Making an offer, dealing with Marine Max, etc

SeaNile

SeaNile

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2010
1,522
Chadds Ford, PA
Boat Info
2003 50 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins QSM11
Well, I figured I might as well see what happens and make an offer on a 2003 340 Sundancer which a MM dealer has. According to the sales guy it is a brokerage boat and not owned by MM. Boat has sat all season with no use...2003 34 Sundancer, brokerage boat, 285 hrs, new risers, manifolds, has radar, shows well, ideally needs new canvas (would add camper back) and has a 3 year extended Marine Max.Sea Ray warranty. From what I can tell it was recently reduced from 119 to 109. I'm not sure at what price it started. I spoke to Frank last week and learned a bit about the MM contract and terminology.

Any last words of advice when dealing with MM? I'm bringing the check book tomorrow and if we like what we see I will put a deposit down and sign the usual contract with survey and sea trial in there.

So, these boats are not moving. Asking 109....where would you start when it comes to an offer? I don't want to be insulting in my offer but I know guys offering 60% of asking price. I'm not that crazy but am thinking below 100K.

Thanks.
 
SeaNile said:
Well, I figured I might as well see what happens and make an offer on a 2003 340 Sundancer which a MM dealer has. According to the sales guy it is a brokerage boat and not owned by MM. Boat has sat all season with no use...2003 34 Sundancer, brokerage boat, 285 hrs, new risers, manifolds, has radar, shows well, ideally needs new canvas (would add camper back) and has a 3 year extended Marine Max.Sea Ray warranty. From what I can tell it was recently reduced from 119 to 109. I'm not sure at what price it started. I spoke to Frank last week and learned a bit about the MM contract and terminology.

Any last words of advice when dealing with MM? I'm bringing the check book tomorrow and if we like what we see I will put a deposit down and sign the usual contract with survey and sea trial in there.

So, these boats are not moving. Asking 109....where would you start when it comes to an offer? I don't want to be insulting in my offer but I know guys offering 60% of asking price. I'm not that crazy but am thinking below 100K.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Going through a brokerage and not M.M. does go over well with M.M....that i found out when looking for a boat:smt009

But thats neither here, or there, i'd go 90 and no more than 95 and ask for extras, its at the end of the season almost and its really a buyers market....

Good luck......:thumbsup:
 
I am dealing directly with the MM that physically has the boat and is the listing broker as well. Figured it is best to keep it between me and them to maximize any potential discounts. Then again, it's a brokerage boat and MM only is the messenger in this situation.
 
As Bill said .. Its still a buyers market !!. Low ball the bastards at first. :smt001

Then wait for their counter offer. Just remember you have the cash and they want it .

The ball is then in your court. :thumbsup:
 
SeaNile said:
I am dealing directly with the MM that physically has the boat and is the listing broker as well. Figured it is best to keep it between me and them to maximize any potential discounts. Then again, it's a brokerage boat and MM only is the messenger in this situation.
Click to expand...

Of course they would make more money dealing with out the broker, so they may haggle more....try it and see....you may come out ahead...and don't forget the survey in the water..
 
What would you guys consider a low ball? Market has dozens of these 340's for sale. Asking 109 and offer in the low 80's? I'm not positive but wouldn't trade-in or wholesale be in the 80's?
 
Is the 2003 340 DA fuel injected or Carburetor? I heard carburetor suck the fuel like a thirty cow.
 
Now, more than ever, location and more specifically demand for the boat you want in that market is critical. Comments frequently say "its a buyer's market; low ball 'em" but where we are, there are no clean used boats available.......still some junk, but no cream puffs.....so the low-ball 'em it still a buyer's market won't work.

Do your homework and offer something realistic and you may buy a boat...........make a stupid offer and you won't be taken sriously and will be in for a long negotiation.
 
Hey Frank,
You are back. I'm heading to boat #1 with my check book and we will see what happens. I've looked at about 10 of these boats and the first one I saw still shows the best. If the deal happens I will be thrilled, if not no hard feelings and I will continue to shop around. There are a few beautiful 05/06 boats but they are asking in the 130's. I feel I can't even make an offer on those as the spread is too big. I'm at 95K or less right now...
 
Woke up in a cold sweat, not about a boat but about gas engines. We would routinely going to our favorite on the water restaurant which is about 8 miles away and then to the river which is another 8 or so miles. I just can't believe the fuel burn of 30-32 gph. That just might be too much for me to handle. I'd constantly be thinking about the fuel burn and gas bill which I never thought about in my diesel powered boat.

Am I over thinking this? I'm not looking to explore the entire Chesapeake Bay but even at a conservative 50hrs/hr of use would be 1500gal of gas. I may be better off going a few years older but getting diesel engines.

Part of me says the cruising area is about 10 miles away so figure 15gallons each way (0.8mpg) while the other is thinking it takes an hour to get there and that is 30 gallons.

Oh I am so confused.....
 
Relax, we have an '08 model with 8.1s and V drive and cruise fuel burn is about 25 gph at 3,250 rpms on plane but keep in mind that you are not always at cruise speed so it could be less on average. Not sure how different your boat would be.
 
Fell 4 it said:
Relax, we have an '08 model with 8.1s and V drive and cruise fuel burn is about 25 gph at 3,250 rpms on plane but keep in mind that you are not always at cruise speed so it could be less on average. Not sure how different your boat would be.
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Good point about not being on cruise speed all the time, but don't you burn more fuel pushing along at say 2000 rpm's? or lower:huh:
 
I love my little Cats. 2100-2200 rpm = about 20-22 gph. Older bigger Diesel Could be thought about? What about 1997-1999 400DA with 3116? Good luck, JC
 
JC3 said:
I love my little Cats. 2100-2200 rpm = about 20-22 gph. Older bigger Diesel Could be thought about? What about 1997-1999 400DA with 3116? Good luck, JC
Click to expand...

It's going to have to be older than the 03 range. I don't want a project boat thought so it must be well cared for. There are a few Cruisers 35-38' and a few 38-40 Sea Rays out there that caught my eye.
 
When i was on my epic boat buying journey i surveyed a 1997 40Da. It handled great. I really liked it and would have bought it but it had a wet hull. I think its a great boat. JC
 
You're getting the panicking attacks !!. Slow down and you'll find the boat that will fits your needs. :thumbsup:
 
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