$6,800
Winfield, Pennsylvania
Category
-
Length
-
Posted Over 1 Month
The time has come to sell our 1986 SeaRay 230 Weekender. This vessel, named “Watcher of The Skies, Too” has been a fresh water boat its entire life. Measuring in at 23’ long with an 8’6” beam, it is a perfect small cruiser that packs in every amenity you may want in a weekend on the water.
Check out all of the photos at http://imgur.com/a/TuYPs
From the outside, you’ll see that the hull is glossy with no serious oxidization, showing brilliant shine. There are several very minor areas of dock rash as well as a few dings and blemishes near the bow eye. All of these are documented and pictured for your review. Otherwise, the hull and gel coat is in fantastic above-average condition. The boat is bottom painted; the paint is in great condition. At the rear of the boat, there is a fiberglass swim platform with a fold-down ladder. On the textured non-skid foredeck you’ll find the anchor locker complete with anchor and >100ft. of anchor line as well as the twin-trumpet horn. The horn sounds a little weak, but it is functional. The foredeck is large enough to lay out on, it is perfect for sunbathing!
Inside the cockpit you will find comfortable seating for 7. The 2 back-to-back seating areas were reupholstered in 2007 using SeaRay specification vinyl and SeaRay badges. The rear bench seat folds up and out of the way in a few easy motions to allow for a more open rear deck or easier engine hatch access. The rear seating and other cockpit vinyl are all original. Much like the hull, this vinyl is in great condition. There are a few tears in the rear bench seat and a few other minor blemishes that are shown in the photos. There is a latching gate allowing access to the swim platform of the boat. Storage can be found all around the cockpit, including under the seats and along the outer edges. Under the rear seat, you’ll find the battery switch.
Surrounding the cockpit is a full Sunbrella camper canvas. The canvas has roll-up plastic windows, screens, and a door flap to allow access to the swim platform. Directly above the windshield is a zippered flap that
generates great airflow when underway. There are several tears in the mesh screen, a tear near a zipper seam, and an area on the ceiling where the stitching has come loose. None of these affect the performance of the camper canvas.
At the helm, you’ll find a compass and depth finder/fish finder combo unit from Hummingbird mounted to the dash directly above the stainless steel steering wheel. The boat steers as it should, the wheel does not bind up or have any stiffness. All gauges are functioning properly. The switch panel features light-up switches for the bilge pumps, water system, cabin and cockpit lights, windshield wipers, horn, and blower. One switch is broken and missing, I have ordered a replacement and will install it prior to sale. To the right of the steering wheel are the controls for the dual hydraulic trim tabs, the VHF radio, and the shifter/throttle control. The shifter is stiff. The dashboard vinyl ahead of the captain is cracked from the sun; another small area has blemishes from a previously-installed fish-finder. Both of these areas are shown in the photographs.
Stepping down into the cabin, the first thing you will notice is the full standing headroom. Most boats this size sacrifice headroom, but not the SeaRay 230 Weekender. I stand at nearly 6’ tall; I can stand up without concern for hitting my head on the ceiling. To your left, you’ll find a stainless-steel sink (fed from an onboard potable water tank with electric pump), a 12V fridge, an alcohol stove, and the stereo system featuring AM/FM, CD, USB, and AUX inputs. To your right, you’ll find the door to the head. The head is a pump-out style toilet with built-in gray and black water holding tanks. There is a screened window that slides open for ventilation and a light mounted on the wall.
Back in the cabin, you’ll notice the table and wrap-around seating. The table flips up into a snack table complete with cupholders. At night, the table is easily lowered by one person to turn the seating area into a comfortable bed for 2. The cushions are all in great shape with no tearing or staining. Above the table, there is a skylight hatch that opens to allow airflow. There is an aftermarket screen built in to prevent insects from joining you in the cabin. The ceiling headliner is carpeted and in great condition except for one very minor tear, pictured. Storage is abundant, and lighting is provided by 4 adjustable lamps mounted to the walls. Additional ventilation and light is provided through the sliding tinted/screened windows on either side of the cabin. Removable curtains are included for additional privacy, installing via Velcro in just a few moments.
Mechanically, this boat is solid as a rock. Turn the key and you’re ready to go. Power is provided by a Chevy 305ci V8 making 230hp. This boat does not have an hour meter; I estimate that it has fewer than 450 hours of run-time. The previous owner was a mechanic, he maintained the engine impeccably. When I purchased the boat, I was told that the engine had 400 hours on it. I have only used it on a few trips for the past 2 summers.
The care this boat has had its entire life really shows in the engine compartment. The engine is clean and grease-free; the bilge clean and dry. The twin batteries are located to the left of the engine. These batteries were brand new in July of 2014. To the right, you’ll find the water tank and pump.
The 230hp Chevy V8 routes its power through a Mercruiser Alpha One outdrive spinning a custom prop. The previous owner replaced the original outdrive in 2007 with a brand new Mercruiser Alpha One outdrive. He also had a prop custom made at a cost of nearly $1,000 to make the boat perform exactly how he wanted. I also have a spare prop that will be included. The outdrive has hydraulic trim that functions without flaw. The outdrive’s skeg appears to be missing a small piece off the bottom; it does not affect functionality.
This powerplant combined with the deep-vee hull allow this boat to handle rough conditions with ease. It cruises nicely at 25 mph and achieves a top speed of 32 mph at 4200 rpm (confirmed by GPS).
The boat is perched atop a tandem-axle Load-Rite trailer. The trailer has some surface rust, but it is solid and roadworthy. It had a new axle, two new brake rotors, and all new brake pads installed in 2014.
It has been a great boat for us, but it is time to find it a new home. The boat will include 7 life jackets, bumpers in color-matched canvas wraps, a boat hook, a water safety kit, and an anchor with >100ft of braided anchor line.
Please be sure to check out all of the photos I have taken; if there’s something you’d like a close-up of just let me know! A sea trial is unlikely as my local river is not yet dammed up. I have muffs to safely run the boat on a hose for an interested buyer. I am asking $6,800 for the boat, please contact me with any questions or offers! This boat is offered as is, where is.
