1985 Sundancer 250 moderate restoration

[Fahrphrompuken]

Bought this neglected un-maintained sundancer back in April and have been slowly chipping away at all that is wrong with it. It's been a pretty fun project so far. The more I undo that was done wrong the better it gets. I have a new SEI outdrive an Merc prop, a very good condition gimbal housing to replace the corroded one that has never had the zincs replaced, there was just a small piece left clinging to the threads. The "bones" are all good, stringers and other structures right up to the transom, which is completely rotted out due to some numbskull using the wrong method of running a transducer cable through the transom, and on top of that they didn't use any sealer. That appears to be the worst thing to deal with, which isn't that bad, I've done a few transom wood replacements before, just time consuming.
Here's some pics of everything so far.....

 

[Pirate Lady]

Really nice boat. Lots of potential. Not a whole lot different from my 91 250. What engine? I don’t recognize the valve covers.

 

[Fahrphrompuken]

Really nice boat. Lots of potential. Not a whole lot different from my 91 250. What engine? I don’t recognize the valve covers.

Thanks! Its got the 260 Chevy 350.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Threw me, 5.7 I know have ridges on valve covers. The 7.4 like mine are just smooth and well, large. Didn’t recognize those.keep us updated on progress.

 

[Fahrphrompuken]

Threw me, 5.7 I know have ridges on valve covers. The 7.4 like mine are just smooth and well, large. Didn’t recognize those.keep us updated on progress.

I have not had this boat in the water yet, due to the rotted out port-side transom, broken upper drive, and heavily corroded gimbal housing.

I hope the small-block 5.7 will perform satisfactory. Will be starting out with a 15x17 Merc prop.

Have got the engine ready to pull out, just trying to come up with a way to get it out. Will probably have to lift it up and set it on the deck and re-grip to get over the edge.
Then I will begin with stripping everything off the transom and removing the plywood.

I'll keep posting pictures as I go. Here we go again...

 

[El Capitan]

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[boatman37]

We had a 1986 250 that we sold in 2018. Nice boats. That 260 HP engine should be fine but we ran a 14.5x17 prop. Give yours a shot but I believe factory was either 14x17 or 15x17.

 

[Stee6043]

I see you're in Michigan...plenty of time to get her ready for Spring!

 

[Fahrphrompuken]

We had a 1986 250 that we sold in 2018. Nice boats. That 260 HP engine should be fine but we ran a 14.5x17 prop. Give yours a shot but I believe factory was either 14x17 or 15x17.

Ha Ha, not sure how I didn't catch that one. Yep, you were spot on, its actually a Black Max 15x17. I thought that sounded a tad askew.

 

[Fahrphrompuken]

I see you're in Michigan...plenty of time to get her ready for Spring!

With everything I still need to do with her, spring is going to get here before I know it. Well at least the functional issues will be done, I can deal with cosmetic issues all summer long.

Looking forward to her maiden launch at Lake Macatawa for the initial trial!

 

[8675309Jenni]

Ha Ha, not sure how I didn't catch that one. Yep, you were spot on, it's a Black Max 15x17. I thought that sounded a tad askew.

We have the 87 version of yours. We have the 260 hp Mercruiser and the prop is a Rubex 14.75 X 15 4 blade. Runs great. We just got her last year from the 2nd owner in Michigan.
I know your post is a year old but how is it going for you?

 

[Fahrphrompuken]

Your '87 Sundancer looks very nice!
I have had to take a year off from working on it due to foot/ankle surgery, but am now getting ready to get it back in the shop for the winter. Have discovered the wood rot has extended beyond the transom forward to just inside the aft cabin area, with the worst of it on the port side. It's no big surprise, the styrofoam really wicks in the moisture. Will gut out both sides of the bilge area up to the aft cabin and replace with new just to be thorough. Looking forward to moving on to more cosmetic restoration after that!

 

[Cheap Guy]

For years I ran a four blade 15x16 prop and it gave great hole shots but topped out at barely 20 mph, barely pulling 4600 rpm WOT, but it pulled like a tank in rough water. This year I had to replace my stern drive and it was suggested I try/go back to the stock size - 15.25x15 - which I had hanging around as my spare. With the three blade, it easily revs to 4600 and I’m topping out at 29 mph easily now, cruising at 18 mph at around 3100. I also seem to be getting better gas mileage with the three blade, at the expense of it taking more time to get on plane. I know folks say that’snot a huge diff in top speed but it’s noticeable to me and the boat just seems happier. I try to limit my weight - no water in freshwater or holding tanks - and I try to eliminate any unnecessary weight (like freeloading friends, lol).

 

[boatman37]

24 MPH? I was able to hit about 35 in our 1986. Pretty sure I had a 15.5x17 prop. Whatever it was I mentioned it earlier in this thread

 

[Nater Potater]

'Just found this thread; it's great to see another coming back from the brink. I wish my ride had all the wood in the cockpit like yours. Your endeavour into the rotted transom is exactly what I looked to avoid in my search for a boat, so my hat's off to you!

 

[Cheap Guy]

24 MPH? I was able to hit about 35 in our 1986. Pretty sure I had a 15.5x17 prop. Whatever it was I mentioned it earlier in this thread

My bad - it was actually 29 mph that it topped out at, going against the current. I corrected my original post. How was the hole shot with that prop?

 

[boatman37]

My bad - it was actually 29 mph that it topped out at, going against the current. I corrected my original post. How was the hole shot with that prop?

View attachment 134769

Seemed fine. We usually only ever had 2 or 3 of us on board but even with 4 adults had no problem getting on plane

 

[Pirate Lady]

' I wish my ride had all the wood in the like yours.

After an 87 268 with a lot of wood, an 89 with a some wood, and now my 91 with no wood. Believe me, you don’t want it. Spent a weekend every month cleaning oiling teak. I don’t miss it at all.

 

[keokie]

Oh, I miss the teak from earlier boats greatly. I figured out a pretty good process and routine to keep it looking nice. It adds so much to the look of a boat in my opinion.

 

[BarryCF]

I'm with keokie, I like the teak and never found it to be a problem.