Just a few questions about purchasing a boat

jobofly

Member
Jul 22, 2008
413
Ithaca Ny
Boat Info
1985 Sea Ray Weekender 230 OMC Stringer
Engines
5.7 260 w/OMC Stringer
I am starting to look for our future family boat. Preferably a 98-2003 sundancer between 290 and 340. I will be boating in Cayuga lake out of Ithaca NY.

First question, should i avoid salt water boats? i have read a few posts on this site about it but they were from 8 plus years ago. The reason i am asking is because i see a lot of boats in along the east coast that have great prices compared to buying the same boat in the great lakes. I am aware that it comes down to how well the boat is maintained and any boat i am considering will have a full survey done. Please share your thoughts on this.

Second Question, Boat shipping prices. What kind prices per mile should i expect on a 340 or a 290?

Thanks for all of your help.

-Joe
 
Regarding saltwater boats versus freshwater boats:
Be open to exploring both.
You’ll be looking at boats that are between 17 and 22 years old. Condition of boats of that age can vary widely and maintenance will be more of a determining factor of overall condition than where the boat has spent it’s life.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
Most here will say it makes no difference. However good maintenance does not prevent the telltale signs of saltwater use which are immediately visible to knowledgeable buyers. Mostly the signs are cosmetic. However, saltwater boats suffer from corrosion of internal and external mechanical
and electrical components that are expensive to fix and maintain. Given the choice between two well maintained boats with comparable hours, the freshwater boat will likely have fewer issues requiring attention. This is why freshwater boats are sought after and command a premium price. The differences are not trivial. We recently sold a 15 year old fresh water boat with gasoline engines for more than similar boats that were 2-3 years newer and diesel powered. One nearby boat in Michigan was advertised as a freshwater boat. The surveyor recognized its saltwater background as soon as he entered the engine room and looked around. It was an otherwise clean boat that I believe is still on the market.
 
I would not eliminate looking at a saltwater boat, especially inboards - BUT - in your location / proximity to the Great Lakes you are likely to find a freshwater boat in much better condition and much close that shipping one from the east coast. AND, you might be able to go get and and run it back to Ithaca.
 
Boats in the Great Lakes region will typically have less use than salt water boats in warmer climates due to the length of the season. That may account for the difference you are seeing in the prices.
 
Agree with sbw1. We sold our 2001 410DA with 1,100 hours on the 3126 CATS 3 years ago at a premium price as it was freshwater only boat. Then looking for a 48DA, we missed on a 2008 only 5 miles from our house as a guy in CA paid full asking price because he wanted a freshwater boat, and then still had to pay shipping all the way out West.

-Tom
 
At that age of boat, all will need maintenance and repairs. As others said, how it was kept will make a big difference.
That age saltwater boat will have more issues as mentioned - rusted components, rusted snaps, rusted ss bits and parts etc., bubbled paint, and electrical connections will be more problematic for sure. Risers and manifolds and block corrosion are all more of an issue.
That said, for the right price difference, might make sense.
 
Joe, I bought our boat in the Detroit area and got a smokin' deal on it because I bought it during the "Great Recession", in 2009.

I had looked at west coast boats and as has been mentioned, all showed signs of being salt water boats. Some not so obvious, some very obvious, and it all came down to how well maintained they were.

Great Lakes boats have short seasons so likely fewer hours, are pulled out of the water in the fall, most are kept inside, and don't go back in the water usually until Memorial Day.

It cost me $20K to get my boat shipped across the country, but I felt it was worth it. Here's what she looks like now at 24 years old....
P1010099.jpg
 
I wouldn't automatically shy away from a saltwater boat. They are plentiful after all. Well maintained, they could be a good deal. Freshwater boaters can neglect their boats too. I have seen some real POS out there. If you do look at salt, I would want closed cooling. That will at least save your engine block. Good luck in your search. It can be frustrating.
 
Great advice guys. I will keep looking inland as my first choice and the coast as my second.

What does boat shipping cost run? Is it usually by the mile?
 
I’m in Erie PA. My boat came from NJ. Shipping was around $4500, but I have a 13.5’ beam. You can generally get a better price on a salt boat, but as others said there will be some evidence of its salt life. I probably would be leery of a 20year old salt boat with outdrives or raw water cooled motors. Mine has freshwater cooled inboards and I’ve had zero issues from its ocean history.
 
Joe, I bought our boat in the Detroit area and got a smokin' deal on it because I bought it during the "Great Recession", in 2009.

I had looked at west coast boats and as has been mentioned, all showed signs of being salt water boats. Some not so obvious, some very obvious, and it all came down to how well maintained they were.

Great Lakes boats have short seasons so likely fewer hours, are pulled out of the water in the fall, most are kept inside, and don't go back in the water usually until Memorial Day.

It cost me $20K to get my boat shipped across the country, but I felt it was worth it. Here's what she looks like now at 24 years old....
P1010099.jpg


She is beautiful Gofirstclass.
 
Thanks, jobofly. I appreciate the comment.

I spent 4 hours down there waxing her yesterday and got the port side above the rub rail, up to about 15' back from the bow, and the transom. It's a labor of love and something I enjoy doing in my spare time. Working on the boat (if you can call it work) is one of those mindless activities that I do to keep busy. Turn on the tunes, fire up the buffer and have at it.

Life is good!

Mike
 
I am starting to look for our future family boat. Preferably a 98-2003 sundancer between 290 and 340. I will be boating in Cayuga lake out of Ithaca NY.


-Joe

Hey there, Joe. I was "in the same boat" a few years ago when I started looking, and really wanted to stick with freshwater only due to the corrosion reasons stated above.

I just wanted to put this out there. If you find something up in my area (Buffalo and surrounding), I'm more than happy to take an initial look for you before you make the drive or set up a survey, just in case it's not as advertised. I also have a good friend, who is also my marina owner in Wilson, that does transport, so feel free to hit me up for that as well.
 
Hey there, Joe. I was "in the same boat" a few years ago when I started looking, and really wanted to stick with freshwater only due to the corrosion reasons stated above.

I just wanted to put this out there. If you find something up in my area (Buffalo and surrounding), I'm more than happy to take an initial look for you before you make the drive or set up a survey, just in case it's not as advertised. I also have a good friend, who is also my marina owner in Wilson, that does transport, so feel free to hit me up for that as well.

Wow that is really nice of you. i do keep an eye out in the buffalo area due to the fact that i could bring it home by water. Do you know of any good surveyors in that area?
 
Thanks, jobofly. I appreciate the comment.

I spent 4 hours down there waxing her yesterday and got the port side above the rub rail, up to about 15' back from the bow, and the transom. It's a labor of love and something I enjoy doing in my spare time. Working on the boat (if you can call it work) is one of those mindless activities that I do to keep busy. Turn on the tunes, fire up the buffer and have at it.

Life is good!

Mike

some may think i am crazy but i look forward to doing that on my boat lol
 
Wow that is really nice of you. i do keep an eye out in the buffalo area due to the fact that i could bring it home by water. Do you know of any good surveyors in that area?

Yep, the guy that did ours was fantastic. Name was Carey Tyler. Owns a place called East Coast Marine Surveyors. Phone is 716-523-3846.

Also, this is the broker we used. I see he has a '97 330 on there, and it actually looks like it's up near my marina in Wilson. Not sure what year you're looking for or budget constraints: https://www.yachtworld.com/tfi/index.html

He's got a 360 on there that looks really nice. Sizeable boat for the Finger Lakes, but you're on a big one. I used to have a 27' deckboat on Canandaigua for a few years.
 
Yep, the guy that did ours was fantastic. Name was Carey Tyler. Owns a place called East Coast Marine Surveyors. Phone is 716-523-3846.

Also, this is the broker we used. I see he has a '97 330 on there, and it actually looks like it's up near my marina in Wilson. Not sure what year you're looking for or budget constraints: https://www.yachtworld.com/tfi/index.html

He's got a 360 on there that looks really nice. Sizeable boat for the Finger Lakes, but you're on a big one. I used to have a 27' deckboat on Canandaigua for a few years.

Thanks for the info!! I have considered a late 90's 330, they are great boats. Have you ever brought your boat to Cayuga lake or the Thousand Islands?
 
Thanks for the info!! I have considered a late 90's 330, they are great boats. Have you ever brought your boat to Cayuga lake or the Thousand Islands?

I've thought about dropping into Cayuga, but I just plotted a course through Oswego, down into the Canal, and it's about 200 miles from where I'm docked. I'd like to do it, but will likely spend the time heading north and exploring the Trent through to the Georgian Bay first.
 
My boat spent the first 3 years of its life in North Carolina. A salt boat. After that it became a freshwater boat. I’ve owned her for 5 years. Rebuilt starboard engine, pressure tested manifolds, rebuilt steering ram, new water pumps, replaced all switches on dash panel, replaced AC unit, new canvas, new RayMarine electronics package, cleaned electric panel and replaced several breakers, scrubbed the bilge within an inch of its life and had the generator rebuilt. I bought the gal for “a good price”. With a stripped and sanded bottom and new bottom paint along with a buff and wax and new battery bank, I think I have her right where I want her. Don’t be afraid of salt boats. A quality survey, a lot of DIY and a ton of love you will have a great boat. It’s been frustrating at times but she has also been a labor of love. Enjoy the gal and she will take care of you.

One other thought....so many boat owners will have a survey done when they first buy the boat and never again. I found that getting a survey completed after a few years of owning her and repairing her helped clarify my to-do list. It also gave me piece of mind.
 

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