What to look for in an older sundeck??

J

jpcjguy

New Member
Jun 30, 2015
21
Richmond, VA
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boatless
Engines
boatless
Hi,

New to the forum. I am looking getting a sundeck for the family. Currently, I have twin 5 yr old boys and a 2 year old daughter. Wife did not say "yes", but also did not say no! :)

So looking around locally - Richmond, VA I see a 1999 210 for 11.5K, 2001 190 for 13.5k. They look like the perfect boat for my family with still the ability to take another family or the grandparents. I am leaning to 21-22' size. The potty is a must for the wife!
Not worried on towing - I have a 7.3 diesel excursion (tow my CJ7 on a 10k trailer I have)
One question is really around engines - what were the options? carb? FI? (if FI, then TB vs. MPI?) Should I step up to a slightly newer for a better engine?
I am comfortable in the 10-15k range - I could delay the purchase and wait for a 2002 or slightly newer to come down in price. Waiting for my daughter to get older is not a bad thing - she is a handful at this age!!
Use would be day trips on the James river, York river, Lake Anna and some of the chesapeake bay.

Any insight? advice?

Thanks,
Joe
 
Not familiar with the 210, but I remember looking at the 220 sun deck a few years ago. Nice boat. I have three kids as well, and when you get the 5 in the family, plus another family, a boat rated for 8 gets awfully small. I would definitely go 2 ft bigger vs 2 years newer. but remember condition/maintenance and hours is more important than just model year. Also, I understand the Chesapeake can get quite choppy at times. Bigger is better.

After much looking, and with my five people, adding in our best friends family of 5, we chose to get the 240 vs the 220 for space. Love it and haven't regretted the choice.

Good luck with your search, there is a lot of stuff out there if you look.
 
Thanks for the feedback. The more I look, I think the 24' is probably the best option. Now as for any engine/outdrives combos to look for or stay away from?
 
I just moved from a 24 foot Crownline bowrider (rated for 14 people), it was a 1997 with carbed big block, mint condition. Get the biggest boat you can that is well maintained. My 1997 looked like it was 5 years old and ran like a top.
 
You can also check in with Ben Gibson at Richmond Marine or just go onto their site and see what he has used. He was great to deal with on my 88 300WE.
 
Around here, local dealers in early 2000's ordered the 240 Sundeck with the 5.0L engine. Underpowered and folks weren't happy. After a couple years of complaints, they switched to 5.7L/350mag and Bravo3 drive as standard. Much better hole shot with B3
 
I would not buy a 240 sundeck without the mag350. It is the perfect combination for anything you would use the boat for.
 
Not sure I buy into the 5.0 is underpowered. I had an 04 240 with a 383 Stroker and now have an 04 240 with the 5.0. Can't really tell much of a difference at all to be honest. I do notice the 5.0 is better on the gas.

We normally go out with a crowd too, my kids are 6 and 10 and we usually have 8-10 people on the boat. The enclosed head is a huge bonus....everyone loves that about these boats.
 
So it appears somewhat split between the 5.0 and 5.7. What is the difference between outdrives? Bravo 3 vs. Alpha? Any opinions or just a "Ford vs. Chevy" debate?
 
I owned both a 1999 210 Sundeck as well as a 2002 240 Sundeck. The 210 Sundeck was a good boat. Mine had the EFI engine with an Alpha outdrive and I really had no issues with it. It has a good deal of storage and people wise it is comfortable for eight people.

The 240 Sundeck is a much nicer boat but if you don't think you want a bigger boat then by all means consider the 210. I know of no major issues with the 210 Sundecks as a whole but to be on the safe side, I would pay a professional boat Surveyor to look at it as a condition of sale. It will give you a lot of peace of mind.
 
Previously had a 240 Sundeck with the 350 Mag/B# setup, and never had a time when the boat felt at all underpowered....that combo is what you want in that size boat. We routinely ran with 9 or 10 folks on board with all the day's gear too, and the boat ran as if it was bored/no problems at all.....ever. Had plenty of power to spare, and was smooth as silk.

Not knocking a 220 or 210, but you'd be more satisfied, for a longer period, if you went with an '00-'07ish 240 SD (essentially the same boat) with the 350 Mag and Bravo 3 setup.
 
Ray Ray said:
Previously had a 240 Sundeck with the 350 Mag/B# setup, and never had a time when the boat felt at all underpowered....that combo is what you want in that size boat. We routinely ran with 9 or 10 folks on board with all the day's gear too, and the boat ran as if it was bored/no problems at all.....ever. Had plenty of power to spare, and was smooth as silk.

Not knocking a 220 or 210, but you'd be more satisfied, for a longer period, if you went with an '00-'07ish 240 SD (essentially the same boat) with the 350 Mag and Bravo 3 setup.
Click to expand...

Yup I have a '06 , and love it. Cavernous storage compared to the 220. the two floor lockers hold an amazing amount of stuff.
 
Just went out on my 2003 220 with an EFI 5.0. Had 6 adults and 4 kids all comfortable. Bought it privately in October for $10,500. With 10 people (that's the max) I needed 4000 rpm to hit 29 mph. Been great this summer so far. No head but we're never far from a marina.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
love my 01 210d, perfect for use in the intercoastal around st augustine and gulf for scalloping, also is adequate as a wakeboard boat on the lake
 
jayelwin said:
Just went out on my 2003 220 with an EFI 5.0. Had 6 adults and 4 kids all comfortable. Bought it privately in October for $10,500. With 10 people (that's the max) I needed 4000 rpm to hit 29 mph. Been great this summer so far. No head but we're never far from a marina.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

If your boat is in good shape, you got a deal at $10.5K.


For the OP, mine is a 210BR, 5.0 EFI (TBI) with Alpha 1, and I have never had any issues with power.
 
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