Boaters inside please(20 - 25 ftrs)

SteveSierra · May 19, 2003

I've been thinking about getting a boat. Specifically, a mid to late 80's Sea Ray Sundancer(22 - 25 footer). This would be my first boat(although I've been on several friends boats and driven them). What are some major problems to look for when looking at these boats? The ones I'm looking at are anywhere from 10,000 to 16,000 depending on year and length. Does this seem to be a fair price range? All of the boats I've seen(online and in boat shopper guides) that are Sea Ray Sundancers, come with the 260 hp 350 mercruiser motor. This looks to be a very popular motor, I take it is pretty reliable with general maintenance/cleaning?

I'm looking for a cuddy cabin because I have two smaller kids and if they get tired of being in the sun or just want to lay down, they can do so.

Any other boats similar to this size and price range I should be looking at?

Thanks! :thumb:

ToeJam · May 19, 2003

I just sold my Sea Ray ('97 185 Bowrider) so the wife and I could remodel the house (read: Didn't want to sell, couldn't afford payment and remodel

Anyway, I love Sea Ray boats and think their one of the best manufactures out on the market right now. For the quality of product, their price is hard to beat. As for the engine, Mercs are the way to go, especially for I/O plants. That engine will be servicable anywhere you go, so that is a big bonus.

Look for a one or two owner boat. Its a big bonus if you can get a look at all the service records. The outside condition of the boat will tell you a lot about how it was maintained. A good boat owner will be more anal about taking care of it than any truck owner in the world. Chances are something that old will have a rebuilt engine, so be sure to take it to a mechanic for a thorough review before you buy.

SteveSierra · May 19, 2003

Thanks Stu. All of the ones I've seen so far(only online or in boat ad magazines) have had rebuilt motors, so I would definately have it checked out by a marine mechanic before I buy. I'm also gonna try to find one that has been used in fresh water only. Even though I'd use it in saltwater, it'd be worth it if it didn't have 15 or so years of previous saltwater use. :thumb:

Lance Link · May 19, 2003

Check out Key West boats- we got a 20' center console last summer and it kicks ass. Has a 140hp 4 stroke outboard and cost around 24K, brand new, with a trailer. They also have other models at various lenghts.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/

Nice guitars in your sig, by the way.

Charlie in TX · May 19, 2003

Steve, for a boat that age I would also have a survey done. That is were you hire a boat expert to look at the boat and tell you any problems, similar to buying a house. Some things he will look at motor, transom, floor, hull. If any of these are defective, it could cost more to fix than you are paying for the boat. Things like seats in bad condition will decrease the price of the boat but may be a an indecation of neglect. The interior is fairly cheap to replace compared to the transom.

Sea Rays are one of the better boats on the market.

SteveSierra · May 19, 2003

Thanks Lance and Charlie!

Lance - Thanks also about the guitars. The surf green 57 RI strat I still have but have replaced the AmSe Olympic white with a 62 RI OW Strat. I've played guitar off and on for about 22 years and have never played Fenders until about 2 years ago. Now my Les Paul pretty much just sits in its case.

Charlie - I had someone else recommend to me that I get a survey done. He said they can be a couple hundred bucks, but I guess it's really worth it when it can prevent me from buying a 13,000 dollar headache or help me buy a really decent boat and spend more time in the water than on land being repaired.

I'd have to rent a slip too because our neighborhood has deed restrictions against boats.

Lance Link · May 19, 2003

Steve- I have an '82 Gibson SG that I bought new, an '87 Jackson Soloist (USA neck-thru custom), and a '78 Ovation 1624 (nylon string). I've played for 24 years. Gotta get that Les Paul out of the case- either that or send it to me.

SteveSierra · May 19, 2003

I had an SL1. Lightning sky graphics that I sold last December to get the 57 RI Strat. That SL1 was a great guitar and the person that bought it got one sweet player. Unbelievably low action with zero buzz. I sometimes miss the 24 frets when going off. Who knows, maybe someday I'll pick up a used SL2. I do need to take the LP out. It's alot easier to do scales on after playing the 25 1/2 scale Fenders for a while.

I got the LP for a good deal too. It's an 01 Goldtop, but it has the vintage Kluson tuners and Burstbucker pickups like the 02's. It was made in Nov 01 when Gibson was switching from the 01 to 02 model.

Here's some not so great pics of it.

Lance Link · May 19, 2003

That's a sweet Les Paul, congrats. I have lots of pics of my guitars but, sadly, I have no idea how to post them. Is there a step by step procedure for this?

SteveSierra · May 19, 2003

Thank you

Do you have them on a hosting site, like webshots or picturetrail? If you do, just right click on the picture, go to properties, highlight the filename, copy, then in a message like on this board, just click on the Image tab and paste the file name from your picture into that window. That's what I did. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions. :thumb:

Steve