Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

[BoatingCop]

Well after being boatless for some time, I ran across a deal I found on Dallas craigslist. It's a 1986 Sea Ray 197 SXL with a Mercrusier 350 with an Alpha I. I was origianlly looking for a power boat, or another boat with a big block. As I looked more at this one I remembed that the 350 is a pretty healthy engine and pretty efficent as well. I really love the interior of the boat which is in really good shape for its age. The floor was just redone at which time the transom and stringers checked out ok. I've included a lot of pics. Thhe dash could stand to be redone but I'm more than happy with it. I had it running on the hose today and everything seemed to be in order. From what I can tell the boat needs nothing and I picked it up for $3500. The hull looks like it could use some buffing but it still shines! I'm not a real big fan of the trumpet horn or the speakers on the stern that the PO installed. Over all, I think it's a sporty looking older runabout and I couldn't be more excited and can't wait to take it out!!

A few questions, as you can see from the pics, the skeg on the lower unit has a large chip in it. Is there any way to fill this so it can be repainted. Also the same goes for the cavitation plate and it's also bent. The lower unit also has the chalky stuff on it. Any ideas on how to get that off? Thanks!!

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

More pics

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

A couple more lol. Also, I've tried searching for this model of boat on a lot of sites but can't find much on it. Anyone know why that may be? Thanks again

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

You might want to send that prop out to have it reworked looks like it has been dinged a couple times since the skeg is broke. there is a stainless skeg gard that will work for that.

and check the output shaft to make sure it isn't bent. That can be done with a dial indicator fairly easy

Looks nice. Enjoy

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Congrats on the nice ride! Good luck and enjoy. A great way to start the new year off!!

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Thanks for the compliments! I'm gonna have the prop re worked cuz of the dings, but I totally forgot about making sure the shaft isn't bent, so thanks for reminding me. What about the cavitation plate? Any ideas?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

What about the cavitation plate?

only thing i know is that the thin cast aluminum can break very easy. on my boat the skeg is bent + has a chip out of it just like yours. i've left both alone and done nothing to it. i have no noted ramifications from not fixing the bend or the chunk missing out of it.

i had a whale tale on my last boat when i got it. all the wale tale did was break a chunk off my anti ventilation plate where it bolted onto the anti vent. plate when i hit something solid on the river one time. for broken, i've read leave it alone too. for a bend, strightening is problematic as it might just break off during the attempt to straighten it..

ya might talk to a pro welder and see if they can straighten it. but i'd be careful. it could just break off.

for the white stuff on your drive. it's the minerals left behind from water boiling off your drive while on plane. these minerals can be easy removed with some lime away. hose some lime away on it. give it the brush. then wash right away with boat soap and water. she'll come out looking nice and black..

for sure fix the prop. looks like that is bad enough it could introduce vibration.

congrats on your new boat.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Ziggy is right on^^^

on the bent cavitation plate I would use a small hard rubber/plastic mallett and with very light taps on it just barley moving it a tiny bit at a time. I repair thin wall aluminum this way.
good luck!

and the speakers on the stern are great for bikini clad girls to dance on the swim platform!

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

JB weld will fill the gouges in the skeg, but you may not want to bother doing that until you get the lower unit checked out. That prop is HAMMERED! Have a good look at the prop shaft, usually a stainless prop that has been hit that hard transfers a bunch of force. I'm not sure the prop can be saved, depends on your local shop. I bought a boat years ago with similar PO damage, and had many issues with the lower unit. That one has taken some severe hits. You may be looking at an SEI lower unit in your future. Don't want to bring you down, but I wouldn't float that without a good looking over.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Congrats! A little TLC and you'll be ready for the Spring!

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Very Nice looking!!

 

[atx111]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Nice find!

 

[TJDave]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Very nice find. Great looking boat. I like her name too.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

I am with dockwrecker on this I would get the prop shaft looked at pretty quick as it's the biggest concern, the Prop needs worked also so in order of priority in my opinion

1. Prop shaft
2. Prop
3. cavitation plate
4. Skeg

3 and 4 you can live with forever they are minor issues but the prop shaft and prop your going to feel every time you go out and the prop shaft being bent I believe could destroy your lower but I could be wrong also

Boat looks nice though just a few issues so not bad overall

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Well guys, I just couldn't wait to take it out and since today was a nicer day (62 degrees) I decided this would be the day! Before I took it out, I removed the prop and inspected the prop shaft carefuully and found nothing to be out of the ordinary. I put the prop back on and headed to the lake with my brother. Everything went very smooth. The boat started right up and didn't stall once. I noticed the boat came up on plane very quick and it handeled the chop out on the lake very well. I did not feel any vibration whatsoever which really surprised me. With the GPS on my iphone, I checked the boat a 51mph at WOT and mild trim. I couldn't trim it too much other wise it would begin to porpise (spelling?). I felt the engine hesitate only one time when I hammered on it from half throttle to WOT, but it quickly caught itself and took off. Another issue I want to fix is the tach as is tempermental and rarley gives an accurate reading, and no reading at all over 3000k. Could this be a gauge issue or a wiring issue? All in all, I'm very impressed with the boat and can't wait til summertime! What's even better is that my girlfriend, and the little one can't wait either!! Next order of business is getting the prop fixed. I didn't get any pics of her in the water today as this was just a test run, but next time I will for sure.

 

[Shawk]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Congrats!

I agree regarding your prop... skag can be done by a local welder but you need to be careful that they don't get the lower unit/seals to hot. Sounds like a great boat.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Nice boat! You might think about changing the fluid (oil, outdrive, etc.), water pump impeller, and the bellows, unless you know for sure that they were recently changed, just so you have a date marker for maintenance.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

Congratulations. Very nice boat. Great find.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

A 350 is plenty of motor for your boat. I'll be repowering with one this winter.
Check the back walls and the other places that SeaRay used poorly treated wood. I, and others, have learned it the hard way.
I agree with a complete fluid replacement and outdrive service, unless the previous owner has done it recently.

The skeg and plate would probably be secondary to a prop and/or shaft that could start doing drive damage.

Good boat with some good power!

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Finally got an new (to me) boat!!!

I use a mixture of 50/50 water, and Simple Green with 6 teaspoons of white vinegar to keep my out drive clean, and free of the white build up that you show. (Was told this by the dealer). It seems to work. I also wondered about a Magic Eraser for the afore mentioned problem.

Nice boat !!!!!