Want to be a sea ray owner

[jmauld]

I want to purchase a sea ray (35-40ish range, around $150k), but in order to do so, I need to look at a boat. We started looking a month ago and have narrowed down our choices a bit in that time frame.

The problem that I’m having is actually getting aboard these boats to look at them. I’ve been trying to work with a local broker for a month now and we haven’t stepped foot on a single boat with him. It usually gets cancelled due to rain, or the boat has sold or whatever reason. I’ve had two local boats that I was really interested in, sell from under me due to this. They both sold to people out of state?

The only two boats that I have been able to look at were privately owned and we viewed without the broker.

Am I being too impatient and not understanding this process? Do you travel to each boat that you want to purchase? Do you try to find a local owner that will show you the boat, then make a purchase based on photos, video and the survey?

One boat smelled and obviously had a water leak. We would never catch that during a video. Would a survey make note of that?

Someone please educate and talk some sense into me....

 

[Misterhelms]

I want to purchase a sea ray (35-40ish range, around $150k), but in order to do so, I need to look at a boat. We started looking a month ago and have narrowed down our choices a bit in that time frame.

The problem that I’m having is actually getting aboard these boats to look at them. I’ve been trying to work with a local broker for a month now and we haven’t stepped foot on a single boat. It usually gets cancelled due to rain, or the boat has sold or whatever reason. I’ve had two local boats that I was really interested in, sell from under me due to this. They both sold to people out of state?

The only two boats that I have been able to look at were a privately ownedw.

Am I being too impatient and not understanding this process? Do you travel to each boat that you want to purchase? Do you try to find a local owner that will show you the boat, then make a purchase based on photos, video and the survey?

One boat smelled and obviously had a water leak. We would never catch that during a video. Would a survey make note of that?

Someone please educate and talk some sense into me....

Where in the US are you? I've been shopping since May, WITHOUT a broker, and have had no problems going to see a boat. That may be the issue - listing brokers not wanting to share their commission, and with the increase in demand, they can choose to be selective.

 

[Golfman25]

I’m going on my second year actively looking. Brokers are hit or miss in getting back to you. Some boats they won’t even show because of known issues. Private parties have advantages and disadvantages as well. Right now the market is hot and good boats seem to sell in a few days. So be prepared for several misses. Definitely go see every boat you’re interested in. Like you said only you will see things you like or dislike. Having two surveys fall thru it gets expensive waiting for the survey to uncover everything. The more boats you look at the more familiar you’ll get with them and you’ll know what to check right away. Take you time. Don’t get rushed. Good luck.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Look on Yacht world and boat trader for boats in the category your interested in. Many have decent video walk throughs that will give a good idea as to the size and layout that suites your needs and desires. Once you have narrowed your make and model you might see if there is an owners group in the area that you can become a part of. These folks will be more than happy to invite you on their boat and tell you everything you want to know about the boat. Many times the boats that are involved in these types of groups are sold with never hitting the market just by word of mouth. It a bit more effort but you'll meet some great folks along the way and also have an instant boating family to cruise with. The problem with answering Craig's list ads is by the time someone gets around to selling an unwanted boat and doing it on the cheap, the boat will have problems. It will be dirty and stinky and it will be hard to see around that first impression.
Good luck and take your time, Boat buying can be a blessing in your life but it can also be quite the curse if not done in a careful considered way.
Carpe Diem

 

[jmauld]

Look on Yacht world and boat trader for boats in the category your interested in. Many have decent video walk throughs that will give a good idea as to the size and layout that suites your needs and desires.
Carpe Diem

This is what I’ve done to narrow it down to a few models.
I’m in NC and they’re aren’t a ton of these boats around. Most are off-shore fishing boats or aft cabin boats, while I’m looking at sundancers or maybe the venture.

Would you consider a boat that had a strong musty smell in the cabin? This particularly boat is known to leak water And the repair doesn’t look too bad. I would just be afraid of how long it’s been leaking and how much residual damage has been done.

Where do you find the owners groups? Here and Facebook?

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I would not buy a musty smelling boat, period. The only caveat is if I was planning on doing a complete strip and remodel of all interior soft goods which would be a huge job to do as DIY and cost $30,000 to have done professionally. The older wood boats have a certain smell that is quaint and part of the boats persona but a fiberglass boat that is well maintained and cared for should be able to smell clean. Of course I'm speaking from a Nor Cal perspective where it is relatively dry, perhaps in NC and East Coast in general where humidity is just a fact of life, boat funk is unavoidable. Bottom line really is there should not be just one aspect of a boat that eliminates it from purchase if otherwise you like the boat, price is right and you know as much that is knowable about it. The perfect boat only exists in utopia.

 

[jmauld]

perhaps in NC and East Coast in general where humidity is just a fact of life, boat funk is unavoidable. Bottom line really is there should not be just one aspect of a boat that eliminates it from purchase if otherwise you like the boat, price is right and you know as much that is knowable about it. The perfect boat only exists in utopia.

The particular model (370 venture) appears to have problems with water leaking from the helm area. The fix looks pretty simple, just pull down the ceiling panels, seal it and replace any water damage panels.

That issue, coupled with unknown risk of resell value on a boat that was terminated fairly quickly is why I put that model lower on my list.

 

[RutgersAl]

It seems to me, that The same adage applies whether you’re buying a house, boat, or car. You absolutely have to see it. You absolutely have to get a survey/inspection. You should absolutely be patient. You have to sift through a lot of chaff before you find a prize.

I myself, am looking for my first boat. I was all set to buy a 21’ new bowrider. But after reading these forums and actually renting a similar bowrider, I realized I’m probably better off with a 34’ Sundancer or similar because it better fits my lifestyle. New is out of the question, so I’m looking at used. So I’m actively looking, but I’m not in a hurry.
If something good shows up that’s great. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. In the meantime I’ll rent a 21’ to get my fix.

someone posted that there will be a lot of value available after the season is over, and I tend to agree.

 

[jmauld]

It seems to me, that The same adage applies whether you’re buying a house, boat, or car. You absolutely have to see it. You absolutely have to get a survey/inspection. You should absolutely be patient. You have to sift through a lot of chaff before you find a prize.

.

Sorry if my original post wasn’t clear. I have no intentions of not going through the process of a proper survey and ideally a sea trial. I have taken the advice given and will stop trying to work through a buyers broker. I’ve already sent a few emails out to view local boats directly with the listing broker. I’ll follow those up with a phone call tomorrow.

I’m not so much in a hurry to buy a boat as much as I just want to get on the boats to understand which one that I want to purchase. Having them sell before you can even board them to validate that the model should be on the list or not is frustrating. I’ve watched tons of videos and they led me to a 340. I was finally able to get on a 340 and see that it really doesn’t have as much room as I thought it would have. If I could’ve got on the boat three weeks ago I could’ve saved hours of video watching and reading over things to look for on the 340 models. I just found a 380 Sundancer about an hour away so I’m going to try to set up a time to see that boat. Hopefully that model stays on the list, so I can really start my research.

I have yet to drive one of these boats, but we started with a 21’ bowrider. Learned a lot about what I wanted on a boat. Purchased a second boat, a center console, learned a lot about what I don’t want on a boat (Missed the family layout and shade of the bowrider) and now hopefully will be making the last purchase for a while.

 

[Golfman25]

Not sure where you’re located, but in my area there seems to be more 370/380s available than 340s. Wife likes the size of the 370/380. But the carrying costs go up exponentially where we are located.

 

[jmauld]

Not sure where you’re located, but in my area there seems to be more 370/380s available than 340s. Wife likes the size of the 370/380. But the carrying costs go up exponentially where we are located.

Can you expand on the carrying costs, assuming you’ve done research?

 

[Golfman25]

Can you expand on the carrying costs, assuming you’ve done research?

For us in northern climates its dockage and winter storage. In my case going from 28-38 results in the following difference:
Dock: $2203 to $3366 $1163 more.
Winter Storage: $2660 to $4332 $1672 more

 

[Brent L Inman]

I live in Denver CO and recently went through a similar experience. Wife and I looked for months. I finally decided on an older boat for WAY less. Figured I could do most the work. Pennies on the dollar. But came with the task of a rebuild. Hull was good. Motor ran. That was pretty much it. Completely refitting the interior. New appliances, New upholstery, replaced carpet walls, new doors and hardware, new hatches, some electrical, reglassing, swapped window glass to Lexan, and getting ready to repaint the entire vessel.

Pros: it was a LOT cheaper, came with a newer trailer and I have an RV slab next to my house to park it. I'm handy and could put my own touch. YouTube has unlimited information. A lot of aftermarket options online

Cons: Its a lot of time and work.

But again... I'm in Denver and will use it as a weekend toy/camper. I'm not making round trips to the Bahamas. (Although I have no doubt I could)

Anyway ... joined this group for help along the way with my build and they have all been great. This forum is packed with info. Try just searching your model on this site. That helped me with sorting through thousands of forums. It narrows it down and you can see specific issues.
Hope it helps. And good luck! Welcome!

 

[bobeast]

I’m not so much in a hurry to buy a boat as much as I just want to get on the boats to understand which one that I want to purchase.

Whatever you do, don't tell this to a broker. It screams tire-kicker and begs for a dismissal. Present as if you've got cash burning a hole in your pocket (whether or not this is the case)

 

[bbwhitejr]

I would not buy a musty smelling boat, period. The only caveat is if I was planning on doing a complete strip and remodel of all interior soft goods which would be a huge job to do as DIY and cost $30,000 to have done professionally. The older wood boats have a certain smell that is quaint and part of the boats persona but a fiberglass boat that is well maintained and cared for should be able to smell clean. Of course I'm speaking from a Nor Cal perspective where it is relatively dry, perhaps in NC and East Coast in general where humidity is just a fact of life, boat funk is unavoidable. Bottom line really is there should not be just one aspect of a boat that eliminates it from purchase if otherwise you like the boat, price is right and you know as much that is knowable about it. The perfect boat only exists in utopia.

We live in a very humid and hot climate at times but I assure you boat funk is avoidable.....I have small fans running in the salon, MSR, bilge, and bridge just to move air in the summer. I leave AC set on 80 during the summer and my boat never has an obtrusive odor....Now, I have seen boats with nasty shower sumps or water in the bilges that had mold and stink issues galore. They do not have to be that way. Rainwater leaks can make a mess also. Stay away from stinky boats unless you are prepared to clean it up.

Bennett

 

[Pirate Lady]

For us in northern climates its dockage and winter storage. In my case going from 28-38 results in the following difference:
Dock: $2203 to $3366 $1163 more.
Winter Storage: $2660 to $4332 $1672 more

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!! Here on the Chesapeake i pay $1100 for summer (Apr - thru Nov) and $750 for winter. Consider moving.

 

[ttmott]

Use caution in your area as there is/was a lot of recovered boats from the hurricane several years ago - The musty smell will never leave the boat and marketing later could be an issue when you step up to a larger boat....
Buying from a private seller -
Clear discussion up front that any offer is and will be contingent upon Hull and Engine surveys to include sea trial. After the condition assessments the offer is subject to negotiation for items found. If you place an agreed deposit that deposit is at risk if you walk away without suitable reason or surveys / sea trial finds significant issues that cannot be reconciled.
Transferring ownership can be quite the quagmire so it would be best to get professional help there.
Hook up with an insurance company up front and get their requirements for purchase and have them ready to get riders in place.

 

[Steve S]

For us in northern climates its dockage and winter storage. In my case going from 28-38 results in the following difference:
Dock: $2203 to $3366 $1163 more.
Winter Storage: $2660 to $4332 $1672 more

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!! Here on the Chesapeake i pay $1100 for summer (Apr - thru Nov) and $750 for winter. Consider moving.

Rates for a 40' slip for a Non-Chicago resident at Burnham Harbor (Downtown) would be $6,184...

Winter storage is heated indoor storage for that type of fee, outside shrink wrap is less.