New 2010 280 Sundancer Major Issues - what to do?

[artlu]

I wanted to give everyone an update of my progressive. MarineMax has been great in trying to attend to my needs, but when it came to brass tax on a new boat, I am not getting that great of a deal. The proposed deal is:

$115k for my current boat ($15k~25k more than any other place would give as a trade)
$250k for a new 2010 Sundancer 330 with T-350/Axius. I got them to load it with electronics too like Autopilot, Radar, fishfinder, and Raymarine C80. The MSRP of the boat and electronics is about $310k.

They also threw in an additional year of emergency service.

I need to come up with about $30k cash down to make the upgrade work. Does everyone think it is worth it or should I stick with my 280?

 

[sbw1]

I need to come up with about $30k cash down to make the upgrade work. Does everyone think it is worth it or should I stick with my 280?

Post a copy of your personal balance sheet so we can see if you can afford it. If money is no object, go for it.

 

[Ididntdoit]

I wanted to give everyone an update of my progressive. MarineMax has been great in trying to attend to my needs, but when it came to brass tax on a new boat, I am not getting that great of a deal. The proposed deal is:

$115k for my current boat ($15k~25k more than any other place would give as a trade)
$250k for a new 2010 Sundancer 330 with T-350/Axius. I got them to load it with electronics too like Autopilot, Radar, fishfinder, and Raymarine C80. The MSRP of the boat and electronics is about $310k.

They also threw in an additional year of emergency service.

I need to come up with about $30k cash down to make the upgrade work. Does everyone think it is worth it or should I stick with my 280?

Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire! Research the Axius system - I do not know of anyone that has not had some kind of "ghost in the machine". I would work things out with the 280 - once you cycle through these weird, uncommon problems you will have a nice reliable boat - really. I would not venture into the unknown again with knowingly shakey technology - remember the more systems you have on a boat the more there is to go wrong! Calm down, clear your head and keep the 280

 

[Big Island Lifer]

I just read this thread for the first time. I am not one to speak of karma very often, but it sounds like that 280 you were in is not working for you and your trust in it will for ever be questioned. Move up if you can make it work for your budget and wash your hands of your old boat.

 

[Spot]

I personally have had adjustment challenges with my new 280, however I am sure there can be a friday boat and before you buy a new boat it is possible that it ran dry as noted above. As far as upgrade, bigger can mean more challenges especially if you are a newer big boat owner.

a few quick thoughts on the bigger boat, 2x The motor maintenance, higher dock fee's, you can not trailer it as easy as the 280, it will burn 2x+ fuel. However biggger can mean 2x the fun because you can carry 2x people on the boat.

 

[Bucit]

Artlu, is MM going to give you anything for your hassles on the 280? A longer warranty, free yearly service or anything like that?

 

[EricW]

$250k for a new 2010 Sundancer 330 with T-350/Axius. I got them to load it with electronics too like Autopilot, Radar, fishfinder, and Raymarine C80. The MSRP of the boat and electronics is about $310k.

I am shocked that a new 330 costs that much. The 2010 330 has the 10'5" beam, and used to be the 310, that used to be the 300?? It's a nice boat, but not very big and the price is INSANE. I know Axius and the electronics add quite a bit, but $250k for a so called 33 x 10.5" boat?? And the MSRP is $310k!!??!!! Really?? Isn't that at least 100k more than the last new 300s were selling for? $250k buys SO much more used boat.

Absolutely no offense to artlu --- but at these prices, its a wonder any new boats in this size range are sold.

Somebody call a doctor cause I just got hit by a severe case of sticker shock.

 

[Vince_nj1]

I would look to apply your 125K towards a used boat in inventory. You should be able to pick up a 320 or possibly a 340 for that amount.

 

[hack4alivin]

I would look to apply your 125K towards a used boat in inventory. You should be able to pick up a 320 or possibly a 340 for that amount.

Yea, but you know that offer of 125K is for the trade in for a new boat..... bet they don't offer that on a used boat in their inventory.

 

[Vince_nj1]

Yea, but you know that offer of 125K is for the trade in for a new boat..... bet they don't offer that on a used boat in their inventory.

I totaly agree, but it sure is fun to watch the salesman squirm when you make the offer. They are only offering a full refund on his old boat, because they have so much profit in the new one. :thumbsup:

 

[Hellman Huddle]

I wanted to give everyone an update of my progressive. MarineMax has been great in trying to attend to my needs, but when it came to brass tax on a new boat, I am not getting that great of a deal. The proposed deal is:

$115k for my current boat ($15k~25k more than any other place would give as a trade)
$250k for a new 2010 Sundancer 330 with T-350/Axius. I got them to load it with electronics too like Autopilot, Radar, fishfinder, and Raymarine C80. The MSRP of the boat and electronics is about $310k.

They also threw in an additional year of emergency service.

I need to come up with about $30k cash down to make the upgrade work. Does everyone think it is worth it or should I stick with my 280?

So who gets your boat? Some poor sucker!!:smt013

 

[artlu]

I don't mind the costs of the bigger boat as I originally wanted a used 2009 310, and I can do the cash they are asking for. They are throwing in 2 years worth of service for the boat. The question is, am I smart to stick with Sea Ray? In an ideal world, I would love to get into the new 2011 Tiara Sovran 35 LE because of that insane deal they have going on.

I picked out two used boats from the MarineMax inventory today with the same price tag they are offering on the new 2010. Of course, they came up with all kinds of excuses:

1. The boat will cost $6,000 to trailer from NY/NJ to FL
2. The boat was "sold," but is still listed on the site.
3. Can't do the same deal via trade-in.
4. The bank doesnt look at used boats the same as new boats. yada yada yada...

So, the issue is, I am taking about a 20k hit on my 280 that I put 45 hours on, but I am getting the highest possible trade-in for it at this given time. If I hold onto my 280, I will probably be taking another 15~20k hit if I try to trade it in next year. The 330 is a great boat and with Autopilot/Radar it will be well equipped. Being double the weight of my 280, I am expecting it to be much more capable in the gulf as well. Also, do I High and Dry a 330 or do I get a slip for it is the other question.

Thank you to everyone for the feedback.

 

[Tonka Boater]

Here are my random thoughts, for what they are worth.
1) sounds like you have buyer's remorse on the 280 and these problems might be a blessing in disguise to help you out of the deal.
2) I would not accept a $20k loss on a boat that I was only able to put 45 hours on. Not saying that $20k loss is not normal for a boat with 45 hours, but you were limited to 45 hours due to problems beyond your control and for that I think a $20k loss is unacceptable. Sea Ray should refund your money and write it off as a loss and re-sell it as used.
3) $250k for the 330 is not a good deal -- for you. It's a great deal for them though. Maybe they are offering you top dollar on your 280 but they are more than making up for it on the 330. I should be able to sell my mint '08 280 for more than I paid last season if those are the prices for new boats.....ouch!

 

[Sundancer]

I'd spend a little time in another part of the country checking the new boat prices. It seems like they rolled all of their lost dollars into the new cost of the 330? That just seems like WAY too much for that boat! It's not that much bigger than the 280 and I don't know how they can justify that kind of increase for a few feet?

 

[Ididntdoit]

I'd spend a little time in another part of the country checking the new boat prices. It seems like they rolled all of their lost dollars into the new cost of the 330? That just seems like WAY too much for that boat! It's not that much bigger than the 280 and I don't know how they can justify that kind of increase for a few feet?

Remember the new 280 is the old 260 and the new 330 is the old 310 so were talkin about 2' of beam and 4-5' of loa

 

[fwebster]

The 330 can be dry stacked if your marina has adequate forklift capacity and if the storage racks are long enough. However, the bigger the boat the harder the challenge of lifting and storing without damage. One thing to consider in your location is the cost of dry stacking vs. a wet slip. Our boat is at a marina owned by the local Sea Ray dealer. They also dry stack about 650 boats, up to 340DA's and a few even bigger center console fish boats. Their cost structure for dry stacking is driven by the cost of insurance. As a result, I pay about the same money for a covered wet slip as does the owner of a 340DA stored in the barn.

As far as a trade is concerned, only you can determine the financial fit, however, you need to keep in mind that even though these boats are production boats, they are built by hand and they will never be perfect until you work out all the new boat bugs. The fact that you are considering an Axius boat and may be looking for a Lexus type initial customer experience, you may be expecting something that isn't likely to happen. Even the dealers do not yet understand the Axius system, so I am afraid the added level of potential electronic gremlins may be more than you are willing to put up with.

In the waters you plan to use the boat, I think you are wise to consider trading up to twin engine power.

 

[EricW]

Remember the new 280 is the old 260 and the new 330 is the old 310 so were talkin about 2' of beam and 4-5' of loa

I really hate the 2010 numbering/naming system. Now, the 330 DA is the smallest "33 footer" out there, but probably the most expensive. I am absolutely disgusted by the price increase that came with the name/number changes.

The last 300 DA has a 10'5" beam and is a very roomy "30 footer". Approx MSRP was around $150-160k. The new 330 DA has a 10'5" beam, is EXACTLY the same size in & out as the 300, and is tiny for a "33 footer". MSRP is $310k.

The old 320 to the new 350 is the same way. The old 340 to the new 370 is the same way. Rediculous RIPOFF.

Sorry for the sidetrack. The new numbers & pricing really gets to me.

 

[gsdinc]

Hey Join the party and good luck. Hope your not using MarineMax to fix and service this boat, I'm on my second searay and nothing but problems myself. You think you spend $252,000 on a boat it should work right but as i was told (It's a boat) what do you expect. MarineMax is the worst to work with, I hope you didn't pay for the Extended Protection because it don't cover any thing. They forgot to show me the 18 pages that it doesn't cover which is every thing that it says it does. I'm in the process of wrighting a letter to Mr. McGill about my experance with MarineMax and 3 years of worthless boating. Lets see if he can address my problems with his company and there poor customer service in Brick NJ

 

[hack4alivin]

Hey Join the party and good luck. Hope your not using MarineMax to fix and service this boat, I'm on my second searay and nothing but problems myself. You think you spend $252,000 on a boat it should work right but as i was told (It's a boat) what do you expect. MarineMax is the worst to work with, I hope you didn't pay for the Extended Protection because it don't cover any thing. They forgot to show me the 18 pages that it doesn't cover which is every thing that it says it does. I'm in the process of wrighting a letter to Mr. McGill about my experance with MarineMax and 3 years of worthless boating. Lets see if he can address my problems with his company and there poor customer service in Brick NJ

I have got to tell you, you must be working with the wrong MarineMax. I have had absolutely nothing but good experiences with our MarineMax here dealing with typical “new boat” issues. In fact I got prompt service from Brick on a problem I had with my boat on my way to New York.

Sorry about your experiences though.

 

[artlu]

Hey Join the party and good luck. Hope your not using MarineMax to fix and service this boat, I'm on my second searay and nothing but problems myself. You think you spend $252,000 on a boat it should work right but as i was told (It's a boat) what do you expect. MarineMax is the worst to work with, I hope you didn't pay for the Extended Protection because it don't cover any thing. They forgot to show me the 18 pages that it doesn't cover which is every thing that it says it does. I'm in the process of wrighting a letter to Mr. McGill about my experance with MarineMax and 3 years of worthless boating. Lets see if he can address my problems with his company and there poor customer service in Brick NJ

Disagreed here...MM has been doing right by me with the service... nothing has costed me $1 except the engine service at 20 hours... I understand they have to make their nut too, but I want a bit more... maybe I can get 4 years comprehensive emergency service...