Survey Suggested?

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Member
Jan 25, 2007
433
Dubuque, IA
Boat Info
2004 280 Sundancer
Engines
4.3 Apha 1 Gen II's
I am looking at trading my '06 240 DA in on an '04 280 DA. What are the opinions on doing a survey on a boat this new before making the deal?
 
pre purchase survey's

I would not buy a boat without a hull AND engine survey, period.
 
It all depends on the previouse owner. If you don't know his experiance level and how well he used and maintained the boat you'll always have a risk of finding an issue. On the other hand, it also depends a lot on your technical skills and if you can determine the technical condition of the boat and be comfortable about then, you may look in to skeep the survey. But, $300+ for $70K+ boat, just not worth the risk in my opinion.

Alex.
 
islandhopper00 said:
Must be a reason for getting rid of that 06 :smt017 , might be a reason for getting rid of the 04. :huh:
Click to expand...

Dealer said previous owner of the 280 traded up. With as much time that my wife and I have spent on the 240, we are ready to go bigger. :thumbsup:
 
I wasn't trying to imply anything. I looked at the 280's also, from what I can tell it seems like a good platform. I'm saying, if the owner was trading up to get away from something, maybe you'd catch it in a survey. I'm advocating a survey. My 2 cents.
 
The more complicated the boat systems the more experienced boat eyes would be the most help. A survey is just a good idea. Depending on the cost of the survey it is cheap insurance to make sure a 100k plus investment is not a bad one. :smt024
 
Having that boat I can say it is solid, but as stated, depends on the owner's care and maintenance. I know how important the surveys are but went ahead and bought mine in 2005 without a survey. Why? Well in a prior life, I was an apprentice mechanic for sevreal years, so I'm comfortable around engines and know what problems to look for on the 5.0. The boat had only 48 hours use and lastly, I was covered by a MFR. warranty for almost another year. If I was buying a boat without warranty, no doubt I would get the survey even if I knew the owner personally and could see maintenance records. Too much risk/money involved IMO.
 
Gerry,

You make a good point...I will be in the market for a 280 in the next 6-8 mos. I would plan on a survey, but if there is a Manuf warranty left on the engines and boat, is it stil neccessary??? I have seen some 2005's with the extended engine and passport warranties until 2011 or so....I know it depends on the boat history, but would these warranties be enough to skip the survey??? :huh:
 
Consider this. Even if a boat has warranties, you need to stop and think if you want to get involved with a boat that will be "in the shop" when what you bought the boat for is to be "on the water"....regardless of who is paying the bills.

A survey of both the hull and engines will give you a better idea of what to expect.
 
Say you buy a boat and you come to find it has a problem with one of the engines or transmission. you could be waiting for a couple of months before you get back in the water. summer is short, it would be nice to know this ahead of time. it's a boat, things break, a surveyor might be able to catch these things before you buy.
 
One more thought. Check with both your lender and your insurance companies. Either, or both, may require a survey.
 
Thanks for all the replies. You all pretty much reinforced what I was already thinking. A survey is cheap insurance for short term.
 
Due diligence prior to purchasing a used boat is absolutely essential. I have purchased three used Sea Rays in two years. The 420 survey was the most informatinve and educational time I spent during pre-purchase. I also got an invaluable education from the Cummins Tech who did my sea trail and oil analysis draws. CJ Martin will tell you, I suspect, that the survey he had done on the 320 I sold him was absolutely worthwhile as well. his surveyor found some voids in the foredeck and sole that SR repaired under warranty.

Survey, survey, survey.

regards
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