Upgrade my 280 to a 330?

[JV II]

Hijackers!

 

[JV II]

You mean you want us to go back to talking about the gloom and doom that is depreciation? And talk about losing 50% of the value of your boat, that is built for a lifetime, in a mere two years? I guess we could comply, if we must.

The only one talking doom and gloom is you.

How's the value of your new 2009 Surburban holding up after trading in your 2008 Suburban? I'm getting a sense that it wasn't such a good idea for you to buy the 2007 340DA either. Between dreaming of winning the lottery and starting a boat rental business to help continue your boating habit, maybe its time for you to get out for a while. You might just have to violate your "one man's pledge." That's probably the best warning for someone thinking of upgrading new or used or even getting into boating in general.

 

[trit21]

Yeah....thought this thread has pretty much run it course but let me say this about the original post:

Moving from a 280 to a 320 is a good move in my opinion (looking at my previous boat you will see I did that. Now the 2008 330 is basically the same as the boat only upgraded. I don't like most of the changes on the newer SR models but I do like some of the things they have done, wood flooring especially. Just be careful if you are going to down there with wet feet, you will bust your ass. With that being said, I will never buy a new boat again. Too much initial loss. But I also understand some people just want new, and for those people I applaud so that I am able to buy used.

As far as a survey will show all problems with a boat and engine, BS. I guess if your surveyor takes the manifold, riser off and inspects them, removed the block and takes a look at the bearings, takes apart every component (ac pump, macerator, holding tank and associated pieces, etc) then maybe you can purchase a used boat without the fear of having to dish money out along the way. When I purchase used, I take into acct that I might have to dish some money out for something not found. I have a price I want to spend and I have to set aside some for repairs. If I was to buy new, I would not have to set nearly as much aside. Your surveyor will CYA when you sign the paperwork and if something is found later, oh well. So I understand the new with warranty vs used. Still, I think you get a better deal if you are willing to look, survey fix somethings yourself with buying a used boat. Doesn't necessarily need to be larger, because there are sometimes when people just don't want to have a larger boat and a 320/340 is just big enough. This mentality of everyone wants a super huge boat is just wrong. For example, I just have 2 people, me and wife. Most friends already have a boat and those that don't, well they don't get the boating thing. We go to th Bahamas up and down the coast and right now don't need anything larger. We have so much unused space on the 320, what the hell do I need more unused space for? For most trips, range is not a problem. Inlets all over the place here in FL especially S. FL, about every 20 miles it seems. Stopping at new locations is fun. Getting there is half the fun !

Sorry, will stop rambling now....didn't mean to write a book.

 

[JV II]

Whatever dude. You can bask in the glory of losing your hard earned income if you want. I am, but I don't have to enjoy it.

I've been in boating since I was four, and have owned many more boats than you, so I am well aware of the costs involved. I'm glad you were such a genius and saw the writing on the wall. Kudos.

PS - the value of the suburban is holding up better than your '08 redesigned POS.

I know deep inside you are dreading this response and back and forth that has turned to insults and bashing.

Here's the thing about boating, you and I both know it. If you chose this lifestyle, it comes with a cost. You are not losing your hard earned income, you are enjoying it through boating. Go into it knowing that if you want a $100,000 boat, the cost to you will be $100,000. You can choose to budget less of your hard earned income on boating. Don't expect to get any of your "investment" back. If you buy a new Suburban and expect to own it for 10 years, the cost will be the sale price plus interest. A car and a boat are not investments. They are costs. We can go through life avoiding costs, but sometimes at the expense of joy.

Agreeably, I'm new to this. Was there a time that you could buy a new boat and then sell it 2.5 years later for an "affordable" loss?

PS - I like your '08 340. Its a Sea Ray after all. Try to enjoy it. How's your hip doing?

 

[Woody]

I know a fellow that made his own sailboats, 13-14 of them from scratch. Hand sewn sails, etc. He loved the sea. For many years he and his wife and even the children when young would spend 6 months sailing North and South America. When do you cross that magic line into passion? I don’t know, but I believe he had a passion and lived the lifestyle.

The rest of us 50-150 hrs/year boaters may truly enjoy the time on our boats, the memories and all the romantic stuff but the fact is they are a extravagance and often the result of a poor decision rather than an irresistible draw to the sea.

The conditions and changes in this country are forcing a new realization on some. “Buy the biggest boat you can afford” means more than….I have the down money and I think I can scrape together the monthly payment.

I don’t know sh-t of course, I’m just a country bumkin living in the sticks but there is some merit in the old saying “don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

Fire away.

 

[JV II]

The conditions and changes in this country are forcing a new realization on some. “Buy the biggest boat you can afford” means more than….I have the down money and I think I can scrape together the monthly payment.

I don’t know sh-t of course, I’m just a country bumkin living in the sticks but there is some merit in the old saying “don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

Fire away.

You are a wise man. I think because of credit, boating, which is a rich man's hobby, became an every man's hobby. That fueled an industry. When credit collapsed, the industry collapsed. It has returned to a rich man's hobby. There is a wake of destruction.

 

[Alex F]

Ok, are talking averages or on plan MPG? Because there is a difference. My numbers are on plane, salt water, off shore typically have waves and current. Not sure where your numbers are or if you talking average of idle time and on plane numbers. But your numbers line up with other 340 we go out with, maybe a little higher but pretty much in line. We can go about 150miles / fill up.

Edit: Oh yeah, these are not numbers from Smartcraft. We use the fuel burn and GPS speed to figure out MPG. Seems smartcraft MPG numbers are way off for some reason. Not sure why but they are always way off.

Tom,
May be as you said the SmartCraft is the margine of error here. I posted my numbers from SC. Last season we took 160 miles trip and used 210 gallons. This was mixed usage, which includes ICW, coming off plane for no wake zones and most time was spent in the ocean (while in the ocean for two hours I had head winds with 2-3 constant chops and I used full tabs with slower speed). That puts pretty much in line with your boat and what the boattest.com results are.

I 100% agree that slime is the contributor to the fuel burn more than anything. I'll try doing better job on cleaning the slime next season. The fact from your observation that 320 as many others need very clean bottom is a good indication that it was the cause of my SC numbers being slightly lower.

Hijackers!

Yeah, you're right. Sorry.

I don't see anything stupid about supporting and promoting Sea Ray and its dealer network. If you think it is unwise to buy a new boat, then maybe more dealerships should close and more manufacturers should disappear taking with them a few marinas and more West Marine stores. It seems that any time the topic of whether to buy a new boat comes up, everyone discourages the buyer. When someone wants to buy a used boat everyone encourages the buyer to low ball the seller. With attitudes like that, we are all going to get extinction of the brand and we'll be driving Chinese boats, built in America.

I did my part to support Sea Ray and my dealer by buying 2 boats in the last 2 years. I continue to promote the brand and my dealer. I can't do it alone. I'm done buying for a while. Let's try to refer some people to buy new boats and keep the brand alive.

JV,
Please don't take me wrong. Even though I've expressed my strong opinion on used boats it only supports the category of people that purchase only used. There will be always a category that will only buy new. We're all different and have differnt needs and view of things. It will always be that way. I think we (used boat buyers) are also contributing our share and promoting the brand. As you could see from my sig. this is my 3rd Sea Ray and I can see having 4th one in larger size when I feel the need and have funds to afford it.

 

[Alex F]

Our situation fits the 'it depends' category. Kids are gone and we generally cruise alone or with another couple at most. The occasional bigger party for a day cruise as well. Henry is right - we do some longer cruises - and more stability when the waves come up would be a plus.

I gravitate to the new boats because of the warranty security even though I realize you pay through the nose for it. For me, the extra money is better spent on the security of knowing I won't be tied up in repairs for a chunk of the season.

As you know from your previous experience the big driver in your decision would be the way you're planning your future trips, destinations and type of waters. We picked our 320DA b/c it gave us what we needed for the type of boating we do and after two seasons it still works very nicelly and I see myself keeping it for few more years. Any SR cruiser in mid 30s range is very comfortable boat for 2 with occasional guests, IMO. If I look in to the future I'd love to see myself being a snow bird and travel between northeast and south regions, this might be one of the indications that going to slightly larger boat with diesels would be better choise. So, there're lots of things to consider when you're ready to move up.

I'm sure that everyone who's posting are only trying to help you make the right decision for the least cost.

...I think you get a better deal if you are willing to look, survey fix somethings yourself with buying a used boat. Doesn't necessarily need to be larger, because there are sometimes when people just don't want to have a larger boat and a 320/340 is just big enough. This mentality of everyone wants a super huge boat is just wrong. For example, I just have 2 people, me and wife. Most friends already have a boat and those that don't, well they don't get the boating thing...

This sounds like just another aspect of what I had referred to "it depends" category. Everyone's situation is different and there are lots of people who feel that 320/340 size is plenty for what they need or feel comfortable affording.