Looking at buying a new toy...

[BigWill1985]

I just found your forum, and have been scouring them for the last few days. I am looking at getting into a nice pleasure boat. To begin with, I am a US Navy Submariner. My specific rating is as a Nuclear Field Mechanic, with a specialty in emergency welding. I was an auto mechanic before joining the Navy, and have been an avid tinkerer my entire life. I currently own a 1998 Chevy 2500 4x4 with the 6.5 liter turbo diesel (4" exhaust, rims/tires, nerf bars, tool box, bed liner, high idle mod, PMD cooler, high capacity B&M transmission pan, and a few other goodies). I also have a 1966 Volkswagen Maiers Manx 2 dune buggy (David Barrett frame, 1641cc motor, dual Dellorto 36mm carbs, 1.25:1 rockers, reworked transmission, mid-back fiberglass seats, 4pt harnesses, chopped windshield, full roll cage, CNC clutch and brake, and more stuff I'm sure I've forgotten). I have owned many cars (2005 Pontiac GTO running just over 550hp to the wheels, 1968 Dodge D-100 pickup, 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, and a few others), a few motorcycles (1986 Honda Rebel 250, 1983 Honda VT500 Ascot, 1996 Buell S2-Thunderbolt, 1976 Harley Sportster chopper), and a jet ski (1980-something Kawasaki 440 stand-up style). I am a pretty strong mechanic, and have done all of the work on all of my vehicles over the years. I am great with electrical work, have fiberglass experience, and I have some experience with boating. I grew up on the water with my dad (he has a Celebrity 205 Cuddy Cabin with a Chevy 305 and Mercruiser outdrive). Did a lot of skiing and wakeboarding as a kid. Now that I live out on the East Coast, I am looking into buying a boat.

Here is what I've been looking at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...PageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123#ht_594wt_1165

I have already talked with the owner, and he said that he is going through a divorce and needs to get rid of it as soon as possible. Basically once this auction is over it has to be gone. It has dual 260hp 350 motors, Mercruiser outdrives, a Flybridge setup (although needs some cables), and is fully stocked and ready to go. It needs a gas tank repaired or replaced (which I could do), the cables replaced (as listed above), and it also needs a bow rail fixed. I can do the work, there is no problem with that. I can keep it in a slip on base (only $3.25/foot per month).

I am just looking for more information on this boat. What are the factory specs? What are these boats worth? How good of a boat are they? How good of a deal does this look?

Thank you guys in advance for any help!

~Will Courtier~

 

[tdschafer]

Hi Will, Welcome to CSR and thank you for your service

. I am not familiar with the Sedan bridge but I just sold a 1979 260 Sundancer last winter and can fill you in on a couple things you may want to look for. First I would take those estimates with a grain of salt. Marine repairs always seem to be more rather than less. The engine hours seem high and will prob need replacement soon. If they are Raw water cooled they are throw aways. If they are fresh water cooled then they can be rebuilt. Also some gas tank replacements can be very difficult with partial demolition or fiberglass cutting required to get them out & the new one in. I would check around on the difficulty of this task. If this boat was always kept in the water and bottom painted has it ever been media blasted and resealed with epoxy paint? This can be a costly endevour. The cleats on my boat as well as filler caps and all the rail hardware excluding the actual rail were chrome and all had to be replaced, costly and time consuming. Whats the availability of parts for that particular model? Others on this site will be better able to tell you that. I also had all my upholstery redone and I guess you will have to make that call when you see it. I sold my boat for $4000 to a friend but it needed nothing and ran excellent. It also only had about 150 hours on the new motor that was several years old. I gave him the mooring cover as well as the bimini and camper tops that all had just been restiched. I would google this model & year if you haven't already and see the market for this boat. Thats about all I can think of now. Good luck in your search & purchase! Todd

 

[katricol]

Hi Will...sometimes a $10,000.oo boat can be cheaper than a $5,000.00 boat, and it's not possible to tell with internet pic's. Do your due diligence and make sure you hire a surveyor and have a mechanic look at this before you buy. They will be impartial and it will be money well spent even tho you have mech. skills. Could be a good deal or not

 

[KRB64]

Boat does look nice. That's a good year in my opinion. heavy built with lots of teak & wood inside.

Most everyone agrees that a survey is needed before buying, thats the only way you'll really know. But with 4 hours left on the auction...

Let us know how you made out. Oh, and welcome.

 

[JVM225]

Take your time and look around a little more. There are plenty of good deals out there.
You can get yourself a nice vintage (70's or 80's) Searay with motors that aren't likely to need replacement for a few years, better tanks, and some other creature comforts.
To start with, I would at the very least look for something with reverse cycle A/C and heat (this one has it) in that size class. Especially with the hot Virginia summers.
A generator would be nice, but really not needed unless you plan to spend nights on the hook. It would probably take up some valuable space in the bilge of a 30 footer anyway. This one is advertised as runs, but needs tune up. That usually means that it runs like crap. You'd think that if all it needed was a tune up they would change the plugs and be done with it.
SS Bow rails can be expensive to repair. Mine still has a slight bend in it that was there when I bought it. I haven't had it fixed because I can't find anyone to do it for a decent price.
Interior work can run in to money too if you can't do it yourself. I got lucky and had my cushions recovered by a friend who does household upholstery work for a very reasonable price. My wife picked out the material at a fabric store, and he did the work for us. If you used a regular place you could wind up paying big bucks.
The gas tank can be a PIA and cost a lot of money to have fabricated, even if you do the install yourself. My experience with boats is when something goes on one side, the other side isn't far behind. So count on changing both.
Sometimes the better long term deal is the one that costs a little more.

 

[DKRanger22]

Did you get the boat?

 

[BigWill1985]

I didn't wind up getting her. I held my bid at $6050, and figured if it were meant to be I'd win. I didn't, so I looked around some more. Wound up finding a 1992 Celebrity 200 Cuddy Cabin that is 100% new top to bottom. It has a new 260hp 350 with a Mercruiser lower unit, new interior, new gel coat and paint, new lower unit, new tires/disc brakes on the trailer, and has a few more options I think will benefit for my area. It also has a freshwater cooling system. Less than 20 hours on the boat since complete rebuild, so I think I should be good. It looks spotless, and fires right up first time every time. Every light/gage/feature works. I wound up getting it for $7,000. I got to thinking about buying a bigger boat and thought against it. At least one that I can't tow and would have to get a slip for. And my truck pulls it perfect.

I really appreciate you guys' input. It really made me consider the purchase, and I think it helped me to make a better decision for my standing as of now. I hope to buy a bigger boat some day, when I have more free time and money.

I will drop in every now and again, and will try to check up on everything from time to time. I hope to be able to contribute some to the forum!

~Will Courtier~

 

[tdschafer]

Will, Congrats on your purchase. Sorry you didn't join the " Sea Ray Family" but it sounds like you did your homework and landed a good vessel that meets your needs. Good luck with her and be safe out there. Todd:thumbsup: