Life expectancy of a 40-46 ft sea ray

M

merlin

Member
Jun 17, 2010
86
san francisco,ca/Marina del Ray, Ca
Boat Info
"Volare", a 2003 Sundancer 410, with original Raymarine electronics.
Engines
2, 350 hp, Cat 3126's
I'm agonizing over buying a 10 year old, well maintained boat. How long does a well maintained boat last? I'm in my 60's, if the boat starts falling apart at the same rate that I am, then I'll be in trouble. How long (years/hours) do Diesel engines last? Also electronics?

I must ad that the people who post on this site seem to be the happiest people on the internet.

Many thanks.
 
I've got a '96 450DA and it is a better, sounder boat today than when I bought her is 1997.

The question isn't when the boat will fall apart, but rather has the pervious owner maintained her properly. Things do break and wear out and a careful owner will keep up with those repair and service needs. My boat has had that care and everything works as it should and it looks better than the guy in the next slip with a 2009.

I should also add that I wouldn't trade my '96 even for the new 450........and I wouldn't hestitate to leave this afternoon on a blue water trip.
 
Well, mine's twenty-five years old. Everything's been replaced (except the original diesel engines), so from a practical aspect, it's not much different than new other than the cosmetics.

Fiberglass lasts indefinitely. If the wood present within the boat's structure has not been compromised by water intrusion (a survey would reveal any problems of this sort), the hull itself will outlive you.

It's the systems on the boat that go bad, and need replacement or repair. If she's been well maintained, a ten-year old boat is damn near new to someone like myself. Since you're talking about 40'+ boats, you're dealing with diesel engines (I'm assuming) that should have many years of service left in them-PROVIDED- they've been well maintained also. Again, engine surveys by certified techs and service records will tell you what you need to know here. IMO, age is number three on my list- first comes maintenance, then luck...and last, age. Likely an older engine maintained with an open checkbook to the nth degree will provide more reliable service than a newer one that's been neglected.

Electronics on a boat- just like anywhere else- are hit or miss. I've got a Furuno radar (not in use now) that's twenty-six years old and works like new. On the other hand, you can go buy new stuff that craps out just after the warranty expires. It's usually more about obsolescence- than failures, that dictate replacing electronics.

Go for it- just be sure you have well qualified hull and engine surveyors.
 
Thought this quote was apt...from a blowboat site.

"The oldest fiberglass boats date only from about the ''60''s. The ones that haven''t hit things still seem to be floating. Some of them are sought-after classics, and others are ugly mistakes (just as when they were built.) If you buy one, make sure you like it, because it''s likely to still be around 30 years from now unless you hit something with it."

As previously pointed out...a well cared for boat will long outlive any of us.
 
merlin said:
I'm agonizing over buying a 10 year old, well maintained boat. How long does a well maintained boat last? I'm in my 60's, if the boat starts falling apart at the same rate that I am, then I'll be in trouble. How long (years/hours) do Diesel engines last? Also electronics?

I must ad that the people who post on this site seem to be the happiest people on the internet.

Many thanks.
Click to expand...

There is a 400DB that someone in my boat club just listed for sale. It is a 2000 and shows as new. They are original owners and it is better than when it was new. Check out this link and find the 2000 400DB at Willow Berm. If I had the $$$ to get it right now this is a perfect boat!

http://deltayachtsales.net/boats.html
 
As the owner of a 20 year old Sea Ray I can only agree with tobnpr, fwebster and the others :thumbsup:
 
After investing some time and money for inspections, repairs and upgrade, my nine year old boat is probably in the best condition of its life. The key is ensuring that previous owners have treated her well.
 
I think the life expectancy of boats 46 feet and under is very low compared to bigger than 47 feet...
 
Statistically speaking, find what you like, make sure you are able to assume the responsibility, and GO FOR IT

All used boats cost money you didn't plan for. All new boats cost money you didn't plan for.
 
370Dancer said:
Statistically speaking, find what you like, make sure you are able to assume the responsibility, and GO FOR IT

All used boats cost money you didn't plan for. All new boats cost money you didn't plan for.
Click to expand...


Now there's a man who has a grip on owning a boat.
 
Four Suns said:
I think the life expectancy of boats 46 feet and under is very low compared to bigger than 47 feet...
Click to expand...

Gary,
I know you advised me to buy the 480DB instead of the 460DA back in '07. Now you tell me the ugly truth??... LOL

James
 
Mike,
Just got back from 2 weeks in the Exumas. It was awesome. A trip I would do over and over and never see the same thing twice.
Sorry for the Hijack.

Jack
 
All wear items can be replaced, repainted, and recovered.......gelcoat, pleather, vinyl, canvas, electronics, engines, etc. Just depends on how "used" the boats various parts are and how well cared for those parts are. Some soft items like cushions, canvas, and vinyl will need to be replaced. No way around that.
 
There's an older wooden sailboat in Baltimore Harbor that seems to be fairing pretty well. As others have said, it's all in the maintenance. A good hull survey with a digital moisture meter and a seperate engine/transmission survey should be the deciding factor. The rest is cosmetic.
 
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