Never had a boat, going to look at a Sea Ray 440 AC tomorrow. What should I pay attention to?

Picking a boat of this type as a first step is a little out of the ordinary for what folks here generally see. What aspects and functions drew you to it?

As some have mentioned, it's a large boat with quite a number of complex systems. It might help if you can let us know where your frame of reference is, as we might be able to provide some more tailored pointers. For example is this an overnight thing, or have you been thinking on it for a while and have done a bunch of research? Have you looked at other boats? Are you mechanically inclined in areas outside of boating? etc.
 
What a sad thread...who are you people to judge?...help the guy or don’t comment.... @JC3 said earlier Hull Truth...the greatest insult you could receive...congratulations
 
I just bought a 510 Sundancer as my first ever boat. I had the boat surveyed and had a diesel technician check out the engines and generator. The boat was in Florida and I shipped it to Lake Erie. I'm very new to this, and don't claim to be an expert, but I would say it's important to be honest with yourself about what you do and don't know, and be willing to listen to people who do know. I did quite a bit of reading about safe boating and have hired a captain to help me out at the beginning. I didn't have a lot of options for insurance and I am required to have a captain with me as part of my policy until the captain is willing to sign off that I can safely operate the boat. I suspect some of my limitations with insurance are because the boat is over 50 ft. I was planning to hire a captain at first anyway.

As far as going to look at the boat goes, the approach I took is that I knew I didn't really know enough to be thoroughly evaluating a boat, and I knew I was to going to have to rely on a broker and surveyor I felt I could trust. I did that, and my boat has now been checked out by the dealer up here and everything is in order. I've had a couple of sessions with the captain and have already gained a lot of confidence maneuvering the boat around the dock. All of the systems are working as they should. So, with practically no experience and the help of professionals I have gotten my boat in the water and started the process of learning how to enjoy it safely. I know I still have a lot to learn, and a lot of it is only going to come with experience, but I think if you're honest with yourself about your limitations, and find reliable, trustworthy people to help you through the process there is no reason it can't be an enjoyable experience for you.
 
I just bought a 510 Sundancer as my first ever boat. I had the boat surveyed and had a diesel technician check out the engines and generator. The boat was in Florida and I shipped it to Lake Erie. I'm very new to this, and don't claim to be an expert, but I would say it's important to be honest with yourself about what you do and don't know, and be willing to listen to people who do know. I did quite a bit of reading about safe boating and have hired a captain to help me out at the beginning. I didn't have a lot of options for insurance and I am required to have a captain with me as part of my policy until the captain is willing to sign off that I can safely operate the boat. I suspect some of my limitations with insurance are because the boat is over 50 ft. I was planning to hire a captain at first anyway.

As far as going to look at the boat goes, the approach I took is that I knew I didn't really know enough to be thoroughly evaluating a boat, and I knew I was to going to have to rely on a broker and surveyor I felt I could trust. I did that, and my boat has now been checked out by the dealer up here and everything is in order. I've had a couple of sessions with the captain and have already gained a lot of confidence maneuvering the boat around the dock. All of the systems are working as they should. So, with practically no experience and the help of professionals I have gotten my boat in the water and started the process of learning how to enjoy it safely. I know I still have a lot to learn, and a lot of it is only going to come with experience, but I think if you're honest with yourself about your limitations, and find reliable, trustworthy people to help you through the process there is no reason it can't be an enjoyable experience for you.
@Blueone 90, Cat 3208s with 1100 hours on them, brackish/salt water.

The purpose of the boat is a place to live half the week or more. I don’t expect to be out in the gulf a week after I buy it. A semi-local captain has already contacted me based on this thread to offer his services and recommended a surveyor (which is good, because I wouldn’t trust the broker’s) as well as having Cat inspect the motors.
It’s not going to be a party boat trolling for Dubai Porta-potties, it’s going to be a place to live.

And I have to add, this being the first forum I’ve joined, if Hull Truth is worse for newbies, God help most of you.
 
let me be the first to apologize .... for the bozos ...this is a good forum...stick around and let us know how your journey goes

That's pretty funny. Are you the Chief Apologizer and Name Caller for CSR? My comments stand.

I do like Post #26.
 
Somebody needs to be ....since the rest of you seem to think you can judge another persons decision on what boat they can buy.
Okay, and you seem to think you are the one to judge other member's opinions that you don't agree with. So hypocritical. The O.P. asked for input and he got it. I think he's an adult and doesn 't need you jumping to his defense.
 
Must be good to be you
The Coast Guard publishes boating accident statistics every year. It's online and easy to find. The top three causes of accidents resulting in injuries and death, every year, are alcohol, inattention and INEXPERIENCE! Can the O.P. go out and buy a multi-engine aircraft, then fly it without training and experience? No, that would be reckless and criminal. Similar with boating. Any competent, responsible and experienced boater would want and encourage the O.P. to get some training and on-the-water experience before buying his big dream boat.
 
Okay, and you seem to think you are the one to judge other member's opinions that you don't agree with. So hypocritical. The O.P. asked for input and he got it. I think he's an adult and doesn 't need you jumping to his defense.
Think of the value you’re giving the op’s question... if you need help read his response
 
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As far as what to look for? It would be good get a demonstration of the boat’s handling if possible. Aft cabin cabins can be difficult to handle around docks. You would need to offer to pay for the ride and the seller may or may not agree. But it would good see how
The boat handles with some wind and current around docks when piloted by a competent skipper. Ask to look at all service records. This is crucial information to have right away. Incomplete records means lots of deferred maintenance that will cost you big time. Notice the condition of the boat. I always judge the owner competence by looking at the rub rails. If they are dinged up everywhere, this means an unskilled or careless skipper operated the boat. Could also mean the boat boat handles poorly. The boat should show no real signs of wear if it has been owned by a meticulous owner who performed all of the required PM work.if it passes muster and the price is right, pay for survey and buy it if it passes and checks all the boxes for your needs. Pay attention to engine PM work and moisture in key structures such as stringers and decks. Problems in these areas are very expensive to fix.
 
A friend went from a small cuddy cabin boat to an Aft Cabin 40+ foot boat. He just had to have the large aft stateroom and aft deck space. Both features were nice but he soon tired of the boat.

On his boat there were two tank fill locations, he had to drag the fuel hose through the aft deck to fuel the opposite tank,either that or turn the boat around. He tired of the steps, the hard entry/exit from the boat. He put a set of stairs on his dock but when a transient it was always an issue.

And of course he tired of the handling. There was a lot of surface for the wind to push on, he learned to do it but maneuvering in marinas and docking were always done with dread
 
View attachment 104885
I always judge the owner competence by looking at the rub rails. If they are dinged up everywhere, this means an unskilled or careless skipper operated the boat. Could also mean the boat boat handles poorly. The boat should show no real signs of wear
Some of us use the piling as a pivot point, so rubrails don’t mean an incompetent captain. And no signs of wear! You kidding? Some of us use our boats, not “Dock Queens”.
 
Some of us use the piling as a pivot point, so rubrails don’t mean an incompetent captain. And no signs of wear! You kidding? Some of us use our boats, not “Dock Queens”.
E12B0CC5-9562-4D0E-853D-63D3E09105BC.jpeg

I used rub rail to pivot as well. No dings on the rub rails. No signs of wear on our 16 year old Tiara due to careful use and lots of preventive maintenance. It was no dock queen having transited all of Lake Michigan, much of Lake Huron and the North Channel. We lived on the boat for much of every summer.
 
May be challenging getting a boat ride, if it works out, great.

Pay a captain to go with you.
 
View attachment 104891
I used rub rail to pivot as well. No dings on the rub rails. No signs of wear on our 16 year old Tiara due to careful use and lots of preventive maintenance. It was no dock queen having transited all of Lake Michigan, much of Lake Huron and the North Channel. We lived on the boat for much of every summer.
i aint gonna get in a pissing match, but are you really gonna say that after 16 years, your boat looks exactly like it came out of the factory with absolutely no signs of use? Really? You should show it on ESPNs "Cmon man" segment.
 

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