Close tomorrow on a 2006 320 Sundancer

[320Bob]

I will be a freshly minted Sea Ray owner tomorrow. I traded in my 1999 Mariah Z280 on it because I wanted more room, V drives for easier docking and an island berth for more overnight comfort. I bought the boat from Chicago Sea Ray in Round Lake, IL who miraculously arranged for my trade on this brokered boat. It has only 55 hours and was listed below its book value so I got a really good deal. Only problem is I have to wait until next April to take it on the water.

Where I live, I have a choice of 3 primary boating areas: 1) Illinois/Des Plaines Rivers, 2) Lake Michigan or 3) the Chain of Lakes/Fox River in Northern Illinois. I chose the Rivers because I am brand new to boating and did not feel I was ready for Lake Michigan nor wanted to put up with the crowds on the Chain of Lakes or Fox River. In the future, when I get to be a more accomplished seaman, there are only 3 locks between Lake Michigan and Harborside Marina in Channahon, IL when I will keep my boat.

 

[dpvandy01]

congrats... and WHERE ARE THE PICTURES????????

 

[320Bob]

If you must ask ye shall receive!:grin:

 

[midtown_towman]

Congrats!

 

[firecadet613]

Congrats! Nice lookin' 320. How is she optioned out?

 

[320Bob]

Congrats! Nice lookin' 320. How is she optioned out?

5 Kw Kohler Generator, Raymarine C80 8" Chart Plotter & Radar, Bow Sun Pad, Remote controlled Spot Light, Smartcraft System, Cockpit Refrigerator, Teak Flooring, Transom Stereo Remote, Midcabin flip up TV/DVD, Aft 22" TV, System Monitor Panel, & Underwater Swim Platform Lighting

 

[hack4alivin]

5 Kw Kohler Generator, Raymarine C80 8" Chart Plotter & Radar, Bow Sun Pad, Remote controlled Spot Light, Smartcraft System, Cockpit Refrigerator, Teak Flooring, Transom Stereo Remote, Midcabin flip up TV/DVD, Aft 22" TV, System Monitor Panel, & Underwater Swim Platform Lighting

Sounds like you are loaded up… Congratulations! From a fellow 320 owner to another I know you will love her.

 

[jpk33]

Nice boat! I hope the LONG Winter wait doesn't wear you down! If you decide to come up to the big lake come visit us in Hammond (make a hard right when you come out of the river). The locks can be a real PITA (depending on commercial traffic), but there are quite a few watering holes between the you and the big lake. The best part (from what Ive been told) is you don't have to deal with 4'-5' waves when you want to go out, but watch for debris (especially after rain) to save your underwater gear! - Jeff

 

[320Bob]

...but watch for debris (especially after rain) to save your underwater gear! - Jeff

I just let a couple of commercial barges go by first and they function like an icebraker on the big lake.:smt043

 

[C-SIDE]

Congrats - wish I had a 320! I just bought mine on Labor Day from the exact place. I'm on Lake Michigan and wouldn't go anywhere else. Go to Lake Michigan, don't be intimated by the "Big Lake". Lake Michigan is amazing - you will not regret it. Plus you won't have to worry about navigating a river, which can be a dangerous place and can be expensive if you run into some debris

Good luck!

 

[Brutus C Paw]

Congrats on the 320. We had a 2004 and really liked it. We were a lot like you, when we bought the 320 we had never even been on a boat, never even thought about driving one. The Skipper Bud people have taken good care of us and the sales person who is in Racine all summer is really nice about giving driving lessons. I think you might want to check out Racine, lots of empty slips and you can most assuredly get a well to your self. Hope to see you there!

 

[320Bob]

Let's see...80 miles to New Buffalo slips cost $1,500 more...82 miles to Racine slips a few hundred cheaper...35 miles to Hammond Marina but may have to pay IN excise tax on boats...35 miles to Harborside with a 50' slip all to myself. I think I'm content to stay a barge dodging river rat and visit you guys on occasion on the big lake.:wink:

 

[C-SIDE]

All good points - New Buffalo is outrageous.

I've thought about heading up to St. Joe as its a bit cheaper, something look into

 

[bmac]

Congratluations on the 320, it's a great boat and the one we started with. It'll be a long winter for you (and the rest of us) but well worth the wait once you splash in the spring. good luck.

 

[apolentini]

Congrats Bob on your purchase. I bought my 280 from CSR in Round Lake in Sept. I managed to get time in on the water at Lake Geneva. We are going to be docked at the Abbey all next season too. It is expensive, but the lake water is crystal clear and perfect for the kids to do tubing and other watersports. I know other 280 owners that are out on Lake Michigan and they are fine if they pick the right day. With a wider beam you may not have to be as selective.

Enjoy! :thumbsup:

 

[320Bob]

...I know other 280 owners that are out on Lake Michigan and they are fine if they pick the right day. With a wider beam you may not have to be as selective.

Enjoy! :thumbsup:

That's one reason for my river contentment but a couple of others are lack of crowds on the weekends and being docked out in the country where it is peaceful and secluded. Lake Geneva is beautiful but it's a 2 hour drive for us on a weekend and traffic coming home is a challenge to be kind. I have a 14 mile pool between the Dresden and Brandon Locks to the east and a 26 mile pool between the Dresden and Marseilles locks to the west. So with that much navigable water in either direction from the marina I just don't think I'm all that interested in a tight expensive slip on "the" big lake.:wink::wink:

 

[Lazy Daze]

Congratulations and welcome aboard, Bob!

You know what's weird? I think someone on this board was looking at that same boat a few months back. Your signature picture looks VERY familiar - as if I've seen it before. I don't recall why they didn't purchase. :huh:

I see that you just joined CSR in November, so it couldn't have been you.

 

[320Bob]

Lazy Daze,
I believe the boat came into CSR in Round Lake, IL 3 days before I spoke to the listing salesman there. Two days after that I went in and made an offer with my boat as trade which was accepted. The listing never made it to the internet so it's possible that the owner may have tried to sell it on his own before he listed it with CSR. This may be what you saw of which I had no prior knowledge.

 

[Pseudomind]

Congrats on the 320. We had a 2004 and really liked it. We were a lot like you, when we bought the 320 we had never even been on a boat, never even thought about driving one. The Skipper Bud people have taken good care of us and the sales person who is in Racine all summer is really nice about giving driving lessons. I think you might want to check out Racine, lots of empty slips and you can most assuredly get a well to your self. Hope to see you there!

What does this mean? MCM INBDS

 

[Lazy Daze]

What does this mean? MCM INBDS

Hint: You have them, too...:smt001