Info and opinions please... about to buy a 1900's 300 DA maybe I think.

M

me2me2

New Member
Feb 9, 2009
1
Pasadena, Maryland
HI! I'm seriously looking at a great buy on a mid 1990's 300 DA. Can anyone give any criteria specific to that 'era' or size/model that I should be aware of when asking questions about this boat? The info I have to start is rather general and I will be talking to the dealer/broker tomorrow hopefully.

I'm on the Chesapeake, near Baltimore, and will be using the boat for putting around locally most weekend days and anchoring at our favorite closeby swimming/hangout spot and several extended weekends throughout the boating season. I work in the medical field and my shift rotates so that I have off 5 days every other week, most weeks, with an occasional shift from hell that gives me no consecutive days off, but they are not often.

So anyway, this particular boat apparently has the 5.7L inboards that I think I read are preferrable. I don't see mention of a generator which will be a must have for me.

Some of my concerns may be more 'girlish'. Is the shower feature in the head adequate to wash long hair? Once every other day? Thick hair, mid to upper back length.

The model I'm looking at seems to have only one small fridge in the galley. It seems to have a seeting area on the outside deck that converts to a sunpad and doesn't appear to have an on upper deck fridge. Will that one tiny fridge suffice? Where does everyone stow there coolers for additional... ahem... alcohol/ice storage?

I want to bring along my small exploring kayak instead of a dingy. Anyone with experience here that has carted around a 14' kayak on the swim platform or along the upper deck underway and how does that work for you?

Is there a great check list and then some I can find for buying this vessel?

I thought I wanted a larger boat but I think this won't be too much boat for me to handle. I know I won't be able to live on it if needed (drat - I'll have to stay with the boyfriend for 2+ years). It is a really good deal! It is still better the than the BF's 'barnacle barge' of a 24' 70's cruiser from 'a major manufacturer' that has no showering capabilities and all galley functions have been removed and yet we still managaed to live on that thing for a 6 day outting so I'm not a complete wimp!

It seems to have a nice electronics package with radar, gps, fish finder and VHF radio included.

Any info or help would be appreciated! Oh and sorry about 'rambling'! I do that!

Thanks and have a great day!

Myra
the long winded one!
 
Myra -
wow, lot of questions there. welcome to the board. I can answer some, but others will answer your other questions better.

you will hear this over and over, but GET A SURVEY. There are lots of problems the boat can have that most people can't detect without the special tools and equipment. A professional survey is worth it in my opinion, especially if you don't know a lot about boats.

The 5.7l inboards are considered a good engine, but what are the hours, have they been rebuilt, and what is the compression on them? (the surveyor can test this) 1,000 hours is getting old in my opinion, but others will vary.

The shower will be more about the size of your fresh water tank than the shower itself. I am not sure how much water you will need, but you can get it at almost any marina or gas dock. Does not seem like a big issue to me.

I have only used the smaller fridge, and it has always been fine. My wife and I have done some extended stays, just bring a cooler and lots of ice. The cooler can sit anywhere. I put ours on the deck in the back, some people put them on the swim platform, but on somewhat older boats, almost everyone brings a cooler.

About the generator - just get a Honda eu2000i and set it on the bow (KIDDING!!! - kind of)

About the kayak, not sure how that will work. You may be able to tow it as slow speeds, or get an inflatable raft with oars, that's what we did and it works okay if you don't want to spend the bucks or storage space on a dingy.

Good luck - I am sure others will have better advice too.
 
Myra,

Like others have said, a survey will be your best friend. If you have the extended swim platform that came with the V-drive versions, you might get away with strapping a kayak to her. I don't know about a 14 foot kayak, though.

Plenty of room for coolers to keep ice, lots of storage for bottles...

Showering consists of using the whole head as a shower, works well, but the whole thing gets wet. The faucet can be placed in a holder to be used like a shower head or you can hold it in your hand like a hand held deal.

Generator can be added and I would highly recommend it. After you look at her, post more questions and we'll see if we can help. I love mine and when you look at the prices of newer models, she looks better and better...

Dan
 
me2me2 said:
Is the shower feature in the head adequate to wash long hair? Once every other day? Thick hair, mid to upper back length.
Click to expand...

Its hard comment on this question without pictures.
 
Welcome and Best of luck to you.

Is this the boat?

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rrency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=4344&url=

If so she looks great. We had a 91 280 DA back way back in time. My then girlfriend now wife and I found that it met our needs pretty well.

Survey it. Check the engines, outdrives. A survey will give you a basics on the mechanicals you would need a mechanic to do more in depth on the boat. The Survery will run 18-20 dollars a foot. It worth it for piece of mind and if you fiance the bank may require it... Don't know your situation.

The head on that year is up front not like our so it should provide more room. Ours was fine for showering. There is only a 6 gal water heater so don't expect long showers! The forward berth is hugh and King sheets will fit it OK with some tucking.

The only thing is just leaks around the hatches. As you end up using the bow as a sundeck you walk around up there all the time to anchor and what not so over the years you have to keep an eye on the hatches and re-seal them. You'll know right away as the headliner will have brown water stains wherever there are leaks. That year did not have the full length windows so leaks there should not be much of an issue.

Cooler sits nicely in the cockpit we kept our right in front of the transom door no problem.

Camper canvas is the only other nice option I wish ours had.

Overall for the Bay its a great boat. The 5.7L Vdrives will move it right along.
 
Myra, wow you don't mind living on a "barnacle barge" for extended voyages. Heck I've been looking for a lady that doesn't mind doing that. If maybe you become ready to change your scenery you could give me a shout. Oh...send pictures......of the new boat I mean! LOLOL. Just kidding.
My advice to you would be, figure out what your breaking point is on certain luxury amenities. Then apply the ability of the boat to deliver it. ie: ability to wash hair in the head. Ability to single hand the boat. Then compare options installed on the boat that will allow you to perform the selected activities. ie: capacity of hot water heater, and space in head.
Looks like you are looking at a v-drive boat and that is good if you plan to leave it in the water.
 
Did they even make these back in the "1900's"? Sorry, couldn't resist! I have a similar boat, but made WAY back in 1989. It's got the long windows that should start leaking any minute now. It's got the 5.7 liter engines and performs very well. We love the boat and the 11 foot beam. The newer versions have some nice features and it should be a great boat if well cared for. The survey should reveal any issues and will give you some bargaining power with the previous owner if it reveals a required repair.
 
Sundancer said:
It's got the long windows that should start leaking any minute now.
Click to expand...

good point - They will if they aren't already. Mine are leaking and I haven't been able to stop them yet. They don't leak much, but enough to be annoying and get some stuff wet. urgh:smt013 I know it has been discussed before, but I didn't see where in a search. could somone post a link to the forum, or tell me what to search for?
 
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