34 Express 1987

[dfrakes]

I have been around boating and water for most of my life. I have always been around sailboats and some small ski boats.

I'm looking to buy my first larger power boat.

The boat I'm looking at is a 1987 34' express. It has 650 hours on (454 engines) and looks to be a well maintained boat. The bottom was taken down to the glass two years ago and had a few blisters repaired and refinished with west systems then VC17 off shore paint.

The boat does not have many options. (no heat or a/c, auto pilot, gps or radar)

Anything I should look for with these types of boats??

They are asking $31K but I'm sure I could get it for less.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Nice, wide body, classic Sea Ray. Never owned one, but had a friend with one. Good solid construction, but watch for leaking stantion supports and leaking cabin windows. If you get leakage for too long it could cause rotting of the balsa wood core in the deck areas. Check for deck for soft spots and water staining on the cabin ceiling and walls.

You can always install air/heat later.

 

[tdschafer]

That sounds high to me. For a few $$ more you should be able to pick up the standard options as stated above as well as a generator. All of these options are very costly to add later, especially in relation to what you pay for the boat. If it were me I would look around for something with all or most of the options you desire. Just my two cents!

 

[NorCal Boater]

That does seem high. Mine is pretty loaded and the current offer I have is $35,700 with similar hours.

 

[thomas]

Nice boats, had a 1988 and a 1989. Great lake michigan boats, wide beam and great ride.
Check for leaks in the closet. Windshield likes to leak and runs down the cabin headliner.
Asking price is WAY to much. I would say in this market and your location 18 to 20K

 

[Miss Maddy G]

I agree with the boys, 31K is way too much without any of the options. I bought my mine 3 years ago in the low 20K......twin 454 with 700 hours, genny with only 175 hours....radar, ac/heat, and in great condtion, just needed some cosmetic love.

If you get the price much lower, it is a fantastic ride. I would highly suggest the genny though, it takes boating to a whole new world.

 

[dfrakes]

What is a good third party source for establishing a price.

 

[tdschafer]

When I was searching for my boat two years ago I just googled it to see what the going rate was. Book values apparently don't mean much in this market. Asking prices though can also be misleading. I went to National Liquidators to see what a repo of unknown condition was going for to establish some sort of basement.
I would look at what other boats are going for. A boat is only worth what one is willing to pay.
As Norcal states his boat is in excellent shape. It has ALL of the options but is only $4,700 more than the asking price of that stripped down boat. You will spend that on a good radar/plotter set-up alone. A genny and AC/heat probably adds at least $15k more as a guesstimate and look where you end up, in the $50K range.
For that money you could probably find a late 90's 330 loaded. So, be wise and do your homework to be sure you know what you're getting into!!