Looking at a 1990 350 DA

[Avenger]

Hello, I've been a lurker on here for quite a while. I am in the process of purchasing a 1990 350 Dancer. Hopefully everything checks out in the survey. This is my first family cruiser as I am used to the go fast boats. If you guys have things I should look out for please feel free to chime in. Thanks

 

[AAK]

They are great boats. I had a 1991 350 DA for 8 years. If it doesn't have dripless shaft seals on it; I would highly recommend that you put them on. The worst job on this boat is to work on the shaft packing.

Make sure you due all of the maintenance: oil & gas filters (cartridges at tank, spin ons at engine, and carb filter), plugs, and check the risers/manifolds. You should also change out the raw water impellers on the engines and generator.

You'll love the boat.

 

[Whitenights]

Love mine, although it is for sale. If your looking for a cream puff that has never seen salt, and has always been in a covered slip check out mine.

As for what to look for, blisters as the 90 models was one of the first years they switched gelcoat chemicals, (vinylester?) and it was not good. When I bought mine in 2000 I repaired and expoxyed many large blisters. Just had it redone this past may and not a single blister found. Good epoxy application is the key.

Mechanically I agree about the dripless shaft seals. Had them put on mine and it is soo nice not to have to reach under there to get to them.

Battery charger that came with mine was cooking batteries so I upgraded with a Xantrex and it has given me 5 full seasons on my batteries.

Check the sliding windows on the sides to make sure they are water tight. I had to silcon mine when I first got it, but being under a covered slip made it not a big deal.

Otherwise if the boat is cosmetically in good shape then most other things can be repaired or replaced with enough money.

 

[MarkD]

Avenger... great boats, love mine even after 10 years. Look for:

- small cracks working their way up the hull from the water line. These are cosmetic, but largely from inferior layup.
- windshield leaks from old, dried out gaskets (at the base near hull, at the glass). Taylor made has replacement parts.
- Railings may leak since bedding is old and tired (hard job, but doable)
- long side windows likely leak (can be sealed or taken out and redone)
- hatch seals will leak causing stains in headliner. Simple to redo.
- look for ANY aftermarket cutouts (i.e. deck fittings near the windlass) that are not sealed properly. This will rot the core and cause a major headache for you.
- exhaust outlets will likley be cracked, but that is cosmetic too.
- generator will likely be a quicksilver. parts are getting hard to come by. insure that works properly with proper voltage. Test it with a full load of appliances/ac running.
- you might have dual air/heat so check the condition of these units. Replacement units are 1200-2000.
- check the icemaker and cabin fridge since it could be origainal these are expensive to replace if failing....

good luck...

 

[Avenger]

Thanks for all of the replys guys, I will let you all the know the outcome. Survey turned some things up that need to be addressed but we'll see how things go. Thanks Josh

 

[Whitenights]

Mark, you made a pretty good list of items to check. Some of which I have had to address. But luckily all mine have been only cosmetic issues easily taken care of.

Exhaust ports where done this past spring while getting bottom paint and water line stripes replaced. All older boats with this style exhuast have to deal with this eventually.

Still enjoy my boat and think it is the best bang for the buck on the water. The price to replace these with new is staggering, and I bet you need to get close to a 40' to get the same size boat now?

Good luck with yours Josh.