Sundancer 450 for a couple?

This was probably way more info than needed, but this has been the sole topic in our house. I'll be making my pitch tonight. After a bottle or three or wine. As always, any input is welcome.
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So how did the pitch go? We have a 450 Express Bridge that shares the hull and some other features with the 450 DA and we love our boat. We bought it in July 2020. While there was nothing glaringly wrong with it, the boat needed some love after 21 years. And love equals lots of $$$$ to make it nice.
Yes you could find a 450 DA for $110,000 but it is going to need love and who knows if it was maintained correctly. I think you will be money ahead and headache free with Frank’s boat. Make him an offer. :)http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/immaculate-450da-now-for-sale.101339/
 
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The pitch went well! Financing is a challenge for a 1996, most lenders I've spoken with won't go earlier than a 2008, but we're working on it.
 
DowneastSeaRay said:
The pitch went well! Financing is a challenge for a 1996, most lenders I've spoken with won't go earlier than a 2008, but we're working on it.
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I went with 50% cash and 2nd mortgage on the house. Some people get nervous using the house as collateral, but with 50% cash and total debt on the house at no more than 33% I felt safe in my decision.
 
We're doing something similar. We have the cash on hand, but we'd rather put it into a CD or something and let the bank lien on that (pun intended!). If the bank allows it, we'd be happy to use the house. We're working on that now - but the good news is that I made it past my at-home Board of Directors!
 
Let me see if I got this right. You wanna know if a 450 I comfortable for you and wife? Do I got that right? I can easily fit on a 450, the wife, kids, dogs, cats, in-laws, their kids, their grandkids, the preacher and his congregation, all the carpenters that built the church and their families. The US Congress ya all 450 of them, there kids, grandkids, and still have room for the cats listed above to have a litter, any questions?
 
Good to know - but to the contrary, I was asking the folks who have a 450 if they found it to be too big for just a couple.
 
DowneastSeaRay said:
Good to know - but to the contrary, I was asking

the folks who have a 450 if they found it to be too big for just a couple.
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certainly not!

We have a '96- 450DA that we have enjoyed since Oct, 1997. We boat in a very crowded tourist area in Florida. I do not have nor have I ever needed thrusters to put the boat where I wanted it to go. Sometimes tying up at restaurants can be a challenge when all the dock space is taken over by center consoles and go fast boats, but keep in mind a 450 driver has an intimidation factor going for him and I find that courteous boaters will make room for me if I am not pushy about it.

The only part of owning our boat that I ever thought was too big for me was the last time we tried to clean and polish the hull ourselves. We decided to use a local detailing company after that 4 Advil job. Likewise, I don't do bottom jobs, but I am there with my boat every minute she is on the hill and blocked up.

A 450DA is a cruising dream for a couple. But here is a tip.......plan ahead and make reservations for dockage well ahead of your arrival and be sure to include any special requirements swells the number of guests and the pets you may have onboard.....some marines are not pet friendly; others go overboard especially for dogs. Also be sure to tell them if you are going to need fuel and approximately how much.....if you are arriving late in the day and taking on 700 gal of diesel, more times than not, they will let you stay on the fuel dock (always an easy side tie) if you are departing early the next morning......a 700 gal fuel sale also tends to ease the dockmaster's objection to pets.

The 450 is probably the best mid-sized cruiser Sea Ray ever produced. They are extremely popular and your challenge may be finding a nice one these days.

Frank
 
Welcome to the board.
We have a 460 and love it. You will find the 450 the same. Very easy to handle around the docks and in open water. As for being to big. In most trips it is just me and my girlfriend on the boat and we have never said it is to big or feel like it is overwhelming to take care of or to run.

Looking forward to seeing what you end up with.
 
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