OMG! Just bought a 2008 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer on eBay!

Haul it or pilot (with assistance) from Toms River, NJ to Stamford, CT?


  • Total voters
    56
  • Poll closed .
The marina is Seaview House Marina in Stamford.
Call me on the dock cell phone if all gos well.
(203) 253-5142 and we can look around.
Good Luck,
Mark.
 
If I were you, I would take a couple of days getting familar with the boat. Then I would pick a day when the weather will be very calm. I would head North spend a day at Liberty Landing Marina in NYC, then head up the Hudson to the Harlem River. From there to the sound and CT. I would plot my course on charts, and make sure I was comfortable with my GPS chart plotter. Ideally I would find someone else who was headed my way to follow. If you feel that is too much, too early, then have the boat shipped....
 
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Don't listen to Rod. He'll get you run aground in no less than 5 places all along the way.
 
If you want to cruise her to CT, I've done the trip several times, I also know many portuguese cuss words.
 
Ponte
Just emailed you back. A word of caution - you may already know this but since you are new to the USofA, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CLEAR TITLE ON THIS BOAT. If the owner has a loan on the boat and there is a lien holder on the title, you will not be able to transfer the ownership without a letter from the lender that the loan is satisfied. That goes for any state in this country. Look at the title and at the bottom there's a spot for lienholder. If there's a bank or individual, you need to go with this guy to the bank and make sure he pays off the boat before you take posession.

If you already know this, I don't mean to insult you but this is very important to clear up and there are a lot of crooks out there. Caveat Emptor Baby!

Unfortunately, I have to work tomorrow - there's no place I'd rather be than at the boat on a beautiful day in Agosto, but I cannot be there. I wish you luck!

BTW, just looked at the ebay ad. The boat is on my dock. Never noticed it.
Thanks for the advice, Ron!

In fact the boat had a significant financial lien on it, and the owner wanted me to pay off the loan, to which I refused by explaining to him he could not transfer the title and I would be uncovered. Given the seller was not short of money (he is upgrading his Sea Ray), I've convinced him to pay off the loan himself, which he promptly did today. So assuming all goes well tomorrow, once he gets the clean title from his bank, its a done deal.

Interesting the boat was so close to yours... hope we'll be able to meet when I pick it up (probably later this week or latest on the weekend).

As for inspection today, which are the main tricks of the trade I should pay attention to... you know it's a brand new boat, less than a year of light use, pretty clean and so. So what kind of things should I pay attention to tomorrow when we take the baby for a walk?

Many thanks once again!

Ponte Vedra
 
Muito obrigado! Se quiser, esta convidado a fazer essa viagem no meu novo barquinho... Abraco!
 
I need a boating license first... even though I have several hours driving my family's boats, I still need a US license before I can take the trip. How long will thta take me? Where can I do the course and get the license here in Connect.?

Thanks!

If I were you, I would take a couple of days getting familar with the boat. Then I would pick a day when the weather will be very calm. I would head North spend a day at Liberty Landing Marina in NYC, then head up the Hudson to the Harlem River. From there to the sound and CT. I would plot my course on charts, and make sure I was comfortable with my GPS chart plotter. Ideally I would find someone else who was headed my way to follow. If you feel that is too much, too early, then have the boat shipped....
 
Muito obrigado! Se quiser, esta convidado a fazer essa viagem no meu novo barquinho... Abraco!

Sorry, I only know how to call people names and ask for ice cream. I do see you said thank you. :grin:
 
I've invited you to guide this humble boat on its inaugural trip across the harlem and sound... !
 
After you see the boat, and think it's ready for a cruise, I'm available this weekend to navigate and take pictures. It'll take about 7 hours with a fuel stop if the seas on the outside are kind.
 
Ponte
We'll be away with the boat starting Saturday. But I'll be down Friday. Let me know if/when you are picking her up.

Mike (Turtle) or Dancin' Dave should be able to help you with the Connecticut boating license.
 
I need a boating license first... even though I have several hours driving my family's boats, I still need a US license before I can take the trip. How long will thta take me? Where can I do the course and get the license here in Connect.?

Thanks!


Not sure about CT, Mike or someone else form CT will know, but NJ now requires a one day boating course and licence... But if you plan to register the boat in CT, you can do by there laws... I would plead ignorance if you get stopped when test driving the boat...
 
When you do the sea trial I assume the seller will be with you and he should have a license if it is required. Not all states require one. His license should cover the trial.

I would also assume that the boat is registered in NJ so NJ law applies.

You will need to register in CT so once registered CT law will apply. Check your state regs for license requirements.

I live in OH and no license is required unless the boat is for hire.

Hope the trial goes well!!! Let us know!!!
 
After you see the boat, and think it's ready for a cruise, I'm available this weekend to navigate and take pictures. It'll take about 7 hours with a fuel stop if the seas on the outside are kind.

Mike is correct as far as time with fuel stop, I would stop at Liberty Landing on the Hudson for fuel for easy in and out. On that boat I would budget 10-12 GPH (gallons per hour) fuel burn. I have done this trip many times (just brought a 34 Silverton down to Toms River from Norwalk a few weeks ago). Mike is certainly more then able to navigate the trip for you, but if you need a back up for during the week one day I would make myself available to give you a hand bringing it up.

Reguarding licensing in CT, There is no titles in CT for boats just reg as stated earlier you just need the clear NJ title (free of any liens) that is signed and dated on the back by the seller. To operate a boat in CT you are required to have a boat license through a proctered exam, it is always being given at different locations I know in the Norwalk area.
 
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OK, so I'm finally back from Tom's River, NJ with my update from the inspection and trial to my thread readers, as promised:

Firstly big thanks to RONDDS for helping me out with the LPM contacts. Given my lack of familiarity with the boat I tried to hire a boat surveyor for a pre-purchase inspection. My own contacts did not work: one was in Long Island on duty, one was delivering a 34 metre yatch, one was 30 miles away and refused to come. So following RONDDS advice I checked with the LPM mechanic, but he was backed up with work as on Monday they were closed. Then I spoke to the marina manager who gave me two other contacts for surveyors, last chance. Called both, both busy until Friday and I could not wait that long. So far, bad start. In between my thoughts of dismissing the appointment today and worrying that seller might get cold feet, I get this message from RONDDS saying "Go with your gut feeling!"-- that was exactly what i needed... with that I took my car and hit the road for a 120 mile drive through I95 and GSP.

As I come to a park, my eyes meet she. Exactly like in the eBay pictures, and awfully clean, just had a new bottom painting this past May. Seller turned out to be a terrific guy, serious, meticulous, well-organized, patient – all the signs I was looking for. After a brief intro we dived straight into it. Exterior part: flawless, not a scratch or stain. Outside storage well equipped with power cords, ropes, etc. Inside, all cushions in perfect condition, carpets were as clean as new, as if nobody ever stepped on it. All hinges, metals, door knobs shining. Rust, no chance! All electrical panels perfect and safety equipments complete. Inside the cabin: Also flawless, all pieces, equipments there, lights working, cushions in order, ovens never used, fully functioning, fridge good, A/C freezing, Clarion stereo sound awesome. Toilet flush, pumps perfect… ok, there was a small problem: someone had used the toilet and left some fresh small stains of urine in the rim… the seller’s face turned red and he apologized. Funny, no biggie for me. We went through manuals, Sea Ray pack, all there, including manuals for everything installed additionally, nothing missing. One good piece of news, engine warranty still good for 13 months and the full manufacturers guarantee for one more month )should I extend it?). Time to put that baby to fire….

After untying the boat from the mooring, and with a quick turn of the key the engine is firing smooth. We proceed to check the engine, which to my surprise is accessed by a flick of a button that automatically lifts up the whole back part of the boat. Wow! I swear, the engine compartment was so clean I could have had my lunch inside! The two batteries were brand new, the engine could pass a white glove inspection, sounded real good, no black smoke like in my old diesel boats. The water tanks clean, all wires well organized, no signs of mending or anything. Even the sewage take was clean and empty, barely used. Time to hit the river….

We took off, slowly opened up the power and soon we were full out. No weird noise, no smell, no smoke, all smooth. Looks like she can hit 40mph with a single pilot on board (true?) but we probably went not more than 25knots. Trims worked as expected, engine trim as well. Fog horn worked fine, VHF radio crystal clear. Depth finder worked. GPS/Chartplotter was amazing, almost as good as my own sat/nav from my car. Very easy to use. The weather was partially cloud, water weas calm, a bit of wind, warming up by the end of the afternoon. After some extra maneuvers, we drove back safely, went through all panels, electrics, batteries again, then tied the boat, hooked to the power and we were done. The picture says it all…
 
so that means you passed and bought an RV?
 
Spotless beautiful boat, congrats! You should attach some pictures to your post. I had to go to your profile to view...
 
You guys are too fast, I cant cope with the speed... lmao
picture.php
 
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