Doing the Happy Dance

45Gunner

Active Member
Sep 22, 2019
191
Boynton Beach, FL
Boat Info
2000 460 Sundancer. Garmin 8612 XSV, GHC 20 Autopilot, GMI 20, 215 VHF, GC 12, Fantom Radar.
Engines
Twin 450 Diamond Series 6CTA 8.3M Cummins.
Been searching for the right boat for nearly 6 months which included flying up and down the east coast, renting countless cars, staying in countless hotel rooms and putting over 12,000 miles on my car driving around Florida. We actually had contracts on 4 boats. The first boat had an engine problem prior to survey. The second boat was a bait and switch as the pictures were very deceiving as was the case for some boats we looked at. (One of the conditions on the contract was subject to visual inspection and that's where it ended.) Yet a third boat looked great and after several rounds of negotiations, a deal was reached and it got to the survey stage where the surveyor discovered major structural damage due to a termite infestation. About three weeks ago we found a 2000 460 Sundancer that looked like a new boat. A quick round of negotiation and we had a signed contract. Today was the survey and sea trial. We tried not to get excited making the 3 1/2 hour drive to where the boat was docked as we had been excited before only to suffer great disappointment. Today, we are happy and proud to say we are doing the Happy Dance as there were no major problems or issues with the boat and what was found was miniscue. We expect to close next week and move our new to us boat from the West Coast of Florida to the East Coast. I don't know what makes us happier, the fact that there were no problems with the boat or that I do not have to sit in front of my computer searching Boat Trader, More Boats, Craigslist, eBay, or other listings. Remember Steve Martin doing the "Happy Feet" routine? That's us.

As a side note, we met the current owners for the first time today and they are just the nicest people. Not only did we gain a boat, but we also gained new friends. We had to promise them we would take care their "baby" the same as they did. And they did a splendid job.
 
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Congrats! You were smart. Often people will allow emotions push them into a bad deal and on this forum many of us advise to move on if it doesn't feel right. There are plenty of good boats out there. Sometimes you need to show patience and wade through the turds. Your tenacity paid off.
Shawn
 
I love hearing stories like this. We usually only hear the tales of whoa. Congrats and enjoy the props off that thing.
 
So fun buying a new boat although it can be a test of our patience. Sounds like you made the right choice.

congrats!!!
 
Congratulations! We had to look at 11 boats before we finally found this one. I don't understand how people can pay good money for a boat and then totally neglect it. Well maintained boats do exist, but it takes a lot of effort to find them!
 
You’ll still troll the boat broker and other sites. But now it will be to reinforce how well you did with this one. Congrats.
FYI without pictures, it didn’t happen!
 

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Admire your patience and glad it paid off.
The 460DA is an awesome boat with a lot of room and cool features
 
You’ll still troll the boat broker and other sites. But now it will be to reinforce how well you did with this one. Congrats.
FYI without pictures, it didn’t happen!


My wife calls this "looking at boat porn" .......she doesn't miss many chances to jerk my chain.
 
When will you be leaving Ft. Myers for the trip home?
Pushing to have closing as soon as possible after the bank and insurance company receive a copy of the survey...hopefully by the end of next week. Current owners have volunteered to spend a day going over the boat with my bride and myself. Going to launch for the OWW after that so we are looking at the end of next week or the beginning of the week after.
 
I’ve felt your frustration, but the good news is that the right boat is worth holding out for.
Congratulations!
 
Pushing to have closing as soon as possible after the bank and insurance company receive a copy of the survey...hopefully by the end of next week. Current owners have volunteered to spend a day going over the boat with my bride and myself. Going to launch for the OWW after that so we are looking at the end of next week or the beginning of the week after.
We will be back from Thanksgiving mid next week - hope we can see you off!!
 

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