Purchasing Decisions/Questions on '97 240 Sundancer

teamgomez

New Member
May 18, 2007
54
Howdy all-

Newbie checkin' in with a few questions for y'all who have a minute to comment. Got bit by the boat bug pretty hard lately and narrowed the hunt down to a 240 Sundancer (grew up on Sea Rays in the Sacto River...military life has postponed my ability to enjoy a vessel but can no longer avoid my inner child....).

I am new to saltwater ownership- if given an option of a freshwater only 1997 vs one that lived in the saltwater during the summers, how much of a value would one place on the freshwater only vessel?

I always loathed the smaller engine Sea Rays...any comments on the 210hp version and its ability to get out of its own way? I have a purchase decision on a 210hp overnight/camper pkg SD w/ plank trailer/no bottom paint for 22,500 or a 250 hp (same pkg) w/ EZ loader roller trailer and bottom paint for 25,000. Both are fresh water only. (I need bottom paint...will end up spending 1k to get 'er done after purchase on the one that doesn't have it). Both appear exceptionally clean and will have them surveyed prior to driving for 8 hours to pick her up.

Lastly- anybody towed these beasts with a Tacoma dbl cab long bed 4x4 w/ a tow package? Rated capacity 6500 lbs and I know I'm going to be right about there...how bad does sea ray underestimate the actual weight on the 97 SD?

There's so much more screaming thru my head that :smt015 has been an option lately...going to look at 5 of them tomorrow and will hopefully have pix soon of the new family member.

Apologize in advance if this info already lives here...work/wife/kids pulling me out to dinner and I thank you in advance for taking a minute to share your experiences.

All the best-

~John
 
First of all, welcome aboard... :thumbsup:

Secondly, go to:
boats

and do a search of comparable boat so that you are familiar with asking prices on the market.
That way you'll have an idea, and bear in mind that northern boats get allot less use than southern boats.

As far as towing, figure on adding 2-3000 pounds above rated dry weight for fuel, water, and gear.
Then figure on a 25% safety factor in towing capacity.
Good luck...
 
Geez. . . .I don't want to rain on your parade but. . . .

1) You need a bigger truck :smt009 -> unless you have made some significant mods to the truck, you want a good bit of reserve in the weights.

2) 210 or 250hp? Are you aware that they put engines of that size in 22' bowriders? I would be a bit concerned about being underpowered with either power plant.

3) I have seen the 24 SD. . always struck me a being "too small" -> BUT you are mentioning trailering. That puts a different spin on things. I certainly would not go larger if you really intend to trailer. The 24SD would be "the" boat. How bad do you need the cabin? Presumably you need it. . . .

4) Man -> those prices don't sound bad. When I was shopping in the used market, the 22 bow riders (admittedly, a bit newer) were in that range.

5) $1000 for bottom paint sounds high. I bought my boat and had a dealer do bottom paint, zincs, and engine paint for $800-$900 on a 28 footer. I did the paint job this year myself for about $150 in paint and $10 in other material.
 
Thanks for the thoughts

Thanks guys. 210hp version off the radar scope now. Need the aft cabin for two young boys (I thought I was somebody when I was a kid sleeping in the aft cabin of our 1978 240 sundancer...remember the one where the windshield angled forward??). Trailerable is necessary for military never-stay-in-one-place-for-too-long lifestyle...and a new truck AND a new boat would probably cause an accidental firing of the house "hardware" by my wife....

Here's the print on one of the final candidates (originally asked 26.9):
"This is wonderful Sea Ray 240 Sundancer that is in awesome shape. It is a freshwater boat with only 327 hours. I am the second owner and the boat has always been professionally maintained and winterized. It has the 5.7LX engine (250 HP) and an alpha I drive. Using a GPS, I have had the boat going 42 MPH making this a great overnight boat that you can still ski and tube off of.

Amenities include: pump-out head, dual voltage refrigerator, dual batteries, custom installed Kenwood CD stereo with MP3 hook-up, remote, Power Acoustik Amp, 10" Kicker Pro Comp Marine Subwoofer, 13" TV/DVD unit, pressurized water system with cabin sink and transom shower, dockside power with 50' cord, cockpit cover, full camper top canvas, snap-out carpet in cockpit, dining table that converts to sun pad in cockpit, hatch air conditioner, hydraulic trim tabs, Force 10 Stainless Steel Grill, bumpers, life jackets, 2 anchors with line, custom ordered matching dock lines, and much, much more!

This boat has been meticulously maintained with no rips, tears, stains, etc. It comes on a 1999 Load Rite trailer that had new tires and bearings replaced before last season. This boat has always been professionally maintained, winterized and stored indoors. "

"Others" include a small nick in the outdrive and he said he doesn't use the normal bottom paint that you have to sand off to reapply..he said this paint would rub off if you ran a wet rag over it (ie wears off but doesn't flake off). Unfamiliar with this stuff...more research necessary!

Driving to Norfolk tomorrow to check out others at a dealer...she said it is a buyers market right now...they're not moving...ploy?

Cheers!

~John
 
Well. . .on one level. . .we are talking under $30K. I mean. . .how wrong can you go? Remember: A boat is a toy -> not an asset!

Second thing to remember: Buying the boat is one thing. maintaining it is another! It takes a good bit of money to keep a boat going (B.O.A.T. => Break Out Another Thou)

I am not clear on the bottom paint issue: Is this boat stored in the water, or on a trailer? If the boat HAS paint, but doesn't spend more than a week or two per year on the water. . .then the type of paint is irrelevant. You won't have to paint it more than once every several years.

If the boat is on a slip. . but you need the trailer for occassional transport (say, a few times a year), then you need paint and will paint every year or so. There are two basic types of paint: Ablative and standard paint. You are describing ablative paint. Ablative is "better" because it is easier to deal with when you repaint. . but costs a good bit more (Say. .. $200/gallon vs $100/gallon for standard stuff)

As for your truck: Start thinking about upgrades if you are close to the load limit. If the boat weighs 6500lbs, the trailer is probably another 1000lbs. With that kind of package. . I would want at least 9,000lbs tow capacity. If you don't have that with the "tow package", then you proably want to look at some upgrades -> maybe a transmission cooler or other addons.

I can't make any judgement on the boat ad: It is a boat ad! You only can tell by looking at the boat! Does it look clean? Does it look worn? If it looks ratty on the exterior-> it is probably ratty on the maintenance side as well. Look for evidence of sloppy repairs or water damage. Is the interior musty? If this boat is a '99. . start thinking about the risers and exhaust manifolds. These are "wear items" that don't last forever. They last longer in fresh water -> but they don't last forever.

Don't forget to get a survey of the boat prior to buying! Especially if you have no clue about boats! It will be the best $500 you ever spend. And don't be surprised if you have to shell out another $1000 or $2000 in unexpected stuff after you make the buy!
 
comsnark said:
(B.O.A.T. => Break Out Another Thou)


:smt043


after buying my boat a few months ago i cant begin to add up how much money I’ve spent on STUFF.
 
John,
Unfortunately, the Tacoma is too small and too light to tow the kind of weight that a 24 will weigh in at. :smt021
Even a new 21 or 22 has a dry weight of 4800 pounds. Add to that the trailer weight and fuel and water and gear, and you are above the max that your truck will tow... :huh:

Go to Sea Ray's towing guide @

http://www.searay.com/PDF/Towing_Guide/2007_sea_ray_towing_guide.pdf

You would be wise to set your sights on a much smaller and much lighter boat, or resign yourself to the fact that a bigger, beefier vehicle is necessary. :thumbsup:

Don't listen to a dealer concerning towing, as their bottom line is your check in their register, and some will tell you anything that you want to hear.
 
towing problem potentially solved....

...looked at a few 240's today and crossed paths with a '95 250 owned by the VP of the dealership chain who is done boating (handicap taking a hit...needs the time for the driving range). Offered to me at well below NADA 'low' value ".....hmmm....must be something wrong...don't look at her....7.4L Merc/BIII did you say?....

Long story short- my slip here at the house will negate trailer necessity for the summer. I can get this 250 for about 8k less than the 'pimped' 240 I was lookin' at. Not enough time today to sea trial...going back Tue for the trial and if all goes well...will be offering contingent on survey and seller (dealership) doing a few things b/f I take ownership. Here's what I'd like done to a 12 year old boat w/ 423 hours to 'zero time' some of the high-risk items and restore to respectable condition:

1. Full eng/lower unit service including boots and all filters replaced.
2. Replace manifolds.
3. Refinish bottom paint
4. buff and polish
5. detail interior

I'm guessing retail on this list would be about 3k...am I close?

Trying to attach a photo of the outdrive...it looks like there's some corrosion evident but don't have a guage to measure "normal" vice "run away...fast". Comments on the condition of the BIII?



Thanks for the comments, all, and I'm off to do some 250 research!
 

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The outdrive on that 250 actually looks like it's in very good shape. Corrosion, to the point that paint is bubbling or has fallen off, does not seem to be evident from those pictures. You typically see that type of corrosion around the prop hub and where there are stainless nuts, bolts, or fittings that touch the aluminum casing. (By contrast, look at the picture I posted of my outdrive in this posting and notice the corrosion around the hub and on the skeg http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3066&highlight=)

As far as what should be done mechanically, ask to see the service records for the boat first. Some of the things you mention may have been taken care of recently. If not, then be most concerned about pulling and inspecting the risers, elbows, and the exhaust manifold. And certainly if the bellows are original, they should be replaced as well. I would ask that the outdrive be pulled as well to inspect the condition of the gimbal bearing, u-joints, and the coupler. I would also ask for a compression check on the engine. In other words you want a complete mechanical survey of the motor and the outdrive.

Keep us posted on your progress.
 
You must have the newer model Tacoma - sounds identical to mine - I pull my 205 Sport with ease - estimate 4700 pounds with trailer and gear. However as others have said I think you'll have issues pulling this boat with your Tacoma. I think the tow rating is 6100....with the tow package.

Kevin
 
Yes- 2007 Tacoma 'boasts' a 6500 rating...although it would probably be like my 4 yr old trying to pull Oprah on a skateboard uphill. Maybe rolling in on the boat this summer and a new truck next summer could be the ticket that keeps the home protection hardware out of the wife's mitts...

Dave- looks like you have some serious polishing OCD...recognize when I see it (admission was my first step to recovery). I only use deionized water on the garage sleds, never towel dry, yada, yada, yada...great to see that I'll be able to apply this habit to the new hole in the water I'll be dumping all my track dollars in (former life spent at west coast tracks pushing a 911 around...winter simulation was sitting in front of a fan throwing $100 bills into it).

That outdrive looks absolutely awesome. I would love to get one back up to snuff like that. I am going for a sea trial tues...surveyor scheduled thurs, and I'm going to have the shop there pull the outdrive and run the compression check. Hopefully will be able to get some sleep by the end of the week! :smt015
 

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