2003 Sea Ray 240 Bow Rider . . .Thoughts?

M

mmurphy384

New Member
Sep 12, 2010
5
Annapolis, MD
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I have an opportunity to purchase a 2003 Sea Ray 240 Bow Rider (NOT a sundeck) with a 496 MPI Mercruiser + Bravo III. Physically, the boat looks great, but does have bottom paint. The engine looks clean, but it does have ~400 hours on it (50 hrs/year). Apparently, it was a trade-in and the Sea Ray dealer is now selling it.

I was surprised to learn that the dealer is replacing the risers and exhaust manifold and I wasn't sure if I should take that as a sign that this thing was REALLY used . . .or . . .that because the dealer can get the parts and labor "cheap", they can furnish this upgrade with "minimal" expense.

I live in Annapolis and the boat is about 3 weeks away from gaining another year on the shelf. That said, what would you offer on this boat, assuming a survey didn't turn up any major issues? Negatives are: Bottom Paint, 400+ Hours, heavy maintenance is being performed, no trim tabs, no corsa exhaust. Positives: Great physical shape, clean, decent trailer, "Executive Package".

I'm new to this and am utterly confused by how people price boats. NADA seems to be of no use and I inherently don't trust salespeople ????

Many thanks for any input.

Mike
 
Thanks for the suggestion. Should I plan on any major maintenance on this (overhaul, rebuild, etc)? I'm buying the biggest boat I can afford with the assumption that I'll have it for ~7 years. I doubt I'll use it 50hrs/summer, but I do think I'll use it regularly and probably average 30 hrs/summer.

Does anyone have an idea about the rebuild or overhaul cost on a 496??
 
mmurphy384 said:
....Negatives are: Bottom Paint, 400+ Hours, heavy maintenance is being performed, no trim tabs, no corsa exhaust. Positives: Great physical shape, clean, decent trailer, "Executive Package". .....
Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,

Not sure about your market, but some of the things you put as negatives could be seen as positives by other. Personally I would not want corsa exhaust. 400 hours is nothing if the boat has been maintained. The dealer performing the "heavy maintenance" would be a major plus. What are other 240BR going for in your area? If you plan to leave it in the water I would think bottom paint is a must?? 20K sounds low to me, but again each market is different. What is the dealer asking for the boat?

Chuck
 
As long as the thing was serviced regularly, and hasn't overheated, 400 hrs is not that big of a deal. I wouldn't want the bottom paint on a 240, especially if you plan to trailer it. I wouldn't call replacing manifolds and risers heavy maintenance. I don't think you will miss trim tabs on a 240, the drive trim will give you all you need, you just need to keep the weight somewhat balanced (not everyone on one side). And I would never miss the loud exhaust. You want loud pipes - get a fountain or something. I think they are out of place on runabouts.
 
You may be shocked to learn that the dealer is asking 21K but they've mentioned that they are negotiable to the high teens.

Buying a boat for the first time is such a daunting prospect. I really appreciate all of the info and the quick responses. I'm going to make a decision in the next day or so.

Any tips that I should look for when examining the boat. I'm going to have a 2nd look this evening.


Thanks again.

Mike
 
Bummer, keep your eyes pealed!! It took us quite a while to find our boat because everyone seem to "beat us to the punch"
 
Is the Sea Ray 240 "BOW RIDER" a defunct model? I don't know when they stopped making them, but it seems the "SunDeck" has replaced it??? It appears that this boat is back on the market. I like it a lot, but don't know if I should buy a defunct model or not??? The dealer has indicated that they are willing to lower the price for a quick sale and I can't help but wonder if there are some bad things about this model or about this boat.

Last question (I hope). Is a "survey" well worth it. It seems to me that the survey rarely does an in-depth check of the engine, and that's the thing I'm most concerned with. I can fix a faulty light switch and other basic items, but is there more to a "survey" than I'm aware of? I'd almost rather put that money towards having a mechanic study the engine.

Mike
 
mmurphy384 said:
..... a 2003 Sea Ray 240 Bow Rider (NOT a sundeck) with a 496 MPI Mercruiser + Bravo III.......
Click to expand...

How fast is that package? Is the 496 a pretty common option on a 240 bow rider? I bet that thing runs good..... probably tops out near 60.....
 
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A few things:

1) Five years ago, if I could have found a 7 year old 24' bowrider (in decent condition) for $20K. . I would have bought it on the spot. But that was then. . this is now. Note that this is a bowrider: Not a sundeck. The bow section will be different; boat is built more for speed/handling than fun-in-the-sun. Less comfortable, but faster. Less popular with families, more popular with the go-fast crowd.

2) Bottom paint is a requirement for a boat in a slip. Unless you intent to trailer OR store the boat on a lift. . it needs paint. But it is a negative relative to an unpainted boat if you have a lift or a trailer.

3) Risers/manifolds: For a boat in a *salt water* slip, risers/manifolds is *routine preventative maintenance* (expensive, but routine). The only way you avoid doing this work is if you keep the boat on a lift/trailer and use salt away or some such product. I knew NOTHING about risers manifolds until the survey for my boat. . which revealed that my nine year old (lift stored) boat had original risers. I negotiated a riser/manifold replacement.

4) With only $20K on the line. . you might argue you don't need a survey. (you are only risking $20K). Verify, however, that your *insurance* won't require survey. Some do .. some don't. Survey sometimes reveals odd things (like the risers/manifold issue in my case)

5) Hull Survey does not automatically include *engine survey*. Bring along a Mercruiser certified Tech to look things over. Expect him to a) do a compression test, b) do a temperature survey with an IR temperature gun with the engine at W.O. Throttle, c) Look at (do analysis) on the engine oil.

6) 496 you say? Sweet. The original buyer paid a hefty premium for that engine. You want to jump on this boat and run it hard in sea trial. You should be impressed. I think I have seen 240 sundecks with 5.0's. This boat will be seriously faster. I am only about 3 hours away. Need some company?
 
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I know it's not a Sea Ray and it is not going for $20,000 I have an Crownline 320LS for sale. It is thirty two and a half feet and is open bow. Has a cuddy and a vacuflush toilet. Let me know if you are interested. I am getting a 370 Sundancer.
 
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