What boat should I get next (last?)?

trflgrl

trflgrl

Active Member
Jun 23, 2014
982
Middle Tennessee
Boat Info
1989 Sundancer 300
Engines
Twin 350 Merc/Alpha 1 Gen 1; Quicksilver 4.0 gen
Before buying my first/current boat, I researched for a couple of years, then kicked props for several months. Am happy I spent that time, as I'm very content going into its fifth season. However, I already know a few things that will be important for my next boat....and I figure if I start "building" it now, I can build my budget while I'm at it, too, and perhaps be in something different in 2 - 5 years.

I doubt I'll win the Powerball to be able to buy new or anywhere close to it, so let's use a budget cap of $50k, realizing that a couple of years will affect pricing and may bring some things in range that wouldn't be if I bought today.

Doesn't have to be a SeaRay.

MUST list
Single level/no bridge boats
Inboards (not sure if Volvo is an option, but not a fan if it is). Have stern drives now and will research straight vs. V-drive, but unless there's a major $ difference to purchase/maintain, will just learn to pilot whatever I get!)
Marine generator
Air/heat
Minimum beam 10' (current is 11')
Minimum LOA 32', maximum 38" (current LOA is 31'4", most of which is boat since swim platform is original)
All fiberglass/metal/vinyl exterior: no more wood trim to maintain (I think that means 1990 or later in the Sea Ray lines)
Centered V/master berth: no more climbing over each other to get in and out of bed!!
Full size aft/mid berth with same height ceiling throughout (vs. design where 1/3 of the ceiling gives clearance to sit up and the rest is lower)

Preference list
Walk through windshield
Deep swim platform (whether integrated or otherwise)
Walk through transom door
Transom door on same side as cabin door: ours are both on the port side, so you don't have to cross through the seating area to move from the back of the boat to the cabin. (If cabin door is centered, this is null.)
Canvas top or retractable hard top (doubt the latter even exists in this price range, but throwing it out there anyway!)
Ample cockpit seating/sunning space; sun pad seating option would be awesome (Cockpit amenities like sinks, ice makers, refrigerators, stoves/grills are nice but not necessary; I'd prefer to use a grill mount over the side/transom or a swim platform pedestal.)
Hot/cold transom shower

Aaaaaand GO!!!

If I think of new wants/needs, I'll add them to this first post.
 
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I wondered who would be the first smart aleck....and am guessing you're not on Priest when you're in Middle TN, or I would have run into you to pick your brain in person by now!
 
I was thinking Express also. 1993 40' express are selling for nearly $70k so in 3 years they'll be close to your range.
 
Shebvulle's just a hop and a skip; I'm in the southeast suburbs of Nashville and First Mate's in the 'Boro.

I prefer a somewhat private second sleeping area, so EC and WE styles haven't quite hit the mark. I did check a few year models just now and will keep looking!

In all honesty, my first obsession was 30' bridge styles, because they really delivered on cabin accommodations and I thoroughly enjoy having a floating home. Dealing with steps/ladder while handling solo just isn't appealing, though, which drove my final decision toward the style I have. Solo handling is the reason I don't want to get too big for my britches, too--34' - 35' is very doable in my mind, but I'm pushing the envelope a bit to the 38' range because I figure I'll keep building my experience between now and then, as well.
 
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trflgrl said:
Before buying my first/current boat, I researched for a couple of years, then kicked props for several months. Am happy I spent that time, as I'm very content going into its fifth season. However, I already know a few things that will be important for my next boat....and I figure if I start "building" it now, I can build my budget while I'm at it, too, and perhaps be in something different in 2 - 5 years.

I doubt I'll win the Powerball to be able to buy new or anywhere close to it, so let's use a budget cap of $50k, realizing that a couple of years will affect pricing and may bring some things in range that wouldn't be if I bought today.

Doesn't have to be a SeaRay.

MUST list
Single level/no bridge boats
Inboards (not sure if Volvo is an option, but not a fan if it is). Have stern drives now and will research straight vs. V-drive, but unless there's a major $ difference to purchase/maintain, will just learn to pilot whatever I get!
Marine generator
Air/heat
Minimum beam 10' (current is 11')
Minimum LOA 32', maximum 38" (current LOA is 31'4", most of which is boat since swim platform is original)
All fiberglass/metal/vinyl exterior: no more wood trim to maintain (I think that means 1990 or later in the Sea Ray lines)
Centered V/master berth: no more climbing over each other to get in and out of bed!!
Full size aft/mid berth with same height ceiling throughout (vs. design where 1/3 of the ceiling gives clearance to sit up and the rest is lower)

Preference list
Walk through windshield
Deep swim platform (whether integrated or otherwise)
Walk through transom door
Transom door on same side as cabin door: ours are both on the port side, so you don't have to cross through the seating area to move from the back of the boat to the cabin. (If cabin door is centered, this is null.)
Canvas top or retractable hard top (doubt the latter even exists in this price range, but throwing it out there anyway!)
Ample cockpit seating/sunning space; sun pad seating option would be awesome (Cockpit amenities like sinks, ice makers, refrigerators, stoves/grills are nice but not necessary; I'd prefer to use a grill mount over the side/transom or a swim platform pedestal.)
Hot/cold transom shower

Aaaaaand GO!!!

If I think of new wants/needs, I'll add them to this first post.)
Click to expand...

I feel like you could get almost all of your "musts" and most of your wants with an early 2000's 340. The only missing items appear to be a full height aft cabin and a walk-thru windshield.
 
Stee6043 said:
I feel like you could get almost all of your "musts" and most of your wants with an early 2000's 340. The only missing items appear to be a full height aft cabin and a walk-thru windshield.
Click to expand...
And I have the first contender. Took a quick look at a 2002 and it does have good aft berth clearance--enough space to sit upright almost everywhere. 2001 is the same....and bonus: both models offered a convertible dinette option in addition to the crescent/L-shaped one.
 
to keep within your budget of $50K you may need to limit yourself on size to 34' or less unless you are OK with an older boat which may be a little dated with regards to styling and interiors.....

I am a little biased in my opinion but I agree with Stee6043 that the early 2000's 340 DA are hard to beat for the money......and if you don't have a problem with the small block 6.2 engines (like mine) you should be able to buy one now for high $50's.......there are reasons the 340 is one of the best selling boats Sea Ray has ever made.......they look good, ride and handle great, and have lots of room.....and they are plentiful......this era of 340's have modern looking roomy interiors and are well appointed.....the cockpit is roomy and well laid out with a nice size galley....the front deck is large enough for 2 - 3 people to lay in the sun and the extended swim platform is large....they do not have a walk-thru windshield but the side decks are wide enough to get to the deck easily when needed....and by having a side deck you can easily get to all the side cleats for docking....

if you look at anything larger than a 340 you are likely going to have to increase your budget or be OK with getting an older boat that may be a little dated and may be close to needing new engines and/or transmissions......

good luck in the hunt....it can be fun.....I spent over two years looking and learning before I bought my boat....

cliff
 
My old boat was the same as your current boat and our wish list was the same as yours with the exception of a separate shower stall being a must for us.
I too would have loved a walk through windshield, but that isn't available in mid sized Sea Rays so you'd have to go to something like a Regal for that.
Our budget was higher so we started looking at 03/04 380's before deciding that we wanted diesels so we wound up in a 410.
If I were trying to stick to a 50k budget I'd take a hard look at mid to late 90's 370 Sundancers. They are really nice boats, have everything your looking for, include a separate shower stall, and you'll have a little more room in the bilge than you would in a 340 with the same physical size motors.
I knew 2 guys that had 95 370's and they were great boats. I would often do overnights with one of them and their boat next to my old 300 was night and day.
Both sold them a few years back for around your price range and I kicked myself numerous times over the years for not jumping on them when they were available. The newer ones were even better from what I understand, but I never really got in to what the differences are. I think two of the big ones are the helm seat base and windshield frame, but can't be sure. I'd bet you could probably locate a 1998 or so 370 by now for around your price range if you shop around.
Check the 370 thread on here for more info.
 
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JVM225 said:
My old boat was the same as your current boat and our wish list was the same as yours with the exception of a separate shower stall being a must for us.
I too would have loved a walk through windshield, but that isn't available in mid sized Sea Rays so you'd have to go to something like a Regal for that.
Our budget was higher so we started looking at 03/04 380's before deciding that we wanted diesels so we wound up in a 410.
If I were trying to stick to a 50k budget I'd take a hard look at mid to late 90's 370 Sundancers. They are really nice boats, have everything your looking for, include a separate shower stall, and you'll have a little more room in the bilge than you would in a 340 with the same physical size motors.
I knew 2 guys that had 95 370's and they were great boats. I would often do overnights with one of them and their boat next to my old 300 was night and day.
Both sold them a few years back for around your price range and I kicked myself numerous times over the years for not jumping on them when they were available. The newer ones were even better from what I understand, but I never really got in to what the differences are. I think two of the big ones are the helm seat base and windshield frame, but can't be sure. I'd bet you could probably locate a 1998 or so 370 by now for around your price range if you shop around.
Check the 370 thread on here for more info.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detail--will do!
 
Where I'm from finding an early 2000s 340 for around $50k would be a very tall order. A few around here in the 60-70 range. Would have loved one but we probably would have had to change marinas and that was a no no. We settled on our 310 and love it! the only thing we wish it had was the pedestal v berth. Seems that's where the 3 ft difference is along with the settee vs diner booth. The beam eliminated our want for the settee as there is plenty of space there regardless. Good luck shopping!
 
Bugsy22 said:
Where I'm from finding an early 2000s 340 for around $50k would be a very tall order. A few around here in the 60-70 range. Would have loved one but we probably would have had to change marinas and that was a no no. We settled on our 310 and love it! the only thing we wish it had was the pedestal v berth. Seems that's where the 3 ft difference is along with the settee vs diner booth. The beam eliminated our want for the settee as there is plenty of space there regardless. Good luck shopping!
Click to expand...

I think it depends on body style. When I say "early 2000's" I'm saying before the body style changed in 2003. I think you might be able to get both in 2003? But for sure the 1999-2002, maybe 03, have the older body style.

Also - I was suggesting one of these could be had closer to $50k in a few years but not necessarily right now. Well taken care of 340's of this vintage (fresh water?) are still something closer to 60k from what I've seen. You can find the occasional 40 something but you know these have been abused.
 
There's a pretty nice looking 96 located in VA 370 listed in the classified section for 65k.
 
Go as big as you can, then you wont be looking again for a long while. Plenty of 1999-2001 340s and 1995-1998 370s in that price range. 370s will give you a separate shower, which in my humble opinion is a must.
 
bahamabreisus said:
Go as big as you can, then you wont be looking again for a long while. Plenty of 1999-2001 340s and 1995-1998 370s in that price range. 370s will give you a separate shower, which in my humble opinion is a must.
Click to expand...
"As big as I should" is the mantra right now, primarily for handling, but also for cost of purchase/maintenance + slip. Thanks to helpful lake friends I did manage to buy my second boat first and haven't experienced the foot-itis I've seen infect others as far as living space. We've been very, very happy at 30'--in part due to being short, I'm sure! I'm 4'9 and FM's 5'4 (so he says!), which gives us an edge on cockpit, cabin, and head comfort vs. regular sized people. (And honestly, it's about the only advantage for a person as short as I am!)

I haven't been at the helm of any substantially larger non-bridge boats to get a feel for visibility over the bow and through or over the windshield--that will become a major factor as I kick props. Currently the bow rail and windshield frame combine enough to be a bit annoying, and our canvas is the low design that attaches to the frame, so I know having a higher front bimini design will help no matter what boat we end up with.

I appreciate everyone's input--keep it coming! Although my initial reaction to some suggestions is "probably not," I do browse ads for those models, anyway....and I've been surprised before, so am not completely ruling out anything other than the key items I mentioned in my original post.
 
I think you will find no difference in maintenance between a 340 and 370, pretty much the same mechanically. 370 will be easier to handle due to being heavier, as far as winds and any current you might have. Also, for the being short thing, I believe some 370s have a power seat option.
 
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