Hopefully a new boat (to me) following a trail and maybe some sun....Sea Ray 240

M

mil1194

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Joined
1 Jul 2010
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7,754
Location
Gower / West Wales / Black Sea
www.myitmatters.com
Hiya. After some years of non-boating for various reasons I’ve now agreed on a price (and thankfully so have the sellers), paid the deposit via the broker and waiting for a break in the weather for a sea trail and the deal can be finished.
Although this is a smaller boat than my previous there is a surprising amount of trepidation which has taken the place of some of the excitement that I was expecting - maybe I’m just getting older and more cynical.
The deal will be it to keep her in Swansea marina (which is currently her home berth) and I’ve probably agreed to spend too much money but to dip my toe back in the water and get the new FirstMate into the idea of boating it was a local purchase and doesn’t seem too far off the mark) plus when the weather changes (?) it’ll be in time for the season.
Any hints and tips for the trail would be handy - it’s a Sea Ray 240 Sundancer - Please feel free to be as negative as you like about the boat but I think it will suit us for a year or so before we decide to go any bigger.

Currently there is no trailer but am considering buying one if something comes along at the right price.

If any hints and tips or thoughts from owners/previous owners from one of these come to mind please feel free to share them - no matter how negative they could be!
 
what year is she? SeaRay have made 240's at various periods from the 70's so actual size and weight will vary, affecting tow-ability.
 
Hi Mil
I previously owned a 2001 Sea Ray 225 for around 7 years and absolutely loved her. Very fond memories of day trips on her and nothing particularly scary, bills wise, came up. I hope you have as much fun as we did. I only sold it as the addition of two babies made using it nigh on impossible. Enjoy!
 
After owning a Sunseeker Portofino 31, We switched to a year 2000 Sea Ray 240 which we have owned for the last four years. It will be the same model as yours, ours with the 5.0 efi Mercruiser with Bravo 3.
We keep it on a trailer at home in Winter, on the water in Summer and tow it to the South of France each year.
The following info may help you:
Top speed 32 to 35mph depending on the usual factors. Should get on the plane easy with up to four and their gear onboard with or without flaps. More weight and you need the flaps.
It can be sensitive to side winds needing attention to flaps to keep level.
Internal storage not its best point, features from older models having been dropped, but you may find a hanging locker infront of the toilet that we don’t have as it came in later, not sure when.
The cockpit is great, very versatile with easy seating to sunbed transformation.
The boot on the transom is great for ropes and fenders etc
On ours there would often be water on the shelves either side of the engine after rain. Especially up against the transom. This turned out to be leaks in the joint between hull and topsides. Fixed fairly easily by removing the rubbing strake and replacing loose sealant and sealing the screw holes when replacing the strake.
Check inside the cabin for water leaks at the hatch and where the bow handrails are bolted. You will see water stains if there is a problem. The leaks are easy enough to fix but stained fabric less so.
The stock anchor arrangement on mine was not good, huge locker and barely adequate bow anchor roller but no cleat in the right place to fix the anchor rope. Easy enough retro fit however.
Lots of lights come on when you flick the cockpit light switch including two in the engine bay and one in the boot. These drain the battery when at anchor. Cured for us by converting all to LED though you could introduce separate circuits I suppose.
The layout of items such as hot water tank and batteries in particular in the engine bay varies, but if got right access to the engine is really good, you can climb in and sit next to it and it is by boat standards fairly easy to work on, certainly much easier and more comfortable than my old Sunseeker that’s for sure. My boat sat lopsided when we got it but moving one of the batteries to the other side cured this.
Now the toilet. They came as standard with a vacuflush toilet. Works a bit like an aircraft toilet. But it is a bit much for this size of boat I think. The unit in the engine bay takes a lot of room, and some have a black water tank also in there (mine doesn’t) which screws up the great access referred to above. Also it needs battery power to operate the vacuum pump. So if there are any leaks in the system, it looses vacuum and the motor cuts in again. That is a nuisance at night as it is noisy, and if at anchor it is using valuable battery power, and if not used for a while, like over winter, the seals seem to dry and leak and it is just a pain. I am waiting for mine to fail completely so that I can replace it with a simple hand pump sea toilet.
Regarding towing it can be made a legal tow, but the first time we took it over a weighbridge it was 50kg over, and that was with water and fuel tanks pretty much empty. So we took it home and removed stuff like dinghy and tools etc weighing everything we removed until we had got to 75kg, so all that now goes in the car if we are doing long journeys.
She has been a good boat for us.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
 
That's superb info. Many thanks. I have an electrician on the firm so the first thing is going to be to change everything to LED to gice us a good headstart as far as batteries are concerned. This has a sea toilet fitted now and it looks like it has been there a while. Thats no real bother to us in the marina and I guess that actually it could be a benefit due to weight (or lack of) the black tank and contents. The hotwater tank is to the right (when looking down down at the engine bay from the cockpit and the batteries are on the same side as well so that be an issue but we habn't been out from the pontoon on it yet (just waiting on the weather) so that'll be something to look for - again all this is solvable.
 
Lack of bills are reassuring - but they are what they are. Fun days out is the name of the day so that is very reassuring and I'm pretty sure this has been looked after as there are lists of things that have been done recently, gimble bearing, very recent electronics, new canopies etc. so fingers crossed.
 
I couldnt fault my Sea Ray when I had it. People always saying lake boats etc. If they have ever been and seen the Great Lakes they may have had some misgivings over that berk saying. Mine was great in a bit of chop, handled everything I was prepared to throw at her. You're going to have a blast. Happy days ahead (y)
 
We've had a couple of sea ray, one an early 90's 23 footer, and a 2006 20 foot bow rider, both were good, with no major issues.

Overall good boats
 
All good news then - thanks all. Took FM down there today to show her and I was very surprised by her enthusiasm. However as we walked away we were talked onto a Birchwood T41(?) and was shown what the next one could be like and she was even more keen on that......
 
Well the deal is done - successful sea trial was on a very windy cold day after what seemed like months just waiting for some reasonable weather. Paperwork should be completed at the beginning of the week. Fingers crossed now for some nicer weather.
 
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Congrats on the boat! I'm in a situation you were in a few days ago, waiting for a sea trial of our first boat.
 
Thanks all - been down this morning to sort some paperwork out and the sun was shining. Now I'm hiding from a hail shower. Ownership papers to be sorted this week and the lock will be closed for a fortnight for maintenance from Sunday so lets hope for some sunshine before then.
 
mil1194 said:
Thanks all - been down this morning to sort some paperwork out and the sun was shining. Now I'm hiding from a hail shower. Ownership papers to be sorted this week and the lock will be closed for a fortnight for maintenance from Sunday so lets hope for some sunshine before then.
Click to expand...
Where is the boat
 
mil1194 said:
Well just to complete the thread the deal was completed yesterday with funds tranferred and docs signed same day and I collected the keys. Also had my PB2 yesterday and today so am feeling a little bit like a naughty schoolboy with a new toy.
Click to expand...
Where are the Pics...….. We like pics
 
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