Purchasing a 2004 300DA...Advice Welcome

[WayneT]

This would be my first boat, though I have several years of experience on friends 240SD. The boat is currently stored on the trailer at broker location. Broker/ad states less than 20 engine hrs, used infrequently in fresh water, near new condition, et al. Significant options include 5kw gen and full camper cover.

In the automobile world low mileage is of course a good thing. I've heard mixed opinion for boats, ie, lows hours may equate to dry seals, cylinder corrosion, and such. Opinion welcome. Does the marine survey typically include compression, seal checks?

Significant things to look at/for when I do my initial inspection?

 

[mwph]

Thats a nice first boat!

What engine/drive system does it have - That will determine some of what you need to look out for. I doubt its stored with the canvas up so make sure it is all present & accounted for. That stuff aint cheap. You don't say where you are so has the boat been winterized? Including the onboard water system? Since its been sitting you need to check that out thoroughly.

20 hours of Salt water use or fresh water? Again that will help guide you as to what needs to be surveyed.

I've only been involved with one survey, but from what I've learned then and since then here on CSR, you have to agree with the surveyor before hand what will and won't be "surveyed". If you want the compression check, make sure he knows it when he quotes you his price.

When you talk to different surveyors, tell them everything you know about the boat. That conversation will help guide you as well.

 

[skolbe]

I would suspect you will get a few surprise repairs from lack of use. I would want a thorough survey and inspection. The generator is one area I would want to make sure that it is working. There is a 04 - 300 on my dock that is for sale. They are nice boats. Are you boating in Saltwater?

 

[WayneT]

Thx for input. The boat is in Nevada and was used on Lake Mead (reportedly). I plan to use it off SOCAL coast initially (we love going to Catalina to fish/eat/party :wow and eventually some fresh water lakes.

Drive is T-MX6.2L MPI Bravo® III MCM Twin Gasoline Stern System, which I believe is an upgrade.

Broker is pressing a bit. Sent me an unsolicited 15% drop in price, then claimed another buyer is hovering. Makes me feel a bit like I'm on the end of his line and he's setting the hook. Taking my time.

Local Sea Ray dealer has new 2007 280DA which has a substantial discount - want to look at that. Would ease the trailering challenge compared to the 300, but I do like the 300s.

 

[mwph]

Long distance boat purchase? I don't know how far it is for you to see the boat but between him "pressing", & the travel expenses, I'd be rethinking too. The fact that if something goes south with your inspection, the survey or the sea trial you will have spent a lot of time & money. If you were set on a 300 (dosen't sound like you are), I'd ask if there wern't any coloser to you.

 

[Nacho Boat]

Thx for input. The boat is in Nevada and was used on Lake Mead (reportedly). I plan to use it off SOCAL coast initially (we love going to Catalina to fish/eat/party :wow and eventually some fresh water lakes.

Drive is T-MX6.2L MPI Bravo® III MCM Twin Gasoline Stern System, which I believe is an upgrade.

Broker is pressing a bit. Sent me an unsolicited 15% drop in price, then claimed another buyer is hovering. Makes me feel a bit like I'm on the end of his line and he's setting the hook. Taking my time.

Local Sea Ray dealer has new 2007 280DA which has a substantial discount - want to look at that. Would ease the trailering challenge compared to the 300, but I do like the 300s.

Sounds to me like you are still trying to figure out what you want. Big difference between a 280 and 300. If you want to trailer them, both are not "road legal" but the 280 is much closer to legal than the 300. I have friends that trailer both of these boats. It's not a problem in Florida, but other states can be pretty anal about towing a boat wider than 8'6"

What price are you being quoted? I had a friend who bought a 2005 (?) 300 with generator and 5.7's for $80K a few months ago. The fact that they dropped the price without asking is suspect.

I don't care how many hours on a boat, a boat of that age and power should have the engines surveyed. Again, my friend's boat was a low hour boat, but he had some severe overheating issues that turned out to be corrosion in the fresh water cooling system. Luck for him, his broker stood behind his word and corrected the problems.

If you are interested in this boat, track down a surveyor and negiotiate a lower rate to have them a quick "drive by" on the boat (pass along impressions, overall condition, etc). Before I would committ to buying anything long distance, I want someone I trust (and has my best interests in mind) go and take a look at the boat. You can then get a discount if you buy the boat and get a full survey from the same professional.

If you are patient, there a lot of good deals on some pre-owned and new boats. I wouldn't jump on this until you absolutely sure that this is year and model that you want.

It's a buyer's market out there! Take advantage of it!

 

[Alegria]

I think the worst thing to do is rush. If you have seen the boat and are interested I would negotiate the best price you can. The unsolicited drop of 15% is really odd. I suspect the other 'interested' party has offered a low bid even below that 15% drop and they are trying to get you to bite so that they make a bit more on your deal then the other. My thoughts could be wrong...

Go lower then the 15% keep pushing, if you get close to the other interested person they will loss interest with you. Time is on your side and if it sells to someone else there are more 300's out there. I know I've been there...

BTW nice boat! I don't know about trailering I never trailered before and there is a similar boat 2 slips down from us and well it looks pretty darn big to trailer!!!

Best of luck, always get a survey. Usually the survery is just structual, get a mechanical with at least a compression check on the engines. I paid $75 per engine in addition for mine... As everyone else will tell you BE PRESENT at the survery you will learn a lot about the boat.

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

My 05' 300DA is my first boat and I'm glad I went this route. I was originally nervous about going over the 26'-27' range but now glad I did. I wouldn't want to trailer this boat on a regular basis but there are many on this site that do. The 280DA is nice as well and you can't go wrong with either model.

I took my time and found a great deal six hours away from a couple who justed wanted to sell thier 300DA and buy a pontoon boat before the summer was over. This was in 07' and the boat had 40 hours on it, the generator 8 hours. I took the boat for a very extensive sea trial prior to negotiating terms and scheduling the survey. This was a freshwater only boat and I had a full fresh water cooling system installed prior to lauch in the Puget Sound. This mod was expensive and something you need to consider prior to purchase for saltwater use.

If you find the right boat at the right price, I recommend paying the extra bucks for a full engine survey and the piece of mind on a boat in this price range.

Good luck!