New member

[murnan]

Hello everyone i'm a new member and first time owner of a SeaRay. To give a little background I found a beautiful (to me anyway) 1997 230 Overnighter Signature Select wasting away under an old carport. Most people probably would have sent her to the junk yard, but not me I could see past the oxidation, dust and dry rotted seats. It was love at first sight. So I got up the nerve went to the door and knocked. An older gentleman, using a walker, came to the door and I asked if he would like to sell the boat. He told me several stories of good times he had over the years with the boat then sadly said do to family issues and health reasons the boat hasn't been moved in about 2 or 3 years. After talking for a few hours about all manner of things I asked him to think it over and if he decided to sell the boat to let me know what he might want for it. With that he said, "I've decided". The old man asked me to wait and went in the house, a few minutes later he came out and said "the price is, when you get her cleaned up and running again take me for a ride" he then handed me a signed title. So now the project begins, I decided to work on the boat at the old mans house (with his permission) so he could watch the transformation and boy was he excited about that. I will be posting how the project progresses with photos soon. Wish us luck.

 

[wyrman]

Wow, what a great story! Welcome to CSR, and can't wait to see the pics.

 

[KevinC]

Yes, let's see some pictures of the boat. Just understand that alot goes into a boat mechanically outside of looks. Good luck with the resto. Nothing better than the feeling that you brought something back to life that was ignored.

-Kevin

 

[Ezsteps]

Awesome story. Can't wait to see the pictures. You are going to make an old man very happy it sounds like.

 

[jzanthony]

What a great story to start off your adventure.

 

[NotHerDecision]

GET A SURVEY! I just want you to make sure it’s worth your time and effort and a survey is well worth it.

 

[NorCal Boater]

GET A SURVEY! I just want you to make sure it’s worth your time and effort and a survey is well worth it.

+ 10 on this. You want to be sure the transom and stringers are not rotted. Do this first before anything else.

 

[Stee6043]

Cool story. Good luck!

 

[dtfeld]

Very cool!

Yep...get a survey. Even if there is some rot, it can be fixed, but it is major surgery.

My first boat was found in and old barn. Engine idled but didn’t develop power. I cleaned the carbs and powered up, but the outboard came through the transom. I rebuilt her and learned a lot about boats! Still had a lot of fun on that boat.

Good luck

 

[murnan]

Put the teenagers to work today, gave her a bath then the boys went to work with cleaner/compound and a buffer while I gutted the interior. A pleasant surprise was the interior of the cabin was perfect. All the rotted interior has been removed.