Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

[scoutabout]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

We had the next generation of that boat and one size smaller (1992 170). First, I think you'll find it's not a true 19 footer, more like 18 and change if they classified that 190 the same as our 170, which was 16 and change. Anyway, smaller is better considering the 3.0 motor. I was surprised to read another poster saying they blew their 4 banger. I guess anything is possible but my experience is that's one bulletproof little motor. Yeah, no speed demon but pushed us along ok.

Also, with respect to the soft part of the floor above the gas tank. You are right it's a removable cover. We had the same issue. What those dumbazzes at SeaRay did was to put in a full floor, then cut out the tank hatch while failing to seal the edges of the cuts. After ten years of wet carpet due to hauling water toys and wet kids back on board, the water just wicked sideways and delaminated everything.

You can expect that hatch is toast as will be the edges of your floor all around it. Our stringers remained solid though. Other than that idiot move with the hatch edges, it seemed to me to be a pretty well-made boat and we got lots of compliments on the lines and look. The guy I sold it to just made a cut straight across at the consoles and replaced the floor from there back to the doghouse. Was a quick job. Your mileage may vary of course...

If you can get that boat for under 2k and it's not a basket case structurally or mechanically then I'd say do it.

 

[erikpn]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I am going to look at this, it sounds very nice. He said he is not very flexible on price. I figured I would offer $2700 that way I could pay tax, get a stereo and stay under 3k.

Check it out first, make sure the work he did is done right. Ask him how he did the floors. If he just put down a new piece of ply over old rotted stuff, walk away. Check the transom carefullyyy.

Also look at this boat. http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1585894934.html

He is asking 38, but go look it over and offer him 3k anyways. People will come down much more than you think if you show them the cash in hand.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Check it out first, make sure the work he did is done right. Ask him how he did the floors. If he just put down a new piece of ply over old rotted stuff, walk away. Check the transom carefullyyy.

Also look at this boat. http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1585894934.html

He is asking 38, but go look it over and offer him 3k anyways. People will come down much more than you think if you show them the cash in hand.

I have already talked to this guy, he did not even know what a transome was when I asked about its condition. He also said he would not take more than a few hundred off the price. His "new" stuff is the stereo. He also said he would throw in the life jackets, extinguisher and wake board if I wanted to give him 4500. The guy was a total jack @$$. I am going to look at this tonight http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1585515042.html

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

That boat sure looks pretty on the outside. The trailer has nice wheels, too!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

That looks a like a pretty good one.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

It looks as if you have lots of cheap boats to choose from. The bad economy has its advantages I suppose.

My advice is not to even look at boats with 4 cyl engines, especially if you ever want to pull skiers. In the size range that you are looking at, V6 models provide a good combination of power and fuel economy.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I disagree. In a 17-18' boat the 3.0 is a perfectly adequate powerplant. Will it pull an adult up on a single ski with 5 people in the boat? maybe not, but I wouldn't rule it out. In the OP's limited budget, I'd much rather have a nice boat with the 3.0 than a beat boat with a V6.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Will it pull an adult up on a single ski with 5 people in the boat? maybe not, but I wouldn't rule it out.

Well, maybe on a light boat with a small adult skier with very small people in the boat, and possibly a following sea and a strong tailwind.

I have never owned a 3 litre but after watching their underperformance for years I would not want one. But then I like speed. Maybe a 4.3 will cost a bit more, but it also would be easier to resell.

The main thing that kills boats of this age is leaving them outside, and that has nothing to do with the size of the engine. If that SeaRay had been kept in a boathouse or garage when not in use, the interior and exterior still would look much like new. In 1986, I bought a "new" boat that had never been in the water. Before we could use it, we had to replace all the upholstery. The sun is really hard on these things. If they are properly looked after, they will bring a premium price.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Well, I think its important to get feedback from actual 3.0L owners...

Like me

I owned previously a beautiful 1996 Glastron 186 I/O with the 3.0L. I'm 220lbs, 6.2 and a bad skier. Would a 350 V8 have gotten me up out of the water better...absolutely...however, we skied behind it all day long, tubed, kneeboarded, etc.

We're a family of 4.

Now...if it was 4 200lbs adults in the boat trying to pull me up...I would have needed to switch props for that...but it could still have done it...probably.

The 3.0L is a great motor, easy on gas, and is an all around good performer.

Would the 4.3 do better...of course...but the 3.0L is a perfectly serviceable engine.

That Sea Ray being a 19 foot boat...IMO...yes, that should have been a 4.3L...18ft (and a light 18ft) boat is about all I'd want that 3.0L in...any larger, and the 4.3L really ought to be in there...so...on that point, I totally agree.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Good points, dorelse. As you point out, that 3.0 has its place, but maybe not in a heavy larger boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

My uncle has a 3.0 in a SeaRay 175. His boat is used 90% for watersports. (Been used HARD since 1995 when he bought it new) Does just fine. Still can hit 40MPH when cruising. When his buddy with the V8 Bayliner comes down do they prefer to use his boat? Heck yes, but the 3.0 SeaRay certainly gets the job done.

 

[kabookey]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I picked up the same exact boat (mine has the 4.3) in red last year, paid $900 with trailer. I thought the same thing about a single "soft spot" and ended up replacing the stringers, deck, etc. I would assume you will have to do a complete tear down, so paying anymore than $1000 for your boat does not seem like it would be in your best interest. Note, this boat is very heavy, and that 3.0l will be pushing its limits to tow you around that lake.

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

First boat I ever owned was a 1988 version of that boat. It has been well used and abused before I got it and I added an hour meter and put 900 hours on the old 3.0 before selling it. I put a wake board tower on it and it spent most time with 3-5 people and ballast. GREAT boat. Could it have used little more power, sure but with proper pitch prop it did the job. BUT when i sold it (for 1500) i was starting to get soft spots, when a boat with plywood. (like this) has one soft spot it is an iceburge, there is a major re-do in the near future. My advice, dont buy it, too much money and effort required to fix it in near future.

 

[erikpn]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1587126001.html

I actually like this boat if you can get it for 1500 or so. Aluminum would be a LOT easier to do work on if you ever need it, and the hull should be bulletproof for many more years to come. If the motors good, you should be able to get it to shining beauty for a grand, and they tow easily. They just don't look as pretty as the glass boats though.

How'd the glassport check out?

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

The glassport was amazing, it's a little smaller than we would like, but it looks like an 07 and not an 87. I am going to make an offer on it Monday. I would do it today but I only have the sellers work number.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Good luck with the offer. Keep us posted.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

He is willing to take $2800, I am going Saturday to hear it run. Hopefully I will be coming home with a boat.