Hello! I think I found my new boat, but looking for guidance

C

charheep

Guest
Long time reader of posts, decided to join today. After reading a lot, I decided on looking for a 268DA and found one close to my house. I havent been out to see it yet, but I wanted to post the link here to have some more experienced people take a quick look and help me. I know so little, that I could easily get into trouble.
Here is the link
http://www.boats.com/sites/basasmarine/boat?entityid=107459181&mid=2213

some background

Always liked boating, went out with friends but didnt have the income until recently to think about owning. Rather own than rent.

I dont have a truck, so I was planning on getting a slip at Starved Rock Marina for the summer (~$1100) and winter storage (~700). I like the idea of being able to go out all day fishing and relaxing, and if I wanted to, stay overnight or a few days on the boat.

I am pretty handy, and dont mind doing maintenance and cleaing.

Most of the time it will be 1 or 2 people on board, with no more than 6 total.


So, is this a decent boat to drive out and look at? What should i pay attenttion to if i go, and what kind of questions to ask? Or should I keep looking?

I plan on getting a survey and mechanic to look it over, when i found a boat i like, and will get towing.

Just a new guy looking to get into boating .

TIA
John
 
Thank you for the replies. If I make and they accept an offer, what happens next? I dont want to "buy" the boat without a sea trial, but that wont happen until the spring. Do I make payments on a boat that may not work once it hits the water? Or do I hold it until then with a deposit?
 
Scott gave you a good post. I would like to add just 2 things. 1. I agree that overall the pics look nice, the top half of the drive looks like it could use some attention though and 2. With over 1000 hours on it, recent maintenance records would be nice.

If nothing else, it can't hurt to drive up & look! I learned a lot just by looking. Good luck with the purchase and/or your search if this one dosen't work out.
 
As the woman of this crew, I would say (after looking at all the pics) that it is in good shape. No tears in upholstery or vinyl to see. I love the little booth and you will too~ comes in handy! With a little cleaning (vacum and polish wood) it looks like a nice little get-a-way boat. I wasn't turned on by the old toilet, but hey, at least it's got one and that is priority!
I'm sure you'll get mechanical input and such from the guys on this site. I'm just giving the chick view and saying that it looks nice. Best wishes!
ali
 
Thank for you for the replies. I am waiting to hear from Basa Marine if its still for sale, and if it is, I am going out there this weekend. I will report back on my findings. Also, Spring Brook Marina is having an open house this weekend. There isnt much online there that I want to look at, but it will be nice to check that out too. My fiance fell in love with a '87 Monterey that we saw there 2 years ago, and wants to see if its still for sale. I like the Sea Ray's from pictures, now I gotta see one in person.
 
What is bottom paint worth? If I had to pay for it myself, what is the cost roughly?
 
charheep,
I had a bad experience with Basas Marine. Here is the same boat 1 year newer from Chicago Sea Ray that is cheaper. My advice is check it out first before you do anything with Basas. Ask for Terry Anderson and tell him Bob Emery sent you.

http://illinois.skipperbuds.com/sea...rtDir=ASC&Length=26+feet|29+feet&Make=Sea+Ray

If you live in Aurora, you might check out Springbrook Marina which will give you a longer pool between locks than Starved Rock will. It is in Seneca which is closer to you also.
 
The boat is 20+years old. Find out what has been done in the past IE engines and running gear. If little expect it to require some work. Cosmetic work if you do it your self is not difficult or expensive. Motor mounts could require work. Check the fuel tank if any pitting get a price on a new one then decide if you want the boat.
 
320Bob said:
charheep,
I had a bad experience with Basas Marine. Here is the same boat 1 year newer from Chicago Sea Ray that is cheaper. My advice is check it out first before you do anything with Basas. Ask for Terry Anderson and tell him Bob Emery sent you.

http://illinois.skipperbuds.com/sea...rtDir=ASC&Length=26+feet|29+feet&Make=Sea+Ray

If you live in Aurora, you might check out Springbrook Marina which will give you a longer pool between locks than Starved Rock will. It is in Seneca which is closer to you also.
Click to expand...


This one is half the hours and cheaper. Its also almost 2 hours from my place. But it may be worth a trip out there to look at it.

And it has more HP than the boat at Basa's.

Any comments on the boat at Skipper Bud's?
 
Charheep,
You will find Chicago Sea Ray a much better outfit to deal with than Basas and there prices on used boats are much more competitive. Plus they are a Sea Ray dealer and Basa's is not. You need to look at both boats in person to determine which is the better deal but I would be surprised if you didn't end up buying the one from CSR.

I am actually going up to Skipper Bud's Lake Geneva heated storage facility tomorrow to see my boat as part of their customer appreciation.
 
Prices on both seem a little high to me. Check both out. Slow down and make your decision wisely. Once you've decided on which one make an offer( Frank W recommends a deposit check. Great advice. I bought mine without one, but I know he's right). The offer should be contingent on a sea trial, any and all issues found that you request the owner broker deal with and a survey. The $300-$500 you spend on a survey will be worth it.
If you're keeping her in the water definitely get bottom paint.
 
Here is my 2 brain cells worth. Are you completely bent on getting a boat from a nearby dealer? I do agree it is a good idea as they can be a good source of support. HOWEVER, (just to throw another wrench in your thoughts) I got a incredible deal on my boat from an out of state dealer. The key for me was that I started hanging around boating events, boaters and the Sea Ray and Regal dealers in my area ( I knew it was going to be one of the two) and in time i made nice with the Sea Ray guys. When I showed up with a 260 Sundancer that wasn't purchased via their store, I was still welcomed as a customer and I feel like I have been treated fairly.
You may PM me and i will give you the details of my deal. Very interesting stuff. Found her on yacht trader.com
 
I saw the same thing. 2 different colors. ??
I think I am going to stick to my orginal weekend plans. See the 268 at Basa's just to see that model in person, and then wander over to Spring Brook Marina for their open house and see other models.

So if Skipper Bud's is kinda out, Basa's marine is out, any recommendations for brokers in the Chicago area?

I would like to see the boat in person and work with a local dealer. Just feel safer that way.

I am not in a hurry from a checkbook stance to get a boat, but in a passion way, I want to buy something to get started on cleaning and planning and dreaming. So I can really wait another year for the right deal to come through, but waiting is killing me. :)
 
Not knocking certain dealers/brokers, as one person can have a bad salesperson and the next person get a great salesperson at one dealership. I just want to hear personal experiences so I can be better informed.
 
For sure brother!!! I hear that. Good skill to you and your search and i am excited to see what pans out for you. These guys that have been talking to you so far are definitely keeping you on the right track. As they all told me before I got my girlfriend, take your time and get the boat that speaks to you. I took everyones advice on this site and am VERY HAPPY...never mind the amount of money I have saved by talking to everyone here as well. Welcome to CSR!!
 
charheep said:
I saw the same thing. 2 different colors. ??
I think I am going to stick to my orginal weekend plans. See the 268 at Basa's just to see that model in person, and then wander over to Spring Brook Marina for their open house and see other models.

So if Skipper Bud's is kinda out, Basa's marine is out, any recommendations for brokers in the Chicago area?

I would like to see the boat in person and work with a local dealer. Just feel safer that way.

I am not in a hurry from a checkbook stance to get a boat, but in a passion way, I want to buy something to get started on cleaning and planning and dreaming. So I can really wait another year for the right deal to come through, but waiting is killing me. :)
Click to expand...

I checked to see if Springbrook had a Sea Ray in that size and price range and they didn't which is why I didn't mention them for sales. I've bought a boat from them also and the experience was better than Basa but you have to remember they sell mostly large expensive boats. The used boats they have from trades are smaller. I made the mistake of not having a mechanical inspection which cost me a new coupler when I traded in on my current Sea Ray. If you are not set on Sea Ray they have some other used boats but make sure if it has an outdrive(s) that you have an alignment check. Most of the boats that they sell have inboards so their maintenance and sales department are not as concerned about this as Chicago Sea Ray who sells a lot of stern drive boats and services them. No matter who you end up buying from, you are getting a boat "as is" so as others have suggested get both and hull and mechanical survey. Especially on boats that are 10 years old or more like what you are looking. Starved Rock Marina also has used sales so you might want to check them out also. I can't offer any direct experience like with the other three.
 
320Bob gave me a good idea or thought. If you had to spend $20k to spend on a used boat with a cabin, room for 6, galley, used for fishing, relaxing and occasional long weekends, what would you look at? (even non-sea rays are permitted in this scenario, even though I dont think there are any other brands except Sea Ray :) ) Roughly what years and models? The 20K is a limit, and in this search, every $1k below 20K can be used for repairs, maintenance and upgrades. So a 20k boat would have be to perfect, a 10K boat would leave me 10 thousand to make it perfect for me. I have the funds for gas, insurance, etc... I am just talking purchase price. I picked the 268 since it was in my price range and had excellent reviews here. But perhaps a 25' or 24' newer boat might fall in that price range. I am looking for a good range of years and models to look at.

Thank you for your time and humoring me.

Any hints or directions to look at?
 
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