Newbie contemplating DA purchase

[i28sweep]

Hi folks,
First, just wanted to thank the regular members for all the helpful information posted within. I’ve learned quite a bit just reading the forums over the last few months.

I consider myself a newbie, although I’ve owned a couple of very small fishing boats in the past. I am in the market for a 24’ – 28’ SD. Given my relative inexperience, I’ve been considering buying new because of the initial hand-holding the dealers I spoke with have promised to provide. However, I’m finding it hard to discount some of the seemingly great deals out there on used boats. Maybe your collective advice could help get me off the fence and onto the water.
As I said before, I’m looking for something in the 24’-28’ range. In order to trailer the boat I would have to give up a nice sports car in lieu of a truck, so most likely I will end up with a dry storage arrangement. I live in a suburb just north of Seattle, so my boating trips would include cruising fresh as well as saltwater. I envision more time spent in the (Puget) sound, particularly around the San Juan Islands. I would like to preserve the opportunity to occasionally fish/troll, but that seems like a fairly cumbersome endeavor on the newer boats. It’s doubtful that I would spend much overnight time on the boat, but if I do it would be just my wife and I – and a portly dachshund. Day cruising would include no more than 6 people likely, and in most cases just 4.

About pricing – is there an Edmunds.com equivalent for boats? From much reading my impression is that 30% off of list (new boat) is the minimum discount to shoot for. Is there a generally accepted MSRP discount rate at which I would be laughed off the floor (e.g. asking for 40% off of $100k list)? I missed the Sea Ray factory cash program, so I’m finding it hard to justify coughing up the difference right now. I’m wondering how likely Sea Ray might run a similar program in the fall. Any thoughts? I hate to wait that long, but the miser in me says $10k-$15k is worth the wait.

As for used boats, any initial thoughts on this one: http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/1673175255.html

Any other random boating-related thoughts, pearls of wisdom, or general advice is much welcomed.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Sundancer]

Re: Newbie contemplating SD purchase

Dagmars would be a start as far as a facility to store your boat. Call them, they put it in the water for you. You launch in the fresh water and return from the ocean back into freshwater so you don't have to flush the engine.

You want to cruise the San Juans, but DON'T see yourself doing many overnights? I don't think that is allowed! I think you HAVE to spend nights on the boat! And with the boat you are considering, why not? That's the best part of boating! Fishing can be done with many boats or you can equip a dinghy to do the same thing. That's a stretch I know, but I see a lot of folks doing that.

The boat you have picked out seems reasonably priced. Check it out, get it surveyed and make a decision! There are a lot of used boats EXTREMELY cheap on the market right now. I think that has caused a larger gap between new and used boat pricing. The Bravo 2 is a great drive for that boat, but check to make sure it doesn't have any problems. There was a period of time when the Bravo's had some electrolysis problems, but I don't know when that occurred. I think there are some new zincs that will cure it, but I'm not sure.

Trailering is up to the individual users. I trailer our 30 footer so that we can hit the San Juans and all of the great lakes in Northern Idaho. That's a personal preference and not for everybody.

There are places to get boat prices, but the prices are falling and changing so much that I don't think you will get an accurate price. Boat in the NW typically go for more because they have less sun damage and use than a southern boat used year around.

I would recommend climbing on as many used boats as possible. That way you will see yourself, wife and dog on the boat. There are many variations across Sea Ray and other brands that eventually you will see the make and model number that fits your boating lifestyle. The Amberjack version is more of a fishing boat and I would take a look to see if you can find one in the Seattle area. Once you've decided on a model and size, start pricing and looking. We wanted a 28 footer and looked at quite a few. We stumbled across this 30 footer and made a jump in our expectations. We're glad we did it! So don't limit yourself to a certain size. Twin engines vs. single is another consideration. Twice the maintenance, but there are some advantages.

How's that for confusing you even more?

 

[i28sweep]

Re: Newbie contemplating SD purchase

You want to cruise the San Juans, but DON'T see yourself doing many overnights? I don't think that is allowed! I think you HAVE to spend nights on the boat! And with the boat you are considering, why not?
Yup, I burned my wife out on the idea of "camping" many years ago, so in order to get her out of the city I have to promise to "camp" in a hotel. That's what 8 days in the central Idaho wilderness will do for you (Idaho native - moved to Seattle 5 years ago). Things may change, but I'll have to ease her into it gradually.

The boat you have picked out seems reasonably priced. Check it out, get it surveyed and make a decision!

Yeah, I'm going to try to swing by after I take another trip to South Lake Union Sea Ray tomorrow. This boat is a little older than I was originally targeting, but the engine hours seem very reasonable and the pictures look promising. The whole decision thing is the hard part.

I think this boat may actually be at Dagmars - location was originally Everett. Any advice on potential issues with this model/year to look out for?

Thanks for the feedback. Don't worry, confusing is a state of mind I've come to accept with this endeavor.

 

[chuck1]

Re: Newbie contemplating SD purchase

Welcome aboard,
1st of you are looking at a DA (Sun Dancer) not a SD (Sun Deck).
IMHO - Don't buy new just for the "hand holding" If you need the trainer take a class and/or hire a local captain.
You are going to be looking at least a 3/4 to 1 ton truck to trailer a Dancer and like the one you posted the link to your going to need wide load permits for any thing of 8.5 feet in most places. The dry stack is the way to go.
If you are going to camp in the hotel why are looking at a dancer?

 

[Sundancer]

Well, I understand that 8 nights in central Idaho IS real camping! But the boat has all the options of a good hotel room and it's a whole lot cheaper! She'll get used to the idea when she realizes she can still shower! Just make sure you get a boat with a gennie so she can run ANYTHING she needs that requires 110V!!