Its Time To Choose

[Forrest420]

I'm down the the last two boats I fancy, but I was going to get everyones opinion on which one might have the better resale value down the road, or which one I might be more comfortable on, ect. I'm open to all opinions, even if yours is neither.

Boat I.
1989 Sea Ray 420 Sundancer.
-2 3208 Cats with 1200 hours
I have yet to get the survey done on it, but when I went to go see it everything powered up and was functional minus one vdrive. Needed new gaskets. Seller is taking care of that and should be done soon. Bilge is clean and everything looks well taken care of, but I'm still having it surveyed
cost-50,000
my concerns are about the diesels and whether the boat would be still worth within 80% of that a few years down the road if well taken care of. My luhers has the same engines and they have well over 3000 hours on them.

Boat II.
1990 370 Sundancer
-2 454 mercruisers. Carbed I believe. One has some top end noise. Forgot the hours, but the boats been sitting for at least a year. The guy got cancer and just hasn't taken it out. Overall its in okay shape. Has oil in the bilge, needs a bit of cosmetic work for sure, could use an electronic upgrade, and I think only one ac works of the two.
cost-28000
I like the 420 more, but at 22000 cheaper im considering tthe 370 as well. Are the gallons per hour of the two close? Or far different? Anybody have any opinions on this boat?

I know the search function is my best bet, but I wanted to see what people thought of the two in a 'head to head' comparison if you will, even though it may be apples to oranges.

And I know everybody wants pictures, but im in the passenger seat on my phone being bored so they'll have to wait.

 

[bahamabreisus]

420 is an awwsome boat, actually the best we had. Do the 420 if you can, you will be much happier down the road

 

[northern]

If I was to buy one I would go with the 420 as I feel bigger is better. Based on people I have met with boats if you want to go fater than 6Knots all the time the 420 will useless fuel. If you need to repower the 370 the difference in price will probably not be there any more.

 

[Forrest420]

Perfect! Just the answer I was hoping for. Although the layout is pretty much the same, the 420 I like much more because of the increased size. Another issue however, anybody know the length overall of the 420 with the swim platform? Short of driving 10 hours to put a plum line on both ends and taking a tape measurer to it, I haven't been able to find the length online. Im assuming its 42 feet. But I've seen mixed answers from 42 to 47 and the slip I want to keep it in has a max length of 45 feet, hands down no negotiations.

 

[Pietro]

...and do not forget the 3208s alone could be the reason to go for the 420!

45' should be ok!

 

[rondds]

Forrest
Buy the biggest boat you can afford - that's generally the rule of thumb. Given a choice btwn old 7.4s and 3208s? NO CONTEST! Go with the 420!

 

[bahamabreisus]

I think the 420 comes in around 47 ft

 

[rondds]

The spec sheet that Pietro posted above says 41'7", unless that doesn't include the pulpit (?)
Owner's manual confirms that length..
1989 420DA

 

[fwebster]

Pulpit adds about 2' and the platform adds about 3'.......you will be close to the 45 ft limit.

The 3208's will burn about 20% less gph than the 7.4 Mercruisers, but the fuel isn't the factor to consider.......You will deal with the usual Mercruiser riser and manifold corrosion problems on a regular basis from here on with the 7.4's. The Cat engines are bullet proof and have none of that nonsense to worry about. The 420 is heavy and is a great sea boat; the 370 is lighter, narrower and not nearly as adept at handling seas.