Upgrading

[capt_jack]

So I am thinking about upgrading to a larger boat. Something along the lines of a 28-30' Sundancer or similar. What is the best way to get the most out of my current boat? You think its worth it to do private sale on my existing boat or just do a trade in?

Also can anyone give me some differnces between a Sundancer and a Amberjack? I am really looking for something i can cruise down to the keys in and do longer trips then the simple day trips in the 185.

 

[Quint4]

Amberjack is set up more for fishing and has no mid-cabin.

 

[trit21]

Quint 4 is partially correct. The older amberjacks do not have a mid-cabin as some were straight drive boat, not v-drive. But the newer style amberjacks, 290 for example, do have a mid-cabin. So, I guess it depends on the year boat you are looking for.

You also mention you want to 'cruise' down to the Keys. I will assume you live in FL but since we don't know where it will be hard to determine how far a trip that would be. For me, it is easier to get to the Bahamas than it is the Keys, but we are in Cape Canaveral and the Keys is a long trip for us. I think fuel range is going to be the limiting factor for cruising to the Keys.

 

[islandhopper00]

Quint 4 is partially correct. The older amberjacks do not have a mid-cabin as some were straight drive boat, not v-drive. But the newer style amberjacks, 290 for example, do have a mid-cabin. So, I guess it depends on the year boat you are looking for.

You also mention you want to 'cruise' down to the Keys. I will assume you live in FL but since we don't know where it will be hard to determine how far a trip that would be. For me, it is easier to get to the Bahamas than it is the Keys, but we are in Cape Canaveral and the Keys is a long trip for us. I think fuel range is going to be the limiting factor for cruising to the Keys.

Man-O-man, I sure miss living in Fla. LKN is a great lake but, it's just that, a lake. I do still get to the Bahamas though.

 

[capt_jack]

Quint 4 is partially correct. The older amberjacks do not have a mid-cabin as some were straight drive boat, not v-drive. But the newer style amberjacks, 290 for example, do have a mid-cabin. So, I guess it depends on the year boat you are looking for.

You also mention you want to 'cruise' down to the Keys. I will assume you live in FL but since we don't know where it will be hard to determine how far a trip that would be. For me, it is easier to get to the Bahamas than it is the Keys, but we are in Cape Canaveral and the Keys is a long trip for us. I think fuel range is going to be the limiting factor for cruising to the Keys.

Yea, im just over in southwest florida (cape coral). I am not too sure how far distance wise it is between here and the keys, but there are points I can stop at along the way such as naples and some of the higher up keys. What i really want to do is shoot over to the bahamas from the keys.

 

[Alex F]

What is the best way to get the most out of my current boat? You think its worth it to do private sale on my existing boat or just do a trade in?

capt_jack,
The simplest answer to this is:

- private sale = retail price (most likelly mid or low)
- trade-in = wholesale price (usually much lower than low retail).

I work too hard for my money, so private sale was the only option for me with previous boats.

 

[capt_jack]

thanks! I will see what i can get for bites on private sales

 

[Alex F]

capt_jack,

I'm not sure about your selling skills, but piece of advise is to make sure the boat is in best presentable condition inside out cosmetically and mechanically. Take lots of pictures. Make very detailed description. When all is ready you need to choose few good local and abroad sale sources (sites, papers, etc.). Before you place the ads, make sure you do the homewhork (market analyses) and find out what similar boats are selling for. If you want to sell, your boat needs to be at the lower end pricewise. If you put high price it'll just sit and eventually become old news.

Good luck,
Alex.