Resurrection78
Cadet
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2019
- Messages
- 6
Hey guys, Thought you'd enjoy this. I found someone redoing this boat on your forum decided why not put my story up here. I'm re-rigging and restoring a 1978 Sea Ray that was converted to a fishing center console. And here is my story.
I've been looking for a boat to buy for me and my family to enjoy, I live in South Florida and have been in one of these boat programs where I would pay $400 a month and be able to use a boat that was shared. I got a bit tired of that as I like to own my own stuff so I went out searching for a boat, I found anything I liked was well over 50-60K and I wanted something that was well rounded both for fishing and for pleasure but at a reasonable price, So here is my journey. I went out and found this 1978 solid as a rock sea ray that is appx. 26-27 ft.+/- upon inspection I found that the boat was completely solid, had recently been redone 6 years ago from stringers up and looks like a monster of a deal considering it had an 06 225 opti on it.
Welp One thing led to another and within a few hours of making a phone call to the seller I drove out there and paid cash for it. Price can be disclosed in private message...
general goal was to put appx 3X its cost into bringing it into 2019. and so I purchased the boat May 26 and started working on it early June. progress can bee viewed here
Its been raining like crazy here in North Miami and I've been delayed this whole week with the glass work in order to get the top painted.. Trying to get this done by July 1st.
I'm doing the project in 5 stages
Stage 1 - Exterior
- Removing rub rail - complete
- Sanding bottom - Complete
- Anti Foul Paint - Complete
- Cut / Polish / Wax - one side only
- Remount Rub Rail / Refinish rubrail
- Grind and fix some minor glass issues on hull - In progress
Stage 2 - Interior
Fix All glass imperfections - In progress
Glass in multiple areas - in progress
Glass in holes in the center console - in progress
Rip out everything out of cubby cabin - Complete
Remove all wiring from help/center console - Complete
Sand boat completely - not started
prep boat completely - not started
paint boat completely - Not started
Stage 3 - Rigging
I purchased $5000+ worth of things to mount on the boat so once everything is complete this gets put on
This includes a Sinrad go12 w transducer $1700
ending at JL full audio system $1000+
I can post a list of the items I purchased later if anyone is interested.
This all needs to get wired, appx 1 weeks work probably closer to the end of June. last couple of days before the deadline
Stage 4 - Vinyl upholstry
I have someone doing all the upholstry over 16 pcs. $2200
two tone diamond stiching, I have the photos if anyone is interested
Stage 5 - Engine
Getting the motor where it needs to be. Doing a 300 hour service and doing whatever else needs to be done to get it o100%. I have not heard it run but I know it turns over and had the previous owner promise that It works. If it doesn't I'll buy a armstrong deck for 2 motors and repower it.
Welp.. I think that covers just about all the things I'm doing.. What do you guys think Am I crazy?
I really wanted to find something like this but there was nothing on the market that even came close, I was finding crappy 22ft boats that were in bad shape for $15-18K I decided to grab this gem that is solid as a rock and bring it back to life, once I'm done I will be in it for appx 15-16K not including the trailer and will leave it to you guys to judge how much I can ask for it
If anyone has any advice on the progress and things to do I would appriciate it, I have no boat restoration or building experience.
I've been looking for a boat to buy for me and my family to enjoy, I live in South Florida and have been in one of these boat programs where I would pay $400 a month and be able to use a boat that was shared. I got a bit tired of that as I like to own my own stuff so I went out searching for a boat, I found anything I liked was well over 50-60K and I wanted something that was well rounded both for fishing and for pleasure but at a reasonable price, So here is my journey. I went out and found this 1978 solid as a rock sea ray that is appx. 26-27 ft.+/- upon inspection I found that the boat was completely solid, had recently been redone 6 years ago from stringers up and looks like a monster of a deal considering it had an 06 225 opti on it.
Welp One thing led to another and within a few hours of making a phone call to the seller I drove out there and paid cash for it. Price can be disclosed in private message...
general goal was to put appx 3X its cost into bringing it into 2019. and so I purchased the boat May 26 and started working on it early June. progress can bee viewed here
Its been raining like crazy here in North Miami and I've been delayed this whole week with the glass work in order to get the top painted.. Trying to get this done by July 1st.
I'm doing the project in 5 stages
Stage 1 - Exterior
- Removing rub rail - complete
- Sanding bottom - Complete
- Anti Foul Paint - Complete
- Cut / Polish / Wax - one side only
- Remount Rub Rail / Refinish rubrail
- Grind and fix some minor glass issues on hull - In progress
Stage 2 - Interior
Fix All glass imperfections - In progress
Glass in multiple areas - in progress
Glass in holes in the center console - in progress
Rip out everything out of cubby cabin - Complete
Remove all wiring from help/center console - Complete
Sand boat completely - not started
prep boat completely - not started
paint boat completely - Not started
Stage 3 - Rigging
I purchased $5000+ worth of things to mount on the boat so once everything is complete this gets put on
This includes a Sinrad go12 w transducer $1700
ending at JL full audio system $1000+
I can post a list of the items I purchased later if anyone is interested.
This all needs to get wired, appx 1 weeks work probably closer to the end of June. last couple of days before the deadline
Stage 4 - Vinyl upholstry
I have someone doing all the upholstry over 16 pcs. $2200
two tone diamond stiching, I have the photos if anyone is interested
Stage 5 - Engine
Getting the motor where it needs to be. Doing a 300 hour service and doing whatever else needs to be done to get it o100%. I have not heard it run but I know it turns over and had the previous owner promise that It works. If it doesn't I'll buy a armstrong deck for 2 motors and repower it.
Welp.. I think that covers just about all the things I'm doing.. What do you guys think Am I crazy?
I really wanted to find something like this but there was nothing on the market that even came close, I was finding crappy 22ft boats that were in bad shape for $15-18K I decided to grab this gem that is solid as a rock and bring it back to life, once I'm done I will be in it for appx 15-16K not including the trailer and will leave it to you guys to judge how much I can ask for it
If anyone has any advice on the progress and things to do I would appriciate it, I have no boat restoration or building experience.
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