we are thinking about buying a 2003 sea ray 280 sundancer..it has about 300 hours on it. Twin 220's..I am a bit nervous about buying a 2003 not sure if it is a bit old now and by the time we are ready to trade it in will anyone want it..also not sure about a fair offer to make. what are some things we SHOULD know before purchasing?
wanting to buy our first boat
- Thread starter surfergla
- Start date
rboothby
New Member
- Jun 29, 2010
- 13
- Boat Info
- 2006 SeaRay 260 Sundancer
- Engines
- 6.2L w/Bravo III Sterndrive
I personally would have someone who is knowledgeable about marine engines etc look over the boat and give you an honest opinion as to the condition and possible repairs that lie ahead. I met a guy a week ago with a 280 he bought last year it was a 2005 and had to put a few bucks into it, minor stuff but the boat was in good condition. I saw it and it looked real nice, clean and was a lot cheaper than a brand new one.
Some of the older boats if kept up with maintenance can be 20 years old and still give you the same amount of pleasure as a new one.
Good Luck
Some of the older boats if kept up with maintenance can be 20 years old and still give you the same amount of pleasure as a new one.
Good Luck
Thanks for the feedback, we are going to hire a marine surveyor to look at it before the purchase is final, I am hearing good things about the 280, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.
tdschafer
Well-Known Member
My best bud has a 2003 280. It's a real nice clean boat. He is having a problem with the sliding cabin door now. This job looks like it can be a PIA as the door/stairs slide under the helm and I believe the helm will need to be removed to replace the rollers/trucks. You def want to look at that! Otherwise it's a nice boat. How many people are you planning to use the boat with? His gets a little tight with his family of 4 on it for the weekend @ Fire Island. Good Luck!! Todd
In many cases this can be solved by opening the access door under the helm and reaching down with a hose and "power-flushing" the track and under the door with a hose. I did this and could not believe the crap that came out. The door works like new now. He may want to give that a shot. There is another product to Lube the track. I think it is called Jig-A-Loo. I have not had to use that yet.
Sounds like good hours for an 03. At least you know it has been used and not sat around. As with any others, get a survey and pay special attention to maintenance records, outdrive corrosion, and bellows. It is probably past time for bellows if they have not yet been done.
As long as you maintain it there will surely be a market for it when you are done. The 01-09 280DA was a VERY successful cruiser for Sea Ray.
tdschafer
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info!! I will pass it along! Todd
sappington
New Member
I just got a call from the searay dealer to trade in or puchase a boat.I would never buy a new boat,I think if you can buy into the late 80s 89 or newer you can find a good boat. I just bought a 90 250 weekender for 9800 full cabin very clean and I will be able to sell it for at least close to what i paid. If you buy a newer one you will not get most of your money back;
I think one of the first things you should learn is that a 2003 is not an old boat. There are many older boats that have been well maintained that are better than newer boats that haven't.
Our 340 is 21 years old and I have seen boats that are 15 years newer that were crap. It's really all about the love and care someone gave their boat.
Don't be afraid to look at some of the "oldies".
HUMPH
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2009
- 7,618
- Boat Info
- 2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
- Engines
- CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
5 on the boat? You may want to look a bit larger unless it's just for day trips. This is the market to go bigger!
