Should I Buy a SeaRay?

S

sam123

New Member
May 29, 2010
8
florida
Boat Info
boatless
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I have been out of boating for several years and never owned a SeaRay. I am aware of what has happened to the boating market in the last two years so I approach the purchase of a new 09 35 Sundancer with some concern.
I know that these boats are not, generally speaking, easy to resell especially with large gas engines so am prepared to keep the boat for some time. The problem is how to determine what to pay for it?. It is a left over 09 with an original list of $401000 and an asking price of $299000. SeaRay pricing is somewhat confusing to me as they have high list prices but then seem to heavily discount from there I guess to give you the impression that your getting a real good deal. I was told that the wholesale on this boat is about $219000 but, sometimes in down markets even wholesalers will not buy the boat at that price unless they have it presold. How do you determine what to pay for a boat that you know will sink ( no pun intended ) the minute you drive away with it?? Thanks.
 
Yes, buy a Sea Ray.

You seem to have a good grasp of boat economics. Why not look for a good used boat 2-3 years old? You avoid the initial depreciation and careful research can guide you on what to pay.
 
Sea Rays have a better resale value that many other boats. New is nice but a few years old for the same boat would be a better value for you probably. The specs on the '09 350DA are similar to the 340DA a few years ago. There have been some great deals on these boats due to people having trouble making the payments. I would personally look at both options and weigh them.
 
I'd definitely look at used as well. It will have most of the items you will have to add to a new boat already installed and that can add up quickly too. There are some lightly used boats just waiting for a new owner. Why take the depreciation hit?
 
Should I Buy a SeaRay?
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You're on a Sea Ray site and your asking that !!. :wow:.
Go buy a Bayliner then you'll love the Sea Ray. :smt043

I'm just joking with ya Sam. :smt001. Welcome to CSR.

How do you determine what to pay for a boat that you know will sink ( no pun intended ) the minute you drive away with it?? Thanks.
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Have it surveyed and a sea trail. .
Its still a buyers market out there low ball them if you can. :thumbsup:
 
Wayne's World said:
You're on a Sea Ray site and your asking that !!. :wow:.
Go buy a Bayliner then you'll love the Sea Ray. :smt043

I'm just joking with ya Sam. :smt001. Welcome to CSR.
.
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Wayne you beat me to it:thumbsup:

Read some of the threads by Frank W. user id "fwebster" about purchasing a boat. Some great info can be had.:thumbsup:
 
I was in your shoes about 2 and half years ago. I went to a couple of boat shows to see and touch various makes and models. Landed on Sea Ray as the lay out and quality just "felt" different from other brands. Bought new.

My wife and I were having dinner with some fellow boaters just last night- the topic of new versus used came up. We were all pretty firm with the new (or newer) side of the equation (mostly had to do with design, engine technology, etc.). We also all talked about not buying someone else's problems or hidden issues. And, if you do have any issues you are dealing with the dealer.

Yes, depreciation is always going to be an issue on the "new" boat. If you can find a new non-current model year you can probably beat down the depreciation issue a bit. With the 350 see if you can find a late 08 or 09.
 
We have been through the boat buying thing a number of times. We have bought new Stingrays and SeaRays, and used SeaRays, Bayliners, Toyota Epics, and Caravelles. To a certain extent, I agree with the postings that talk about saving money. I don't think I have EVER made any money on a boat, but have lost less money on used than new (although when you consider repairs, maintenance and updates...I'm not sure the delta was all that large as a percent to total). Used is a better deal, certainly. However, beyond the improved financing environment, there is a benefit to absorbing the depreciation hit of being the original owner. You KNOW what has been done to the boat. You were there while it was going through first year warranty fix issues. Its a little hard to put a finger on, but for us, buying new was adding a member to the family and buying used was much more of a financial transaction.

Everyone is different and I take no issue with the buying decisions of others. We are very happy with our 380...and even happier when we are on other models that simply don't seem to have the features and touches SeaRay has. We are not in the market and probably won't be for a while, but if we were, we would be trying to buy a new SeaRay if we could and used as "Plan B".
 
Why not try buying it nearer to wholesale. Not many dealers pay cash for their boats and I can't imagine the dealer wants to floor it for any longer than possible. Of course, the boat may have incentives from Sea Ray you'll never know about.
 
Sam,
Welcome. Few thoughts, as far as new, the market has started to turn in the dealers favor somewhat on new as the manufacturers are just not making much to stock, that being said, however, you should be able to do at least 10% better in MHO on a leftover (you are at 25% now and should get more on a leftover). However, a thought, check the marinemax dealers to see if they have anything certified pre owned around - I just had luck with finding a 44 CPO, got full warranties. Didnt feel I was buying someone elses problems as the boat was low hours and he just did a large trade up.
 
Thanks to everyone for all the replies. Found them interesting.
Will decide this week on whether to buy the boat or not. Leaning toward purchase.:smt001
 
There are definately some deals out there on leftovers, as you are finding. If I were to consider a new boat (versus used), now would be the time, and leftover would be the target. The floorplan lenders generally want to be paid in full at some point - which - combined with potential Sea Ray incentives - can make for a pretty good deal.

Check the used market to see what similar boats are selling for. A quick check on boats.com turned up a couple of 08 and 09 35's for mid to low 200's.

I've purchased new and used. Our 340 was a year old, with 30 hours, and came with an extended warranty. I have never regretted purchasing it used.
 
Check the repo sites as well, there a a LOT of bargins if you have the $$$!
 
JV II said:
Same boat you are looking at with every option, like new for $224,000. Save yourself $75,000 up front.

http://www.russomarine.com/searchen...type=ANB&indid=1&sortCol=Length&sortDir=DESC&

The market is flooded with similar choices.
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This is always the problem (and the OP needs to pay attention to this). Yes, $224K ('08) versus $299K ('09) sounds like a no brainer. However, each boat and their options list need to be compared side by side. Either may be the better deal -depending on how they are optioned out. The '09 "sounds" like it has more options based on the limited info from the OP (MSRP) and the 08's ad.

My guess is 299K is not the final price on that '09. If you come to the table with money in had (or approved financing), you have a bit more leverage.
 
We have bought both our boats as "left overs" from the previous model year, back before the market nosedived as it is now. (2004 320DA in November, 2004 and 2007 38DA in February, 2008). Both times we did better than the 25% you show as a discount.
 
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