Looking to Upgrade Question -- MarineMax "Makeover Boat?"

[rpasquarello]

OK we love our 1 year old 240 Sundancer but are kicking the budget number arounds for something bigger -- but it would have to be used so we don't break the bank. We anticipate a 10 to 20% hit on what we paid new.....the boat has 50 hours now...

Does anyone have an opinion on MarineMax makeover boats (in general)?

Any opinions on this 280 'Dancer? http://www.marinemax.com/Page.aspx/...oryList/pageId/85/view/Details/inventory.aspx

We know what we have now and are hesitant on going used....but we think we need something bigger....

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Why did that boat require such a drastic makeover? Could be a great deal, but I would have a lot if questions and I would require a full survey.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rpasquarello]

Salesman who sold us the 2010 said the chain chooses a few to parade around at the boat shows to show that they can transform a used looking boat to a new one. They literally tape a line down the boat and then paint/refresh/refinish one half to show a before and after. Once the show is over, they redo the other half and go over the boat mechanically and then sell it....

So, depending on how bad the before is, it can be risky...

 

[Two Peas]

I would expect a bigger hit on yours than 10-20%...

Why not look even bigger, like a 320 or 340 a few years old? 4 feet isn't a big enough jump to bother IMO.

 

[skolbe]

There is a reason the boat was made over. It wasn't maintained. If mechanically it was maintained then I might feel better about it. I would suspect you will take a 20 to 25 percent hit on your existing boat. I am sure Marine Max can do a decent job hiding how much you are depreciated. This will catch up with you. The 280 is a nice boat and is a nice setup. But buy what you really need over the next 10 years. Otherwise the 280 may be another compromise. If it is the perfect boat go for it. But in my area is a nice freshwater 320 for not much more. http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2002-Sea-Ray-320-Sundancer-99338035 Good luck on your search. A well maintained 2005 - 280 shouldn't need to be made over. Granted the added features are nice on that boat.

 

[saopm]

I think I was on that boat at the NYC Boat show in January. No matter how nice they make it it is still used and abused.

 

[Woody]

That boat was choosen because it needed it. They only improved things that needed improving. The hull or part of it has beem resprayed with something. I wonder what the teak floor is hiding? The starboard drive skeg is busted off. Aft berth reading light is hanging by the wires. Bilge between engines looks black. I would be leary.

 

[fwebster]

Y'all are a bunch of glass half empty guys.........perhaps there are other reasons the company "made over" the boat.

Reality TV make the phrase Make-Over an "in" description that really has no substantive meaning.......it sounds good and may draw some interest, but may mean nothing more than a fresh wax job to help sell the boat.
Perhaps the 280DA is cold in that market and just didn't sell (ask anyone who has tried to sell a 280 in NY), so they freshened it up to help sell it.
Perhaps they had no service work to keep their employees busy in the off season so rather than lay them off, they freshened up a boat they owned.
Perhaps they had a very low cost in the boat and had some room to charge off some detaining, rigging labor while making the boat more saleable.

I don't think the photos are good enough to tell the story about the boat. You probably need to see this one in person because you can't put enough make up on a skank to make her look good up close.

 

[jason78]

I would pass on that one quick. If you look close you can see signs it was not cared for by the PO(s). Besides you can get one in much better shape, with a generator for about the same money as they want for that thing. I don't agree that a 280 is not enough of an upgrade. There is a huge difference in the 2010 240DA and a previous generation 280DA which should make for a good upgrade.

 

[320Bob]

If you had a 240 Sundeck instead of a 240 Sundancer, I'd be willing to swap my 320 which has FWC with a cash differential. As others have said, look at your next upgrade over the next 5-10 years. On that basis you'd probably be better off with a larger boat than the 280. Another suggestion to get the most value out of you existing boat is to trade it in even on a brokered boat. Skipper Bud's here will do buy/sells on a trade in which is how I bought my 320 which was a brokered. I would be surprised if Marine Max would not be willing to do the same thing. Since MM only makes a commission on a brokered boat they have little or no money invested compared to that makeover boat. This means you might be able to get a better differential than trading for a boat they own.

 

[rpasquarello]

Everyone,

Thanks for the feedback and commentary. Lots to think about. We did see the boat last night in person and that was the reason for the post and for our hesistation.

We've decided to steer clear of the "makeover boat" which was likely abused more than cosmetically and will likely consider a more longer-term "fit" as everyone suggests. We will, as I know, take a huge hit on depreciation on our 2010 -- so why rush?

We will be picky looking around as we do want a wider beam and we are extremely content with our 240 -- even though 2 adults, 1 teen, 1 pre-teen and 2 chocolate labs make us a closer family at times (LOL)!

-Rocco

 

[Bucit]

I didn't see anybody comment on the price? $73k seems very high for a 2005 280DA. I don't care if it's been re-done or not. I agree with Jason, the jump from a 2010 240 to a mid 2000's 280 is a decent jump. Also he has to consider the average costs to keep and use the boat.

 

[Turtlesboat]

Marine Max launched a new service where they come and make over your boat. It's pretty comprehensive if you want. They put a ton of work into the boat. It's not just a fresh wax. re-bedding, caulking, systems, paint, etc... It would cost an owner a small fortune to hire someone to do the same work and as boats get older, you will need to do this at some point.

 

[rpasquarello]

Can you confirm the beam size on the 2005 280?

 

[floriduramax1]

I didn't see anybody comment on the price? $73k seems very high for a 2005 280DA. I don't care if it's been re-done or not. I agree with Jason, the jump from a 2010 240 to a mid 2000's 280 is a decent jump. Also he has to consider the average costs to keep and use the boat.

As soon as I saw the ad for 73k, I was scrolling to the bottom of this post to make my post...lol I have a beautiful 2005 280 on a trailer loaded with lots of upgrades I would part with for a little less! I see an Up grade in my IMMEDIATE future!!!

 

[floriduramax1]

Can you confirm the beam size on the 2005 280?

9'6"

 

[rpasquarello]

FYI, MM told me they put 15K into the makeover thus far. They repainted the hull exterior with Emron (not sure of spelling), wetsanded topside, new risers and manifolds (seems early to do so to me), new canvas and cockpit vinyl. The cabin interior was not done over and the salesman did not think they were going to do more than shampoo it. Bedding/cushions did look beat up. When I asked Saleman if they would provide a breakout of the work that was put into, he said they could do so if we were serious.

The stbd. outdrive was off the boat and was allegedly being worked on....

 

[fwebster]

If there is no generator, if hull was painted and the topsides wet sanded, I'd bet you that MM transferred the boat from Florida to NY because it didn't sell in Fla. That also explains replacing the manifolds and risers.

 

[Bucit]

As soon as I saw the ad for 73k, I was scrolling to the bottom of this post to make my post...lol I have a beautiful 2005 280 on a trailer loaded with lots of upgrades I would part with for a little less! I see an Up grade in my IMMEDIATE future!!!

+1 :grin:

 

[rpasquarello]

The plot thickens..........