So, after using the family boat for a few years, and with a larger family now, it's time I buy my own. I've grown up with power and sailboats, am fairly handy and have been researching Sea Ray's and I/O maintenance (here and other places). I'm settling into the 21-27ft range, 1998-2005 year and trying to land around $20k. I've seen '97, 21ft with 900+ hours for $10k and 2004, 26ft with 400 hours for close to $30k. For some reason, I'm really attracted to the Yamaha AR/SX 23's or 242, dual engine jet boats. Maybe it's the lack of out drive, a big whole in the transom, gimble, bellows, etc. I've read the jet vs. prop threads too. I think both camps agree that proper maintenance is the key for longevity and spending less money down the road on a repower/replace.
Which brings me to this post. I found a 2001, 240 SunDeck priced at $20k with a pretty extensive description on CL:
"
2001 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck and 2017 Ventura trailer. Excellent condition, one of the best designed open boats ever made. 26.5ft LOA, 8.5ft beam make this one of widest boats in her class which translates into more deck space. This boat is a 2 owner boat, has always been in fresh water and professionally maintained since day one and comes with all of the original owners manuals. Its has a Mercury 5.7L EFI 300HP engine with a Bravo III Duoprop outdrive, bennett trim tabs. There is absolutely nothing needed on this boat, get in and go. Gauges/switches all work, the only boat I have ever owned that has a fuel gauge that is accurate!! This boat comes with a new stereo system that includes a Kenwood head unit with bluetooth and multiple USB ports, Pandora radio and helm remote and remote app download for Android and IOS. 6 new JL audio speakers with a 10" JL audio sub and new 1000 Watt amp. This boat has the the porta potti with dock side pump out (the girls in your life will love this feature). The storage compartment in front of the helm fits two full size coolers and more gear to keep the deck clear. There in more than enough dry storage under the seats and in floor deck lockers for skis, board, tubes and any other toys you can think of. For a sixteen year old boat she is in great shape with just normal wear. Seats are in great condition too. There is full deck snap in carpet (not pictured) in excellent shape, two cocktail tables that stow under the wet bar. Boarding ladder on the extra wide swim platform extends deep into the water with wash down, there is also a bow boarding ladder with washdown. There is a filler cushion for the bow that converts the bow seating into a giant sun pad. Bimini Top in great shape and covers the entire cockpit from helm to stern seat.
Performance: this boat cruises easily fully loaded with people, gear and fuel thanks to the duoprop that puts you on plane in 4 sec, cruise at 30mph for fuel economy with a top speed of 45-50 depending on load. Mechanically this boat is pristine, fluids changed yearly, routine maintenance always done. As I mentioned above, there is not a single thing that this boat needs.
Boat comes with two anchors, main anchor with 150ft of rope and 10ft of chain, fenders, lines, 3 person tube and life jackets.
2017 Venture aluminum tandem axle bunk trailer, disc brakes on both axles, LED lights, with break reverse disable for backing up.
I have been boating my whole life and always tell everybody that this is the best boat I have ever owned and now that our kids are all teenagers we are moving up to a much bigger boat for weekend water getaways."
So I e-mailed with some questions and got this:
How long have you owned the boat? 2yrs, bought from a friend who was the original owner since new
Who did the maintenance and what records are available? Canal St. Marina and Wolf Marina, I only keep the most recent invoice
What was done annually? Normal maintenance, oil change, filters, all hoses, belts and lower unit inspected.
How many hours on the engine? 765
Any major service (water pump impeller, bellows, seals, oil lines, , etc.) to the outdrive and if so, when? All done as needed, there is no deferred maintenance on this boat
Any major service (risers, manifolds, ) to the engine and if so, when? No, never neeeded
Any electrical issues? No, everything works as it should
Did it sit in the water all summer in a slip, on a lift or was it trailered? Usually in slip.
Where was it stored in the winter i.e. indoor heated, indoor, wrapped and outdoors, etc.? Outdoor, shrink wrapped
Some questions for you pros out there:
Is it normal to only keep most recent maintenance invoice and trash the rest? I'd think you'd keep them all. Would the marina keep maintenance records and be a good source to inquire about this boat?
765 hours doesn't seem too bad for a 17 year boat...but would one expect the engine to not need anything more than normal maintenance for this age and hours? I would think that this isn't outside the norm with good maintenance.
Risers and Manifolds...how long do those last?
I'm in no rush to buy just any boat and I fully plan on getting a survey on any boat I buy. I also don't like to go back and forth too much with an owner questioning them on their boat before going to see it in person. I want to get a feel for it and know what to look for when inspecting myself.
Any thoughts or red flags you see here?
I'm also looking at a 1998 260 signature, but am awaiting answers to some of the same questions above on that boat too.
Like anyone buying a boat, I don't want to buy someone else's problems and have to spend 2 months and $6k fixing them. I don't mind doing work myself to save money, but I don't have unlimited time either. And, I'm not afraid to pay to have work done, if it's necessary and prevents larger, more expensive problems down the road.
Anyhow, that's about it for now. Appreciate any and all feedback.
Thank you!
Which brings me to this post. I found a 2001, 240 SunDeck priced at $20k with a pretty extensive description on CL:
"
2001 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck and 2017 Ventura trailer. Excellent condition, one of the best designed open boats ever made. 26.5ft LOA, 8.5ft beam make this one of widest boats in her class which translates into more deck space. This boat is a 2 owner boat, has always been in fresh water and professionally maintained since day one and comes with all of the original owners manuals. Its has a Mercury 5.7L EFI 300HP engine with a Bravo III Duoprop outdrive, bennett trim tabs. There is absolutely nothing needed on this boat, get in and go. Gauges/switches all work, the only boat I have ever owned that has a fuel gauge that is accurate!! This boat comes with a new stereo system that includes a Kenwood head unit with bluetooth and multiple USB ports, Pandora radio and helm remote and remote app download for Android and IOS. 6 new JL audio speakers with a 10" JL audio sub and new 1000 Watt amp. This boat has the the porta potti with dock side pump out (the girls in your life will love this feature). The storage compartment in front of the helm fits two full size coolers and more gear to keep the deck clear. There in more than enough dry storage under the seats and in floor deck lockers for skis, board, tubes and any other toys you can think of. For a sixteen year old boat she is in great shape with just normal wear. Seats are in great condition too. There is full deck snap in carpet (not pictured) in excellent shape, two cocktail tables that stow under the wet bar. Boarding ladder on the extra wide swim platform extends deep into the water with wash down, there is also a bow boarding ladder with washdown. There is a filler cushion for the bow that converts the bow seating into a giant sun pad. Bimini Top in great shape and covers the entire cockpit from helm to stern seat.
Performance: this boat cruises easily fully loaded with people, gear and fuel thanks to the duoprop that puts you on plane in 4 sec, cruise at 30mph for fuel economy with a top speed of 45-50 depending on load. Mechanically this boat is pristine, fluids changed yearly, routine maintenance always done. As I mentioned above, there is not a single thing that this boat needs.
Boat comes with two anchors, main anchor with 150ft of rope and 10ft of chain, fenders, lines, 3 person tube and life jackets.
2017 Venture aluminum tandem axle bunk trailer, disc brakes on both axles, LED lights, with break reverse disable for backing up.
I have been boating my whole life and always tell everybody that this is the best boat I have ever owned and now that our kids are all teenagers we are moving up to a much bigger boat for weekend water getaways."
So I e-mailed with some questions and got this:
How long have you owned the boat? 2yrs, bought from a friend who was the original owner since new
Who did the maintenance and what records are available? Canal St. Marina and Wolf Marina, I only keep the most recent invoice
What was done annually? Normal maintenance, oil change, filters, all hoses, belts and lower unit inspected.
How many hours on the engine? 765
Any major service (water pump impeller, bellows, seals, oil lines, , etc.) to the outdrive and if so, when? All done as needed, there is no deferred maintenance on this boat
Any major service (risers, manifolds, ) to the engine and if so, when? No, never neeeded
Any electrical issues? No, everything works as it should
Did it sit in the water all summer in a slip, on a lift or was it trailered? Usually in slip.
Where was it stored in the winter i.e. indoor heated, indoor, wrapped and outdoors, etc.? Outdoor, shrink wrapped
Some questions for you pros out there:
Is it normal to only keep most recent maintenance invoice and trash the rest? I'd think you'd keep them all. Would the marina keep maintenance records and be a good source to inquire about this boat?
765 hours doesn't seem too bad for a 17 year boat...but would one expect the engine to not need anything more than normal maintenance for this age and hours? I would think that this isn't outside the norm with good maintenance.
Risers and Manifolds...how long do those last?
I'm in no rush to buy just any boat and I fully plan on getting a survey on any boat I buy. I also don't like to go back and forth too much with an owner questioning them on their boat before going to see it in person. I want to get a feel for it and know what to look for when inspecting myself.
Any thoughts or red flags you see here?
I'm also looking at a 1998 260 signature, but am awaiting answers to some of the same questions above on that boat too.
Like anyone buying a boat, I don't want to buy someone else's problems and have to spend 2 months and $6k fixing them. I don't mind doing work myself to save money, but I don't have unlimited time either. And, I'm not afraid to pay to have work done, if it's necessary and prevents larger, more expensive problems down the road.
Anyhow, that's about it for now. Appreciate any and all feedback.
Thank you!