Advice needed

CoachBobV

New Member
Mar 31, 2018
4
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
Hi,
Total newbie here and also to boating. Currently boatless but have an opportunity to purchase a 2003 Searay 240 Sundeck. Boat needs some serious cleaning but I’m told the engine, which is a Merc 5.0L MPI, has 400 hours on it. Price seems good but need advice on what to look for, what to avoid, etc. and value? Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.
Bob V
 
Last edited:
I had a 2005 240 Sundeck, but with the 350 Mag. I personally wouldn't buy one with the 5.0. That said, opinions will vary depending on the type of boating you plan on doing and how many guests will regularly be out with you.

That's not a lot of hours on a 15 YO boat. But if they let the interior go to the point of needing "some serious cleaning", you will want to make sure they maintained the mechanicals. Receipts for annual maintenance would be nice. I would also spend a couple hundred dollars to have a Mercury tech look over the engine and drive.
 
I had a 2005 240 Sundeck, but with the 350 Mag. I personally wouldn't buy one with the 5.0. That said, opinions will vary depending on the type of boating you plan on doing and how many guests will regularly be out with you.

That's not a lot of hours on a 15 YO boat. But if they let the interior go to the point of needing "some serious cleaning", you will want to make sure they maintained the mechanicals. Receipts for annual maintenance would be nice. I would also spend a couple hundred dollars to have a Mercury tech look over the engine and drive.

I’m new to boating so looking for a first boat to get my “feet wet” and to do some light cruising with the family, nothing crazy. Maybe at the most 4-5 people. Current owner is second owner and I definitely planned on having it looked at.
 
I would not be afraid to buy that boat with the 5.0. Sure it would definitely perform better with the 350 but most 240 sundancers come with the 5.0 and they perform ok and they weigh 1,000 lbs more then the sun deck.
 
Bob, make sure the boat fits what you are looking for a boat to do for you. Keep in mind that the best price in the world never will make the wrong boat turn into the right boat for you needs.

Also, get a survey done. That's the only way to make sure of what you are buying.
 
Bob, make sure the boat fits what you are looking for a boat to do for you. Keep in mind that the best price in the world never will make the wrong boat turn into the right boat for you needs.

Also, get a survey done. That's the only way to make sure of what you are buying.

Thank you. To be honest it’s exactly what I’m looking for in a boat. Open bow, head for the girls, size, etc. Being a total newbie just trying to figure if it’s a good value or not. I planned on getting what ever boat I decide to get surveyed before final purchase.
 
Check on when the manifolds and risers were last replaced. The parts for a 5.0 will run around $1.0K to $1.5K depending on where you source them and that is without labor. Not a hard job just a lot of work.

Also check the out drive. If it's a Bravo 3 in salt water then read up on the corrosion issues and make sure it is not suffering from any of those concerns. A Bravo 3 probably runs about $6K if you need to replace it.

Check the floor for soft spots if there are any then the flooring core may be wet and rotting. Go through all the mechanical and electrical systems. Check that gauges work.

As mentioned before if cleaning the boat was postponed then they probably postponed significant maintenance.

There is a lot more. If your not an expert then hire a surveyor for review boat and a mechanic to review engine. Think of it as insurance from inheriting someone else s problems and expense.

Make any offer subject to surveys and sea trial.

-Kevin
 
I have owned an '02, '03, '04, '05, and a 2008 240 Sundeck. All superb boats, and completely ruined with the 5.0, unless you want to fish and pull a tuber. We are slalom water skiers, and need the power. The 350 is great, the 6.2 is slightly better. You can't hardly give away a boat with the 5.0. It is such a better boat with the correct engine.
Now, rant over, you can prop a 5.0 to a low pitch, like a 22 pitch, and make it work, and your top end will be 40-ish, which is still moving along for a bigger boat.
 
Surveys - Good but not the end-all check the box I have a perfect boat certificate. Pay a good independent mechanic to go through the mechanical, fluid, and electrical systems and develop a list of things that needed to be done now and understand what is coming up. The second important thing is to have the hull and deck looked at for, as KevinC said, soft spots and water intrusion. I would not consider a dirty unkempt boat or a boat with maintenance due necessarily a problem but rather a loss of interest by the owners and opportunity to get a good value.
Assume that the more costly maintenance like exhaust and riser replacement, and outdrive removal / major service has not been done and plan for that before you use the boat; these are elements to consider in the purchase price of the boat and cost outlay you must do before using it.
With all of that said the single thing that really turns me away is corrosion; I don't know why but to me it is a sign of problems to come, mechanically and electrically.
 

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