1987 Sorrento S-19 Project

Adam Neubauer

Adam Neubauer

New Member
Jun 24, 2020
3
Boat Info
1987 Sea Ray Sorrento S-19
Engines
4.3l Mercruiser w/ AlphaOne drive
All,
I probably paid to much for my boat, but it's mine now. I bought my S-19 off my dad for $3,000 being told it runs great (not a complete fabrication), but after looking into it realized it had a ton of rot. I've had the floor and stringers mostly replaced at this point (another $3,000). The panels and bow backrests were also rotting out, so I've replaced those. The upholstery was DIY to save $ and time. The only place I could get a hold of quoted $6,200 and couldn't get to it until Sept. I've replaced the starter and battery, and she seems to run like a champ. All-in, I've spent somewhere around $7,000 and 5 days on the boat and labor.

My dad did have some engine work done last year (plugs, wires, carb rebuild, engine and lower fluids change), but it sat basically only getting used 3-4 times in as many years, so she needs some love.

I've come to realize that the cost of entry to boating is somewhere around $10k, and I've learned a few new boater lessons.

1: Regarding lesson 1 - Old boats will need more work than you expect and work means $
2: Love the work and you will love the boat
3: No boat is perfect

With all of that being said, I've attached some pics of the progress. Let me know your thoughts and advice for a new boat owner.

https://imgur.com/gallery/ZjScLNa
 
El Capitan said:
Well I respectfully disagree. This also has a lot to do with expectations.

$10k is not a lot of money in boating parlance.

Here are some articles to give you great perspectives.

https://www.docksidereports.com/fundamentals_of_restoration_proj.htm

https://www.docksidereports.com/fundamentals_of_restoration_projects_2.htm

https://www.yachtsurvey.com/usedboats.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks El Cap! I'm curious which part you disagree with? The $10k comment was to mean whether you are restoring or buying a quality used, you're in for at least $10k to get on the water, but i suppose that does depend on what you want. A john boat could be a lot cheaper option too. I was more talking about a runabout like I have here.
 
Adam Neubauer said:
Thanks El Cap! I'm curious which part you disagree with? The $10k comment was to mean whether you are restoring or buying a quality used, you're in for at least $10k to get on the water, but i suppose that does depend on what you want. A john boat could be a lot cheaper option too. I was more talking about a runabout like I have here.
Click to expand...

I guess "disagree" is the wrong word for me to use, especially depending on how you plan to boat, where, if fresh or salt. There's just so much that can need attention on any (every) used boat and I have seen defects in new boats too, but those are covered by warranty.

If you read those articles you'll see that there is a case for buying old or used and doing the repairs if you can put in the sweat equity as you are, you end up saving tons of money. In my case, I don't have the time, tools, nor skills to do much of that type of work on my own so I pay to get it done for me.

I read a lot about boat repair and manufacturing, surveys, and have a friend that is a foreman at a major boat manufacturer in Florida and I listen to his stories.

$10k for a 20' used boat is not much and any boat in that price range would need a good amount of attention.

For fun, take a look at Craigslist boats for sale in Florida, like South Florida or Florida Keys and take a look at the prices there...make sure your sitting down!

Enjoy your boat!
 
El Capitan, we are completely on the same page. I ultimately went this route because no matter what, I was in for more than I wanted to spend. I think I got lucky that my dad wanted to get rid of (now) my boat for what he did. Even if it needed more work than I anticipated, I'm not sure I could have made it out any less expensive than I have so far.

For further clarification, this boat has only been in freshwater and continues that trend in the waters of the Tennessee River. Who knows, maybe it'll make it into the Vol Navy one day.
 
Adam Neubauer said:
El Capitan, we are completely on the same page. I ultimately went this route because no matter what, I was in for more than I wanted to spend. I think I got lucky that my dad wanted to get rid of (now) my boat for what he did. Even if it needed more work than I anticipated, I'm not sure I could have made it out any less expensive than I have so far.

For further clarification, this boat has only been in freshwater and continues that trend in the waters of the Tennessee River. Who knows, maybe it'll make it into the Vol Navy one day.
Click to expand...
Adam Neubauer said:
All,
I probably paid to much for my boat, but it's mine now. I bought my S-19 off my dad for $3,000 being told it runs great (not a complete fabrication), but after looking into it realized it had a ton of rot. I've had the floor and stringers mostly replaced at this point (another $3,000). The panels and bow backrests were also rotting out, so I've replaced those. The upholstery was DIY to save $ and time. The only place I could get a hold of quoted $6,200 and couldn't get to it until Sept. I've replaced the starter and battery, and she seems to run like a champ. All-in, I've spent somewhere around $7,000 and 5 days on the boat and labor.

My dad did have some engine work done last year (plugs, wires, carb rebuild, engine and lower fluids change), but it sat basically only getting used 3-4 times in as many years, so she needs some love.

I've come to realize that the cost of entry to boating is somewhere around $10k, and I've learned a few new boater lessons.

1: Regarding lesson 1 - Old boats will need more work than you expect and work means $
2: Love the work and you will love the boat
3: No boat is perfect

With all of that being said, I've attached some pics of the progress. Let me know your thoughts and advice for a new boat owner.

https://imgur.com/gallery/ZjScLNa
Click to expand...
Hello,
That’s a great looking boat! I’m hoping that since you just completed you interior, you might be able to help me. I am reconstructing my bow side panels and having trouble with the angles in the corners. No template to work from because they were so rotten. Do you remember how the corners were constructed? Any help is much appreciated. I’ve included pics of my boat and the panels I fabricated that do not fit correctly.
 

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SeaJay79 said:
Hello,
That’s a great looking boat! I’m hoping that since you just completed you interior, you might be able to help me. I am reconstructing my bow side panels and having trouble with the angles in the corners. No template to work from because they were so rotten. Do you remember how the corners were constructed? Any help is much appreciated. I’ve included pics of my boat and the panels I fabricated that do not fit correctly.
Click to expand...

SeaJay,
They had boards that ram the length of the backrest and bow and a small wedge that fit in the corner. They just used it to mount to the boat and the foam for most of the structural integrity. I went with individual panels because that wrap around cushion was just going to be more work than I thought it was worth. I hope this helps. I'll look for some pics to see if I can find something that shows what I’m talking about.
 
Knoxtwin2 said:
SeaJay,
They had boards that ram the length of the backrest and bow and a small wedge that fit in the corner. They just used it to mount to the boat and the foam for most of the structural integrity. I went with individual panels because that wrap around cushion was just going to be more work than I thought it was worth. I hope this helps. I'll look for some pics to see if I can find something that shows what I’m talking about.
Click to expand...
Awesome, that helps me big time. I had it all wrong lol. Thank you! Let me know if you find those pics.
 
SeaJay79 said:
Awesome, that helps me big time. I had it all wrong lol. Thank you! Let me know if you find those pics.
Click to expand...
This is the best photo I have of it on the garage floor. You can see the main panel stops before the turn. They used a wedge shape in the turn to fasten the vinyl to, and a shorter panel for the backrest. Use very thin plywood for the port and starboard side panels because they will need some give to get flush against the wall.
 

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Thanks again, that is what I will do. I’m using the original vinyl that wasn’t too bad so I’ll have to make it like it was.
 
I have only bought older boats that need work. On boat #6 right now. Spent many hours in the garage fixing things and i can tell ya. Nothing is more satisfying then when it is all done and you sit back, crack a beer and say damb that came out nice.. best advise is to take as many pictures that you can during the process. Nobody will believe what you started with to compare with what you ended with. And remember BOAT = break out another thousand
 
I can’t wait to have it out on the water this summer all finished. I have to pull the motor after the interior is complete to replace coupler and do some r&r. She will be a sweet boat when finished. It ran great the few times we had it out before the coupler broke. I’m doing the transom also.
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Adam, I went through this on our S19 a year ago. I might have pics if you run into an issue (or some stories). I stripped it down to the deck and had to do a partial stringer replace, carpet, interior, teak, etc. I wasn't able to salvage any or the interior material and had to replace some of the wood (bow bolsters and bow seats, the long pieces that run stem to stern, gas hatch, and more).
Screen Shot 2021-02-06 at 9.12.33 AM.png
Screen Shot 2021-02-06 at 9.04.23 AM.png
 
That looks great and I bet it was very satisfying when done! I’m currently working on the bow bolsters and since mine were rotted away, I can’t quite figure the corners out. I would like it to be original and wrap around the corners but may have to make two separate pieces. How did you make yours work?
 
SeaJay79,

As I recall, while not completely rotted, I did have to break them to get them out. I later figured out how to get my arm down the cavity to access the bolts for installation. This is where I wished I had taken better measurements.... using 1/2" marine plywood (needs to be the right kind of plywood, the untreated will rot quickly). 1/2" gets you the flexibility needed to make the curve required (bow to stern). I've attached a drawing I used with the reupholster to fabricate new ones but we took the measurements off the old piece.
Screen Shot 2021-02-07 at 7.33.55 AM.png
Screen Shot 2021-02-07 at 7.45.42 AM.png
 
That is exactly what I needed for the corners, thanks jroach and I hope you are still enjoying that boat. I will upload some pics when mine is finished. I also had to completely rebuild the aft structure for the support of the sun pad. I’m taking the sun pad pieces, rear bolster and a couple seats to get reupholstered this week.
 
Didn't get it out in 2020, COVID made it difficult....hoping this year is different.
I also might have the artwork for the logo if any of your pieces require the SR stiched logo.
 
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