1986 300DA Want to know goods/bads about it

[jitts3]

I may have found a deal too good to pass up. I found a '86 300DA with one engine needing a short block due to compression issues.

The salesman explained to me that it was assumed to be a valve issue, so they removed the heads, rebuilt and reinstalled. The same trouble remains. assuming this to be true, thats right up my alley as engine building is something I do well.

This boat is cheap enough so I could pay cash for it, have the offending engine pulled and I could rebiuld and so on. So I am curious about the model boat. What are the likes/dislikes of it?

I like that it is still small/light enough to be towed by my 3500 Chevy, all be it 11 ft wide and would need Wide Load permits. But is in the "pain in the ass" size when it comes to towing.

It is powered by a pair of carbeurated 5.7s (350)s with Bravo 1 drives. Is this a good power combo? I know some guys want to stay away from stern drives. Is the difference that great on the maintenance side of things?

I'm sure sombody has had one. Just curious as of now
Thanks in advance.

 

[fwebster]

The 300EC/Weekender/DA hull was long regarded as one of the best boat Sea Ray built....until about the mid 90's when materials engineering and weight reduction became the norm. But, don't get lulled into a cheap purchase price. An older neglected boat can $$ you to death as you go thru and repair or refit every system on the boat.

Also, these guys are very heavy for their size so towing is probably only an option for winter haul outs and storage. I think I'd rather poke myself in the eye with a stick than to tow a 300 to the lake every time I wanted to go boating. That means in-water storage with twin outdrives, so it isn't going to be a trouble free experience........unless you keep shopping and find an inboard or v-drive version.

A friend of mine fishes with an 86 EC/Weekender he repowered with Perkins diesels about 15 years ago. She hasn't seen wax in years, is smoky as hell and isn't a speed demon, but is solid as a rock. He goes out fishing when the big center console guys are tied to the dock telling each other stories. He is at about 8,500 hours and goes fishing every day....he is a teacher and is at the marina by 2 pm every day.

In this size and type of boat, you won't do much better for a project.

 

[MasterFab]

I used to own a 1986 300 DA, and we had a great time with her. In terms of maintenance, there is a fair amount of teak to contend with - up on the bow, along with a couple rails on the foredeck. There is more around the transom and throughout the cockpit area. The head is very small, but serviceable. If you don't take the canvas down, you can't stand at the helm, so in inclement weather, you have to remain seated to drive. Mine had been upgraded with counter rotating alpha Gen II drives, so handling around the docks was improved. You say yours has Bravo drives, which I have never seen on a 1986 300DA, so I'll have to assume someone performed this modification. Bravos didn't even come out until 1988 or so, if my memory serves.

They like quite a bit of tab at cruise speeds, and the hull does pound a bit in head seas, so you have to slow down earlier than a lot of other boats. But, all in all, these are relatively minor issues, and overall the boat is a great performer. We took ours all the way to Boston from NYC, as far north as Albany, and all over Long Island Sound, and she never let us down. Like Frank said, a boat of this vintage can soak up money like a sponge, so recognize what you are getting into. The enthusiasm for a new toy can be overwhelming, and before you know it, it turns into a full blown restoration, or a failed project. Focus on the systems first, and make sure the boat is safe and reliable. Then, once you have some experience with her, you can make a better decision as to upgrading her, or moving to a more recent design.

I did find a couple pics of the old girl while I was writing this - so here they are:

 

[H2ONUT]

I have an 88 300 Weekender. I can tell you this boat is built like a tank. Handles awesome and offers a great ride. I have straight inboards. I have run an 88 300 Sundancer and there really is not a lot of difference in performance. The only notable difference is docking, much better with the inboards.


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[jitts3]

We looked at it. Liked it. But we are moving our whole shop Jan. 1 so that is on the back burner. But we will look more thoroughy after that. My biggest worry is the transom. If that checks good we will see. But for now moving our shop will be a bee-ach!