Thoughts/comments on these two 2003 34 Sundancers

Ha, I always joked about leaving the offshore fishing scene and getting into a more relaxing type of boating. Having a wife, son in kindergarten and a 21mo old doesn't leave much time for heading out 80+ miles to go fishing.

I'll be honest...being from the hardcore fishing crowd, and specifically the 31 Bertram gang, I never once heard a positive thing about Sea Ray boats. I'm pretty sure that was because these boaters/fisherman never had a need for a cruising type boat. I've always like the idea of hanging out on a boat, even dockside if need be, with family and friends and enjoying the experience. So now with the wife on board and actually pushing for a boat I find myself looking at Sea Rays.

The allure of anchoring in a protected river with friends, cooking lunch, listening to some tunes, swimming off the boat and NOT having to pee in a bucket sounds good to me.

THT was good for me for a while but it really is a fishing boat dominated site. Better have a 30'+ CC with trips to fit in!

Now I have found this gem....decisions, decisions. Still want to be around 95K though...

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/200...reshwater*-2167194/Knoxville/TN/United-States

Just noticed the hours..400+ is too many for me.
 
Last edited:
HA! I don't think you will hear much praise from that vintage of Bertram gang. Of course when you own a boat built as solid as those old Bertram were, then little compares!!! I think I read of a 42 Bert that went through a hurricane was sent up on shore a mile from the marina and came out with gelcoat damage and some running gear damage that was not structual... My dream boat when I dreamed of running with the fishing crowd...

But just like you times change and I enjoy all those things you mention on the Bay!!!

Nice boat there, don't know if they will drop $40K from the price and then there is shipping to contend with.

Best of luck with your search your boat is out there!!

Take Care!
 
I'll keep searching. The practical side of me is telling me to wait for winter/spring to buy. I'll goto the ACNJ show and maybe the Annapolis show and see that the brokerage pricing is lately. I doubt there will be any new to the market 2003 340's but you never know.
 
Those Bertrams are really well built! There was one hard up on the beach down near Little Egg that we passed on our way to Atlantic City. I think the captain was heading for the "danger" marker that's well outside the channel rather than watching for the smaller buoys that marked the channel. The Tow Boat/US guy was really hammering the throttle to pull him off. A few hours later, same Bert showed up in the Farley Marina no worse for the experience. Anyway, that seemed like a really good boat. Awful captain, but a good boat.

Best regards,
Frank
 
Alegria said:
HA! I don't think you will hear much praise from that vintage of Bertram gang. Of course when you own a boat built as solid as those old Bertram were, then little compares!!! I think I read of a 42 Bert that went through a hurricane was sent up on shore a mile from the marina and came out with gelcoat damage and some running gear damage that was not structual... My dream boat when I dreamed of running with the fishing crowd...
Click to expand...

They are well built but like a lot of old boats from the late 70s and mid 80s they have some known issues. Most need a $15,000 bottom job if it is still original. Blisters......then there are the 30 year old Detroit Diesels that leak oil all over the bilge........
 
SeaNile said:
My car is sold and I am ready to buy!! Still between these boats at the beginning of this thread as well as this one now. I think the hours, especially on the genset, and the fact that it would cost more than 5K to get it from FL to my place probably takes this one out of the picture. Here it is anyway...

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2005/Sea-Ray-Sundancer-2231170/Clearwater/FL/United-States
Click to expand...


Looks to me, from the pics, that you may need new manifolds and elbows... I would keep at least $5K for that... Otherwise it looks great... You can figure around $7K to ship it up, including removing and reinstalling the arch... If it were on the east coast of FL, I would consider taking up the coast, but it would too hard from Clearwater... BTW, there is 380 AC '99 with 60 hours on diesels, in Summers Point, NJ, for $149K, if you want a real liveaboard...
 
rcknecht said:
Looks to me, from the pics, that you may need new manifolds and elbows... I would keep at least $5K for that... Otherwise it looks great... You can figure around $7K to ship it up, including removing and reinstalling the arch... If it were on the east coast of FL, I would consider taking up the coast, but it would too hard from Clearwater... BTW, there is 380 AC '99 with 60 hours on diesels, in Summers Point, NJ, for $149K, if you want a real liveaboard...
Click to expand...


Exactly what I was thinking about the FL boat, just too many things to make it a difficult transaction.

I'm looking to stay under 100K and closer to 90K if I can. Also really like the looks and styling of the 2003+ Sundancers which puts me in 03 territory for the 340 I want. I'd love diesels but don't think it is going to happen this go around.
 
Well, I have spent the past three weeks driving around looking at 340's and all signs still point to boat #1

(2003 34 Sundancer, brokerage boat, 285 hrs, new risers, manifolds, has radar, shows well, ideally needs new canvas (would add camper back) and has a 3 year extended Marine Max.Sea Ray warranty. Boat has been used and kept in salt water.)

All the other boats I have looked over do not show as well and show very obvious signs of wear. I might be heading back to NJ yet again to look over #1.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,350
Messages
1,430,929
Members
61,199
Latest member
cvaliante
Back
Top