Hi all,

I have found two 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA boats that are pretty much the
same price (within budget) and thay pass the other test which is that
the Admiral likes the look of them. Let's not talk about the ones I
actually like..... Anyway, they look nice, tick all the boxes for the
family, and are clean. One has a 5 litre engine and not much in the
way of equipment - the other has a camper cover that caters for my 6ft
height (How can they produce camper covers that don't?), all the
electronic toys but the engine is a 4.3 that has been used in the sea
for at least the last three years.

So ..... is there anywhere where I could find reviews both of when they
were new and/or secondhand?
What weight were/are they? I want to get a trailer. All the ads have
different(1800Kg to 2400Kg) weights. Is there any website that would
have those kind of details? I haven't found any yet.
What about the engines? one is the Merc 4.3LX the other a 5.0 V8.
Fit a Fresh water cooling kit? I'd be using them in Sal****er.


Thanks in advance for all responses,

J.

Assuming that they're both in the same condition and in the same
ballpark on price, I'd go with the V8. In 1988, I was looking at the
21 ft. Searay Seville midcabin. It came with a 4.3 Merc also. When I
was ready to buy, they had dropped the Seville and upgraded the 21 ft.
to the 220 SDA that you're talking about. They also upgraded the
price out of my reach at the time. I bought a 21 Bayliner w/230 V8 and
I wouldn't want any less power. (I won't go into why I bought a
Bayliner, but price was the biggest consideration and the boat has
served me well for what I wanted.) I rode on a 21 ft. Seville w/ 4.3
and with 2 people on board, it was OK, but with 4 it tended to bog down.

Hope this helps,
Happy boating, Norm

JasonB wrote:
Hi all,

I have found two 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA boats that are pretty much the
same price (within budget) and thay pass the other test which is that
the Admiral likes the look of them. Let's not talk about the ones I
actually like..... Anyway, they look nice, tick all the boxes for the
family, and are clean. One has a 5 litre engine and not much in the
way of equipment - the other has a camper cover that caters for my 6ft
height (How can they produce camper covers that don't?), all the
electronic toys but the engine is a 4.3 that has been used in the sea
for at least the last three years.

So ..... is there anywhere where I could find reviews both of when they
were new and/or secondhand?
What weight were/are they? I want to get a trailer. All the ads have
different(1800Kg to 2400Kg) weights. Is there any website that would
have those kind of details? I haven't found any yet.
What about the engines? one is the Merc 4.3LX the other a 5.0 V8.
Fit a Fresh water cooling kit? I'd be using them in Sal****er.


Thanks in advance for all responses,

J.

It will be a lot easier to add the camper canvas to the boat with the 5
liter engine than
to install a bigger engine in the other boat.

Are you implying that the 4.3 engine has been used in sal****er for 3
years *without* FWC? Red flag. Previous owner didn't give a rat's
patootie about taking proper precautions. If he cut that corner, what
else?

Get the boat you choose inspected by a qualified boat mechanic you trust.
Almost bought a boat (SeaRay) that had many problems and would have const me
about $3K to get them all fixed.


"JasonB" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all,

I have found two 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA boats that are pretty much the
same price (within budget) and thay pass the other test which is that
the Admiral likes the look of them. Let's not talk about the ones I
actually like..... Anyway, they look nice, tick all the boxes for the
family, and are clean. One has a 5 litre engine and not much in the
way of equipment - the other has a camper cover that caters for my 6ft
height (How can they produce camper covers that don't?), all the
electronic toys but the engine is a 4.3 that has been used in the sea
for at least the last three years.

So ..... is there anywhere where I could find reviews both of when they
were new and/or secondhand?
What weight were/are they? I want to get a trailer. All the ads have
different(1800Kg to 2400Kg) weights. Is there any website that would
have those kind of details? I haven't found any yet.
What about the engines? one is the Merc 4.3LX the other a 5.0 V8.
Fit a Fresh water cooling kit? I'd be using them in Sal****er.


Thanks in advance for all responses,

J.

Thanks All,

If I made an offer there would be subject to three conditions.
1. Boat Survey
2. Engine/Sterndrive survey
3. Sea trials

I take your points on the 5 litre - I'm guessing that it's the old story of
" a bigger engine has to work less hard to achieve the crusing speed than
the smaller engine". My brothers Jaguar 4 litre has the same mpg as the 3.2.

Sal****er - on this side of the pond (Ireland and the UK) Fresh water
cooling on older boats is fairly unusual, at least on any of the boats I've
ever come accross. But in this case, as it's a petrol and my main source of
propulsion, I'd prefer it to be fresh-water cooled.

So the 5 litre boat would have similar economy (if that isn't a
contradiction in terms!) to a 4.3. The 5 litre boat wold cost me the Fresh
water cooling kit, trailer, the Camper Cover (once I got tired of hitting my
head), a Heater, GPS, Depth and VHF. It all adds up.

The 4.3 would cost me a cooling kit ( a new engine sooner), trailer and the
transport from the east coast of the UK to where I live.

Hmmm.




"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On 30 Mar 2006 03:02:20 -0800, "JasonB"
wrote:

Hi all,

I have found two 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA boats that are pretty much the
same price (within budget) and thay pass the other test which is that
the Admiral likes the look of them. Let's not talk about the ones I
actually like..... Anyway, they look nice, tick all the boxes for the
family, and are clean. One has a 5 litre engine and not much in the
way of equipment - the other has a camper cover that caters for my 6ft
height (How can they produce camper covers that don't?), all the
electronic toys but the engine is a 4.3 that has been used in the sea
for at least the last three years.

So ..... is there anywhere where I could find reviews both of when they
were new and/or secondhand?
What weight were/are they? I want to get a trailer. All the ads have
different(1800Kg to 2400Kg) weights. Is there any website that would
have those kind of details? I haven't found any yet.
What about the engines? one is the Merc 4.3LX the other a 5.0 V8.
Fit a Fresh water cooling kit? I'd be using them in Sal****er.


Thanks in advance for all responses,

J.


Like the others, I'd go with the 5.0 V-8....... HOWEVER, before you
commit to anything, get a price on adding fresh water cooling and the
camper cover. The price of adding those features might be a deal
breaker.....

It is not practical to FWC an engine that old due to the rust and scale
already built up on the interior passages and block. The engines are on
borrowed time already. I'd go with whichever boat appears better cared for
and plan on replacing the engine later on. You can add FWC to the new
engine.
Jim
"Jason Burns" wrote in message
...
Thanks All,

If I made an offer there would be subject to three conditions.
1. Boat Survey
2. Engine/Sterndrive survey
3. Sea trials

I take your points on the 5 litre - I'm guessing that it's the old story
of
" a bigger engine has to work less hard to achieve the crusing speed than
the smaller engine". My brothers Jaguar 4 litre has the same mpg as the
3.2.

Sal****er - on this side of the pond (Ireland and the UK) Fresh water
cooling on older boats is fairly unusual, at least on any of the boats
I've
ever come accross. But in this case, as it's a petrol and my main source
of
propulsion, I'd prefer it to be fresh-water cooled.

So the 5 litre boat would have similar economy (if that isn't a
contradiction in terms!) to a 4.3. The 5 litre boat wold cost me the Fresh
water cooling kit, trailer, the Camper Cover (once I got tired of hitting
my
head), a Heater, GPS, Depth and VHF. It all adds up.

The 4.3 would cost me a cooling kit ( a new engine sooner), trailer and
the
transport from the east coast of the UK to where I live.

Hmmm.




"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On 30 Mar 2006 03:02:20 -0800, "JasonB"
wrote:

Hi all,

I have found two 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA boats that are pretty much the
same price (within budget) and thay pass the other test which is that
the Admiral likes the look of them. Let's not talk about the ones I
actually like..... Anyway, they look nice, tick all the boxes for the
family, and are clean. One has a 5 litre engine and not much in the
way of equipment - the other has a camper cover that caters for my 6ft
height (How can they produce camper covers that don't?), all the
electronic toys but the engine is a 4.3 that has been used in the sea
for at least the last three years.

So ..... is there anywhere where I could find reviews both of when they
were new and/or secondhand?
What weight were/are they? I want to get a trailer. All the ads have
different(1800Kg to 2400Kg) weights. Is there any website that would
have those kind of details? I haven't found any yet.
What about the engines? one is the Merc 4.3LX the other a 5.0 V8.
Fit a Fresh water cooling kit? I'd be using them in Sal****er.


Thanks in advance for all responses,

J.


Like the others, I'd go with the 5.0 V-8....... HOWEVER, before you
commit to anything, get a price on adding fresh water cooling and the
camper cover. The price of adding those features might be a deal
breaker.....

On 30 Mar 2006 03:02:20 -0800, "JasonB" wrote:

Hi all,

I have found two 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA boats that are pretty much the
same price (within budget) and thay pass the other test which is that
the Admiral likes the look of them. Let's not talk about the ones I
actually like..... Anyway, they look nice, tick all the boxes for the
family, and are clean. One has a 5 litre engine and not much in the
way of equipment - the other has a camper cover that caters for my 6ft
height (How can they produce camper covers that don't?), all the
electronic toys but the engine is a 4.3 that has been used in the sea
for at least the last three years.

So ..... is there anywhere where I could find reviews both of when they
were new and/or secondhand?
What weight were/are they? I want to get a trailer. All the ads have
different(1800Kg to 2400Kg) weights. Is there any website that would
have those kind of details? I haven't found any yet.
What about the engines? one is the Merc 4.3LX the other a 5.0 V8.
Fit a Fresh water cooling kit? I'd be using them in Sal****er.


Thanks in advance for all responses,

J.

I've got a 21' Proline with the 5.7L V8. It's well powered, but not over
powered. It's a 1997, used in Chesapeake Bay, and not fresh water cooled. I
would choose the V8 over the V6 in a boat that old. My son-in-law has a
'new' Chaparral 24'er with a V6, and I have to admit it does pretty well,
even with four adults and several kids aboard.

I've replaced the manifolds and risers once, but I'm hoping to get several
more years out of the engine. I do flush it after every use.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Let us know.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

"JasonB" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all,

I have found two 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA boats that are pretty much the
same price (within budget) and thay pass the other test which is that
the Admiral likes the look of them. Let's not talk about the ones I
actually like..... Anyway, they look nice, tick all the boxes for the
family, and are clean. One has a 5 litre engine and not much in the
way of equipment - the other has a camper cover that caters for my 6ft
height (How can they produce camper covers that don't?), all the
electronic toys but the engine is a 4.3 that has been used in the sea
for at least the last three years.

So ..... is there anywhere where I could find reviews both of when they
were new and/or secondhand?
What weight were/are they? I want to get a trailer. All the ads have
different(1800Kg to 2400Kg) weights. Is there any website that would
have those kind of details? I haven't found any yet.
What about the engines? one is the Merc 4.3LX the other a 5.0 V8.
Fit a Fresh water cooling kit? I'd be using them in Sal****er.


Thanks in advance for all responses,

J.


That is a pretty heavy boat with the full cuddy. The 5L is the way to go.

Overall there have been some good comments in this thread.

Best of luck with whichever one you buy.

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 30 Mar 2006 03:02:20 -0800, "JasonB" wrote:

Hi all,

I have found two 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA boats that are pretty much the
same price (within budget) and thay pass the other test which is that
the Admiral likes the look of them. Let's not talk about the ones I
actually like..... Anyway, they look nice, tick all the boxes for the
family, and are clean. One has a 5 litre engine and not much in the
way of equipment - the other has a camper cover that caters for my 6ft
height (How can they produce camper covers that don't?), all the
electronic toys but the engine is a 4.3 that has been used in the sea
for at least the last three years.

So ..... is there anywhere where I could find reviews both of when they
were new and/or secondhand?
What weight were/are they? I want to get a trailer. All the ads have
different(1800Kg to 2400Kg) weights. Is there any website that would
have those kind of details? I haven't found any yet.
What about the engines? one is the Merc 4.3LX the other a 5.0 V8.
Fit a Fresh water cooling kit? I'd be using them in Sal****er.


Thanks in advance for all responses,

J.

I've got a 21' Proline with the 5.7L V8. It's well powered, but not over
powered. It's a 1997, used in Chesapeake Bay, and not fresh water cooled.
I
would choose the V8 over the V6 in a boat that old. My son-in-law has a
'new' Chaparral 24'er with a V6, and I have to admit it does pretty well,
even with four adults and several kids aboard.

I've replaced the manifolds and risers once, but I'm hoping to get several
more years out of the engine. I do flush it after every use.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Let us know.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Actually you cannot compare your Proline to this 22 foot SeaRay. The SeaRay
has a full cuddy and has to weigh more than your boat John.

We have a 4.3 L on our 21 footer and it is well powered. However, our cuddy
consists only of a small vbunk.

Go with the 5l. No one ever complained about having too much power.

On Thu, 30 Mar 2006 15:29:15 -0500, " JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT
comREMOVETHIS wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .
On 30 Mar 2006 03:02:20 -0800, "JasonB" wrote:

Hi all,

I have found two 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA boats that are pretty much the
same price (within budget) and thay pass the other test which is that
the Admiral likes the look of them. Let's not talk about the ones I
actually like..... Anyway, they look nice, tick all the boxes for the
family, and are clean. One has a 5 litre engine and not much in the
way of equipment - the other has a camper cover that caters for my 6ft
height (How can they produce camper covers that don't?), all the
electronic toys but the engine is a 4.3 that has been used in the sea
for at least the last three years.

So ..... is there anywhere where I could find reviews both of when they
were new and/or secondhand?
What weight were/are they? I want to get a trailer. All the ads have
different(1800Kg to 2400Kg) weights. Is there any website that would
have those kind of details? I haven't found any yet.
What about the engines? one is the Merc 4.3LX the other a 5.0 V8.
Fit a Fresh water cooling kit? I'd be using them in Sal****er.


Thanks in advance for all responses,

J.

I've got a 21' Proline with the 5.7L V8. It's well powered, but not over
powered. It's a 1997, used in Chesapeake Bay, and not fresh water cooled.
I
would choose the V8 over the V6 in a boat that old. My son-in-law has a
'new' Chaparral 24'er with a V6, and I have to admit it does pretty well,
even with four adults and several kids aboard.

I've replaced the manifolds and risers once, but I'm hoping to get several
more years out of the engine. I do flush it after every use.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Let us know.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Actually you cannot compare your Proline to this 22 foot SeaRay. The SeaRay
has a full cuddy and has to weigh more than your boat John.

We have a 4.3 L on our 21 footer and it is well powered. However, our cuddy
consists only of a small vbunk.

Go with the 5l. No one ever complained about having too much power.


Actually, I could. I simply didn't care to.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************