Picked up an old SeaRay! Worth messing with?

[Velislide]

Have about 300$ invested in a 1980 SeaRay SRV200. Has a 5.0 Mercruiser, and alpha one gen 1 from what I understand. I did find a strange crack on the side of the upper unit? Guy said it was winterized before being stored, and everything worked 4 years ago.

What would cause this? Interior of the boat is pretty much shot, all electrical works except for tilting up on the motor.

Any thoughts? New to inboards.


https://imgur.com/pVSneM0

https://imgur.com/TLKsBni

https://imgur.com/6H7T7Af

 

[sogood]

If I wanted a hobby or a project, I'd certainly keep it. If I thought I was going to make a profit from it I'd think twice. All you can do is take a long hard critical look at it and ask yourself are you prepared to put a bit, or a lot, of time and money into it. Nice looking boat though. Only you can decide.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Alpha 1s didn't come out til 1983, so ya got an MC-1,.....

That drive got freeze busted,..... Hopefully the motor didn't,......

Good news is, the trailer is worth what ya paid for the whole thing,....

 

[roffey]

Ayuh,..... Alpha 1s didn't come out til 1983, so ya got an MC-1,.....

That drive got freeze busted,..... Hopefully the motor didn't,......

Good news is, the trailer is worth what ya paid for the whole thing,....

Is that from not putting the lower unit down after winterizing? I did not think water would stay in that part of the lower unit unless it was never lowered or winterized :nightmare:

 

[mr 88]

What I would do is get the motor running before going any further after making sure the block is not cracked , can be pressure tested for that. The out drives crack can be JB welded , the working components of that are in the upper case and lower "bullet " all in cased in oil. Drain that to insure now water infiltrated those sections. OR pick one up a Craigslist etc for a few hundred,they are all over the place. See Mercruiser section in this forum for engine /outdrive related questions. The water pump sits on the bullet section and will need to be replaced if engine is good. If all that checks out you can run it as a beater /fishing boat for awhile to see if you like the hull and everything else before continuing on $$$$

 

[Velislide]

Anyway I can test the block for being cracked myself? I'm guessing as long as water isnt getting into the oil, and water isnt coming out of the block, I'm probably good? I'll compression test the cylinders, for now just going to see if she fires up with fresh gas. If it pops over, going to change the oil and get some muffs on it, and see what happens.

As far as that crack go, sounds like as long as the out drive works fine, I can just seal up that split in the upper case and be good? Having a welder fix it as it sits might be an option?

 

[Bondo]

Anyway I can test the block for being cracked myself?

Ayuh,...... The way it is done is,.....

You isolate the block's coolin' passages, 'n add 'bout 15 psi of compressed air,.... then Listen,.....

If ya hear air excapin', ya follow the sound through any, or all the openings in the motor, oil fill cap, dipstick tube, spark plug holes, intake, exhaust, etc,.....

 

[JimS123]

One of my boats was a basket case when I got it. After many hours spent lovingly restoring it, now its as good as the day it was born.

The boat will eventually go to my grandchildren. Its a family heirloom. I bought it as such, and its "worth" is less than what I have into it. Of course, its "value" priceless.

If you are of the mind to restore and use your SeaRay, then go for it. If you think you might use it a few times and sell it, dump it now and buy something that is water ready.

 

[Velislide]

Another thing I noticed, there seems to be a missing bolt or cover on the gimbal housing? That sound right? Not sure whats up here.

 

[Velislide]

Doing a little research, looks like that's the swivel bolts, uses a special tool from Merc to remove. Should be a trim sensor over it? Definitely will have to pull the gimbal and out drive to go through it, after I check out this motor.

 

[Alumarine]

The hinge pin that is missing, or broken can use a 1/2" allan key socket to remove.
From the factory they were installed with loctite.

The trim sender is missing and the machine screws are broken.

 

[JimS123]

Looks like whoever worked on it last gave up before he was finished. Also, it has been left unused for a long time. Looks like it was uncovered as well.

Be prepared to invest big bucks. Its going to be a money pit.