Perspective Sea Ray Buyer

[srmartin81]

My name is Shawn and I am strongly considering buying my first Sea Ray. My dad has been a Sea Ray owner for my entire life and I am very happy with what the brand has to offer. I am looking at 310 SunSports from the early 90's. My big concern is with a boat that old, I would like to know if there are any latent design defects that I should be looking for.I have a lot of experience with Sea Ray construction and fixing and restoring hulls and I know what kind of issues can be found by an unsuspecting buyer. Any info that anyone could give with personal experiences with this design would be much appreciated. Also, If anyone knows of a good one for sale, I would be interested.

Thanks,

Shawn R. Martin

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

Shawn, as a boat owner many, many times over the only really good sound advice that I can give you is to not under buy. Check in with a reputable dealer and check what they have taken in trade. It's a fact that if someone trades in a Searay to buy another one that they are satisfied with the product. They will work with you and get you a good buy because they want you back again. Also It is better to finance a newer boat than to pay cash for an older one. Newer boats have electronic technology that allows for better gas milage and performance and your boat loan if structured properly is tax deductable. They also do not nickle and dime you to death with repairs. Good luck in your quest and I hope this helps you. I'm 63 and if someone had offered this advice to me when I was 30 I would be thousands of dollars ahead.
George

 

[srmartin81]

Thanks for the advice. I know that the fact that newer is usually better. Technology has definitely improved in the last 10 to 15 years when it comes to propulsion and construction techniques. When it comes to boat maintenance, I am very capable. I do know that Sea Ray has come a long way from their construction problems in the mid to late 80's, i just don't want to buy something that is 15 years old and find out in a year that I will have to completely rebuild the boat because the manufacture had a latent design problem that I didn't educate myself on before making a major purchase. Obviously, I will be getting a survey as well. I know that there are not a lot of these boats forsale so it is either a case of people liking them so much they don't want to get rid of them or they were just that unpopular. Basically I am looking for any info that I can get on this model. I really do appreciate the advice though. Take care.