Please help us decide on some key questions regarding boats we're considering!

S

Seattle Steve

New Member
Feb 8, 2015
25
Seattle, WA
Boat Info
290 Sundancer 2007
Engines
Boatless
I grew up on boats in the Chesapeake Bay but now live in Seattle and am coming back to boating again after many years.

My wife and I have spent the last few years enjoying a 195 Bayliner and are ready to make the leap to a boat we can sleep on and go on short weekend trips. We prefer to get a Sea Ray over a Bayliner for the better overall quality and finish over the Sea Ray.

We are trying to find a boat that gets reasonably good gas mileage while still providing enough space for us to entertain friends on day trips and perhaps squeeze another couple into the boat for short overnight trips. For the most part, we imagine that we'll be sleeping on the boat with just the two of us (and perhaps a pet).

We are plannong to moor the boat in freshwater (near the Ballard Locks, for locals).

We are focused on a 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer 270 with very low miles, which is on sale for 71,000. It has a 320 HP Mercruiser 6.2L Magnum MPI Bravo 3 with raw water cooling with approx 61 hours on the engine -- very low hours.

Here are some of our questions / concerns:

- The boat has raw water cooled engines -- it has been used in the salt water and we intend to continue to take it out into Puget Sound. It is currently moored in the fresh water and we intend to continue to do the same. IS THERE ANY REASON TO CONVERT IT TO FRESHWATER COOLED AT THIS POINT, or would we be better off just installing a freshwater FLUSH system?

- There is no heat in the boat, either inside or outside. We intend to boat year round and it sure would be nice to have some heat, but it doesn't seem very easy to do given the options I see. Any comments on the merits of adding a generator and using that for electric heat while anchored or under power?
- The boat has an integral BBQ grill, which is great -- but are the built-in Sea Ray grills any good? Would I end up just installing an after-market grill like a Magma?

Any general comments about our intended use for the boat relative to the model and price we're focusing on?

Thanks in advance!!!

Steve in Seattle
 
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Welcome to CSR!
Just my opinion but sleeping 4 will be with all necessary overnight gear will be tight while at anchor. As for the flush vs. conversion, I'd guess that adding a flush kit will be cheaper, but add an extra chore after each outing. I'm not sure how long the conversion route would take to pay for itself so I'll let others speak to that issue.

Again, welcome to CSR.
 
I would make sure you have closed cooling, if you have outdrives, don't leave the boat in the water full time, find one with a generator and heating/cooling system already installed. Are you going to trailer or are you looking to keep it in a slip?

BTW, welcome aboard!
 
Welcome to CSR. We are in the Seattle area, and a recent convert to the Sea Ray brand last year. We previously had a 33' express on Lake Union, and spent a bunch of time cruising north and south sounds/san juans.

I am sure many others will chime in, but here's my general thoughts....

1) I am not sure if this is the same boat, but I recall a previous thread that might have involved the sale of this particular boat -- and folks running into survey issues because the out drive was destroyed because it has sat for 5+ years in the water, never being used. Be very careful. Hopefully someone can dig up that thread.

2) A 5-6 year old boat with such low hours might really not be a good thing. Does the boat have at least records for service/haul out every-other-year? Zinc's don't last that long. Might be related to #1 above.

3) That boat is a base model boat with just a bbq. It's going to cost you another significant chunk of change to add electronics - let alone changing the cooling system, or considering adding a heating system of some sort (don't even go near a generator - cost is prohibitive for you).

4) I don't care for the location of the BBQ. Because, unless you have the top completely folded up, your enclosed cockpit is going to smell like whatever you are cooking. Grease splatters, residue, etc. Personally, I think the bbq should be in a well ventilated area.

5) The freshwater cooling question --- If you keep the boat on lake washington/lake union - then don't worry about it. When you go out into the salt, you flush the motor when you return just by being in Lake Union. If you plan on keeping it in the salt - then it's a great investment.

That being said - I have a friend who used to own that model of boat. I love the layout. Was great for 4 people. Started to get cramped after that. The seating adjustments are great. The layout down below worked well (for me). I don't think that model did very well for Sea Ray. It was a difficult position between the 260 and the 280 -- both great boats in their own right.

You mentioned you are coming from a Bayliner... so you are comfortable with the brand... I know this boat is considerably more than what you are looking at, but by the time you equip the 270, and deal down a little on this one -- you might be closer than you think.
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/200...tle-on-Lk-Union/WA/United-States#.VNgTMfnF98E

This boat is already completely set up for cruising the pac northwest. I have seen this boat, and it's probably the sweetest bayliner (that isn't a motoryacht) that you will find.
--- Twin motors w/ Axius (probably a 40k upgrade from that Sea Ray in terms of value). Who doesn't love docking with a joystick?
--- Bigger beam (10') and 30' LOA = alot more room inside
--- Already has the generator, HVAC heating & air conditioning from the factory (this would probably cost you 15-20k in that Sea Ray)
--- The electronics package on this boat is fantastic -- great garmin gear, radar, etc
--- DirecTV satellite for the TVs. Nice for sitting at the dock and watching the game!
--- A $15,000+ dinghy and davit setup.

The moral of my story is that this boat is ready to go, and if you are happy with the Bayliner brand, layout, options, etc -- In the Pac NW, you might consider a boat that already has all of the equipment (and many more upgrades). What you sacrifice in Bayliner vs Sea Ray, you make up for with the amenities.

You can add a BBQ on the platform for a couple hundred dollars... not built in, but won't leave your cockpit smelling like steak for a week after your trip.

Just my .02. Feel free to drop me a message. Happy to help answer any questions.
 
Thanks so much for the warm welcome and immediate feedback!

Keep it coming!

Anyone remember the thread which is referenced above, perhaps about this specific boat?
 
Steve, welcome to CSR. This is a great place to hang out, get questions answered, and meet some other boaters from your area.

Cougar cruiser nailed it with his answers. IMO you'd be better off buying a boat that's already equipped with the 'stuff' you want/need for salt water boating. You can do it yourself, but in the long run I think you'll find out it's cheaper and faster to buy a boat that's already equipped.

I'd be afraid of a boat that's 6 years old and only has 61 hours on it. There's something in that picture that just doesn't sit right with me. You might try to expand your search horizons on YachtWorld to see what's available in Idaho (lots of SR's on those lakes), Oregon and eastern WA. There are a LOT of good used boats out there so don't be in a hurry. I'm sending you a PM with a couple of links to some threads that have some good information about buying a boat and negotiating for a lower interest rate.

Again, Welcome!!
 
I assumed (my bad) that you would be trailering this boat. Is that not the case? Do you plan on keeping it in a slip? Salt water? You've got some great information especially from Cougar. Feed these guys some more details & you will be glad you did. They are the best resource on the internet!
 
We think Couger nailed it too....nice looking Bayliner as well:)
 
Welcome, the only thing I would add to this is to give Lake Union Sea Rays service dept a call with the HIN # and explain to them your interested in buying this boat & would like to know if they have the service records for it when we bought ours they provided us with all the records they had from the date of purchase new. I'm sure that's where it was bought if this is the boat.
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/200...2683938/Seattle/WA/United-States#.VNolC-90zIU

I would definitely take your time there are some really clean well maintained boats for sale in this area right now that would fit your needs without any expensive upgrades.

Our boat is older but almost the same layout it does get cramped with more than 4 aboard but it fits our needs for now.
 
Steve,
Not far at all. I work in Warsaw. BTW - Did your hear about the fire at Port Kindle? The covered boathouse burnt down. One of my co-workers lost his boat. It had been in the family for over 50 years. So sad.
Mike
 
Can't believe I'm saying this but I think I would take the Bay-Slimer as well. I don't think you could equip the Sea Ray equal to what the Bayliner has for the difference in price. Plus twins and Axius? I would be looking real close at that.
 
mwph said:
I assumed (my bad) that you would be trailering this boat. Is that not the case? Do you plan on keeping it in a slip? Salt water? You've got some great information especially from Cougar. Feed these guys some more details & you will be glad you did. They are the best resource on the internet!
Click to expand...

Thanks again, all --

we are plannng to keep it in freshwater at a covered slip near the Locks to easily get in and out.
 
themikehyde said:
Steve,
Not far at all. I work in Warsaw. BTW - Did your hear about the fire at Port Kindle? The covered boathouse burnt down. One of my co-workers lost his boat. It had been in the family for over 50 years. So sad.
Mike
Click to expand...
Had not heard that -- terribly sad story!
 
Any more comments on the built-in Sea Ray BBQ grills? Do people use them heavily and like them, or am I better off buying and installing a separate one?

I would like a propane grill and like the idea of the built-in one, but not if it's weak or unable to get hot enough to be efficient -- nothing worse than an ineffective grill that you're stuck with!!!
 
NorCal Boater said:
Can't believe I'm saying this but I think I would take the Bay-Slimer as well. I don't think you could equip the Sea Ray equal to what the Bayliner has for the difference in price. Plus twins and Axius? I would be looking real close at that.
Click to expand...

Thanks, it looks great but we're leaning towards a smaller single engine for better gas mileage -- though that axius system looks amazing!
 
You have to keep the grill really clean...otherwise you will have a perpetual smell of semi-burnt bratwurst, especially if your camper top is left up. If you are Type A, it may not be a problem, but being able to take the grill out, clean it, and store it on the dock or at home is really nice. Plus...we have found the built-it grills take up a lot of room, for something you may only use during novelty occasions. We prefer to have extra seating room, then plug a nice grill into the fishing rod holder when needed. 2 cents from one guy.
 
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