Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

searay and bayliner are made the same company.... brunswick

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Mitsubish was also owned by Daimler but also made lower quality cars...I guess the question may be if you had 2 boats alike of the 2 brands which one would you choose?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

neither... id rather have an older carver, wellcraft, regal, etc

as for searay or bayliner.... whichever one was taken better care of..... one is not automatically better than the other

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Which was better maintained and stored? Bayliner earned a bad rep in the '80s and have not done much to change it. Not a big fan of either and I'd happily own a Bayliner if it were the only boat left in the country I could use.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Chevrolet also made the Corvette and the Chevette. (Just saying -- and I'm not bashing bayliner).

I used to tow a water-logged 1985 26' sea ray with a 4x4 1996 Chevy Blazer with a 4.3 liter. Granted I never went over 50 mph. but safety is all about the operator and knowing your stopping distance. That said, I bet my 1985 26' sea ray (and this is before the swim platform counted as part of the length) is no different than the 28' boats that have been mentioned here. I think you could tow a larger boat with your truck, BUT, the problem will come when you have to tow a long way. You may not want to do that.

Anyway, here is the way this is going to play out. You have a brand new engine in your 1994 boat. You are going to come across a 26' project boat that needs a full engine package and you will put your motor into the 26' boat and then you will be all set! LOL Just kidding. That is something that I would do.

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

nice idea, I should consider that...seriously...

Chevrolet also made the Corvette and the Chevette. (Just saying -- and I'm not bashing bayliner).

I used to tow a water-logged 1985 26' sea ray with a 4x4 1996 Chevy Blazer with a 4.3 liter. Granted I never went over 50 mph. but safety is all about the operator and knowing your stopping distance. That said, I bet my 1985 26' sea ray (and this is before the swim platform counted as part of the length) is no different than the 28' boats that have been mentioned here. I think you could tow a larger boat with your truck, BUT, the problem will come when you have to tow a long way. You may not want to do that.

Anyway, here is the way this is going to play out. You have a brand new engine in your 1994 boat. You are going to come across a 26' project boat that needs a full engine package and you will put your motor into the 26' boat and then you will be all set! LOL Just kidding. That is something that I would do.

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

a few boats I am looking at, let me know what you guys think...

Used 2000 Sea Ray 270 Sundancer, San Pedro, Ca - 90731 - BoatTrader.com

Used 2000 Sea Ray 270 Sundancer, Rancho Cucamonga, Ca - 91739 - BoatTrader.com

Used 1991 Four Winns 285, Dana Point, Ca - 92629 - BoatTrader.com

Used 1996 Sea Ray 270 Sundancer, San Diego, Ca - 92106 - BoatTrader.com

Used 1997 Maxum 2800scr, West Hills, Ca - 91307 - BoatTrader.com

Slips availability in our area has improved since folks have been selling more than buying...so that could be an option if we go with a bigger boat...~$12/ft

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I like my 2001 270 'Dancer. You really want the 2000 model or newer as it has the table on the port side which can convert to a bunk where the '96 model has the sink on that side.
http://rnr-marine.com/images/Sea-Ray_270-Sundancer_2000_Brochure.PDF

BTW: the boat that says it has a 496 Mag engine must be a newer replacement engine as that was not offered from the factory.

Figure about $240 for the haulout fee, 27 ft at $12-14 a foot depending on who you use for the hull survey, and another $300-400 for a good drive-off mechanical inspection.

Mark

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

barring a boat in a slip we are somewhat confined by what my Tundra can tow...the limit there seems to be at around 26-27ft/6500lbs towable weight...it would be nice to have head/stove/shower for the longer trips...and a bit more liveable space under deck...I agree 24 ft would not really offer that much more...

My 250 ready for the lake on the traler is 7,600 lbs so make sure your tow vehicle can handle whatever boat you choose.

LK

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

here's a couple more Chaparrals I liked:

Used 2000 Chaparral Signature 260, Marina Del Rey, Ca - 90292 - BoatTrader.com

The 2005 26ft Signature is a bit out of my price range but looks real nice:

Used 2005 Chaparral 260 Signature Cruiser, San Diego, Ca - 91950 - BoatTrader.com

My 250 ready for the lake on the traler is 7,600 lbs so make sure your tow vehicle can handle whatever boat you choose.

LK

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Not knocking any of your prospects but the reason we ended up with a sundancer was the cockpit layout. The transom seat and the rear facing seat behind the helm with the table alows face to face seating for socializing, card games, etc. For whatever reason i had a hard time finding that type of layout in other brands, some are downright laughable. I also like the aft cabin. Just some more info to chew on.

LK

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Are you having any luck looking for the same boats on craigslist? Boattrader seems expensive to me for some reason.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Are you having any luck looking for the same boats on craigslist? Boattrader seems expensive to me for some reason.

Ignore the advertised price. Boattrader and Yachtworld prices are just nuts, and bear little relation to what those boats ultimately sell for. Do your research and make an offer based on what you think the boat is worth, regardless of what the asking price is.

My .02

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Craigslist boats are cheaper generally... many are to some extent project boats. That's also subject to what expectations are for a buyer but generally speaking you'll find a higher percentage of boats need more work to be in reasonable operating condition. There's nothing bad about that but my time is a bit limited and there's also some technical expertise when it comes to the engine so any boat should mostly have cosmetic issues for me. Since I am not in a rush and have the smaller boat that does most of what I need to, I will simply continue to shop around until I come across the right boat...

Ignore the advertised price. Boattrader and Yachtworld prices are just nuts, and bear little relation to what those boats ultimately sell for. Do your research and make an offer based on what you think the boat is worth, regardless of what the asking price is.

My .02

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

. Since I am not in a rush and have the smaller boat that does most of what I need to, I will simply continue to shop around until I come across the right boat...

Let us know when THAT happens, and re-start a new thread about your search at that time.

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

here's another Chaparral Signature 2600 that I really like, just the price is a bit out of my price range...I like the finish and attention to details with the Chaparrals..

2005 Chaparral 260 Signature Cruiser - Boats.com

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I agree with what you said about craigslist. You will find more project type boats on there whereas on boattrader or other sites you are more likely to find a boat that a dealer would sell.

When you put the new engine in your current boat, did you do it or did you have a mechanic do it? It sounds like a mechanic did it from what you said about being willing to take on a cosmetically challenged boat before a mechanically challenged one.

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I could not handle a project like this alone, maybe with a more experienced engine guy but not by myself...so the repowering was performed by a local Mercruiser certified shop...with a 3 year warranty on the Mercury reman 357 (275HP)

I agree with what you said about craigslist. You will find more project type boats on there whereas on boattrader or other sites you are more likely to find a boat that a dealer would sell.

When you put the new engine in your current boat, did you do it or did you have a mechanic do it? It sounds like a mechanic did it from what you said about being willing to take on a cosmetically challenged boat before a mechanically challenged one.