Buying a 1989 34 Sedan bridge

I

in2deep

New Member
Dec 2, 2012
6
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Boat Info
1989 Sea Ray 340 Sedan Bridge
Engines
454 Mercuriser Twins
Hi everyone, new to the Sea Ray family, but have done a lot of research and decided this was the brand for me. I am in the process of doing my finally purchase of a 1989 Sea Ray 34' Sedan Bridge. It has had very little use, with just over 100 hours on both 454's and 82 hours on the generator. The boat was used a a vacation rental here on the west coast by a older couple from the mid-west. We are presently cleaning the fuel tanks and replacing the batteries.
I have a few questions, the first is during the sea trail should I be looking for anything that might pose a problem on this model. After the Sea Trial I will have the engines checked, both a block test, and compression tests. Finally a haul out with a surveyer. Anything I should know about this model, vs others? Any ideas at all would be appricated.
 
Welcome aboard! You will be getting a lot of boat for a 34 with that model. The engine survey will be a critical one. Make sure you use someone with a good resume'. Also, make sure the surveyor takes time to thoroughly verify the stringers and the entire hull. Plan on being present during all surveys and ask plenty of questions while the survey is being performed. You will learn a lot about the boat during this process.
 
Thanks Ken, I do appriciate it. The engines will be checked out by one of my technicians, I run a G.M. dealership, so that shouldn't be a problem. The survey, well thats another story. I found one through one of my friends down at Huntington Harbor who says only use him if your buying, so hopefully he is good.
 
I bought an 88 Sundancer a few years ago. Same basic hull, just top deck is different. From what I can remember these things I found on my own and talked with the surveyor. Check the swim platform with people standing on it to see if it is soft while someone is standing at ground level observing. check the cutlass on each prop by seeing if there is any lateral movement when you grab the prop. Check the rudders for up and down play. Someone recently told me to use a stud finder to find any areas where water has penetrated. It will have a deeper density like finding a stud. Never tried it but is a cheap tool to have for other reasons. look for blisters on the bottom hull. Do not be afraid to ask questions to the surveyor. You hired him, talk things over with him out side of the ear shot of the seller or broker. I got the price down 8k after the survey do to findings. I did my own work.
 
Check out the surveyor's references and maybe ask around the local brokers to see what they know about the guy. Remember that issues with marine engines can be quite different than automotive engines. Hopefully whoever you have check the engines verifies the marine aspect of the engines and not just the mechanical. Risers, exhaust systems, heat exchangers, etc. I am sure you have that part cover. I actually have a friend that lives on the same boat.
 
Great information, thanks to both of you. It's a little more boat then I have had in the past, and while it looks in "new condition" all that sitting around in the ocean has had to take it's toll on somethings.
 
Yes, It’s a little intimidating with the fly bridge, I have only had sports cruisers before. Well that and sail boats. The biggest problem is that she has not been started in over a year. We are flushing the fuel, changing the filters etc, but the oil and coolant look like they were just changed before it was put in the slip a year and a half ago.
 
Run the boat at full speed for at least 20 minutes and make sure the engine temp is constant and not still rising. Look at the over flow anti freeze bottles when the engine is cold if empty of low or just topped up you may have anti freeze leaks in the heat exchangers or the risers may need replacingor the heat exchangers need rebuilding or replacing. Make sure grounds are solid on the fuel tanks. Run the generator to 90% full rated load by turning on AC and stove. I would let it run 30 minutes.
For sea trial insist the engined are cold not run in past 24 hours. When the owner starts them be on the dock and watch for steam, smoke or rusty water and smell for anti freeze. My 454 have 2100 hours on them and I use 1/2 quart of oil every 100 hours.
 
Aloha.
I'm looking at a 1989 sea ray 340 sedan bridge too. Did you end up getting it? What are your impressions?
 
Really Old Thread, don't think you will get a response...
in2deep was last seen: Sep 16, 2013
 
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