Boat shopping never seems to end. The quest continues.

SeaNile

SeaNile

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2010
1,522
Chadds Ford, PA
Boat Info
2003 50 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins QSM11
Maybe i shouldn't have sold our perfect 04 340 in the fall but between the market and the quest for something bigger with diesels here I am 4 months into shopping and still haven't found the one yet. Initially wanted a 97-02 400/410 DA and looked at several. None of them really spoke to me as the one.

Lots of road trips to MD to look at about 3 of the 400/410 boats, trip to DC for a 410, trip to MA for a 400 and they all pretty much showed the same. Never made a real offer on any of them. Then comes to the joys of searching online, lots of 4260 Regals, Formulas and even Maxum options. This prompted a trip back to Kent Narrows area of MD to check out a Regal 4260, like the layout but not this particular boat. Was really interested in the Trojan 44 Express but the one in Canada is practically impossible to buy and deliver thanks to COVID.

Always though the 450 would be a little big for us but the wife quickly changed my mind and now we are looking at 96-? 450 with Cats, either the 3116 or 3126 flavor. So here I am on the eve of my flight to Missouri to check out a 96 450. Pictures look great, spoke to the owner for about an hour who has had the boat since 2004 and sounds like they have done a great job on upkeep and maintenance with all receipts and even a recent (june 20) out of water survey for insurance value.

Never looked for so long or for so hard for a boat. Hopefully this is the one. Good thing I enjoy the process.

Will update as the search continues.
 
SeaNile said:
Maybe i shouldn't have sold our perfect 04 340 in the fall but between the market and the quest for something bigger with diesels here I am 4 months into shopping and still haven't found the one yet. Initially wanted a 97-02 400/410 DA and looked at several. None of them really spoke to me as the one.

Lots of road trips to MD to look at about 3 of the 400/410 boats, trip to DC for a 410, trip to MA for a 400 and they all pretty much showed the same. Never made a real offer on any of them. Then comes to the joys of searching online, lots of 4260 Regals, Formulas and even Maxum options. This prompted a trip back to Kent Narrows area of MD to check out a Regal 4260, like the layout but not this particular boat. Was really interested in the Trojan 44 Express but the one in Canada is practically impossible to buy and deliver thanks to COVID.

Always though the 450 would be a little big for us but the wife quickly changed my mind and now we are looking at 96-? 450 with Cats, either the 3116 or 3126 flavor. So here I am on the eve of my flight to Missouri to check out a 96 450. Pictures look great, spoke to the owner for about an hour who has had the boat since 2004 and sounds like they have done a great job on upkeep and maintenance with all receipts and even a recent (june 20) out of water survey for insurance value.

Never looked for so long or for so hard for a boat. Hopefully this is the one. Good thing I enjoy the process.

Will update as the search continues.
Click to expand...
Did @fwebster boat already sell? If not, are you headed there next?
 
yobub said:
Did @fwebster boat already sell? If not, are you headed there next?
Click to expand...
It is amazing that his boat is still available. SeaNile, look into shipping costs from FL to PA before you by the MO boat.
 
Oh I've looked at every angle. Always comes down to price. About 9800 from FL to my place and under 7k for the MO boat in transport.

Let's remember this everyone, my budget started with 100k. Zero doubt Frank's boat is the one to buy but I can't afford it.
 
Pirate Lady said:
Repeat after me “I won’t let the wife dictate the size of the boat”.
Click to expand...

When wife says we need a bigger boat I'm an easy sell. We were having a decent amount of fun on our 270 SunDeck this summer till we rafted up to our friends and their 32 Egg Harbor with shade, enclosed real head, and most importantly a generator and AC. Took but a second for us to look at each other and agree we need a bigger boat. Then came the 340 which was awesome. But, 2 kids, friends, twin 8.1l gas engines and all of a sudden we have our sights on bigger. Then comes the search for the 400/410. Liked them and wanted the perfect one till we walked by a 450 on the same dock. So here we are on the hunt for a 450DA.

Flight leaved PHL 845am. Can't wait.
 
The 45 is the big brother to the 41.
Put a big red bow on it and tell your wife , happy valentines day.
I was looking at a 41 dancer and ended up with the sedan bridge , best upgrade I ever made
 
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SeaNile said:
When wife says we need a bigger boat I'm an easy sell. We were having a decent amount of fun on our 270 SunDeck this summer till we rafted up to our friends and their 32 Egg Harbor with shade, enclosed real head, and most importantly a generator and AC. Took but a second for us to look at each other and agree we need a bigger boat. Then came the 340 which was awesome. But, 2 kids, friends, twin 8.1l gas engines and all of a sudden we have our sights on bigger. Then comes the search for the 400/410. Liked them and wanted the perfect one till we walked by a 450 on the same dock. So here we are on the hunt for a 450DA.

Flight leaved PHL 845am. Can't wait.
Click to expand...
Offer Frank $130k and suck it up...
 
The other thing in Washington state you can form a LLC for $200 and put the boat in it and avoid 10% sales tax.
 
I have a survey from June 2020 for insurance purposes. Not concerned with the swim platform as that can be fixed or absolute worst case replaced but the stringer moisture level is a bit concerning. Frank has been kind enough to offer his thoughts on this boat but here are readings for the rest of you.

(1) Port side Aft. Quarter Stern 6% Indicates normal moisture content
(2) Starboard side Aft Quarter Stern 8% Indicates normal moisture content
(3) Port side Deck 4% Indicates normal moisture content
(4) Starboard side Deck 2% Indicates normal moisture content
(5) Engine room stringers 10% Indicates normal moisture content
(6) Top Deck area 5% Indicates normal moisture content
(7) Bow Deck 4% Indicates normal moisture content
(8) Swim Platform 37% Indicates elevated moisture content.
 
SeaNile said:
I have a survey from June 2020 for insurance purposes. Not concerned with the swim platform as that can be fixed or absolute worst case replaced but the stringer moisture level is a bit concerning. Frank has been kind enough to offer his thoughts on this boat but here are readings for the rest of you.

(1) Port side Aft. Quarter Stern 6% Indicates normal moisture content
(2) Starboard side Aft Quarter Stern 8% Indicates normal moisture content
(3) Port side Deck 4% Indicates normal moisture content
(4) Starboard side Deck 2% Indicates normal moisture content
(5) Engine room stringers 10% Indicates normal moisture content
(6) Top Deck area 5% Indicates normal moisture content
(7) Bow Deck 4% Indicates normal moisture content
(8) Swim Platform 37% Indicates elevated moisture content.
Click to expand...
Doesn't look that bad. The way it's explained to me is its a relative reading. Look at the stringer. All all areas 10% -- then probably normal. Or is it one spot jumps up to 10%, and the rest of the stringer is at 2%.
 
Buying a boat in this market is ridiculous. Zero good inventory. High prices. I have been looking for more than a year. Called on two this week. Both under contract. Then was informed today that on one the seller bailed after the survey because of moisture in the bow area and the seller wouldn't compromise. Asked me if I was interested. Took a look at the survey -- 2/3s of the deck is wasted. Not that I wanted to deal with it, but seller won't conceed price. At least saved me the drive. I have all but given up on Sea Ray. Found a nice Tiara that's worth a look next week.
 
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