Advice for upgrading to 28-32' sundancer in the next couple/few years

[mambodave]

Yeah, completely agree it's a loaded question to fit to everyone, but trying to get some sort of idea. $20k is quite a lot, but then again yours is a 1999 and might require more maintenance than a newer one that we're looking at, plus it sounds like you have quite a hefty slip bill there in Charleston from my other thread.

My guess so far is about $13k/year for everything because I will end up doing as much of the work as I'm able to. Right now I think we would be spending around $4500/yr on the 200 sport if i wasn't paying 3x's the min on the loan to get that paid off.

My Slip and Fuel is $11k alone. But we are on it every weekend pretty much. Then Bottom cleaning, zincs, etc are few another grand, then misc... issues I havent been hit with yet. The engines are new, so is the genny, but that damn genset has cost me $300 this past month and it only has 24 hours on it.... Cleaning (wax etc) is $1400/year, and bottom paint averages $1200/year to have done. The list goes on and one. LOTS of extra expense when you wet slip in Charleston SC. Should also be noted though, that i dont do most of my own work becuase of travel time down (3 hours) and time constraints. Just had engines serviced and that was $600.... The list goes on and on

 

[glocklt4]

My Slip and Fuel is $11k alone. But we are on it every weekend pretty much. Then Bottom cleaning, zincs, etc are few another grand, then misc... issues I havent been hit with yet. The engines are new, so is the genny, but that damn genset has cost me $300 this past month and it only has 24 hours on it.... Cleaning (wax etc) is $1400/year, and bottom paint averages $1200/year to have done. The list goes on and one. LOTS of extra expense when you wet slip in Charleston SC. Should also be noted though, that i dont do most of my own work becuase of travel time down (3 hours) and time constraints. Just had engines serviced and that was $600.... The list goes on and on

Couple more questions for you based on this since you've been so helpful.

1) Why did you need new engines?
2) What happened with the gen?
3) How often have you had to change out zinc's on yours and what is the approx cost for that?

 

[mambodave]

Couple more questions for you based on this since you've been so helpful.

1) Why did you need new engines?
2) What happened with the gen?
3) How often have you had to change out zinc's on yours and what is the approx cost for that?

They were rebuilt prior to purchase. OUr best guess was that they had alot of hours on them. The tachs read 3400 and they are fairly new. Same on the gen, brand new prior to purchase. Im about once a month on the zincs (various).

 

[glocklt4]

They were rebuilt prior to purchase. OUr best guess was that they had alot of hours on them. The tachs read 3400 and they are fairly new. Same on the gen, brand new prior to purchase. Im about once a month on the zincs (various).

Ok, thanks. How many hours are expected out of the motors on these? 500 or so?

Seems like generator should get more than the engines since it doesn't get revved up/down a lot. So maybe 600-700 on that?

 

[glocklt4]

I guess my thread is dying.

How about this to get it going again. Does this matrix of costs and options sound reasonable? Where should I make adjustments?

 

[beerman]

I guess my thread is dying.

How about this to get it going again. Does this matrix of costs and options sound reasonable? Where should I make adjustments?

Sounds like if you are this involved and you are a couple of years away you will be crazy by the time you are ready. :smt100
Honestly, and this is just me but in two years it will be interesting to see how the boat market is. If things start to change and head back in the dirrection they were a couple years ago, you may not find a 4-5yr old 320 for 90k. You definetely are thinking things through, almost to a point of over thinking. Again my opinion. I would start getting on some of these boats to really find out which one will suite you best. My wife, dog and I are the only ones on our boat and already we would really like a larger one, but it is like a lake home for us. Good luck, I have enough trouble waiting out the winter just to cut the shrink wrap.

 

[glocklt4]

Sounds like if you are this involved and you are a couple of years away you will be crazy by the time you are ready. :smt100
Honestly, and this is just me but in two years it will be interesting to see how the boat market is. If things start to change and head back in the dirrection they were a couple years ago, you may not find a 4-5yr old 320 for 90k. You definetely are thinking things through, almost to a point of over thinking. Again my opinion. I would start getting on some of these boats to really find out which one will suite you best. My wife, dog and I are the only ones on our boat and already we would really like a larger one, but it is like a lake home for us. Good luck, I have enough trouble waiting out the winter just to cut the shrink wrap.

Haha yes, i'm getting into it a bit more than I need to, but i'm a financial planning freak (i guess, ha).

I am also curious to see how the boating market is going to be as the economy recovers. I think prices are going to go up pretty nicely, which may push a 320 out of our range. I'll have my spreadsheet ready though .

 

[hack4alivin]

I guess my thread is dying.

How about this to get it going again. Does this matrix of costs and options sound reasonable? Where should I make adjustments?

I think you forgot a row in your monthly spreadsheet. If you are going to use the boat where the row for the fuel cost allotment? You will easily spend $200 a month on fuel that is unless you stay at the dock all the time.

 

[glocklt4]

I think you forgot a row in your monthly spreadsheet. If you are going to use the boat where the row for the fuel cost allotment? You will easily spend $200 a month on fuel that is unless you stay at the dock all the time.

True, i have not included gas because it is pretty variable throughout the year. The other items listed monthly are a set cost. I really have no idea how much we would use. Being on a lake though, it would be significantly less than you ocean goer's. I think i was planning around $150/mo because we like to go out and anchor a lot with friends.

 

[hack4alivin]

If you are looking at a 320 you can easily burn 30 gallons an hour between both engines. At that rate, say you getting lucky and getting fuel for 3 dollars a gallon, 150 dollars a month is going to get you 50 gallons of fuel. Which means you will get at the very most 2 hours a month of boat running time?? You might as well just leave it at the dock. Also you have $100 a month for yearly maintenance, or $1200 a year…. I think you will find that to be very low.

I’m not trying to be a jerk here, but you asked for the advice, I am thinking your numbers are very low and it is better to figure them correctly now then after you get the boat.

Last year when the fuel prices were high I went through 7K in fuel cost, this year while the prices are lower I used the boat even more and right now I am just over 5K. I just had both engines tuned up and both fresh water impellers replaced, $1500 there. Then there is the winterizing, shrink-wrap, winter storage, and haul out fees….. It goes on and on.

If you are on a lake why would you want to move to a 300 or 320? I would think that with water sports and a little more comfort in mind a 260 or at the most a 280 would suit you fine. Great performers with that added level of comfort.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[glocklt4]

If you are looking at a 320 you can easily burn 30 gallons an hour between both engines. At that rate, say you getting lucky and getting fuel for 3 dollars a gallon, 150 dollars a month is going to get you 50 gallons of fuel. Which means you will get at the very most 2 hours a month of boat running time?? You might as well just leave it at the dock. Also you have $100 a month for yearly maintenance, or $1200 a year…. I think you will find that to be very low.

I’m not trying to be a jerk here, but you asked for the advice, I am thinking your numbers are very low and it is better to figure them correctly now then after you get the boat.

Last year when the fuel prices were high I went through 7K in fuel cost, this year while the prices are lower I used the boat even more and right now I am just over 5K. I just had both engines tuned up and both fresh water impellers replaced, $1500 there. Then there is the winterizing, shrink-wrap, winter storage, and haul out fees….. It goes on and on.

If you are on a lake why would you want to move to a 300 or 320? I would think that with water sports and a little more comfort in mind a 260 or at the most a 280 would suit you fine. Great performers with that added level of comfort.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks Bill. 30 gallons an hour is quite a lot, so you have a good point. How much does your 320 use at idle? Also, how much does your generator use usually?

Luckily being in texas there is no winterization, wrapping, etc.. so I save on that. Still have to get a $300 haul out to have things checked out every year or two depending on drive type.

 

[hack4alivin]

To be honest I have no idea how much I use at idle speed, I never go anywhere at idle. I don’t check the generator either, as it is what it is and I not really worried about it.

Here is the bottom line, I see some people here write “buy the biggest boat you can afford”, but in my mind I would rather buy a boat for how I am going to use her. I am relatively new to boating, four seasons now, and I went from a 240 to a 280 to a 320. My next move will be to a 360 or more Sedan Bridge. But I boat on the Chesapeake Bay where there are many places to go, many sites to see, and more big adventures to be had. I spend a lot of nights on our boat at different marinas up and down the bay so comfort is an important option for me. I do not need to get anywhere fast. If that was the case I would have been perfectly happy with my 280, I know my teenage kids would have been. They are still pissed because they can not wake board off the 320.

If you are looking at long cruises and overnight stays, then yes the 320 is an excellent boat, but I am betting you are relatively young and still feel the need for speed. Again, consider a 260 or 280.

 

[trit21]

and I would like to add what happens if something goes wrong, the boat needs to be pulled and repairs done? Does this mean you have to wait to get the money before you can haul the boat/block and do repairs? Is the issue with the boat a leak on the rudders, shafts and does the boat needs to be hauled ASAP. You will find that $1200 goes quickly like Bill has mentioned. I had a couple of things go out on my boat, warranty took care of the about 10k but I still had to pay money to get the boat back. About $7-8 or so. Some was bottom paint and some was elective I wanted done but other were required to get the boat running and back in the water. Make sure this boat, whatever boat you get, isn't going to break the bank and be a headache to the point you don't enjoy boating anymore.

Sometimes when you play with big toys, big bills come in unexpectedly. Like Bill said, not trying to discourage you just want you to know all the information.

 

[comsnark]

boat = Break out another thou.

Heck.. .that seems to be true even for my jetski.

 

[glocklt4]

and I would like to add what happens if something goes wrong, the boat needs to be pulled and repairs done? Does this mean you have to wait to get the money before you can haul the boat/block and do repairs? Is the issue with the boat a leak on the rudders, shafts and does the boat needs to be hauled ASAP. You will find that $1200 goes quickly like Bill has mentioned. I had a couple of things go out on my boat, warranty took care of the about 10k but I still had to pay money to get the boat back. About $7-8 or so. Some was bottom paint and some was elective I wanted done but other were required to get the boat running and back in the water. Make sure this boat, whatever boat you get, isn't going to break the bank and be a headache to the point you don't enjoy boating anymore.

Sometimes when you play with big toys, big bills come in unexpectedly. Like Bill said, not trying to discourage you just want you to know all the information.

Definitely and that's exactly why I'm here . So far I think that we are good, but covering all of my bases.

 

[brian2001ss]

Curtis, I really want to thank you for starting this thread. We are in the same boat here with our daughter heading into high school. So my plans in the next few years will be to down size on our home and buy a larger boat to keep in Charleston, SC. You have really opened my eyes when it comes to the costs of owning a larger boat. I was thinking toward a 310, but now after reading all the posts, a 280 may be the trick. Again, thanks for the great info and thread. We would like to keep our 200 select since its been paid off, but that may not be needed.

 

[glocklt4]

Well the fiance and I checked out our first 320 tonight and we are 90% sure that it's the model we're going to shoot for! It's really impressive. Feels just as big underneath as our friends 340 (to us at least), and plenty of room up top. Didn't get a sea trial out of it since it was a broker boat, but we need to find one to get behind to be absolutely sure I think.

So cheers to you guys for helping us with the decision! :smt038

Now we just need to keep our fingers crossed for a good bonus this xmas and other saving the next 9-12mo's, and then find the right 320 for us!

 

[glocklt4]

Curtis, I really want to thank you for starting this thread. We are in the same boat here with our daughter heading into high school. So my plans in the next few years will be to down size on our home and buy a larger boat to keep in Charleston, SC. You have really opened my eyes when it comes to the costs of owning a larger boat. I was thinking toward a 310, but now after reading all the posts, a 280 may be the trick. Again, thanks for the great info and thread. We would like to keep our 200 select since its been paid off, but that may not be needed.

Glad it's been helpful. I've learned a lot to as everyone can see comparing my posts now to this initial one, ha.

That'd be neat to keep your 200 select (wish i could do that with our 200 sport). Much different boats!

 

[KRB64]

I've enjoyed this thread even though I'm in another league - an older SR, but I have a few observations to share.

Seems like you have thought the $$ through all too well. The unkowns are the little or BIG suprises as covered AND the environment in the future when you are ready to spend those $...

Sounds like you need to start test driving as much as possible. Going from a 20' to a 32' is a big difference when you're at the wheel, especially while docking, etc. You're going from driving a sports car to a bus. Have you driven your friend's 340 much? That would be the one to play with and make sure you're comfortable with that size. Plus remember when its just the two of you, you both have to work in concert with docking that thing in the slip or pump out or along the fuel station. But maybe you have already considerd that stuff and have that taken care of from riding on your friend's 340.

Now my $.02, remember my experience is with 70's & 80's models though. I love our 240 Weekender. Nice lines, lots of room up top, nice lines, ability to sleep below and cook etc, did I mention nice lines? But, we have kids and that meant not enough room below. Not ready to go to a wider beam yet we went to the 260 Sundancer. Like someone said earlier, still tight in the cabin but room for everybody to sleep and eat below, especially if you wake up in shifts! Trade off is less space topside but this works right now. Even had 7 on her for a long weekend once - 5 of those were 10 year old girls...

I guess what I'm getting at in a long drawn out way is this: You all have no kids yet so think about what you'll spend the majority of your time doing - mostly entertaining. Very little sleeping and even less sleeping more that the two of you right? Sounds like you need the layout that provides adequate room below to spend nights & long weekends with enough room for your provisions and stuff and more room in the cockpit for grillin' & chillin'. So cockpit comfort sounds like it trumps cabin comfort right now right? In another 10 years or so you'll maybe have kids and be ready for another model anyway...

Add a couple feet in width to our old 240 or 260 and it'd seem huge! 8)

Good luck, hope you can wait it out...

 

[glocklt4]

Great reply, thank you very much for you input!

We have not done nearly enough test driving of larger boats, so that is definitely in order. Now that the season is winding down, maybe I can get Marine Max or the broker we met with last night to let me try some out, on top of the friend with the 340.