I have 2 footitus- I have too much boat!

T

temptress

New Member
Dec 8, 2009
151
League City
Boat Info
270 Sundancer wide beam
Engines
single 454 Merc w/ Bravo III
It can't believe it but after only about 9 months of owning my "dream boat" I think I have determined that the maintenance and trouble of keep all of the stuff on my '98 270 sundacer in running condition has drivin me to longing for the days of pulling my 176 out of the garage and seeing her near showroom condition after 9 years.

I had a clamp crap out and had a bilge full of seawater when I got back to the slip. by the way my bilge pumps did not work and while reattaching the hose with a new clamp to stop the leaking, I taped the riser with the screwdriver and chunks of metal fell into the bildge!!!! ARRGGGGHH:smt021

I think I had more fun putting around in my 176 and dreaming about having a bigger boat than I have now with the continous decay of my pride and joy while sitting in her slip. I find myself enveying the outboard fish boats with portipotties and self bailing cockpits that share my pier!
 
Wow, that's a very interesting and understandable take on owning a larger boat. I'm the same as you were before; have a 175 and hoping to upgrade to a 280DA when the right one shows itself. Hmmm.....
 
I have the same year "98 DA" one step smaller, 25ft. Being my first boat, 2 years, next month I hope I am getting to the point where the fast Money / time expenditures will slow up. ( The engine has been out 3 times) :smt089I keep saying holy shi+, is there anything left on this boat that I have not replaced.
The wife wants a bigger boat but since I am starting to be able to handle the Single screw (with the new upper portion of the drive replaced) I am staying where I am for now. John G.
 
temptress said:
I think I had more fun putting around in my 176 and dreaming about having a bigger boat....
Click to expand...

I know the feeling. My 280 is mechanically sound in every way but I often miss the smaller boats. I absolutely love my boat but I water ski every Saturday morning with a friend in his '95 Nautique and it makes me long for something sporty and trailerable.

There's no rule that says you can't have reverse 2 footitus.
 
Temptress, don;t feel so bad or think you are alone. I just sold my 22' Aquasport Walk Around after 12 years. I bough the boat brand new with a 200HP Johnson outboard (carbuerated no less). I kept it on my lift but was fun, manageable and didn't tkae ALL of your time and money to keep it looking or performing good. Although my new 280 DA has a lot to offer I still envy those days with a smaller boat. The only reason I made the move to my living room on the water is becasue of my little 15 month old girl. I thought she would enjoy the creature comforts growing up in a bigger boat. Oh well, at least owning any type of boat is better than sitting on shore wishing about owning one.
 
Look at the positive side..............you could have bought one with two engines and doubled your chances of problems as well as maintenance upkeep.:grin:
 
I have to say I have a 290da and my friends envy me which make me feel good when I see a smaller boat I know what they thinking..What i was wen I have a smaller boat which was a 1996 180 baylner ls I know people here hate them but that boat never let me down! was cheap to run an winterize was less then $50 now wintering is $1000 for 2 engines plus storage.. and I hate to run her almost $300 to fill what was on my mind? I should of just envy them that was cheaper to do .:huh: though I have to say my boat is awesome so is the cost!!!!!!!!!!:smt101
 
See, this is what I am struggling with. I would LOVE a 280 DA. But I would want one with twin screws and no more than 6-7 years old....too expensive for me (initial cost, maint and gas).

A 260DA is still trailerable, only needs a single engine and is affordable to me (barely) in the age range I want.

I don't intend to live on it for more than 1-2 nights at a time and we will only have 1 kid with us at the most. My 17 yr old has no desire to overnight with us. My 11 year old does though.

I also don't need a genny as we rarely get nights where AC is necessary. Even in August our nights up here cool off nicely. Yes, there is usually a couple of hot spells that may last a week or 2 at a time during July and August, but we can take it. My wife hates the idea of AC in a boat and I agree. Just a couple weeks ago, it was about 5pm and in the 80's. We were parked next to a bigass boat (35'+) and the dad looked like some kind of nerdy businessman or something. He told his daughter to come inside for "dinner" and she asked if she could eat outside. He said "no, come down in the cabin and eat with us in the air conditioning".

What a buncha candy asses! :lol:
 
I sure don't envy you salt water guys, maintainance looks to be so much more. I may be land locked but just don't have the expense of you guys.

Good luck with the boat.
 
Did I hear someone say "2 boats"? What a great idea....

Our new to us 550 Sedan Bridge
P70910191.jpg


Our 1989 Reinell 191
P80800021.jpg


I bought the Reinell a year ago for $2K. It has a 5.8L (351cu in) and runs like new. A quick wax job was all it needed to look like this.
 
just had to read this post to find out what was going on.. I am still looking to move up.. 210BR, 230BR,240DA,260DA,280DA does it ever stop ????? Maybe with the "new" to me 550 Sedan Bridge in this post.. now that's a boat !!!
 
I guess its up to what you want to afford...:smt001 smaller is good but you are very limited to where you can go an what to do..
The way I see it now I love the shore and to spend a week there is around $1800 to $2500 for a week I get 5 months for a great price I conisder her as a cheap shore house:smt038 this is the way to think to justify the cost... I can go down to the shore and stay as long as I like.:smt001 a plus if I take her out... this keeps cost down and I enjoy her It is why i call her private getaway. call me what you like but that is my thinking..:smt115
 
Problem is simple. You need a bigger boat. Once you get into inboards, your boat problems decrease. I have had so many fewer "issues" with my 33' twin 7.4 V-drive boat than I did with that *&@# 26' single sterndrive boat I owned before Just Ducky. Probably one more upgrade and you'll be good. Jump two slots into diesels and it'll get even better, I bet.
 
Wow! Thanks for the encouraging words.

I called my local Searay dealer today and luckily I owe less than I can get on a trade. I think I am going to move to the 2010 195 Sport.

I admit though it is tough to sit in a boat with a 7'6" beam after the 9'4 of my 270. Still, I can't help but think how nice it would be to step out into the garage to get a beer and see my gleaming prestine condition boat with out worying about how the zincs are doing and wondering what surprises I will encounter in the bildge this weekend. I am super anal and it bothers me when I know something is not working properly.

I think I will miss having the slip in a great marina and the people I have met more than anything else. that being said, I can still admire the bigger boats as I cruise past them pulling a tube and blaring obnoxious music on my wake tower. :smt001

One thing that this experience has tought me is how great the boating commuinity is in my area, Also, I have a new appreciation for those who are commited to taking care of these big boats.

for what its worth...

10 Lessons I learned from upgrading from a 176 to a 270 cruiser:

1. Kids fight over what movie to watch even when we are cruising!
2. Gas costs alot - 50 gallons (1/2 a tank) costs $220 bucks at the fuel dock. ouch!
3. The sun makes pretty boats not pretty and waxing takes alot of time.
4. 270s can pull a tube but it costs as much as the tube in gas.
5. Its hard to convince the wife to overnight on a boat that is four miles from your house.
6. The wind can keep you in your slip even on a pretty day.
7. kids hanging out in the cabin = a porthole left open durring next weeks rainstorm= wet carpet and hidden goldfish.
8. for every hour spent underway equals 3 hours cleaning or maintaining.
9. no matter how clean the boat is in the slip on sunday, it will be filthy by the follwing friday when your friends show up for a cruise.
10. I loved every minute of it, my wife and kids...not so much!:smt089
 
Boats are a lot of work to keep them nice and sometimes it can get overwhelming, but I really like the boat. Getting to learn the systems on a bigger boat and how they work takes some time. Good luck with your decision.
 
Sounds like you are making the right decision for your situation. I'll take a happy wife and kids over a big boat any day.
 
There are times I really miss my 240SD. It was a lot less of an effort to get out on the water and get it back into the dock. That said I'm very happy with the cruiser. We really enjoy the nights at the marina and the socializing with dockmates. And you can't beat the genny/AC when its 98 degrees out on the lake like it was last week.
 
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