Which way to go???

[270win]

I bought my Searay this summer in July. Before that we had a 28' Chaparral Signature.

We sold it to gain more cockpit space and the ability to cruise the lake a 30-35mph all day without spending $400 in gas. For those two features I LOVE the Searay. And I bought it at an absolute steal knowing I would need to spend some money on it this winter to bring it up to my standards. As I've been getting estimates it looks like I'll be dropping about $6500 to get it there...but it'll be one NICE 220cc when it's done. Just thinking through whether I want to drop $6500 on this one or just sell it and put that money toward another boat...not even sure what I'd get...

Here's a crappy recent pic of the Searay. I'm surprised at the number of people who compliment this boats lines. I've always liked them, but thought others might think they're dated.

 

[my3sons]

Had a couple Larsons before our 220, It made believers out of us. It was a (and still is) a great boat.

 

[Lazy Daze]

A couple thoughts, but in the end, it all comes down to what you think is important.

1) Let's say you had to get rid of the SR next year or the year after. Where does adding $6,500 onto your purchase price put you in regards to resale? No need to actually respond with numbers - that's your business.

2) If you can see yourself keeping the boat for at least 3 to 5 years, that $6,500 is not that bad of a figure. The longer you keep the boat, the better the investment... Of course, I use the term "investment" loosely in regards to a boat:smt101

3) Let's say you sold this one. What would you be able to buy a top-notch, used 220DA for? Assuming after you put the $6,500 into your current one you'd have a top-notch one.

3a) If you did sell it, could you make a profit... as-is? If so, how much? Would you then be able to buy another used (but already top-notch) 220DA for less (net) than what you'd have into your current one?

In other words:

$ of Current + $ of New - Profit From Sale of Current

vs

$ of Current + $6,500.

 

[270win]

The marina that had it wanted $7990 for it. The marina's mechanic couldn't get it to idle after the engine warmed up...I'm totally serious. After the 4th try to demo the boat left us stranded...yes, 4 times we were towed in! I looked it over and agreed to buy it "as is". I don't mind saying I bought the boat on a trailer for $4000 cash...it was a steal! I removed the carb and cleaned it out, installed a rebuild kit and it ran fine. Still not perfect but that'll change this winter. I'm sure they gave the guy who traded it almost nothing for it.

Anyway, I'm figuring I'd have $11,000 or so in it. I'm not too sure this market would bare that for a 90' 220cc....Even a really nice one, on the other hand, I'm not that concerned about what I have in it. I guess I'm just thinking through what I want to do. I really can't think of another boat that I'd rather have...none of the new cuddy's have the kind of cockpit room this boat has. I don't want a cruiser right now or I'd have kept the 28 Chaparral. I can cruise the lake all day on little fuel, it rides great, has plenty of room for two families of 4 plus all the crap that they bring...

Oh, I forgot, I did end up having the outdrive overhauled shortly after I bought it...so I guess that's $12,000.

At any rate, the Chaparral was...If I recall correctly $75K new. I sold it for $15,000 but it needed work to be done that I didn't want to do. So comparatively speaking, I'm doing GREAT on this boat!!!:thumbsup:

 

[270win]

Had a couple Larsons before our 220, It made believers out of us. It was a (and still is) a great boat.

I would agree, it's a better built boat than my Chaparral...I'm a Searay owner from here on forward.

 

[sprink56]

If the boat meets your needs and you like it...keep it. For $12K you are a winner.

Make it as safe and reliable as you can, use it and enjoy it.:thumbsup:

 

[Tonka Boater]

A couple thoughts, but in the end, it all comes down to what you think is important.

1) Let's say you had to get rid of the SR next year or the year after. Where does adding $6,500 onto your purchase price put you in regards to resale? No need to actually respond with numbers - that's your business.

2) If you can see yourself keeping the boat for at least 3 to 5 years, that $6,500 is not that bad of a figure. The longer you keep the boat, the better the investment... Of course, I use the term "investment" loosely in regards to a boat:smt101

3) Let's say you sold this one. What would you be able to buy a top-notch, used 220DA for? Assuming after you put the $6,500 into your current one you'd have a top-notch one.

3a) If you did sell it, could you make a profit... as-is? If so, how much? Would you then be able to buy another used (but already top-notch) 220DA for less (net) than what you'd have into your current one?

In other words:

$ of Current + $ of New - Profit From Sale of Current

vs

$ of Current + $6,500.

If the boat meets your needs and you like it...keep it. For $12K you are a winner.

Make it as safe and reliable as you can, use it and enjoy it.:thumbsup:

I agree 100% with these two nuggets of advice. If you love the boat and plan to keep it for a few years then $12k is a good deal. You rarely get your money back on a boat but your is enjoyment the offset.

Keep it and enjoy it :thumbsup:
.

 

[270win]

I agree 100% with these two nuggets of advice. If you love the boat and plan to keep it for a few years then $12k is a good deal. You rarely get your money back on a boat but your is enjoyment the offset.

Keep it and enjoy it :thumbsup:

Yeah, in the world of boats, $12K is dirt cheap. I guess I'll start ordering parts and get going. I probably need to start a restoration thread...

 

[sprink56]

Good Deal:thumbsup: Keep up with what you do and post it. There is somebody out there that needs to know.:grin:

 

[270win]

I guess I'll do the mechanical and electronics first, then cosmetics...

 

[comsnark]

I really can't think of another boat that I'd rather have...none of the new cuddy's have the kind of cockpit room this boat has. I don't want a cruiser right now or I'd have kept the 28 Chaparral.

Does any more need to be said?

Your boat is perfect!

And $11K for a boat? That's nothing. You can barely buy a new jetski for that money.

 

[270win]

Does any more need to be said?

Your boat is perfect!

And $11K for a boat? That's nothing. You can barely buy a new jetski for that money.

I know...thse little suckers are WAY out of line price wise IMO.


After talking to the admiral a bit more we both have nothing else in mind that we'd rather have right now...but...once the kids (9 and 4) are older we're thinkin' 340DA or 390Express. There's a really nice one here locally for sale for $49K...one day.:thumbsup:

 

[sprink56]

I know...thse little suckers are WAY out of line price wise IMO.


After talking to the admiral a bit more we both have nothing else in mind that we'd rather have right now...but...once the kids (9 and 4) are older we're thinkin' 340DA or 390Express. There's a really nice one here locally for sale for $49K...one day.:thumbsup:

Now you are talking:thumbsup:

BTW...came across a reprint of this article about the Royal Bobcat edition of the '68 "Goat".

I had a fraternity brother (Kapa Sigma) at Alabama that had one of these...enjoy:thumbsup:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/from-the-cd-archives-pontiac-gto-428-royal-bobcat-feb-1968/

John F

 

[chrissrv195]

Sea Ray's don't get dated, they just acquire more class.That's just my opinion though.

 

[Mr Happy]

Take a look at my signature. Almost the same boat and mine cost $11,000 three years ago. If yours looks as good on the inside as it does the outside I would think about going with a new engine.

 

[270win]

Now you are talking:thumbsup:

BTW...came across a reprint of this article about the Royal Bobcat edition of the '68 "Goat".

I had a fraternity brother (Kapa Sigma) at Alabama that had one of these...enjoy:thumbsup:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/from-the-cd-archives-pontiac-gto-428-royal-bobcat-feb-1968/

John F

Great article! Thanks for passing that along. I'm in the process of restoring mine...although it's already a pretty nice car. More HP and better driveability...the GTO get's lots of stares and compliments. A Royal Bobcat car is worth a small fortune today!!!

 

[270win]

Sea Ray's don't get dated, they just acquire more class.That's just my opinion though.

me too...I LOVE the mid 80's 340s-390s.

 

[270win]

Take a look at my signature. Almost the same boat and mine cost $11,000 three years ago. If yours looks as good on the inside as it does the outside I would think about going with a new engine.

It's not bad on the inside, but it does need some TLC. There is not any major damage, it's just dated and it has a few small rips in the seat covers...you don't really see them until you start looking for details.

I got a quote from our marina to pull and install the engine in January...very cheap so that's the plan. I'll build the engine myself. Nothing radical, change it to all roller motor and shoot for 300hp so my Alpha can handle it...plus I want it to remain efficient cruising on the primaries. Also will change all the accessories, belts, hoses, lines...clean up the wiring and repaint the engine compartment. I'll post a link to the thread here. It'll be after Christmas before I have them pull it.

 

[sprink56]

Great article! Thanks for passing that along. I'm in the process of restoring mine...although it's already a pretty nice car. More HP and better driveability...the GTO get's lots of stares and compliments. A Royal Bobcat car is worth a small fortune today!!!

I was talking to my Dad about this and we were taking a walk down memory lane. we talked about the 0-60 and qtr mile times compared to reasonably exotic cars of today. He reminded me of one big item...the tires we have today were not available back then and 60 series tires were just beginning to be developed. Look at the tires on the "RB"...G70 x 15 2 ply rayon...give me a break. It is a wonder they could get it down the track with out burning the tires off of it.:thumbsup:

 

[270win]

I was talking to my Dad about this and we were taking a walk down memory lane. we talked about the 0-60 and qtr mile times compared to reasonably exotic cars of today. He reminded me of one bid item...the tires we have today were not available back then and 60 series tires were just beginning to be developed. Look at the tires on the "RB"...G70 x 15 2 ply rayon...give me a break. It is a wonder they could get it down the track with out burning the tires off of it.:thumbsup:

Yeah, anything in the 13 second range in the 1/4 mile is a fast car. My last Nova would run low 12s and was really easy to drive on the street...that was a fast car! I had the benefit of new tires...Mickey Thompson Drag Radials. A long way from those old G70's.