Very Close to a 1998 SR 215 EC

[FiremistSLK]

I Found a super clean 1998 SR 215 EC and have begun to negotiate the deal. The marina tells me the boat was purchased there new in 1998 and has been serviced by them every year since. Always in fresh water with 480 hrs. on orginal motor and Alpha drive. It has a Heritage dual axle trailer and a few extras (Bimini, cockpit cover, etc.). The boat is 1,000 miles away, so I will have to take the marina's word that the condition of the mechanicals is equal to the pictures that show a really clean and well cared for boat. I would hate to go that distance to find a totally misrepresented boat..... but if I do, I will not hesitate to walk away. I will send a detailed list of questions to be answered before I go look at it. Here they are......

1. Is the engine the original motor (has the boat been repowered?
2. Do you have all of the service records for the boat/motor?
3. Are all of the switches, gauges and lights working on the boat? On the trailer?
4. Are both trim tabs fully operational (full range of motion up/down)?
5. When were the batteries last serviced or replaced? Tested?
6. Is there an anchor included in the sale?
7. Are dock lines included in the sale?
8. Are any PFD’s included in the sale?
9. What is the trailer ball size?
10. Does the trailer have hydraulic surge disc brakes? Drum brakes?
11. When were the trailer brakes last inspected or replaced? Condition?
12. When were the trailer bearings last inspected and repacked? (I will be towing the boat 1,000 miles)!
13. Are there tie downs for the boat with the trailer?

I will of course check out all of these things myself when I get there. Did I miss anything??? Thanks.....

 

[Lazy Daze]

Most of the questions you are listing are all simple, very inexpensive things. The more important things deal with the health of the engine and the drive - compression... bellows, gimble bearing, etc. An operational brake system can get a little spendy if it's no good, so that's wise to check. What you should really do is to find a local surveyor that can do a mechanical check, as well. Agree on price vs condition, then hire the surveyor.

That's a long way to go for a $10K-ish boat... aren't there any closer to you?

 

[FiremistSLK]

Yes, but not this clean. I live on the east coast and several I've looked at here have all been in salt water their entire life and even have several layers of bottom paint! Having been tied up at the dock outside and left mostly uncovered, most had faded vinyl. Disgusting! There isn't a trace of corrosion ANYWHERE in the pictures. The engine bay and bildge are spotless. But good advice...thank you! Just to be sure they have not put lipstick on a pig, I will contact a local surveyor to do the things you mentioned.... It will be a couple hundred well spent! The ask on the boat/trailer is a little bit north of $12k.

 

[Lazy Daze]

If it's in the condition you are describing, that sounds like a good deal - pending survey, of course Good luck!

 

[El Capitan]

I Found a super clean 1998 SR 215 EC and have begun to negotiate the deal. The marina tells me the boat was purchased there new in 1998 and has been serviced by them every year since. Always in fresh water with 480 hrs. on orginal motor and Alpha drive. It has a Heritage dual axle trailer and a few extras (Bimini, cockpit cover, etc.). The boat is 1,000 miles away, so I will have to take the marina's word that the condition of the mechanicals is equal to the pictures that show a really clean and well cared for boat. I would hate to go that distance to find a totally misrepresented boat..... but if I do, I will not hesitate to walk away. I will send a detailed list of questions to be answered before I go look at it. Here they are......

1. Is the engine the original motor (has the boat been repowered?
2. Do you have all of the service records for the boat/motor?
3. Are all of the switches, gauges and lights working on the boat? On the trailer?
4. Are both trim tabs fully operational (full range of motion up/down)?
5. When were the batteries last serviced or replaced? Tested?
6. Is there an anchor included in the sale?
7. Are dock lines included in the sale?
8. Are any PFD’s included in the sale?
9. What is the trailer ball size?
10. Does the trailer have hydraulic surge disc brakes? Drum brakes?
11. When were the trailer brakes last inspected or replaced? Condition?
12. When were the trailer bearings last inspected and repacked? (I will be towing the boat 1,000 miles)!
13. Are there tie downs for the boat with the trailer?

I will of course check out all of these things myself when I get there. Did I miss anything??? Thanks.....

Great check list! I hope you don’t mind my stealing it.

 

[FiremistSLK]

OK everyone... I will buy this beauty of a fresh water only boat! The 1998 Sea Ray 215 EC. When doing my due diligence, I contacted a local marine mechanic shop to perform the survey. He performed a sea trial and a mechanics "survey". The only negitive comment was for a small nick (eraser sized) in one blade of the SS prop. All systems on the boat are operational. He did a visual inspection of the exhaust bellows, exterior of the engine (for leaks) and a temperture check on the manifolds and risers during the sea trial. The dealer has records to show the water pump in the Alpha outdrive was rebuilt in 2018. The hour meter on the orginal Mercruiser 5.0 EFI reads 487 hours. The trailer had the orginal tires (from 1998) and the dealer said they were to dry rotted to make the 1,000 mile trip home. So he replaced all four tires on the trailer, had the brakes checked by the tire shop, repacked the bearings and split the cost with me 50/50. I asked if he could winterize it for me and he said YES! I rented a Ford F-250 diesel and will be picking it up Tuesday.

 

[Chip S]

Congratulations! I doubt you'll even feel the boat behind you using an F-250 diesel. Don't forget its there!

 

[FiremistSLK]

Thanks, Yeah.... I know! I tried to rent an F-150 but Enterprise said they do not rent the F-150's for towing?? Oh well... I towed my 240 Sundancer up 95 from Richmond, Va a few years ago with an F-250.... Never felt it back there! Nice truck.

 

[El Capitan]

OK everyone... I will buy this beauty of a fresh water only boat! The 1998 Sea Ray 215 EC. When doing my due diligence, I contacted a local marine mechanic shop to perform the survey. He performed a sea trial and a mechanics "survey". The only negitive comment was for a small nick (eraser sized) in one blade of the SS prop. All systems on the boat are operational. He did a visual inspection of the exhaust bellows, exterior of the engine (for leaks) and a temperture check on the manifolds and risers during the sea trial. The dealer has records to show the water pump in the Alpha outdrive was rebuilt in 2018. The hour meter on the orginal Mercruiser 5.0 EFI reads 487 hours. The trailer had the orginal tires (from 1998) and the dealer said they were to dry rotted to make the 1,000 mile trip home. So he replaced all four tires on the trailer, had the brakes checked by the tire shop, repacked the bearings and split the cost with me 50/50. I asked if he could winterize it for me and he said YES! I rented a Ford F-250 diesel and will be picking it up Tuesday.

Where did you rent the F 250 from?

 

[FiremistSLK]

Hi El Capitan... I rented the truck from Enterprise Truck Rental (not rental car). They have branches across the USA.