24ft Sea Ray Laguna

[tollycraft]

Looking for some help here. I am looking at a photo of a 24ft 1989 Sea Ray Laguna. I really like the boat but I only have a photo of a side view. If someone has this boat could you send some photos of this boat from the inside. The boat has twin 135hp Mercury outboards, are these pretty reliable engines? I am looking for a second boat for fishing and this one seems to be what I'm looking for but I don't know anything about this model. I would really appreciate some comments from someone who owns/ or owned one of these boats regarding its performance reliability and anything else you can tell me. Thanks.

 

[fwebster]

Have you looked on the Sea Ray site?

http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/1989/25 feet and below/LG23_SS.pdf

or here:

http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/parts_manuals/1989/1989_23_LAGUNA.pdf

I think you found a 23 Laguna. We have a bunch of them in our ares since it is a boat that easily dry-stacks and is so well made that it rides better and holds up better than most center consoles from Century, Cape Horn, Sea Chaser, etc. that are sold locally.

The entire Laguna line is typical Sea Ray.......they will be heavier than competitors and will be made with top of the line fasteners and components. Lagunas will have excellent gelcoat and are very heart boats. With one this old, expect to spend some money on the replacibles like canvas and vinyl.

I'm not an outboard guy, so this is more a personal opinion than the voice of experience, but I do prefer the older technology 2 stroke outboards on the project boats I occasionally buy. They won't be as efficient or as quiet as a new 4 stroke, but you don't have the high $ repair exposure/risk either.

 

[tollycraft]

Thanks Frank, will check out the links you sent. Looking for a fishing boat I can trailer and this should be perfect. I have only owned 2 Sea Rays, one of which I still have, but as always have the utmost confidence in the Sea Ray sea worthyness and quality. Appreciate your comments, thanks again.

 

[tollycraft]

Thanks again Frank. You were right on re: the Laguna it was a 23ft. Going to look at the boat this weekend. The boats on a trailer and has been winterized. If I'm interested I will get a survey done first but think I will make an offer based on the survey and sea test in the spring, that way I can also get the lower units pulled and checked as well as a a comp test on the engines. I know these boats have a separate oil reservoir but the owner tells me that Mercury had a problem with this system and disconnected it, Mercury advised him to mix his oil with his gas. Sounds like it makes sense but creates a minor problem when you fill up. I know you can measure the gallons you put in the tank and figure how much oil to put in then but is a little screwy doing it this way. What are your thoughts on this, have you ever heard of this before?

 

[fwebster]

Yes. This was a common problem and most experienced Mercury OB mechanics disabled the engine mounted oil pump. The pump is cam driven and there is a little plastic follower or plunger that makes the thing pump. If you break one or one wears out, which happened regularly, you could not stop the engine before you totaled it even if you happened to be looking at the oil flow indicator light when it came on. The pumps are disabled by removing the plunger from the power head.

Folks in our area with these engines buy fuel in a wayso they know how much to add. Like run a main tank dry and switch to a reserve tank or buy fuel in 5 gal quantities. The worst thing that can happen is you run a little rich on the lube oil and the engines love that but you will get a little smoke.

IF you pull the lower units to check them, get a couple of impeller kits before hand........most of the impeller replacement cost is labor so you'll almost get a free impeller job.

 

[tollycraft]

Thanks again Frank, very usefull info. Makes me feel better the guy isn't jerking my chain. Have no problem with the fuel/oil thing as I will make sure I watch the gallons going in carefully and put the correct amout of oil in. Never thought about the impeller replacement, great suggestion!, their in there anyways. Just one more question if I may. I mostly troll for salmon and raimbow trout. Speed is usually 2-2.5mph. Do you think this speed will carbon up the plugs driving like this for 4-5 hrs at a time? I will naturally switch engines while trolling and open up the throttles when I come in (easy and slow of course) I troll all the time in my 30 Sea Ray EC with the 5.7s and never had any problems, Any comments?

 

[MrSeaRayMike]

I had a 1994 24 laguna w/twin 150's and she performed wonderfully!!! You can expect approx. 42-43 mph w/ the 135's on her..handles really well though she is a little noisy...12 cylinders rattling atound back there...you know what I mean!!!
You can also go to Sea Rays Sport boat web site and go to Archives...type in the year and model and you will have all the specs!!! Good Luck!!!

 

[tollycraft]

Thanks Mike for your input. Frank also confirmed the boat is very well made and although I have never owned outboards I do really like this boat. I have not yet seen it up close but plan to do that this on Saturday. I will takes some pics and post them if it looks like it is in as good a shape as the photos I've seen. I am looking for a safe boat that will take rough water and as I have owned 2 Sea Rays this is whats pushing me forward to give this boat some serious consideration. Boats an 1989 so I am a little concerned with the engines and lower drives but I'm sure a proper marine mechanic can confirm their condition.

 

[fwebster]

The great thing about older 2 stroke outboards is that they are so simple that its hard to get stung if you do your home work.

First look at the power heads - you should see no corrosion and no oil residue at all. There is a vertical crankshaft and the seal at the top is about the only place oil can come from and leaks are a sign of trouble to come. Check the compression - should be well within factory specs (get a Merc technician with 2 stroke experience to do the survey for you) Listen to them crank and run. The engines will be noisey, but you should hear no metallic souinds like marbles in a can. External corrosion can be fixed, but at some expense.

I've had 3 - 6 cyl Mercs for long periods of time and 6-8 on project boats thru the years and I have never had a good motor foul plugs.........let one get a little sorry with low compression and they will. Your plan of opening them up and letting them eat on the way home will solve any plug fouling you get with extended idling. If its a problem, hang a 4hp kicker on the transom and sneak up on the fish.

 

[tollycraft]

Thanks Frank, your comments are valued. With regards to hanging a kicker on the transom I agree, but I'm not conviced there is room, however after having said that, I havn't seen the boat either yet. Am going up this Saturday to check it out (visual only) and may get some idea where I go next with it. As I think you will agree, most times a quick visual will tell how well its previous owner looked after the boat.