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Tail Chaser
04-20-2008, 07:37 PM
Had wanted a island capable saltwater fishing boat for many years.
Five years ago was doing my homework. Browsing the AZ boat trader.
Saw this 1985 26' Sea Ray with 530 hrs.It was at a Consignment lot.
They claimed it was in perfect shape. (No such thing in a used boat)
Bitchin boat anyhow. So I grabbed it.

After seeing how well she was designed and built.
Decided I would keep her. And do some modifying to my liking.

Heres some pics of how she turned out so far.

Tail Chaser
04-20-2008, 07:48 PM
Not sure how many pics I was allowed so..
Here is some deck pics and below deck pics

Cap'n Ron
04-20-2008, 09:31 PM
Where's the fire place?


Nice ride.

one_leg
04-20-2008, 11:03 PM
Looks pretty nice to me. But the cost of fuel has got to be a royal PITA, right?

How much to get to SCI from Long Beach?

ghetto dad
04-21-2008, 08:10 AM
Looks pretty nice to me. But the cost of fuel has got to be a royal PITA, right?

How much to get to SCI from Long Beach?

ALan is youre new GF broken rod!! :rofl: That boat looks nice man....later

GD

one_leg
04-21-2008, 08:21 AM
GD, you'll be congratulating me when I post up a report with 40-60 lb tuna on that boat. :p

Maybe I'll even let you eat one of the tuna steaks the next time G$ and myself skool you at SARL. ;)



Ok BR, I think we need to get some early yellows or WSB to teach GD a lesson, whuddya think?

Are you game? No trolling of One_Leg allowed!!!!!!!

I sure hope that the Broken Rod is from catching a big fish, and not throwing a rod bearing.

Tail Chaser
04-21-2008, 09:29 AM
Have not committed to a SCI trip yet.
Not sure of the anchorages up there. For a muti day.
I'm getting at least 1.4 mpg. Installed a fuel flow gauge to improve the mpg.
Also to get real mpg numbers.
Ive been running my motor to easy.
Max TQ on the marine 5.7 engine turns out to be 350 ftlbs@3600rpm
Im usually running@3000/3200rpm
Guys with fuel flow gauges all said there best MPGs were@3500rpm
Will probably squeeze out 1.6 mpg. Normal for 24' to 26' gas powered boats.
Cost a little more for the nice ride.

The issue with this boat is the 100 gal tank.
I figure I have a 120mi range. Leaving 20+ gals for safety At present mpg.
Future upgrade is adding a 20gal Aux tank. And a 12"H x 45"L x25"D insulated fish hold.
Mounted under two swiveling helm chairs. Will take up no fish fighting room on deck.

I would never ask for more then $50.00 on any fishing trip.

I didn't buy/setup this boat for running 55miles offshore.
Then fish for four hrs, Then come home.


This boat is perfect for three days at the islands.
Would cost me 300.00 in fuel for three days at SCI
200.00 for three days at Catalina
150.00 for three days at the Channel islands
60.00 for all day local fishing. Which is usually an overnighter.

Ive got my 5hp 8ft inflatable if I want to brag about mpg.
Don't ask me about the ride quality though.

My post could read.
Caught a rockfish
Got beat up
Got wet
Fished all day and only burned two gals of fuel. :)
And nobody stepped on my toes.
Cant wait till next time :lol:

one_leg
04-21-2008, 09:54 AM
My post could read.
Caught a rockfish
Got beat up
Got wet
Fished all day and only burned two gals of fuel. :)
And nobody stepped on my toes.
Cant wait till next time :lol:

Or it could read, Listened to One_Leg nonstop all weekend long.
Caught our limits of WSB and YT's.
Cruised over and back at 10 knots, calm seas all the way.
Dove for Lobster
Ate Lobster
Visited Avalon for some sightseeing :shock: bipedal Tuna were thick out there.
Going next weekend too.:cool:

Tail Chaser
04-21-2008, 10:08 AM
GD, you'll be congratulating me when I post up a report with 40-60 lb tuna on that boat. :p

Maybe I'll even let you eat one of the tuna steaks the next time G$ and myself skool you at SARL. ;)



Ok BR, I think we need to get some early yellows or WSB to teach GD a lesson, whuddya think?

Are you game? No trolling of One_Leg allowed!!!!!!!

I sure hope that the Broken Rod is from catching a big fish, and not throwing a rod bearing.
Picked that stupid user name being in to big of a hurry for my first post on FNN
Didnt know I would be married to it :angry:

No knocks,ticks,or pings anywhere on the motor. New Merc drive two seasons ago.
But all boats break.
You buy the best new marine parts avalible, Do all perventive maintance, Best lubes,oils,etc.Change out anything that could cause a problem.
Don't beat up the boat.
Then cross your fingers and hope shes good to you.

Repowering with a New 383ci or a 350 Vortec in the future.
Matting it with a Merc HD Bravo 2 drive will be even more reliable and get better MPGs also

What sucks of the high fuel cost is,
You dont want to get out for the early yellows so early.
That they havnt arrived yet :opps:

With a Few Yellows,WSB, and Lings around.
It it the season. :mrgreen:

one_leg
04-21-2008, 10:14 AM
At least you don't keep your boat in a slip.


Those outdrives get so fouled with marine life that they are practically unable to function.



Those things should not be stored in saltwater for any amount of time.

Tail Chaser
04-21-2008, 10:23 AM
Or it could read, Listened to One_Leg nonstop all weekend long.
Caught our limits of WSB and YT's.
Cruised over and back at 10 knots, calm seas all the way.
Dove for Lobster
Ate Lobster
Visited Avalon for some sightseeing :shock: bipedal Tuna were thick out there.
Going next weekend too.:cool:

True :)
But need to move along at 18kts
Unless trolling along with CaptnRon used as bait :rofl:
Calm seas are to boring.
Need to have that 3ft to 5ft swell to feel like your moving.
Boat takes them as if it is flat seas.

You still dive O_L
I spearfish sometimes before changing spots.
To confirm theres no unwilling bitters hanging around nearby.
Another fuel cost issue :angry:

Would hate to have a boat in a slip.(unless I was rich)
Never ending attack of salty air and water 24/7

Having it at home under my nose gets me fired up (in a good way)
Then I get out there and look for something I could improve on.
Everything has a chance to dry up also. (Electronics like that)

Tail Chaser
04-21-2008, 11:02 AM
Where's the fire place?


Nice ride.

:rofl:
I turn the stove on high :lol:

one_leg
04-21-2008, 11:04 AM
I would think that you'd have a flat panel TV with a DVD of a nice warm crackling fire to keep you warm?

Tail Chaser
04-21-2008, 11:54 AM
Boat does not have a inverter or generator.
Has the shore power to run off of either AC of DC though.
If running DC current while plugged in. (No reason Too)
The charger will keep up with the DC loads.

Wish I had a microwave.
Nuke the dogs instead of waiting for the water to boil.
Sometimes ya just gotta rough it out there :lol:

Boat was custom built by Sea Ray for a customer.
Got lucky finding this one.

Heard the horror stories of guys looking a good year or more.
Trying to find a good used boat.

This one dropped in my lap before I was even ready to buy.

Was on the market for a 80's 25' Grady White Sailfish.
Only could have afforded one in FL Save 10K over CA Prices
Twin Big outboards, Small bunk, I'm 6'6"
That would have been very pricey to Maintain/Run.

Coachb44 Got that 25 ft Hyda Sport with the twins
They were Grady's #1 competitor on the east coast.
Id like to jump on his boat to SCI for fun
Hes got the ouch at the pump also

Tail Chaser
04-21-2008, 12:04 PM
ALan is youre new GF broken rod!! :rofl: That boat looks nice man....later

GD
Thanks GD
Totally amazing what can be done.
Using Photo enhancement :rofl:

Tail Chaser
04-21-2008, 03:24 PM
GD, you'll be congratulating me when I post up a report with 40-60 lb tuna on that boat. :p

Maybe I'll even let you eat one of the tuna steaks the next time G$ and myself skool you at SARL. ;)



Ok BR, I think we need to get some early yellows or WSB to teach GD a lesson, whuddya think?

Are you game? No trolling of One_Leg allowed!!!!!!!

I sure hope that the Broken Rod is from catching a big fish, and not throwing a rod bearing.
You actually spin the crank bearing. Then throw the rod :lol:
At start up. Before oil pressure builds.
You can usually hear a worn crank bearing knock a little bit. Before the oil pressure builds.
Its the saltwater cancer developing in a raw water cooled motor that gives me the creeps.
Exhaust Manifolds/Risers go first. Mine are good :)

Comforting thought.
A very good marine mechanic told me.
He has never seen a worn out marine engine.
They usually blow up due to water intrusion. Usually exhaust manifolds
I actually got off the FNN long enough to pull/check my exhaust manifolds.

Another comforting thought,
Ive had this boat on the water about 70 times.

Only two bad mishaps.
Fourth time out.
#1 Motor sounded funny leaving the breakwall at MDR.
Stopped to check it out. Float stuck.
Tapping on the carb was not freeing it up.
Drifting a shore, Not knowing how deep the water was, Or how well the fluke anchor would hold.
Nobody was answering the marine radio for a pull to deeper water. So I jumped in with my swimfins helping out the anchor. (Just in case)
Girlfriend got a hold of the Lifeguard on the radio.
A female lifeguard came out on her longboard as I'm relaxing on my back.
Kicking away relieving the tension on the Anchor. (she was impressed)
Was offered a free ride in. I took it.:)
Fixed the carb in 30seconds at the house.
Bought a new marine edelbrock carb. Along with MSD ignition and coil and icom radio.
Everything been gone through. At least twice now


#2 Boat had a bad prop seal when I bought it.
Took the drive to the best priced Merc cert mechanic I could find.
He called me to point out the upper pinon gear had a little pitting.
I checked it out.(Sure Did)
I told the Mechanic to replace the gear and whatever is needed to make it reliable.
Because it is an ocean boat.
50hrs later. Leaving Channel Island Harbor. Strange bad sound. Chipped a tooth on the same gear.
Nursed the boat back in.
After anchoring/ fishing the flats all day of course :)
That was like the 6th time out with the boat. First season.

Last 60 trips or so.
Pretty much uneventfull.
Other then crossing the channel in 12ft seas.
Sometimes after dark:shock:
Boat still had a smooth ride :cool:
Not something I plan on making a habbit of.:beat:


Rule of thumb
Do the work yourself.
Or... Find a very trustworthy mechanic.:rolleyes: Goodluck
Dont rebuild, Buy new.

Tail Chaser
04-22-2008, 08:57 AM
At least you don't keep your boat in a slip.


Those outdrives get so fouled with marine life that they are practically unable to function.



Those things should not be stored in saltwater for any amount of time.

I dont have corrision problems.
I have fingerprint problems :mrgreen:

vince champion
04-25-2008, 12:11 AM
Nice ride br! Looks like you put alot of time/work into it. Well paid off.

Tail Chaser
04-25-2008, 01:04 PM
Thanks Vince.
Crazy amount of time into it.

As I was just riding my dirt bike down to the mailbox.

I thought to myself.

Things were much simpler when the dirtbike was my #1 hobby.

Fishing still slow.
And im not in the mood to finish sanding/painting the boat trl.


Did a couple real fun hillclimbs coming back from the mailbox though :lol:

Ronira
04-25-2008, 01:22 PM
That is a really nice boat Broken Rod. It looks like a perfect weekend fishing boat to me.

Tail Chaser
04-25-2008, 02:21 PM
Thanks,
Shes been an addiction.
Now I need counseling.
And I'm ready to move on :lol: