1986 Sea Ray 268 questions??

[rhyno1]

Hello Sea Ray community! My wife and I are interested in getting into boating. I have recentely ran across a 1986 268 that is in good condition with a trailer for a great price. We are thinking it might be a good starting point for us so that we can see how we will like it/use it, etc, then maybe upgrade to something a little newer in a few years. My question is this--how much would a typical restoration be on this boat? I know there are many variables involved, so let me tell you what we would like to do. Replace and update the interior fabrics, carpeting, and equipment (new head, stove, countertops). Also, get the padding recovered in the deck area and it needs new seats. The teak is in need of repair--not replacement, but just refinished. Also, adding an AC/Heater unit (there is none right now, but it does have a spot on the switch panel) along with a water heater. Also, getting the chrome and window hatches re finished or replaced. The engine is in good shape--could use a new outdrive, but the existing one is in working order. Update the dash and steering wheel would also be something we would like to do. Basically, updating the boat to try and get the 80's style out of it. It has a good hull and good bones, but I know any repairs on boats can be expensive, so I am hoping someone here can give us some insight on approx how much a project like this is going to cost. I could sink around $8,000.00 into a restoration and still feel comfortable with the price of the boat/trailer. I know the outdrive can be upwards of $2000, and the AC/Heater built in can be costly also. Any help or suggestions from experienced owners will be appreciated. Is it worth it for us to look into this boat, or would it be better to look at something newer? Thank you much for your opinions.

 

[Turtlesboat]

wow, that's a lot of stuff you want done. Are you expecting to go boating this year? :lol:

I'm by no means a veteran boater but I would think you are looking at about $20,000+ in work and months if not longer to get it done. I bought a boat that didn't need anything and I've spent about $4k already. Are you planning on doing all of this work yourself or hiring somone to do it for you?

 

[Sorrento 25]

I bought a similar boat and will have spent around $5000 by the end of this month. The boat was in good, sound structural condition but the trailer needed major work. Most of it was spent on upgrades and replacing worn or no longer working items: Inverter/charger, GPS, LCD theater, stereo, fishfinder, windlass, spotlight, batteries, brakes, lines, coupler, tires, faucets, and tons of little stuff.

I'll have $13.5k into it and I doubt that there is anything for under $25k that I'd trade it for now, but I have well over 100 hours invested so far too.

 

[out-n-aboat]

its not worth putting that much money into. You said yourself if you like boating you will by a newer boat in a few years. Plan on spending 20-30k and get a newer used 25 or 27. After 1990 Sea ray got rid of all that teak in the cabin. They also went to rocker switches on the dash. Look for the built in swim platform. The older ones have a bolt on. You will be sacrifising beam with the newer moldels, but more modern design.

 

[chazaroo]

I'm with Turtle Tone, that's a lot of stuff and $20,000 sounds about right. I'd say you're better off taking the money you were going to buy the boat for, add $20,000 and buy a newer boat that already has that stuff. Also, I could be wrong but I think it's safe to say you'll never get the money back out of it when you pour that much in. So the only person who will make out is the one who buys it from you down the road.

Chazaroo

 

[Sundancer]

If you aren't sure you are going to like boating, why spend all that money on a marginal boat? It obviously doesn't have what you are looking for in it, so don't buy it? Besides, after you spend that money if you decide you don't like it, you're out a huge chunk of change. Just buy it and use it as it is and THEN decide if you want a bigger boat, smaller boat or no boat at all. That's kind of like buying a house and tearing it down so you can buy a new one? Are you planning to tow or moore it?

 

[Sorrento 25]

If I had spent another 20k I might have a boat 10 years newer, and it might have a few more of the options that I want, but it would still be a 10 year old boat that would need most of the work that I'm putting into this one, and maybe need a new water heater, waste lines replaced, other options added, etc. I picked up a boat for 8K late last season that was exactly what I wanted, and everything I'm putting into it is new. There are 5 on YW right now in the 18-25 range that are no better than mine was when I bought it. I have no regrets and I know that I'll be sticking with a trailerable boat for some time.

 

[CharlieN]

Another aspect is if you like working on your own boat. It provides great rewards to have something old and make it look and work like new. It also helps when things got wrong.
Charlie N