Which would you choose

[tashasdaddy]

I posted this in the Inboard forum, and got opinions on the engines. now less get the opinion of the boats.


My sister is down to 2 boats. both 380 searay sundancers. both boats are priced for their conditions.

#1 2002 twin 8.1 horizons 562 hours, 100 hrs on risers and manifold, all Maintenance records. newer electronics. new canvas, locally located.

#2 2003 twin 8.1 horizons 120 hours. no maintenance records. canvas needs to be replaced, located on the Gulf Coast and will have to be brought around Florida.

both boats are in beautiful condition, except for what is mentioned. and priced accordingly.

would you want a boat that has been used but totally maintained, or a boat that has not had as much use, but no records of any maintenance?

 

[lucky7]

Re: Which would you choose

go for the one thats further away. gas is cheap as its ever gonna be now, enjoy the shake down cruise.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Which would you choose

As a DIYer on my own boat, I don't keep records except for photos of the major work. A close personal inspection of the two would be what I would do and then make my decision.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Which would you choose

i have faith that you could tell what kind of shape its in with out records better than most.
unless its realy a dog go for the newer one. you can fix some small stuff on the newer one, but you cant add a year or take off the hours on the older one.
the canvas can be spendy on these. the fact it need replaced should show the cockpit has been cover and should show well.
great lakes boat top co. inc. (313-459-8080) makes sea ray's csnvas. you might be able to check on replacement price with them. not sure this phone # is still good. i called and talked to them about my morring cover when i needed one. they only go back to 1990 for replacment canvas but you are well with in that time frame.

 

[QC]

Re: Which would you choose

I am going to reply to both the engine and the boat stuff here . . .

Personally (and professionally) I think we make too much out of neglected engine maintenance. Maintenance totally matters, and I am not suggesting that you can simply ignore engines, but most of the lower hour neglect items are minimal as far as the engine is concerned. Some will say "you can't fix long interval oil changes" to which I answer "when was the last time you saw one of these with spun main or rod bearings? Low hour cam/lifter failure?". Unless they ran without oil, or have been overheated, I am not that concerned . . .

I assume these are inboards, so I don't have any real drive-line concerns at all . . . the packings (or seals) should be checked on the rudders and prop shafts.

Without pics etc. I'd go with the low hour one depending on the pricing. I'd replace the canvas and customized as I want. If the electronics and ammenities and need for any other asthetic replacements are handled by the price, then I do think that is the one I'd go with.

I am also not afraid of the high hours on the other one, I am guessing your sis will not be putting a ton of hours on her (them).

 

[mhg]

Re: Which would you choose

the other thing to worry about is water damage on the gulf coast boat
there have been a lot of boats with hurricane water damage
just like the cars from flooded towns
there are low hour boats with no history for a reason
a survey by a qualified local company would be money well spent

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Which would you choose

believe me survey will be done.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Which would you choose

I stayed away because i didn't want to give advice on a boat i can't touch or feel.

Get the best guy to look it over one who is bonded.

These drives what are they ?

I would think it's twin screws ?

Whats the guy with the newer boats story, he never wrote down nothing ?
Oil change and such. I keep a log on all the cars and boats that i own, when i changed out what and when. Even with the lawnmower.

What i mean to say the newer boat never had nothing done to it?

Something is fishy ( pardon the pun ) with the newer boat.

TD a lot of money, i bet you could buy a house for that money.

Just something to think about, listen to your inner voice.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Which would you choose

" i bet you could buy a house for that money." that is exactly what she is doing. it will be a temporary (5 year) live aboard.

 

[QC]

Re: Which would you choose

I still find it odd to choose an Express Cruiser for liveaboard. I love them, but in the 38' to 40' range an aft cabin trawler would be waaaaay roomier. But on three to four levels instead of two, and that may be the ultimate allure to the Cruiser? Big outdoor patio deck thing and a reasonably large cabin below? Wheras the trawler would have a smaller rear deck (some big exceptions) and three semi-split cabins below.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Which would you choose

I posted before where a houseboat would be maybe better.

Saw one 40 footer that was all stripped out was 3 grand. Was here by me and i thought about you.

Was perfect the hull, no kidding and the guy finished the motor, but didn't have enough money for the inside.

Here is the point, she can fit it out anyway she wants cause the insides were gone to the walls, and i bet would make a drop dead gorgeous livaboard.

3 grand motor all done. How mush to make it the way she wants if you do it yourself?

But heres the other side of the coin she likes what she likes, me i would take the one closest to you.

Been there with sisters believe me how many houses i fixed up for my sisters i don't want to even think about it. She buys them, i fix them, then she lives in them, and she gets the money when selling it, and making a killing.

Now shes in a apt i keep telling her i can't fix up any more houses.

 

[BMWboatski]

Re: Which would you choose

The one who documented maintanance is probably hiding something bigger. The documented reapirs are a cover up for something major.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Which would you choose

Doesn't anyone just make impulse buys anymore and just deal with the mess later?

 

[GatorzBack2Back]

Re: Which would you choose

would you want a boat that has been used but totally maintained, or a boat that has not had as much use, but no records of any maintenance?

Personally?..........

I would want a friend to have either of those boats. The gooder the friend, the better for me!!!

You didn't mention the specific pricing on the boats. Is the older one less enough of a price to cover any expenses that may arise at 5oo hours of use?

I think with her having a brother that knows so much about boats, she should get the more used one, and know that she won't be paying NEAR as much as the next guy for her wear and tear.

Keep us updated.

 

[oops!]

Re: Which would you choose

bump to get spam off the front page



hey td.....yer sis is one step from mbs

in a 38 in our market the price will be determined by the hours.......the and the pourchase will be determined by the budget.......in a live aboard situation.....generally they dont move very much....so the lower hours lower price would be the one.

but qc's pic of the aft cabin is very simelar to the 43 antique one i lived on.....galley up front and the shower in the forecastle......i loved it

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Which would you choose

the reason for the Express Cruiser, is they were planning of buying one in 2-3 years.

the situation, she and her husband have 2 houses, she works in Jacksonville, and will for 5 more years, he has a house in Ormand Beach, and a successful business there.

she has decided to sell her house, and go needs a place to stay, 3 or 4 nights during the week for work.

the price range is of the boats is around $100,000. and $500 for dockage. cheaper than another house of condo. they will get the second home, tax deduction.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Which would you choose

TD will she actually use it as a boat ? I mean take it for cruises ? Go on extended trips with it ?

When i was in Delray i went over to West palm beach with my misses to shop a bit.

Had like 3 hours to kill while she was shopping, and the boats are just lined up one nicer then the next.

Talked with some people there hangin on their boats, a few invited me aboard, but i declined.

Saw some really nice barges, that had outboards on them.

Was really a house on the water, one guy said they didn't go far, but they could go, if they wanted.

2-3 decks on them, BBq's on the front, or back deck, sliding pines.

One guy said he had 2 full baths with tubs central air, and heat, 40 gallon water heater and full kitchen, with a regular dishwasher, and freg.
2 master bedrooms, and a 3rd for the kids with 2 bunks bed setups, for 4 kids.

And that was his second home, he also said the dockage was like 500. Where else you going to be right on the water for that money.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Which would you choose

Yes they definitely use the boat as a boat. she loves to fish. anything to do with the water.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Which would you choose

Personally, I think it's a toss up. It sounds like they are both in respectable condition. Assuming nothing too hateful shows up during the surveys, I would feel more comfortable with the first choice only because the canvas is going to be dear to replace. Is it feasible to truck it across the state...might be cheaper (?).
Second guessing here but, I think it might boil down to sis - amenities, convenience, things like that.

 

[salty87]

Re: Which would you choose

i posted on the other thread

i like the first boat with new elec and canvas, maint records. the other boat has less hours but whatever parts are still original have the same amount of corrosion as the first boat. i'd prefer the boat that has been run regularly.

120 hours on a 2003...was that 30 hr/yr for a couple of years...or was it used alot at first and hasn't been run in 2 years?