Low Total Time

[wind954]

What are the risks involved in purchasing a 5 yr old Sundancer with a total time of less than 75 hours?

 

[WV 320 Dancer]

Good Question and a good quality survey will answer those questions for you. I just bought a 2003 320 Sundancer with 250 hours. It passed the survey with flying colors. One reason was all of the maintenance was done at the SeaRay dealer every year. Plus it had lived it’s entire life in the same covered slip. My boat was of course 100% fresh water. Can you provide additional information?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Truthfully, hours are pretty much useless when it comes to assessing engine health. Hours can be used as an extra piece of data, but they are way down on the list of "what's important". As mentioned, a proper engine survey is the key.

 

[Stee6043]

I'd be more concerned about a 10 year old boat with 75 hours. But as stated above the survey should show you anything that is suffering from lack of use.

My personal experience has been that generators are particularly vulnerable to extended periods of non-use. More so than the rest of the boat. If your engines are running you might as well have the generator running too...

 

[Great Lakes]

I'd be more concerned about a 10 year old boat with 75 hours.

Same, that would give me more pause than really high hours.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I bought my 06 44DB in 2015 with 118 hrs. I was nervous about the lack of use and it was a salt water boat. The only issue I had and that was evident immediately was a rotted A/C heat exchanger core. Absolutely no issues with the engines except stuck seacocks.
I now have 350 hours on her and all looks good. I have yet to actually change impellers on the Cummins. I check them annually.
That said I still believe the worst thing for any mechanical equipment is for it to sit in service.
Carpe Diem

 

[sbw1]

Depending on the pattern of use, probably little to worry about. I just read about a vintage garage kept Mustang that came on the market with around 3,000 original miles on it. I believe it was a 1965. After the buyer gets some of the age related issues addressed, someone will own a great collector's car. Five years is not an old boat by any stretch of the imagination. Do your homework. It may be a great find.