360 vs 380 vs 390 Which one is best value

[popsadoodles]

I'm trying to decide between a 36' 38' or 39' Sundancer. I'm trying to stay around $225,000 on the high end. I've looked at a 2004 and 2005 390 and fell in love with the hard top. The question is, can I live with snapping on and off the covers on a smaller boat. Is there that much difference between a 38' vs a 39' other than a hard top and twin diesels? Is it really worth the difference in price? If I'm going to go down one foot to a 38, should I go down to a 36' and save even more money? I live on the hudson river and plan to use the boat for day trips, weekend getaways and week long travel to places like Montauk, and Martha's Vinyard. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[my3sons]

The 3 boats you mention are all very nice boats. they all require "snapping up" canvas, although the 390 has a hard top, most folks don't remove the canvas "shades" on 380's and 360's when out on the water. The aft curtains still require effort to remove and replace. obviously the three boats all have their differences, and shopping to learn about them can be a lot of fun. Usually, the limiting factor in purchasing a boat is money. the three boats you mention all cost about the same to keep and maintain per year, not including purchase price. If each boat is, say, $30K more than the smaller one, you have to decide if what you are getting in the next bigger boat is worth the $30K, and only you can make that decision. If I had had 225K to spend on a boat, I would have bought bigger than my 360. Don't get me wrong, I love my 360, but I didn't want to spend anywhere near that money. I felt that the 360 I bought was a great boat for the price paid and we can do everything we want to do with it, including the week long trips you mention. (we spent 12 days cruising ours home from the purchase location in Connecticut).
None of the boats you are thinking of would be a mistake for what you say you intend to do with it. Although, obviously the bigger the boat, the better it will handle sloppy water, and extra space is always a premium. I don't know how many people are in your cruising plans, we are empty nesters and space is not a problem. My opinion is that if you have the money, and it is earmarked to go toward a boat, and spending it won't cramp your life style, grab the big boat and get it with diesels. Shop intensely, in this market, you may be able to get more boat than you think.
as far as "best value"' any one of those could be a better monitary value than the others, it depends on the deal, cost of ownership, and eventual selling price. Get one that's in good condition, and you think will make your family the happiest.
If you decide to lean toward the 360, send me a PM and I will be happy to answer any questions about the boat you may have. Good luck