it was registered as. Put it in a local shop and had my two batteries installed, they checked all the fluids, lights, hydraulic trims, out drive and three bills later it was ready for the water. The first outing was fine, my girl friend and I launched it and loaded it no problems. The motor ran very well. The steering seems very stiff so I'll be checking that. I have to replace the vhf radio, it's toast and the antenna is broke about two feet down from the top, so new antenna. put the muffs on the next day to mess with the out drive trim (wanted to see if the indicator on the dash matches what it is actually doing. The starter would not engage. So now that is off to the shop to be rebuilt. I removed the CB antenna mount (you can see it just forward of the horns), I don't plan on using a CB. I couldn't believe it, they used steel bolts with spring loaded mollies. The mollies were hard fastened to the bolts so I had to hack saw the bolts off from the top. I don't get that one, they could have used a stainless steel bolt, finder washer and aircraft nuts because they went right into the cuddy area, what a mess....lol I picked up a 'Digger' anchor. They are made in MN and you don't have to use a chain with them. Still tweaking some things here and there. Oh, a new camper Bimini is scheduled in the near future. I'm still glad I bought this boat it's sooooo cool. Would have been nice if it was perfect as stated by the owner.....lol

Metabo

 

[ziggy]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

Which is it?

sellers almost always lie. but in this case, what difference does it make. she's sweet and a classic. hin is the facts imho. for the hull. engine and drive may vary for year compared to the hull. serial number can verify year for drive and engine...

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

I will be closing the deal on this boat week providing everything checks out. The last four numbers of the HIN are 1176 which means it's a 1976 made in November of that year. The seller is saying it's a 1977. Which is it? Anyone know. Even if it's a 1976 it's still a great boat if all that is stated is true, but I'd still like some clarification on the year.

Metabo

Ayuh,.... It's whatever it's title, or registration says it is....

The hull was cast in 1977....

 

[Metabo]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

I agree, it's a sweet old gal, be it 76 or 77. I also have the engine number and the mercruiser drive number. The boat was a one owner boat. The owner passed away at the grand old age of 84 and his son is selling the boat for his mom. I really feel that I've stumbled onto a really cool boat that we will enjoy for years.

Metabo

 

[Metabo]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

I will be driving over to pick up this boat next Sunday. I plan on taking some muffs and picking up a deep-cycle marine battery. The boat has been in storage for the past 7 years and I want to start it as part of the pre-purchase inspection. Also any gas that is in the tank is also 7 years old, but was stabilized at time of storage. Should I start this old gal on the old gas or should I try to siphon out the old and put in some new. Also if you look at the photos I posted, does the out drive look newer than a 1977 out drive? It is different in looks than all the others that I've looked at on other 1977 Sea Ray's of this model. I am relatively new to boating and would appreciate any advice sent my way. Providing it passes inspection (as best as I can inspect) I will be taking it to my local boat repair shop and have them go through it top to bottom before I put it in the water.

Thanks,
Metabo

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

Also any gas that is in the tank is also 7 years old, but was stabilized at time of storage.

Sniff the gas in it, if it smells "sour", it is. Stabilizer works to a point, but seven years is a long time. My guess would be the gas in it is not something you'd want to run through the boat. On the other hand, since its so old, it is probably not ethanol blended fuel, so at least phase separation should not be an issue.

If the tank is only partially full, I would top it off with fresh gas. If its significantly full, I'd drain it.

Also make sure you check the oil in the engine before running it...

 

[Metabo]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

View attachment Original Brochure.pdfHere is another question. Oh, and thanks for the advice. I'm sure both batteries are shot after setting for 5 to 7 years. Should I get 2 deep cycle or one deep cycle and one cranking battery. The boat does not have a refrigerator, just an icebox. So I'm guessing I'd only be running lights and stereo.

Metabo

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

welcome to iBoats.

I suspect the carb gaskets are dried out.

bring someone along to watch for fuel leaks. When my buddy picked up his '88 Carver, it had sat for 6 years, carb gaskets leaked like a sieve, and the fuel pump needed replacement due to a leaking diaphragm. fuel tank also needed to be flushed.

However the boat looks great. good find.

 

[Metabo]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

welcome to iBoats.

I suspect the carb gaskets are dried out.

bring someone along to watch for fuel leaks. When my buddy picked up his '88 Carver, it had sat for 6 years, carb gaskets leaked like a sieve, and the fuel pump needed replacement due to a leaking diaphragm. fuel tank also needed to be flushed.

However the boat looks great. good find.

"leaked like a sieve" should never be used in a sentence when talking about boats............ lol

Thanks Scott, for the heads up on the carb. I don't want to burn the boat down while inspecting it.....lol Maybe I'll bring along a fire extinguisher. Still wondering about the batteries, 2 deep or 1 deep and 1 crank

Metabo

 

[Maclin]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

How are the batteries connected? Are they just wired in parallel directly, or do they go to a Battery A-B switch? Or are they wired into a charger/isolator so they each have separate circuits that they power?

If they are just hardwired to each other in parallel then get 2 cranking batteries.

 

[Metabo]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

How are the batteries connected? Are they just wired in parallel directly, or do they go to a Battery A-B switch? Or are they wired into a charger/isolator so they each have separate circuits that they power?

If they are just hardwired to each other in parallel then get 2 cranking batteries.

I don't know any of that, Like I said the owner died and his son is selling the boat for his Mom. I went ahead and picked up one of each. I want to start the boat when I inspect it. I will be released from the deal if the boat is not exactly as he described it, that was his promise to me when I go to look. He is bringing it down from up north. It was stored near Leach Lake in MN I think. This way I'll only have about an hour and a half drive to pick it up rather than a 5 hr drive one way. I hope all goes well, I really like the the looks of this boat. If it's all original and in the condition he claims then even better.

Metabo

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

It probably will be hard to get started if it's been setting for seven years. I would definately drain the gas and put in fresh. Like others have said, you may have to replace all the gaskets in the carb and perhaps even replace the fuel pump. Any rubber fuel lines could also be deteriorateted. I would not let that stop me from pulling the trigger on that boat though. She looks nice and seems to be well taken care of. It's harder for a boat to set untouched than to be ran every day. Good luck on the boat. She is a beauty.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

On the battery issue, if you could find a good battery or take one out of another vehicle you have just for the test You can figure out what you need to buy after getting the boat home. Don't need marine batteries to test it. Bring along some jumper cables too.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

I'd just bring a can of fresh gas and connect the fuel line to that instead of even messing with the fuel tank in the boat.

 

[Zebraic]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

I just found your boat on this website. Indeed, its a beauty! I bought the same boat (1977 Sea Ray Hardtop) this summer for $1,250. It's even the same color! I thought mine was in pretty good shape, but your's is even better. I have taken it out 3 or 4 times this past summer, and it is in cold (Minnesota) storage for the winter. Overall, it appears structurally sound, but I think that there may have been a long-term problem of some water pooling in the bilge midship; as a consequence, I think the plywood stinger adjacent to the gas tank is "soft" and rotting out. Trying to replace that stringer will be one of my spring projects.

 

[Metabo]

Re: 1977 Sea Ray SRV220 Hardtop Cuddy

I just found your boat on this website. Indeed, its a beauty! I bought the same boat (1977 Sea Ray Hardtop) this summer for $1,250. It's even the same color! I thought mine was in pretty good shape, but your's is even better. I have taken it out 3 or 4 times this past summer, and it is in cold (Minnesota) storage for the winter. Overall, it appears structurally sound, but I think that there may have been a long-term problem of some water pooling in the bilge midship; as a consequence, I think the plywood stinger adjacent to the gas tank is "soft" and rotting out. Trying to replace that stringer will be one of my spring projects.

Very cool. I boat on the St. Croix River as a rule. Sometimes down to the Mississippi. Mine is shrunk and sitting in the backyard. I can't wait to get it back on the water. I've noticed water in the center of my boat also, but only if it's been raining hard and once the boat is tilted up it seems to dry out. Send me a private message and we can chat via normal emails... It would be cool to see your boat and see how close to the same they are.... I really like the boat as it is small enough to trailer, but once on the water has a big boat feel... I have overnighted on the river a few times and it was great.....Just noticed that in your photo, it looks like the hard top is removed....

Metabo