Options wanted on a new boat

[Bottom Line]

I have my boat a little over a year, and there are options I know I already want on the next rig. A couple of options are, a real innerspring mattress (I have the memory foam, but not quite the same as home), and a separate shower. I also really like the looks of the hard top. The hardtop may be a couple of boats away....it is great to dream.... :grin: :grin:

Anyone else already planning for the next one?

 

[Turtlesboat]

It's amazing how small a boat gets in such a short period of time. My 280 is my first owned boat and i've only had it 3 weeks and i'm catching myself looking at a 420 in my marina, 3 months ago I was scared to death of the size of a 280. Of coarse I lie to my 280 and say "it's nothing sweety, i'm just looking at the radar spinning". I don't think she's buying it. :lol:

But then I fill my tank and reality hits me in the forehead like a 2X4. I'm going to stick to my 280 for awhile.

I was fueling next to a big sedan last weekend and 400 gallons of fuel later, I'm glad I have a fairly economical 280.

 

[Nehalennia II]

I have my boat a little over a year, and there are options I know I already want on the next rig. A couple of options are, a real innerspring mattress (I have the memory foam, but not quite the same as home), and a separate shower. I also really like the looks of the hard top. The hardtop may be a couple of boats away....it is great to dream.... :grin: :grin:

Anyone else already planning for the next one?

It's amazing how small a boat gets in such a short period of time. My 280 is my first owned boat and i've only had it 3 weeks and i'm catching myself looking at a 420 in my marina, 3 months ago I was scared to death of the size of a 280. Of coarse I lie to my 280 and say "it's nothing sweety, i'm just looking at the radar spinning". I don't think she's buying it. :lol:

But then I fill my tank and reality hits me in the forehead like a 2X4. I'm going to stick to my 280 for awhile.

I was fueling next to a big sedan last weekend and 400 gallons of fuel later, I'm glad I have a fairly economical 280.

I wish I had your problems

230OV looking a t a 260DA in June There's no emoticon for Cross your fingers :thumbsup:

 

[Skip]

Oh yeah.

August 2004: 22' Inboard Ski Boat to 2002 260DA
May 2005: 2002 260DA to 2002 320DA
February 2006: 2002 320DA to 2003 420DA
February 2006: Wife convinced I am having some sort of bizarre mid life crisis, involving gelcoat with Sea Ray logo.

May 2007: Still have the 2003 420, and will keep her for a while. Love the boat. Right boat for the family. Fuel cost is about the same as the 320; I use less fuel per hour at cruise; diesel is a dollar a gallon cheaper at my marina; so we cruise more. 147 hours last year and around 3,000 nautical miles traveled.

All good.

regards
Skip

 

[shoelessben]

My wife and I decided when we bought the 260 that was it for a while.... that was last year and last weekend before we even launched she was read to make an offer on a bigger boat. Really planning on going up to a 300 or 320 next season. For as much as we like to spend the night on it with a kid and 2 dogs... the extra room is a big plus :thumbsup:

 

[Robski97]

We have the inner spring mattress... ITs not all that.....

`ID like LARGER fuel capacity.... not an option but thats the only thing id change on the current boat. ( other then the sink being too small )

Rob

 

[RonF]

Buying the used 310DA a few years ago was a rather significant financial commitment, so we did a lot of planning for what kind of use we would get from it. I am glad to say that we nailed it, and the boat suits us very well for weekends and vacations. However, retirement is just ahead, and our priorities will probably change. We will want to go farther from home and stay away longer. We have spent enough time traveling and staying at good and not-so-good marinas in good and not-so-good weather, that has shaped what kind of boat to get next.

Aft cabin (or convertible) - has a salon so you can get out of the heat or rain, and have windows so you can see what's happening outside the boat

Small cockpit - still lets us go down to water level for boarding, dockside chatting, or swimming

Bridge helm - good all-around view when underway, plus a penthouse view when anchored or docked

Separate shower - more wiggle room, keeps the head area cleaner. Most of the marinas that we've been to have rather dirty public showers

Satellite TV - can't count on marinas having cable.

36-38 feet - top end of our affordability, and will still fit in the slip that we are currently renting

Diesel engines - long distance fuel economy.

 

[JC3]

This is a good thread. :smt038 JC

 

[ylwjacket]

Buying the used 310DA a few years ago was a rather significant financial commitment, so we did a lot of planning for what kind of use we would get from it. I am glad to say that we nailed it, and the boat suits us very well for weekends and vacations. However, retirement is just ahead, and our priorities will probably change. We will want to go farther from home and stay away longer. We have spent enough time traveling and staying at good and not-so-good marinas in good and not-so-good weather, that has shaped what kind of boat to get next.

Aft cabin (or convertible) - has a salon so you can get out of the heat or rain, and have windows so you can see what's happening outside the boat

Small cockpit - still lets us go down to water level for boarding, dockside chatting, or swimming

Bridge helm - good all-around view when underway, plus a penthouse view when anchored or docked

Separate shower - more wiggle room, keeps the head area cleaner. Most of the marinas that we've been to have rather dirty public showers

Satellite TV - can't count on marinas having cable.

36-38 feet - top end of our affordability, and will still fit in the slip that we are currently renting

Diesel engines - long distance fuel economy.

You just described a 380 Motor Yacht.

 

[ylwjacket]

6/2000 - bought a 2000 185
1/2003 - bought a 1998 290DA
4/2003 - bought a 2002 380DA
1/2007 - bought a 2000 450EB
2/2007 - started talking about our next boat :smt021

 

[BrentJones]

I can't believe how some of you guys have moved up through your boats so quickly! I can't see myself ever doing that, the costs would kill me. I'd like to move up to a 280DA next and I hope that would satisfy me for awhile. I'm sure the initial cost to move to a 300, 310 or 320 wouldn't be that much more depending on the year, but I don't think I'm ready for the fuel expense of those boats.

 

[Turtlesboat]

My decision on the 280 was based largely on fuel. I wanted to get the biggest boat that I felt I could afford fuel wise and still be comfortable size wise. If I were to make a leap up, it would be diesel but I can't afford a boat that size yet not to mention I need a few seasons under my belt experience wise.

 

[chazaroo]

My wife and I can't figure out why everybody's always talking about the next boat instead of enjoying what they have. :smt017 We just got our '96 250 in December and couldn't be happier...well, until we saw a brand new 260 DA at Marine Max last Saturday...now we understand.

Chazaroo

 

[RT 240SD]

Simple it needs to have all the features and specifications of a 290 SS.

 

[chuck1]

Simple it needs to have all the features and specifications of a 290 SS.

Big Ditto :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[RT 240SD]

I'm itching for one, need one gently used with the u shaped seating and the swim platform (now integrated).

This one is local, but no platform and Sea Ray has said you can't put one on because the hull is braced differently at the factory on platformed boats. This from the salesman that said he called.

http://www.pwmarina.com/searchengin...1&type=AN&indid=1&sortCol=Length&sortDir=ASC&

Sexy lines... have been warned they are very hard to resell, however.

That and most of the used ones in this neck of the woods are salt water used... I need a freshwater 290 SS!!!!

I also need a couple of deals to close.

 

[chuck1]

I'm itching for one, need one gently used with the u shaped seating and the swim platform (now integrated).

This one is local, but no platform and Sea Ray has said you can't put one on because the hull is braced differently at the factory on platformed boats. This from the salesman that said he called.

http://www.pwmarina.com/searchengin...1&type=AN&indid=1&sortCol=Length&sortDir=ASC&

Sexy lines... have been warned they are very hard to resell, however.

That and most of the used ones in this neck of the woods are salt water used... I need a freshwater 290 SS!!!!

I also need a couple of deals to close.

Did not see it on your profile. Where are you located at? I saw one on MM site here in GA. I've drooled over it a couple times. :smt089

 

[goblue]

Favorite options in order of importance to me are: a/c and heated helm with radar overlay on chartplotter and auto pilot; large lower cockpit with 2 comfortable chairs; ice maker in cockpit; windlass and anchor that is easy to deploy; 12 volt systems for high def TV surround sound entertainment system, and frige with cold plate; genny to keep things going with short run times; and, yep the inner spring mattress on the queen sized bed is great too.

 

[Turtlesboat]

Well..... I've got a windlass. :smt009

Heated Helm???? I don't have heated anything unless I light something on fire. my idea of heated cockpit is, fire up the grille and cook some burgers.

 

[Nehalennia II]

Well..... I've got a windlass. :smt009

Heated Helm???? I don't have heated anything unless I light something on fire. my idea of heated cockpit is, fire up the grille and cook some burgers.

No Windlass for us, but I do have heat while underway. Like a heater core in a car it works very nice, especially when the canvas is up.

I want to upgrade this year to a legitimate GPS Plotter but we're going to wait to see if we can get a 260DA we've been eyeing....Crossing our fingers for June! :thumbsup: