Hello Sea Ray affectionados!
First, a little background: Previous boat was a Bayliner 3055. I loved that boat. Affordable and no issues with 4 years of ownership. It was my first boat, and I learned a lot. I'd still have her, but a better job forced a move and I didn't want to bring her to saltwater.
Initially, I liked Sea Rays okay enough, but did not head that direction. I was thinking a Regal 3360, Cruisers 3470/340, or Four Winns 348 Vista... or something similar. I was leaning toward the Cruisers 3470 once the wife chimed in with her request for a seperate shower. However never one to close a door, I stumbled on a 380DA during a Yachtworld search. I really liked it. The layout was fantastic, however the price tag was going to hurt too much. Naturally, this got me looking at similar models, which led me to the 370DA.
I liked that model even more, found one local (95 model), and had a look. I won't waste time with details, suffice it to say it was not taken care of at all. :smt021
That trip did serve a purpose though. We fell in love with the design layout. Big and spacious, but not overly so where it's intimidating (keep in mind I'm coming from a 32' cruiser). I also loved the true C shaped seating whereas the 380 seating appeared more of a couch with two winglets on each end. (BTW I am not a fan of the modern design with couches in the cabin where everyone faces forward, C or U shaped seating FTW) Finally, I liked the full size fridge of the 380, but the sink placement was a turn off.
The second 370 I looked at was a 98 model, and yes, I noticed the difference with the clearnance when standing at the helm. On the 95, my head was touching when standing at the helm (I'm only 5'10") not so on the 98 model, which BTW was visually awesome and obviously well taken care of by the PO; not to mention the the vinyl and interior was more neutral. This one has the vitricore but it's not dark cherry I think it is a light maple? I noticed one small 4"x4" patch of mold (or something) in the vitricore by the sink, and a small 4" crack in the vitricore where it bends next to the seat in the master berth area. Other than that it all looked great. The engines were replaced in 2003 I did not get the story why, but am guessing water ingestion. They have ~296 hours on them. They are the 380HP 7.4's. I am getting engine and transmission oil samples pulled this week, along with a mechanical inspection and compression. Survey and Sea trial is 12/28.
This was one of those moments when you just know this is the one. I've looked at many boats since I sold my 3055. I liked most of them, but I loved the 370DA. Better yet the wife loved it. :grin: So that's that.
Wish me luck with survey... and if ya'll got any model specific things I should be on the lookout for, please pass on my way. Even if the worst happens and it doesn't work out with this particular DA, I'm pretty sure I'll end up in the family now that I've examined them up close. I'll keep you posted.
Todd
First, a little background: Previous boat was a Bayliner 3055. I loved that boat. Affordable and no issues with 4 years of ownership. It was my first boat, and I learned a lot. I'd still have her, but a better job forced a move and I didn't want to bring her to saltwater.
Initially, I liked Sea Rays okay enough, but did not head that direction. I was thinking a Regal 3360, Cruisers 3470/340, or Four Winns 348 Vista... or something similar. I was leaning toward the Cruisers 3470 once the wife chimed in with her request for a seperate shower. However never one to close a door, I stumbled on a 380DA during a Yachtworld search. I really liked it. The layout was fantastic, however the price tag was going to hurt too much. Naturally, this got me looking at similar models, which led me to the 370DA.
I liked that model even more, found one local (95 model), and had a look. I won't waste time with details, suffice it to say it was not taken care of at all. :smt021
That trip did serve a purpose though. We fell in love with the design layout. Big and spacious, but not overly so where it's intimidating (keep in mind I'm coming from a 32' cruiser). I also loved the true C shaped seating whereas the 380 seating appeared more of a couch with two winglets on each end. (BTW I am not a fan of the modern design with couches in the cabin where everyone faces forward, C or U shaped seating FTW) Finally, I liked the full size fridge of the 380, but the sink placement was a turn off.
The second 370 I looked at was a 98 model, and yes, I noticed the difference with the clearnance when standing at the helm. On the 95, my head was touching when standing at the helm (I'm only 5'10") not so on the 98 model, which BTW was visually awesome and obviously well taken care of by the PO; not to mention the the vinyl and interior was more neutral. This one has the vitricore but it's not dark cherry I think it is a light maple? I noticed one small 4"x4" patch of mold (or something) in the vitricore by the sink, and a small 4" crack in the vitricore where it bends next to the seat in the master berth area. Other than that it all looked great. The engines were replaced in 2003 I did not get the story why, but am guessing water ingestion. They have ~296 hours on them. They are the 380HP 7.4's. I am getting engine and transmission oil samples pulled this week, along with a mechanical inspection and compression. Survey and Sea trial is 12/28.
This was one of those moments when you just know this is the one. I've looked at many boats since I sold my 3055. I liked most of them, but I loved the 370DA. Better yet the wife loved it. :grin: So that's that.
Wish me luck with survey... and if ya'll got any model specific things I should be on the lookout for, please pass on my way. Even if the worst happens and it doesn't work out with this particular DA, I'm pretty sure I'll end up in the family now that I've examined them up close. I'll keep you posted.
Todd
