New to Boating

[bjacobs]

Hi everyone....my wife and I are considering joining the boating community. She really likes the Rinker's, but I'm in love with SeaRay's. Because we are new to boating, we are thinking something in the range of 26ft to 33ft. We will be boating on Lake Erie in Ohio. Does anyone have any recommendations for a great model SeaRay? My budget won't allow me to go new, so I will be looking used. But I don't want something that I will have to do a lot of repairs on in the near future. Any advice would be appreciated......thanks.

 

[Mike Blake]

Welcome,enjoy!

 

[bjacobs]

Thanks Mike....we haven't pulled the trigger yet...still looking. In fact, I really missed out on a great opportunity in the fall for a very nice 1993 SeaRay 33ft Sundancer. Live and Learn.

 

[Zorba]

Welcome!

Other than the size parameters if you can let us know your budget. I boated Lake Erie for 4 years in a 26 foot 260 Sundancer and never once felt unsafe. That being said, don't make the mistake many first time byers make and buy too small only to upgrade a couple of years later. I feel my current boat is about the sweet spot for lake Erie. There aren't many condition she wont handle and I have confidence to take longer trips with twin engines.

Your going to hear this more than once, but buy the biggest boat you can afford.

Feel free to ask any questions since I am in your neck of the woods. While Rinkers look nice and give you a ton of space for the value, the integrity is not there. IF you start sea trialing in the spring all it will take in one good wave and you'll feel it shudder through a Rinker while the Sea Ray will just take it in stride.

 

[Boat Guy]

A couple of things....

First, I suggest you go look at all the boats you can. Go shopping and walk on these boats. You haven't done enough looking if you are asking others which boat to get. If you find some features you or your wife like, post the info and members here might be able to provide some advice or thoughts you haven't thought about. Walk on the same boat many times...see what you gravitate to...

Second, while you might have missed a great opportunity in the fall, I'm of the opinion that opportunities continue to come around. Each time I've "missed" an opportunity another one has presented itself.

Best of luck - The boating community is a great place.

 

[JimFromMD]

Would help to know more about your plans (day boating / weekend getaway from home at the pier / stay aboard on anchor as marina transients etc) and how many people will be aboard typically... Also, only if you are comfortable with sharing, maybe a $$ range target to help shape how old or how new.

280 / 300 / 320 sundancers are tried and true... hard to go wrong. Its really about $$, intended use, and how many you are trying to regularly accomodate.




While I own a sea ray, I spent 3 years boating with friends on their 05 360 Rinker Fiesta Vee. There are for sure differences in quality/workmanship/finishes, but the Rinker was a capable boat that held up nicely as long as it was given routine maintenance and some owner TLC. The 05 was a new model year for the 360, so my friends had some problems with leaks and finish matierials on their specific boat, but those were changed out in 06 and later. They also were the first to have the Volvo ocean drives, which didnt have water intake screens, but were later retrofitted. IMO, it comes down to selecting the boat that bests meets your needs within your budget. After that layout, brand preferences, and known issues with the model / brand you are considering.

 

[Joe5.0]

What type of boat are you looking at? Cruiser, cuddy, open bow?

I looked at used Sea Ray's for quite awhile, namely 260/270/280 Sundancer's & 280/290 Sun Sports. There are A LOT of the 'Dancers out there, but not as many SS's. We ended up buying a new Rinker due to not finding a relatively local example that met all of our qualifications & desires, and we liked the shiny new boat. The Rinker was definitely a lot of boat for the money, as a comparable Sea Ray/Chapparal/Regal was tens of thousands more. Fit & finish were very close, and the new Rinker definitely had better quality than the 10 year old SR's we looked at. However, a 2005 Rinker vs. 2005 SR would likely come down to maintenance and previous owner pride in keeping it nice. I'd lean towards the SR, as I tended to like the layouts better overall.

You'll have to decide what kind of boating you plan on doing and set a budget. The find the newest, lowest hour, best maintained boat you can. Then get out there and enjoy! We are first time boaters last summer, and we put 65 hours on it and had a blast.

 

[Boat Guy]

Welcome!

......
Your going to hear this more than once, but buy the biggest boat you can afford.

......

While Alex has some great advice, I really want to caution you on this. I absolutely agree about the benefits of larger. But, I see a lot of people budget for the price of the boat and don't realize how much it cost to maintain. Then they pretty much have a floating dock they don't want to take out. My advice is to have a fair amount of reserve money for the unexpected expenses so you are prepared. Otherwise when you have to go replace / fix something it's going to interfere with your enjoyment.

When you talk about buying a boat that's a '93.... that's got a few years on it... I wouldn't be surprised if you should budget around 20% more of the cost of the boat for necessary maintenance / items.... Maybe others here will offer their thoughts.

 

[Joe5.0]

Plus as the size of the boat increases, maintanance costs rise also. Twins vs. single (two oil changes, two impellers, twice the cost for winterization), generator, AC/Heat, Fridge/freezer, windlass, etc. I'd wager there's a pretty big jump in cost for maintanance between a standard option'd 260DA vs. 280 DA with twins and bunch of options. Not to mention possibly more cost for a bigger slip & higher fuel costs.

 

[Zorba]

While Alex has some great advice, I really want to caution you on this. I absolutely agree about the benefits of larger. But, I see a lot of people budget for the price of the boat and don't realize how much it cost to maintain. Then they pretty much have a floating dock they don't want to take out. My advice is to have a fair amount of reserve money for the unexpected expenses so you are prepared. Otherwise when you have to go replace / fix something it's going to interfere with your enjoyment.

When you talk about buying a boat that's a '93.... that's got a few years on it... I wouldn't be surprised if you should budget around 20% more of the cost of the boat for necessary maintenance / items.... Maybe others here will offer their thoughts.

This is great advise.


Just as a nice round number, for a 34' twin engine Sundancer, expect to pay around $20,000 annually for Dockage, Insurance, Fuel, Maintinance, Winter Storage, Food, Transient fees, Beer, the list goes on and on...

 

[mwph]

Deleted.

 

[bjacobs]

Thanks everyone...I have given this all a lot of consideration. I've been in the boating industry for over 10 years now, so I am very familiar with the "added" costs to boating. As for my budget...I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I want to spend. When I first started looking, I was thinking $30,000 for the boat, plus docking, winter storage, and maintenance. The more that I look, the bigger the budget is looking. Right now it is just my wife and I, with possibly 2 dogs. We plan on having a boat that we can hang out on during the weekend, and the occasional trip to the Islands (Put In Bay or Kellys). We would like something that we could sleep on, and possibly another couple. I like the Sundancers because of the Aft Cabin. I've looked at the 26ft but it seems a little small for what I'm looking for. BUT I also have the intimidation factor that would go with getting a 33ft boat for my first boat... Thanks again for your comments.

 

[Richie89]

i have a 2007 290 sundancer and i think it's a really nice boat. they made my model from 2006-2008. can't get one for 30K, but if you decide to up the budget, i think it's worth a look. i looked at all the smaller sun dancers and love this layout. it's very close to a new 310, but a little narrower.

i started with a 240, and in less than a year bought the 290. so buy on the big side of what you want.

 

[Zorba]

Thanks everyone...I have given this all a lot of consideration. I've been in the boating industry for over 10 years now, so I am very familiar with the "added" costs to boating. As for my budget...I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I want to spend. When I first started looking, I was thinking $30,000 for the boat, plus docking, winter storage, and maintenance. The more that I look, the bigger the budget is looking. Right now it is just my wife and I, with possibly 2 dogs. We plan on having a boat that we can hang out on during the weekend, and the occasional trip to the Islands (Put In Bay or Kellys). We would like something that we could sleep on, and possibly another couple. I like the Sundancers because of the Aft Cabin. I've looked at the 26ft but it seems a little small for what I'm looking for. BUT I also have the intimidation factor that would go with getting a 33ft boat for my first boat... Thanks again for your comments.

I think you are going to find out quickly that a 26 footer will be too small for what you are wanting to do. It's plenty of boat for 2 people but add dogs (we have 2) and a kid (only 1) and the occasional couple (3 or 4 times a year) and you are all over each other looking for a way to escape. I would start narrowing your search to the 30-33 foot range. As for being intimidated by starting big, I find it 100 times easier to dock our current 340 as it was to dock the 260. I only mention docking because that is the most stressful part for most boaters. Like others have said take your time and get on as many boats as you can.

 

[ZZ13]

This is great advise.


Just as a nice round number, for a 34' twin engine Sundancer, expect to pay around $20,000 annually for Dockage, Insurance, Fuel, Maintinance, Winter Storage, Food, Transient fees, Beer, the list goes on and on...

Though probably a good estimate, I don't put as much focus on the annual costs as others. That's because I figure you're just going to blow that $20K somewhere else. Generally you don't really know where either. Most people tend to spend to their means (excluding the live on credit brigade). With boating, you tend to focus on spending the money there and you know how much. And if it gets too pricey, then just get out. You hopefully have had some of life's great experiences along the way.

 

[Joe5.0]

If you want any chance of sleeping two couples comfortable DEFINITELY skip the 260 and go right to the 290 & bigger. (unless someone wants to sleep under the camper canvas)

I think something like this would be great for Lake Erie. It's not a speed demon, but also wont break the bank for fuel & maintenance should be pretty straight-forward.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1997-Sea-Ray-290-Sundancer-102118107

 

[IanBat]

Plus one for Zorba's post above.

I have a 94 330DA. It was a huge step from an 18', but I mastered it, albeit a few scrapes, which could have been avoided had I organised and paid someone experienced to come out and give me some lessons first off.

I still remember the first time I took it out alone, well except for the Labrador. It was a glass day no wind, and I thought I can do this, which I did.....while I was out though it blew up an absolute gale.

I had to phone into the marina and ask for them to come out to the pen to help as I came in, I did it, with no issues....

Confidence comes quickly. I think in a smaller boat probably too quickly, in that you would be regretting not getting the size you want first off.

Just organise a day with an experienced captain and save yourself a bit of angst


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[bjacobs]

Thanks a lot everyone. We are going tomorrow to look at a few boats, to get a feel for what we want....as of right now, I'm still leaning towards a 28-30ft SeaRay Sundancer...I just love the cabins on these.

 

[moparlvr4406]

best advise I can give..
look at many and buy just one...then start looking for the next one immediately :lol:
A missed opportunity is usually a blessing....take my word for that...emotions will usually be involved :wink:

 

[bjacobs]

Ok...so I do have a few more questions...I have been told that if I'm going to buy a boat, look for a boat with less than 300hrs on it. Is any of this true? Thanks in advance.