350 Sundancer in PMY

T

tobnpr

New Member
Nov 12, 2006
3,246
New Port Richey, Florida
Boat Info
1988 300 DA
Engines
tw 350's w/ Alphas
I see the new 350 in the current issue of PMY I got today.
Big block stern drives, Axius controls.
Price as tested: $455,644.

On the PMY website they also have a review on the new Riviera 38 FBSF. Price with Volvo D6 power: $449,462.

Are you kidding me? Close to half a mil for a GAS, STERN DRIVE boat? Someone (or everyone) at SR has lost their mind...
 
Obviously the product planning team made this decision before the spike in fuel prices and the cratering of the stock market.
 
It is MY OPINION that I would NEVER buy anything over 30 feet with sterndrives. I don't care how much speed I would sacrifice, I would gladly take the speed loss for dockside manners.

I could see 450 if it had Zeus with Diesels but never the axius.
 
I think this new over the top pricing has put a damper on sales as Brunswick hit a fresh 25year low today.
 
Once again I come to the defense of the 350 My wife and I just bought one Price with options 345,000 as for axius this is the only reason we would buy a boat this size as we are inexperienced. The axuis comes with an autopilot how much is that option again and shyhook as for mpg I can't answer that as it took us four months just to get it I have some pics up and would be glad to answer any questions I can Andrew
 
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I think what is being touched upon here is that Sea Ray was in trouble long before gas prices, recession or the stock market, financial crisis. Years ago, dealer said to me, new models will soon be out and the only difference is that they'll be 6-8% more. Excluding energy, inflation has been squat (no longer though!). Most companies were gaining efficiency and providing more for less. The last several years, new boat prices should have been flat or going down. Look at how much the price of a new Lexus has changed in the last decade... very, very little.
 
Agree with Jim240. I don't think anyone was attacking your boat and trying to make you feel that you need to defend it. The prices for what you get are out of control especially during these economic times. Hopefully there will be some bargains out there for a boat such as yours in a couple of years.
 
Regarding sterndrive Sea Ray's, check out the pricing on the '09 38 Sundancer w/ Axius Sea Cores. They list out @ $550K decently equipped. Figure a 25% discount and you are over $400K.

I Wonder how many of these they'll move?
 
Don't forget many people want new boats despite the fact they could get a larger used boat for the same money. The 350 is a very nice boat in my opinion and I applaud anyone with pockets deep enough to afford one.

And don't forget Sea ray and other boat manufacturers have seen their raw material costs rise significantly because of the price of crude going thru the roof during the past year. That has to account for much of the price increase we have seen in the new boat market. Plus with reduced production output (in many cases) you have a significant portion of fixed overhead to apply over fewer production units as well and that also contributes to price increases.
 
Dave very well put the other thing I can add to the discussion is Axius years ago you had to have lots of experience to pilot a boat this big what it has done for my wife and me is allow us to purchase a big boat without the experience. I will say this as I know the question will be asked yes we do plan on learning to dock the boat without axius but for now at least we can use a boat this big without a captain. I defend the boat and it's price because as Dave S points out yes baots lose their value sharply but the price for materials goes up. I know we'd all like to see a 38 foot baot for 200,000 but does anyone think they could make one for that price Andrew
 
SeaBird said:
I think this new over the top pricing has put a damper on sales as Brunswick hit a fresh 25year low today.
Click to expand...

Brunswick is probably headed for Chapter 11 don't you think. They are not in compliance with the covenants in their debt structure and not many new boats are being sold by production builders. If Obama wins there will be carbon taxes and little new gas/diesel production. Some of the common boat brands will very likely be gone in 2-3 years if not sooner.
 
I think the new 350 looks to be a great boat. Can't fault anyone for buying one. It's just hard to absorb the price increase when you could buy a 340 a few years back in the $200k range and now you are a $100k more for the same boat. The longer you are boating the harder it is to be comfortable with the price increases for essentially the same boat with the fresher design and newer features.
 
Pinkale,

Didn't mean to disrespect your choice in any way. Just due to a lot of economic factors others have described, the prices have skyrocketed compared to when I bought my 340.

I think your choice is outstanding.
 
Dave S said:
Don't forget many people want new boats despite the fact they could get a larger used boat for the same money. The 350 is a very nice boat in my opinion and I applaud anyone with pockets deep enough to afford one.
Click to expand...

For comparison purposes only, consider that for the discounted price of a new 350, it is possible to purchase a lightly used 420 or 440 a few years old with diesels and fully loaded with options and electronics.

Please do not confuse this information as an intended commentary on anyone’s purchasing decisions, but rather an observation of what value can be obtained in the used boat market today.
 
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I know this used versus new thing has been beat to death in any number of postings on our board. And it's true you usually can get a "bigger, faster, or better" boat if you spend the same money on a used one. But, as I said earlier, some folks just want brand new boats and I guess anyone that wants to buy used boats in the future ought to be very thankfull for that.
 
I think it has more to do with those that bought new - now realize how much the depreciation really is on a new boat in today's market and given how quickly the new boats are increasing in price. As the delta between the two grows. The used boats look more attractive. I am saying this as someone who bought the 320 new - because the slightly used boat prices in my area were the same or more for a 1 or 2 year old boat than I paid for mine new back in January of 07. Today there are some slightly used bargains, there were not any bargains in Jan of 07 in my area. If the used boat was cheaper - it wasn't substantially cheaper at that time.
 
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