Help! trying to decide if the next boat it right!

[kevin27]

Man I am seeing some clean boats well in your price range. I would look long and hard at some of these if I were you.

 

[quality time]

I see a couple 42/44's on Yachtworld with lifts in that price range. Or buy one <$250K and put a lift on it for $20k. They were all Cummins powered as far as I know.

 

[Rocket]

Haven't been able to find a good 42/44. The lift and diesels is a challenging combo in that price range.

Zach312 - In my search last year for a 48da a lift was a must have for me. I discounted every boat that didnt have one and started looking all over the eastern region for the right 48. After being disappointed in so many 48da's, I opened my search up to boats without a lift. I found a local perfect 48da with out a lift and closed within 2 weeks. Territory is an important factor. All of the boats in florida or great lakes would have cost 15k for shipping to the LI area. Use that savings to install a lift. Sealift has a great product called the cradle lift for th 40 or 42/44 for about $ 20k. I recommend to look local and find the best clean diesel vessel. You can always add the lift. Also alot of banks will allow you to finance in the cost of the lift.

That said, i am biased to the 42/44 with the C series cummins motors. This boat runs very well with the 450 or 500 HP variants. I had the simple mechanical diesel and she never let me down in 6 years of ownership. The 40 was on my list when purchasing the 42. I ran a 40 with diesels back to back with a 44. There is a big difference in performance. The 40 ran about 21 knots at cruise, 44 runs about 25 knots at cruise. I couldnt swing the extra cost for a 44 with the electronic diesel thats why i found a 2004 420 for considerably less money. For comparison, i sold my 2004 42 with 600 hours for $ 215k back in april 2014. Mine was clean and all services up to date. You should be able to fine a clean 42 for the same, 44's 2006 will run about $ 260 for a clean boat. BTW, my 2004 had satin finish trim, no gold!!

Good luck with your search.

 

[Zach312]

Rocket Great points, we will continue to keep the 42/44 as an option.

What size engines did the 40 have that you ran?

 

[Rocket]

I believe it had the qsb380.

 

[CAMELLA]

I traded my 2005 420DA last August for $230k. It had a SeaLift hydraulic lift, Nuteak in the cockpit and wood floors in the cabin, brand new EZ2CY front curtains and custom canvas on the back. It was powered by Cummins 480CE engines, a lot of power and I had no issues. The 420/44DA is a great boat.

 

[Scott & Malina]

Seriously speaking, I would offer you and your wife an afternoon out on our 460 and I think you might be surprised at what you experience. We pleasantly boat year round here in Portland and it would be my pleasure. No gold, cockpit AC/heat, space, no lift. Worth taking a weekend trip if you are seriously considering a move up!
Cheers!

Now there's an offer I'd love to take given the opportunity.

Carpednman, I hope you're still around when me and my Admiral return to the states. That's exactly the boat we want and hope to find an offer as generous as yours.

 

[Zach312]

All, thank you for your help and Carpedmman a huge thank you for your generous offer.

We have decided to make an offer on a 2007 40 Sundancer

The boat has the larger diesel engines (QSB 425), lift, bow thruster, cock pit heat/air, sat tv, and hard top.
We realized, especially given our age, (we are younger wife 29 me 30) at some point we will not always be able to upgrade in size. (side note… if life lets me some day I will be the first to gladly admit I am wrong). If we went to a 460 now we would be looking at a 480/500 in 4-8 years. We have no kids, boat on the upper Mississippi river and want to be as mobile as possible. In this neck of the woods transit slips above 40-45 feet can be a challenge to come by. The fuel economy of the 40 is also very appealing knowing longer trips are in our future.
If we cannot agree on terms of this boat we have agreed to look at 460’s.
Will post updates as they become available. Would love to hear all of your thoughts.

 

[Carpedmman]

All, thank you for your help and Carpedmman a huge thank you for your generous offer.

We have decided to make an offer on a 2007 40 Sundancer

The boat has the larger diesel engines (QSB 425), lift, bow thruster, cock pit heat/air, sat tv, and hard top.
We realized, especially given our age, (we are younger wife 29 me 30) at some point we will not always be able to upgrade in size. (side note… if life lets me some day I will be the first to gladly admit I am wrong). If we went to a 460 now we would be looking at a 480/500 in 4-8 years. We have no kids, boat on the upper Mississippi river and want to be as mobile as possible. In this neck of the woods transit slips above 40-45 feet can be a challenge to come by. The fuel economy of the 40 is also very appealing knowing longer trips are in our future.
If we cannot agree on terms of this boat we have agreed to look at 460’s.
Will post updates as they become available. Would love to hear all of your thoughts.

Wishing you all the best in your negotiations! Keep us informed as to whether or not you get the boat. Btw, I'm originally from Wisconsin and know the Mississippi well from Lake Pepin North. I was 12 when I captained a 40' Gibson from Stillwater to Lake City with my dad and brothers on board. I was bit by the boating bug at an early age.