Advice

Andrew_emd said:
Looking for a first boat, I have 10-30k I'm willing to spend. Boat will be used in Rhode island waters in Narragansett bay and I would like to be able to take it to block island occasionally. Opinion on size for this type of water would be appreciated. I'm leaning towards 24 feet instead of 27 while I'm learning unless people have reasons why 27 would be better Bellow is one boat I am currently interested in. . Would love to hear thoughts on it as well.

https://providence.craigslist.org/boa/d/westerly-24-ft-searay/7445527706.html
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Welcome and that is a great boat! Like the others have said “check for soft spots all over” I’m a gear head not a fiberglass guy so I tend not to be scared of the mechanics over the structure. If you’re mechanically inclined and can fit in small spaces you are good!
 
Andrew_emd said:
Unfortunately had to pass on it, he was unwilling to let me put a large sum down pending a sea trial, just said he knows buying a boat out of water can be scary but the trailer is new and worth 4 k.... Maybe it is a gem and works great but the gambles too high, think I might have to wait until spring and see what people start selling when fuel prices go up
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So now don’t I feel like the yahoo that can’t read and type fast enough! Like the others have said “ if your slipped, get a bigger boat” even the 290 is tight when the Queen and I do the kitchen dance (I know where your minds are going) trying to get food out for friends either on the dock or rafted up.
My .02
 
I've been searching everywhere and everyone runs at the idea of a sea trial.
This is the last one I contacted, starting to think I might have to skip sea trials if I want to get out on the water this year, seems like there's such a demand around me no one wants to waste the time on one. Thoughts and advice on this? Also thoughts on the boat? I contacted the broker and the boat has been sitting for the past two years since the motor was replaced. Does this seem like a red flag? I feel like out of anything it means that any issues with the boat should be more manageable since there at least wouldn't be any motor issues to worry about. Also it should be good if a broker is representing it or is that probably an incorrect assumption? Thanks for any input
https://www.southshoredrydock.com/b...y-260-sundancer-hanson-massachusetts-6642965/
 
Andrew_emd said:
I've been searching everywhere and everyone runs at the idea of a sea trial.
This is the last one I contacted, starting to think I might have to skip sea trials if I want to get out on the water this year, seems like there's such a demand around me no one wants to waste the time on one. Thoughts and advice on this? Also thoughts on the boat? I contacted the broker and the boat has been sitting for the past two years since the motor was replaced. Does this seem like a red flag? I feel like out of anything it means that any issues with the boat should be more manageable since there at least wouldn't be any motor issues to worry about. Also it should be good if a broker is representing it or is that probably an incorrect assumption? Thanks for any input
https://www.southshoredrydock.com/b...y-260-sundancer-hanson-massachusetts-6642965/
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2 pics of the dog, no pics of the engine, or out drive. Hmmm
 
I think pictures are old from before engine was replaced, when I contacted the broker he said when he went by the other week the boat was dirty so he told the guy he won't take pictures or show it until he cleans it real well, I know that can be a red flag too, I'm just not sure if the fact it has a new engine out weighs that
 
Andrew_emd said:
I've been searching everywhere and everyone runs at the idea of a sea trial.
This is the last one I contacted, starting to think I might have to skip sea trials if I want to get out on the water this year, seems like there's such a demand around me no one wants to waste the time on one. Thoughts and advice on this? Also thoughts on the boat? I contacted the broker and the boat has been sitting for the past two years since the motor was replaced. Does this seem like a red flag? I feel like out of anything it means that any issues with the boat should be more manageable since there at least wouldn't be any motor issues to worry about. Also it should be good if a broker is representing it or is that probably an incorrect assumption? Thanks for any input
https://www.southshoredrydock.com/b...y-260-sundancer-hanson-massachusetts-6642965/
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The market sucks right now. I have had boats sold out from under me cause the other guy didn't require a survey/sea trial. It's freaking nuts. I guess it depends on how much money you have. If you can take the pain of a new engine/out drive, then forget the sea trial.

It reminds me of something I experienced last year at launch time. I was late getting in, about the first week of June. I was working on my boat in the storage lot, washing, waxing, etc. And this young couple shows up, kids in tow, and the service manager from the marina. He has is clip board and is going over all the issues with the boat -- mainly the drives. Well it turns out they bot it last fall, no survey or sea trial and found out it had these issues. And as we all know, marina's aren't afraid to charge. This guy was looking at an huge bill to get back in the water and they where trying to knock it down. The boat sat on the hard half the season. Moral, better to take the time upfront to know what you are getting into. Good luck.
 
Golfman25 said:
The market sucks right now. I have had boats sold out from under me cause the other guy didn't require a survey/sea trial. It's freaking nuts. I guess it depends on how much money you have. If you can take the pain of a new engine/out drive, then forget the sea trial.

It reminds me of something I experienced last year at launch time. I was late getting in, about the first week of June. I was working on my boat in the storage lot, washing, waxing, etc. And this young couple shows up, kids in tow, and the service manager from the marina. He has is clip board and is going over all the issues with the boat -- mainly the drives. Well it turns out they bot it last fall, no survey or sea trial and found out it had these issues. And as we all know, marina's aren't afraid to charge. This guy was looking at an huge bill to get back in the water and they where trying to knock it down. The boat sat on the hard half the season. Moral, better to take the time upfront to know what you are getting into. Good luck.
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I hear you I'm trying to be patient it just sucks that the reality means I'm probably losing half the season or waiting until fall that way. Back to what you said though about taking the pain of a new engine, that is why if I were to go no sea trial route I would think it would be best to go with the brand new never used 2020 engine since I would assume other repair costs wouldn't be as costly and over time I would know the engine should be solid for the first five years at least
 
Andrew_emd said:
I hear you I'm trying to be patient it just sucks that the reality means I'm probably losing half the season or waiting until fall that way. Back to what you said though about taking the pain of a new engine, that is why if I were to go no sea trial route I would think it would be best to go with the brand new never used 2020 engine since I would assume other repair costs wouldn't be as costly and over time I would know the engine should be solid for the first five years at least
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Your advice is making me start to lean towards accepting I'm missing half the season in order to do it the right way with sea trial and survey to avoid a big headache and the possibility of that still happening anyway due to a repair issue like what you spoke of
 
Description says 5.7/260HP, but specs say 5.0/240HP; ??? Assuming it got a new engine, that would be a major plus in my eyes. However, you also have to take into account the outdrive. They can be pretty expensive to rebuild/replace. If you can get it cheap enough, you might be able to justify the unseen costs involved. Granted, I bought mine without a sea trial, and I'm paying for it. In my case, I went into it knowing that, and got it for a smoking deal. It's been in the water for about an hour total over the last two summers... You pays your money, and you takes your choice.
 
Andrew_emd said:
I hear you I'm trying to be patient it just sucks that the reality means I'm probably losing half the season or waiting until fall that way. Back to what you said though about taking the pain of a new engine, that is why if I were to go no sea trial route I would think it would be best to go with the brand new never used 2020 engine since I would assume other repair costs wouldn't be as costly and over time I would know the engine should be solid for the first five years at least
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Your advice is making me start to lean towards accepting I'm missing half the season in order to do it the right way with sea trial and survey to avoid a big headache and the possibility of that still happening anyway due to a repair issue like what you spoke of
Nater Potater said:
Description says 5.7/260HP, but specs say 5.0/240HP; ??? Assuming it got a new engine, that would be a major plus in my eyes. However, you also have to take into account the outdrive. They can be pretty expensive to rebuild/replace. If you can get it cheap enough, you might be able to justify the unseen costs involved. Granted, I bought mine without a sea trial, and I'm paying for it. In my case, I went into it knowing that, and got it for a smoking deal. It's been in the water for about an hour total over the last two summers... You pays your money, and you takes your choice.
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The reasons to wait keep adding up
 
Been boating for many years, and I don’t believe I have ever heard of a person buying a large inboard boat without doing a sea trial. Have heard of a number of people who bought without a survey. Usually when you short cut the due diligence process you end up spending money on surprise issues. The big boats I have sold were all sea trialed by the buyers. Most recently sold a boat where the buyer brought an engine surveyor along for the ride. That was pretty interesting to watch. He stood in the engine room and from the day hatch watched the helm gauges. He asked the captain to run the boat at WOT for 4 minutes while he listened, and looked around with his flashlight. When we returned to the dock, he told me that issues always show up when that test is run if there is a weakness. If the boat does not overheat, leak fluids, or smoke, misfire, or worse, it is most likely solid. After the WOT run we idled for about 5 minutes while he looked and listened for issues. On the way back to the dock he ran the radar, chart plotter, genny, and checked gauges. He even flushed the head and listened to the stereo and watched tv. I suppose there are people who do not do their due diligence, but most thinking people are looking out for their own interests and check things out.
 
Andrew_emd said:
It's not a sea ray but it's literally the first person to say they're open to a sea trial. Thoughts? I'm pretty bias considering I grew up having a sea ray and loved it

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/d/lakeville-1997-chaparral-signature27/7453734131.html
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It looks like a nice, well-maintained boat. I see radar, so that would have been a somewhat spendy upgrade in itself. Whether or not to pursue it really comes down to if you're okay with it not being a Sea Ray. meh...
 
My advice is to slow down and buy smart and rationally. You will be FAR better off overpaying a little for a perfect peach of a boat, compared over paying for a POS that you end up having to sink many thousands into after you buy it because you rushed and fell for the common ruse of boat sellers (no sea trial allowed).

And don't buy too small. There is a big difference in handling and comfort in big waters as you go larger.
 
Creekwood said:
My advice is to slow down and buy smart and rationally. You will be FAR better off overpaying a little for a perfect peach of a boat, compared over paying for a POS that you end up having to sink many thousands into after you buy it because you rushed and fell for the common ruse of boat sellers (no sea trial allowed).
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We all say that because we have boats!!! Tomorrow is not promised. Missing a summer on the water....just the mention of such a thing would bring my wife to tears :) She'd rather sit in the slip while I work on the boat than sit at home while I work on the lawn mower...
 
Stee6043 said:
We all say that because we have boats!!! Tomorrow is not promised. Missing a summer on the water....just the mention of such a thing would bring my wife to tears :) She'd rather sit in the slip while I work on the boat than sit at home while I work on the lawn mower...
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Ya, but the boat could be in the shop and she could be boarding it on a ladder.
 
sbw1 said:
Ya, but the boat could be in the shop and she could be boarding it on a ladder.
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Or worse...she finds some other dude with a boat that actually runs. Okay, I see the potential flaw in my logic :)
 
Highly recommend the sea trial. I thought I was getting one from at least the surveyor and didn’t because we had to close and cross the lake, and ran into some problems that would have been caught with a sea trial. It’s a hard lesson that stings a bit, but I won’t forget.

Don’t shortcut the due diligence process no matter what the reason or how you’re tempted. It’s money well spent and cheap insurance. When the seller notices you doing it, truth is more forthcoming and price is more elastic as well.
 
Stee6043 said:
We all say that because we have boats!!! Tomorrow is not promised. Missing a summer on the water....just the mention of such a thing would bring my wife to tears :) She'd rather sit in the slip while I work on the boat than sit at home while I work on the lawn mower...
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Not everyone is married to a unicorn!

For a first time boat owner, possibly having convinced his wife that they are not that expensive, buying a POS money pit will very likely result in a different experience. Make the first one a great experience, and its an entirely different outcome.
 
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