Newbie in So. Ca. Needs Help

[Len949]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum and I am also new to boating. I’m starting to do my research before I buy later this year. I’m considering on buying an Express Cruiser with the following criteria:


Size: 32 – 38 (leaning to 34)
V-Drives
Year: 2005 – 2007 (anything newer or larger would be cost prohibited)
Price: Approx. 120K


I’m been looking at yachtworld.com and I’m a little confused, I see some 35 ft. boats listed as 320 Sundancer, 35 ft. as 340 Sundancer, etc. I thought that the “320” OR “340” was referring to the size of the boat (320 = 32 ft. boat) and a 340 = 34 ft. boat, but I guess I was wrong. Can someone please clarify this for me?


I was also speaking to a local boat broker and I told him I was also considering boats that are for sale out of CA. Florida seems to have a bigger selection and at cheaper prices. He told me that it would be very expensive to ship it back to California. I told him that Yacht World had a shipping calculator and it was going to be in the neighborhood of $5,000.00 to ship it back. He told me that that was not realistic and that calculator was not reliable. Additionally he also told me that the boats in FL are going to be in worst shape than the ones on the west coast, due to the humidity in FL. Does this makes sense? Is he correct on the shipping costs and the shape of the boats due to the humidity? Is my price realistic?


I live in Southern California and planning on cruising with approx. 6-8 adults on board. Any help and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you,


Len

 

[src]

First off, welcome. You'll find a lot of helpful people here.

Yes the calculator on Yachtworld is VERY unrealistic. I just shipped a 31' boat from New Jersey to Virginia - YW said about $750, actual price was closer to $2K. Until you can get quotes from shippers based on the actual boat, don't make any firm plans on the expense. When you step up to 34' or beyond you start seeing boats that won't fit under many bridges (they may have to remove the arch and re-install it on delivery), and that will also need a lead/pursuit car along the way. They also get tough to ship when they are wider than 11' or so. I know my shipper had to stop before reaching DC because they don't allow oversized loads before/after certain times during the week.

The model number is VERY loosely coupled to size, and it's getting worse with every new model. What used to be a 270 is now a 290 and so on. Use it as a very rough guide to get you into the ballpark, but the sizes will vary quite a bit between years and also brands.

Good luck in your search!

 

[HUMPH]

Buy as much boat as possible! If you have to stay closer to a 2002 or 2003, you will appreciate the extra room that a 38 has compared to a 34. Remember you will have only one head with any of those models. If you cruise with 6 to 8 adults you may want to look into something with 2 heads (like a 410!). Good luck in your search.

 

[2001amberjack29]

Try this link (then make it your own): http://www.boattrader.com/search-re...-80000,140000/Year-2005,2007/Sort-Length:DESC

I opened up your price range a bit more but the rest should be in line with what you were looking for.

Also, swing by the harbors, Dana Point and Newport beach, both have multiple yacht brokers with boats for sale posted on their offices. You'll also be able to tour some boats with them, which means a lot more than just web surfing.

Finally, check out the local boat shows. There was one in Dana Pt this weekend. Small show but I managed in 30 mins to spend time on boats ranging from $30k to $1.2M. The highlight for me was the new 370 venture and the Cruiser' 45 Cantius both 2013 brand new units.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any more questions.

 

[Lucky's]

Welcome to the forum! As src was saying, the model numbers are supposed to represent the lengths. However, in later model years they have "cheated" the lengths a little to make the boats sound a bit larger than they are by counting things like the swim platform and bow pulpit. But generally speaking the model number is technically what you go by when identifying the length of your vessel. Regarding shipping, as a point of reference, I just recently shipped my 30' from MI to FL, which was around 1400 miles. I shopped around a lot looking at reviews and prices and the company I settled on was $4200 door to door. That should give you a rough idea what to expect. Good luck with your search!!!


Shaun
Sent from my iPhone

 

[FootballFan]

Minimum 3$ per mile, maybe 4 or 5, depending on the boat.

Somewhere in the Mid 2000's Sea Ray started a shift to represent their boats tying model numbers closer to actual length (ie, 07 340 is really 37.5, in todays packaging would be a 370).

www.searay.com has a fantastic resource for looking at used boats. Go to the past models section. Pick by year. Detailed specs for any year/any model.

No comment on the FL vs CA condition of boats - no idea on that one. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Len949]

Thank you all for your very informative and appreciated input, this is a great forum. I will keep you posted on my progress; hopefully someone else can find it useful in the future.


In addition to my web surfing, I regularly go to Dana Point to see if there’s anything new for sell, but they have a very limited inventory (if any) of what I’m looking for (Newport Beach seems to have better inventory). I have attended the Newport Beach and Dana Point boat shows past two years and I got an opportunity to spend some time with some nice boats. Thank you for the link 2001amberjack29.


Len

 

[Carpedmman]

Welcome!
You are going about the purchase correctly. Go slowly and think about how you will be mostly using the boat. You say cruising with 6-8. Would you be overnighting with that many? Look at cockpit seating and entertaining spaces, etc. One thing to consider might be to look north-No. Cal, Oregon or Washington, too. The values +/- as you travel around the country for different variables-Freshwater, Saltwater, Sunny So. Cal (- due to the heat cooking the interiors). Midwest (+Freshwater, low hours due to short seasons.)

I agree others about shipping the boat.

Go as big as you can afford-how about the 360 or 380 early 2000's? Both should be in the price range. Good Luck!

 

[Len949]

Thank you, I'll look at the 36s and 38s also. During the week I'm planning on sleeping on the boat at least two nights (aliviate a long commute to work). Once a month I'm planning on going to San Diego or Catalina Island with my wife and spending about two nights on the boat. I'm also planing taking 2-3 hour trips with some friends (6-8 adults) a few times a month.

 

[moparlvr4406]

when shopping...
Look at many...buy 1
Can't tell you how many I have looked at in the last year ..and ended up buying the first one I looked seriously at last september
buy as much boat as your budget can comfortably stand rather than settling for one thinking of an upgrade soon.
and have a list of "must haves" " really want" and "would be nice to have"
do not waiver from the Must Have list

 

[BritLady]

Thank you, I'll look at the 36s and 38s also. During the week I'm planning on sleeping on the boat at least two nights (aliviate a long commute to work). Once a month I'm planning on going to San Diego or Catalina Island with my wife and spending about two nights on the boat. I'm also planing taking 2-3 hour trips with some friends (6-8 adults) a few times a month.

Here's one for you in CA with low hours you may want to take a look at Always like to look at this site from time to time to see what's about, compare "stuff" and the prices. They are the world's largest boat and yacht liquidation company (auction aircraft too). I know they have quite a lot of inventory turnover and that the SeaRays don't last long! Good luck in your search

http://www.yachtauctions.com/inventory/7419/

 

[Len949]

Here's one for you in CA with low hours you may want to take a look at Always like to look at this site from time to time to see what's about, compare "stuff" and the prices. They are the world's largest boat and yacht liquidation company (auction aircraft too). I know they have quite a lot of inventory turnover and that the SeaRays don't last long! Good luck in your search

http://www.yachtauctions.com/inventory/7419/

Thank you, that is a great website...I'll add it to my collection.