Possibly buying a 1986 Sea ray 255 Flybridge few questions

[jws123]

I am going to go look at a 1986 Sea ray 255 Fly bridge This weekend with twin 470 mercs for 3k. Its been sitting 2 years have owned many boats and expect it to need all the regular **** water pumps seals ect.. How ever My question is hopefully one of you has owned or ridden in one of these. Is 2 470 mercs enough to move this boat? i dont expect a speed boat but would at least like to see 30mph or so.. Also would like to know how this boat handles in water and if overall was a good boat.
Anything else i should know please post below.

 

[roffey]

I had a Wellcraft Suncruiser 255 with a single 5.7 (260hp) and could hit 35 mph. It took about 2 minutes to get there but would do 35 mph on the gps. You have considerably more horse power so I would think 30+ mph is reasonable.

 

[mr 88]

Most of those were powered by a single 350 GM 260 hp , so with the two on her, maybe 360 hp depending on what 470s are in it.,a bit more weight and drag with two outdrives. But yes it should hit 30-35 mph. It's a Sea Ray and 43 years old , so you may want to take some one with you who has been around boats to check for rot in the stringers and transom along with anything else made out of wood. Average boat with a average ride in rough water, not something that you would want to sit on the flybridge while anchored or drifting, a bit top heavy for that length hull. Don't think it would be worth the 5-600 for a survey based if he is selling it for 2-3000 [ what is he asking ? ]. Does it come with a trailer ,if so that should be worth close to a grand if the boat is only good for a few years. There is also a sticky post on here for what to look for when buying a boat, read it. NOW the BIG thing ,those 470s / 3.7s are a different animal and I am not going to get into it. How many hours on the engines ? So use your search icon in the Mercruiser Forum on this site and read up on them before pulling the trigger. Good luck and let us know what you did.

 

[jws123]

ok thanks for the info after looking up stome stuff going to ask if the engines have the stator or the alternator setup... if its the stator forget about it... and hes asking 3k no trailer

 

[QBhoy]

Those 470s pack an incredible punch. Amazing the power in them. The problem is...only do so when they are working. Which isn’t often.

 

[mr 88]

They do have alternator kits / brackets for these engines, So its no big deal to just disable the wires from the stator. You should also see if there 3 or 4" heat exchangers , The 3 is too small in most cases. Hours are a big factor because of the water pump setup on the engine. They are strong engines when tuned and maintained. If it all checks out and you can take a sea trial that's great. But if no sea trial because of location AND he guarantees in writing the engines are good I would offer at tops 2 grand bc your going to want a trailer at some point along with not being able to go for a ride, which is a no no for many people. I have bought many boats with and without a sea trial ,just have to know what your looking at and what your paying.

 

[jws123]

hah yea no sea trial outdirves are off and needs bellows uno normal boat **** before it hits the water it does have alternators he said so thats good. i will check heat exchangers next il ask about hours but most never have hour meters and you say water pump setup? il google it but whats bad about the setup is it hard to change?

 

[jws123]

the guy says bout 2500 hours but he will double check How many hours is to much for a engine like this? he also said cylinder heads where redone 40 or so hours ago

 

[roffey]

The 470s are famous for over heating and came with stators and voltage regulators. Once you over heat them the voltage regulator is cooked and has to be converted over to alternators. Ask me how I know, lol.

Any used boat should have the water impeller checked.

 

[mr 88]

Hopefully those hours are off a meter and not a guess. Paperwork or proof for the heads may help as well. Otherwise he could be blowing smoke up your %=%÷ The engines could blow tommorow or go up to 6-7000 hours., depends on routine oil changes, how harf they were run and the luck of the draw. Compression test couldn't hurt. The water pump on the motor runs off the cam and the seals over time wear a ring on the end of the cam,which eventually leaks. In most cases you can lightly sand and put néw seals on and that takes care of it or you can sleave the cam if it's too worn. There are post,topics in the Mercruiser forum on this. You can reach out to Stonyloam on here
He is the resident guru on the 470s

 

[jws123]

Hopefully those hours are off a meter and not a guess. Paperwork or proof for the heads may help as well. Otherwise he could be blowing smoke up your %=%÷ The engines could blow tommorow or go up to 6-7000 hours., depends on routine oil changes, how harf they were run and the luck of the draw. Compression test couldn't hurt.

he is guna check the meters and i understand they could blow at any time was just tryna get a general idea as to how long they normally last ect definitely will try to look over it really good i am mechanically inclined just never worked with this engine before only 5.7s/305s

 

[jws123]

The 470s are famous for over heating and came with stators and voltage regulators. Once you over heat them the voltage regulator is cooked and has to be converted over to alternators. Ask me how I know, lol.

Any used boat should have the water impeller checked.

He said has alternators not stators so thats a +1 how come they over heat often? and what do people do to improve this? i mean i will look into it more now you bring it up check other treads ect
Ty for all the info.

 

[mr 88]

The models with the stator and regulators were also cooled by the engines cooling system ,so that added stress to the system along with the undersized 3 " heat exchangers. Like many I/Os the owners never maintained the impellers in the outdrive. So when the 470s overheated they were not as forgiving as many all steel.engines. The 470 has I believe aluminum 460 heads and that combined with the steel block lead them to warp out quicker when overheated before the operator figured out he was running hot. Again if all systems are maintained to spec there decent running engines with minimal issues.

 

[roffey]

The impellers wear out like most older boats do. The voltage regulators are or were sensitive to over heating as the motor is a closed cooling system. I think most will tell you the motors are good motors you just need to look after them and they will look after you. Personally a 3k boat, use it and enjoy it but keep in mind the age and think of getting tow insurance.

I do all my boating on a lake but I did download C-Tow app to my phone…

 

[harringtondav]

It's a Sea Ray and 43 years old , so you may want to take some one with you who has been around boats to check for rot in the stringers and transom along with anything else made out of wood.

This sums up any advice I'd offer. Sea Ray or whatever, it's an old boat with unknown mooring and storage care. The mechanicals are fixable. Rotten structure...not so much.

 

[jws123]

ok thanks for the advice guys think im guna offer 2500 cause i gotta find trailer if not he can keep it. will post back if i get it )_)