Sea Ray 39, classic project

[CUDA]

I am turning 70, so it's time to smell the roses, I haven't owned an inboard since the 70's,

But these old Sea Ray's from the 1980's are being given away mostly because they need repowering,

I've always liked the big Rays, so I've looked and read up on what are the normal things to look for and known age

Problems, like the center 100 gal tanks that need to be replaced, the typical water leak areas Club Sea Ray.com

Has a lot of great projects wright ups, So I'm thinking of converting to outboards or an Ilmor motor package. Now I see

inboard electric motor repower replacement, cover the hardtop with solar pannels?

These boats like a trawler speed 10 mph, cruise around 20 mph all out 30 mph

We just need big, cheap batteries that don't exist Yet.

https://www.evoy.no/evoy-inboard-electric-boat-motor/

https://www.evoy.no/evoy-outboard-electric-boat-motor/

[John S]

I get the desire to convert go fast cats to OB, but I don't understand the push for the luxo cruisers going that route. Saw a new +/- 50' Sea Ray at the marina with trips Yammies on the back. It took away from the smooth lines,Ade the back platform kinda useless. I can't imagine at the RPMs that would run that OB would be significantly cheaper or better performing. I would think diesel would be best, but maybe there is a fuel supply issue at the docks with that. But I know little to nothing aboot this size boat... Or anything else, for that matter.

Cool project, hope it goes smooth.

[noli]

Cuda,

Have you located a boat yet?

please share pics of the "One"






.

[hellbents-10]

Just have to bring the moisture meter! You got it on the tank my last one had the plastic tank done and that is a bonus. Diesels would be ideal with the weight but it would be a costly endeavor. The outboards are attractive because of the ease of maintenance down the road.

[donmac]

I was thinking a stinger but maybe your talking a house?was a stinger a ray or formula??

[noli]

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https://longisland.craigslist.org/bo...724152450.html


34'

[JPEROG]

Be careful,

I have been there, done that, "bought a 46 sea ray" because it was a deal. Pulled motors, re-did the tank, replaced wet stringers, etc. It was a great cottage for weekends but I should have spent the money and bought a newer 50 or 54 after all of the repair cost and headaches. The marina has you by the balls when you start pulling motors etc. NEVER AGAIN.... I won't own another boat that I can't trailer my self unless I somehow become rich.

Joe

[noli]

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JPerog,

Can the work be done in the water?

I would say bring boat to dry dock, close all openings in the hull, paint the bottom, then slap a 100 hp outboard and get the heck out of dry dock

find a safe and free anchorage and begin all of your work whilst living in the boat




.

[CUDA]

I like the 39s 14 feet wide, Hard to believe but Ilmor has an I/O package, motor and dual prop I/L CHEAP.

But being an outboard guy, I was wondering if two 350 hp outboards could push it 30 MPH, these boats normally cruise around 20 mph

The Suzuki dual prop looks interesting since they gear them low and more blade area, trouble is the better LUs just came out in 2023 so no used market.

The 39s have big prop pockets that I would mostly fill in if I went to outboards. They would be on a 30inch to 36inch swim platform

motor mount, Think of all the storage space where the motors / transmission drive and steering gear.

[David]

With many things, buying a decent ride is cheaper than paying less for a project and paying someone to do the work. I’d get a handle on repower costs before buying a deal.

[CUDA]

Be careful,

I have been there, done that, "bought a 46 sea ray" because it was a deal. Pulled motors, re-did the tank, replaced wet stringers, etc. It was a great cottage for weekends but I should have spent the money and bought a newer 50 or 54 after all of the repair cost and headaches. The marina has you by the balls when you start pulling motors etc. NEVER AGAIN.... I won't own another boat that I can't trailer my self unless I somehow become rich.

Joe

Joe that is why I want outboards, I don't want all the noise vibration smoke, old hoses everywhere,

I started liking the Express Cruiser line, till I climbed up top of a sedan, I like the view from high up, and at 14 feet wide should be no problem side to side, lot of good used Tripp motor deals, was thinking 3 350hp motors, I would have a 30 to 36-inch swim platform motor mount bracket made to fit, curved transom, for regular putting around 8 to 14 MPH just use the center motor on a porta bracket, raise the two outer motors, I would like to cover long distances cheaply, I'll go slow, retired, but can drop all three in and
bust 30 MPH; no speed is not the goal, just a big moving condo. I tried to like diesel, but outboards give me security; even If something happens to one, I would still have two.
Those sedan 40 versions is like a house on the water

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/...728261801.html

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...2111112l%22%7D

[hellbents-10]

3 350s and it would likely cruise at 30 and run 40-42 tops. That would be awesome!

[KIRCHNER]

i had a big, fat, wide searay. big mistake. top heavy,poor visibility. cabin was like a dungeon. i used that moisture meter, but not on the boat.

[CUDA]

Remember the model you had? ,

That's one of the reasons I want the 40ft 14 ft wide model, they made a lot of 10.5 wide versions,I have a hard time believing the

14 ft Beam is top-heavy, It would be fun to put one outboard in the center for trawler speed on the cheap I have a spare 300xs and 250XS, I bet If you propped the outboard to run around 3,000 rpm it would be great on fuel.

[noli]

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Cuda, if on some models the cabin is too low in the boat making it feel like a dungeon, then something like this might be good