Pull the trigger? 2017 SLX 280

GR 2017SLX280HO

New Member
Nov 25, 2019
5
Boat Info
SLX 280 2017 8.2 MAG HO
Engines
430HP Mercruiser 8.2 MAG HO w/ Bravo IIIX Drives
GM...I am new to the forum...bought a place on Lake Erie with a boat slip, so I’m boat shopping. Found a 2017 SLX 280 LOADED with the 430HP (HO) engine and ALL of the features. PERFECT! The original owner paid $210k...my price will be almost $100k less. Here’s the issue. I located the boat in WI and the dealer had it shipper here. It shows up wrapped and they cut a hole to inspect the inside. GOOD LORD! Beer cans and bottles inside the boat. The head was dirty with human waste...obviously the previous owner wasn’t “meticulous” and the boat wasn’t in “pristine condition”. This is the first time the dealership here got to see the boat. The WI team probably thought the MH team would prep the boat for sale and decided not to do ANYTHING. Here’s the point: 1) I found many loose screws and loose hinges confirming my worries that Sea Ray quality is seriously lacking (as many of you have mentioned) and 2) the propeller was severely damaged. Every blade had a bend or chip in it and the lower unit steel was damaged (not cracked, just dented on the edge). I want the prop completely replaced before I buy it, but I’m worried that the drive shaft may have been damaged when the damage was done. I can’t water test it, but they say they will warranty the drive train and the boat still has a warranty for 2 more years (I believe). What are your thoughts? The boat is dirty and needs some minor TLC, but the prop concerns me. Any thoughts, ideas, experience would be helpful. Thanks and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
 
Obviously this boat was not cared for by the previous owner. It’s unlikely that routine maintenance was done. This is a definite red flag!
If you think you might want to take a chance a survey should be done including an in water test come spring before you would sign papers or pay for the boat. If they don’t want to accommodate this I would keep looking.
 
Welcome to the club. Hard to believe the WI team did not know the condition of the boat. My guess is they wanted to let the MH team handle all the issues. As stated above make a deal contingent on a complete survey. Ask if maintenance records are available. If bought new from WI, they might have the records assuming the previous owner had them service the boat. I would also get a quote from a third party for complete detail job. I’m guessing MH is Marblehead. There are some very good detail guys in the area. I would deduct the cost of the detailing from your negotiated price.

Good luck. Hope to see you on the water this spring!
 
How many hours were on the boat?? Are you sure that is the original outdrive/lower unit?? If not, there may be more damage hidden considering the po’s pride of ownership.
 
I would approach this as any other purchase.

Negotiate a price and leave a deposit contingent on a successful sea trial and survey.

A GOOD LONG sea trial. Not just a 10 minute ride with a brief WOT run. If that has to wait till spring, then so be it. If you are looking at any other boats you probably can’t sea trial them right now either.
If it still has the balance of the new warranty, you do have some protection there.


A thought: What if they had cleaned it up quick and threw a new prop on before you even saw it? You would have a much different perspective than you have now.
 
Welcome to the club. Hard to believe the WI team did not know the condition of the boat. My guess is they wanted to let the MH team handle all the issues. As stated above make a deal contingent on a complete survey. Ask if maintenance records are available. If bought new from WI, they might have the records assuming the previous owner had them service the boat. I would also get a quote from a third party for complete detail job. I’m guessing MH is Marblehead. There are some very good detail guys in the area. I would deduct the cost of the detailing from your negotiated price.

Good luck. Hope to see you on the water this spring!
It is Marblehead! They said they would do a COMPLETE detail on the boat in the spring as I am storing it with them for the winter (post purchase of course). A contingency clause is the key here. Just frustrating...
 
I would approach this as any other purchase.

Negotiate a price and leave a deposit contingent on a successful sea trial and survey.

A GOOD LONG sea trial. Not just a 10 minute ride with a brief WOT run. If that has to wait till spring, then so be it. If you are looking at any other boats you probably can’t sea trial them right now either.
If it still has the balance of the new warranty, you do have some protection there.


A thought: What if they had cleaned it up quick and threw a new prop on before you even saw it? You would have a much different perspective than you have now.
You are dead on right. All they had to do was prep it. Tighten the screws, change out the prop...and clean it up. Everything else would be the same. I would want a water test and a warranty. Good point.
 
I would approach this as any other purchase.

Negotiate a price and leave a deposit contingent on a successful sea trial and survey.

A GOOD LONG sea trial. Not just a 10 minute ride with a brief WOT run. If that has to wait till spring, then so be it. If you are looking at any other boats you probably can’t sea trial them right now either.
If it still has the balance of the new warranty, you do have some protection there.

^THIS.

Also, do not pay for winter storage at this point. If they refuse to cover storage for the next few months, tell them to eat what the previous owner left in the head.
 
It is Marblehead! They said they would do a COMPLETE detail on the boat in the spring as I am storing it with them for the winter (post purchase of course). A contingency clause is the key here. Just frustrating...
AND a survey. I'd call Greg Group 216 408-8800 he knows Sea Rays and is meticulous in his surveys. BTW I assume the dealership was Skipper Buds?
 
The 280 Slx is a nice boat. Loose screws, sadly very common for new SR and other mass manufactured boats. An hour and a screwdriver takes care of most. A little thickened epoxy takes care of the rest. Dirt and mess - a full detail fixes that. The boat run aground damaging the props and the lower unit- really need to think that through. Warranty won’t cover damage from misuse even though you didn’t do it. Lower leg goes bad next year, Mercury will deny the warranty if the skeg is damaged. Require them to replace the lower unit, check engine alignment, and get an independent survey. Do not sign the papers and hand over money with their promise to fix- you lose all leverage. Refundable deposit, agreement to buy after conditions met and successful survey and sea trial. There are plenty of those boats for sale, be careful with this one.
 
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Since you asked our opinion, here is mine. Don’t let your emotions rule you. This is a machine. Your budget sounds like you have options. The time of year means you have time. With the serious red flags already found with such a short life of the boat, I would carefully document everything found today, and run like hell!
 
AND a survey. I'd call Greg Group 216 408-8800 he knows Sea Rays and is meticulous in his surveys. BTW I assume the dealership was Skipper Buds?
Yup...and thanks!
 
GM...I am new to the forum...bought a place on Lake Erie with a boat slip, so I’m boat shopping. Found a 2017 SLX 280 LOADED with the 430HP (HO) engine and ALL of the features. PERFECT! The original owner paid $210k...my price will be almost $100k less. Here’s the issue. I located the boat in WI and the dealer had it shipper here. It shows up wrapped and they cut a hole to inspect the inside. GOOD LORD! Beer cans and bottles inside the boat. The head was dirty with human waste...obviously the previous owner wasn’t “meticulous” and the boat wasn’t in “pristine condition”. This is the first time the dealership here got to see the boat. The WI team probably thought the MH team would prep the boat for sale and decided not to do ANYTHING. Here’s the point: 1) I found many loose screws and loose hinges confirming my worries that Sea Ray quality is seriously lacking (as many of you have mentioned) and 2) the propeller was severely damaged. Every blade had a bend or chip in it and the lower unit steel was damaged (not cracked, just dented on the edge). I want the prop completely replaced before I buy it, but I’m worried that the drive shaft may have been damaged when the damage was done. I can’t water test it, but they say they will warranty the drive train and the boat still has a warranty for 2 more years (I believe). What are your thoughts? The boat is dirty and needs some minor TLC, but the prop concerns me. Any thoughts, ideas, experience would be helpful. Thanks and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Is it this one, advertised as 'Professionally maintained and stored. She is water ready and will provide years of enjoyment'.
280slx.JPG
 

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