Survey Yesterday, So Far So Good

scooper321

scooper321

Well-Known Member
Jul 4, 2015
1,857
Baltimore, MD
Boat Info
2003 Sea Ray 400DB
Engines
Twin Cummins 6CTA-8.3
Hi guys,

Newbie in the Baltimore area here. I'm in the process of buying a 2003 320DA. Just had the survey yesterday. I expected a sling to be used to splash her, but instead they used a fork lift. Pretty surreal, seeing a boat that size hanging off a lift. The survey and sea trial went really well, so this was the most stressful part of the day by far:

IMG_2939.jpg

But all went well. The surveryor was impressed, so I'm just waiting on his report and the oil sample results. Hope to be an owner within a week!

Steve
 
Very Cool!
And I hear you on the surreal thing. The first time I saw my boat being transported through the 'hood' on its way to storage... It was a sight to behold :grin:
 
Cool, good luck! I just bought a 2004 300DA and yes, it was nice getting the sea trial over with. I keep mine in dry storage as well. You get used to seeing the forklift toss it around like a feather. There are several 320s and 340s in our storage building. The guys there told me that is about as big as they want to stack dry, not because the lifts can't handle the weight, it is more the length that limits them. The lift at my place will lift 39000lbs.
 
So my survey came back with a few issues, most of which I'm willing to take on, even as a newbie. But two of them concern me, and I'm hoping people on here can help me understand the scope of them (and the cost to address them).

Item 1: Steering Stuff Boxes are leaking. This boat is a 2003 320DA, and I've read that these boats don't need stuffing boxes to be repacked? Is that correct? Do they just need to be adjusted? And if they need to be repacked, that means a haul out, right? What am I looking at, cost-wise, to have this done?

Item 2: Water heater isn't heating. It's probably either a bad element or a bad connection. Or maybe the unit needs to be replaced. Or maybe something else. I'm told the heater is a little tough to access, unless you're a slender individual. So I'd probably have to pay to diagnose and repair/replace this. Any idea what this would run if it was an element replacement? Or if it was a total heater replacement?

The broker is pushing back on these requests, dumping them all at the foot of the buyer (with whom they've already closed). They say that they are "minor" issues. Which, if so, they should be easily fixed before I accept. But being inexperienced, I have no idea if we are talking about $20 repairs, $200 repairs or $2000 repairs each. Any insight, experience from CSR would be appreciated!
 
A hotwater heater is only a couple hundred bucks... it's going to be the labor to pull the old, and put in the new. With the age of the boat, it might not be a bad thing. They don't last forever. Maybe 3-4 hours labor, and 2-300 bucks for the water heater.

Stuffing boxes -- Probably just a service item. Could be an hour labor to adjust/tighten, that can be done without hauling the boat. you might start with that.
 
Hi Steve!!

Glad to see you are moving along! She is a beauty!!

The rudders should be an adjustment, doubtful it needs to be repacked. An hour of labor to get at them and tighten the nut is all that should be needed. Also if the boat has been on the dry for a long period of time they may weep for a day and then stop... Not a big deal no matter if they need to be repacked or just tightened. Repacked will need to be hauled out.

Hot water heater is a bit tougher call. Given the boats age you may want to replace. I replaced mine when I purchased it. It is tough to get to and get out, sometimes some exhaust components need to come off too which adds to the cost. The replacement heater is around $465, add in labor and it could be just under $1000. The tanks do rust out at some point in time. The element is about $35 and a couple hours of labor to replace. I would try the element first if there is no sign of leaks with the tank.

Good Luck!!!
 
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Thanks for the experience, guys. You lowered my stress level a bit (too bad the broker didn't do a better job of doing that. You have to wonder about sales people that attack customers instead of working to put them at ease? But this isn't a broker rant...)!

So they got a tech on board today and tightened up the stuffing boxes. And the water heater was simply unconnected as a result of the boat being winterized before I bought it. Again, you'd think an experience boat sales guy would have thought that through before getting confrontational, but everyone has their own styles, I guess.

Anyway, the two main issues are resolved, so I'm going to settlement on Monday, with plans to bring the boat down to my slip on Tuesday. Good think I'm taking much of the week off!

I'll post pics and change my signature AFTER I officially settle.

Thanks again!
 
Cool! One issue with the water heater is that you really should not turn it in on without it being filled. Hopefully you don't have that issue.

Great that you have it all squared away! Hope you are able to enjoy labor day in the bay!

Sent from my AT&T LG3
 
Since they're fixing the water heater issue, make sure it works after they fix it. They may hook it up but, like Alegria said, if it had been turned on without being filled, it might still be toast.

Good luck on getting that stuff all taken care of. Now go hit the water and we want to see photos of the boat, where you go boating, and your family and friends on board.

We have an old saying on here....."Without photos to prove it, it didn't happen!"
 
Gofirstclass said:
Since they're fixing the water heater issue, make sure it works after they fix it. They may hook it up but, like Alegria said, if it had been turned on without being filled, it might still be toast.

Good luck on getting that stuff all taken care of. Now go hit the water and we want to see photos of the boat, where you go boating, and your family and friends on board.

We have an old saying on here....."Without photos to prove it, it didn't happen!"
Click to expand...

The water heater is what it will be. That is to say, if it's toast then I'll fix it. I am to close tomorrow, so I'll do what needs to be done. And yes, I get it about the pics. By this time tomorrow, I should be a boat owner, at which time I'll update my signature and avatar and post pics! Thanks!
 
You asked for pictures, here she is!

cac76e2350f4b17b1a05f1f39c71b090.jpg


And from the cockpit:
47b2856afb260f6f20b894602282c666.jpg


Tomorrow we go for the maiden voyage, moving her to her new home!




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Looks great! Congrats and enjoy!


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Out for some docking and maneuvering practice today. First dock attempt was quick. Attempt number 2 took numerous aborts and restarts. Never got frustrated, as I was working on the empty transient dock in my marina. But wow, even with Vdrives docking requires levels of calm and concentration I rarely posses! But proof:

d9bcfa20cc9dfc37754b1f92bf1d49e5.jpg


After the second, the third was pretty smooth.

3d7230a9ac693458d8d19c5a4f3f7599.jpg


Then one more putting her back in her slip (this time with boats on either side).

44c7e5114bfc6dddfb5b73859bc65ad7.jpg


I'll be out tomorrow for some more practice. Loving my "staycation"!



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Congrats on your new purchase, it's a very exciting process/experience. I am currently going through the same process and it can be gut wrenching at times getting it all put together. Best of luck and I wish you many great days on the water. JB
 
Alegria said:
Great news! Is that first pic Gunpowder Joppa? If so I remember picking G up our boat there!

Best wishes I'll look for you out on the bay!

Sent from my AT&T LG3
Click to expand...

Thanks! And yes, it was. MarineMax there brokered this sale. She was bought there by the original owner and kept there all her life. I drove her out of there Tuesday and down to her new home in Pasadena. Not terribly far from you - just across the Pax River!

But get this: MM replaced one of the blowers before I got her. It appears they wired the new blower on the same circuit as the other one - so now port and sb blowers are on the same circuit. They are 4A or 5A blowers, now sharing the 6A Blower 1 breaker. Stupid stupid stupid. Needless to say, when warm, the blowers only run for about a minute and then the breaker pops. Fortunately, when cool, they go about 4 so I can ventilate before starting up. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of MM's service department.
 
Well MM is closing that facility sorry to hear about your service there.

I remember my first time under the railroad bridge! Nerve racking for sure.

Glad you got her home with no issues. Enjoy!

Sent from my AT&T LG3
 
That bridge! Good Lord! You need to go through at low tide. But then the marina is seriously shallow. Funny thing about that bridge: In the boattrader.com pics on my boat, everything looks fine. But then I saw it in person, after they had launched it and dewinterized it as a prep to selling it to me, and the Glomax antenna was smashed. Wonder how THAT happened? Lol. I have a new one on order...


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