New purchase

looking to buy 34 or 36 sundancer 2008 or about due to budget of $100k or so. Stepped on many and kinda of daunting regarding electronics and engines. Any advice? Is autopilot critical and bowthrusters key? If I push budget to 150$ and newer model are there better upgrades.

When we bought our present boat we created a list of all the items we wanted including head room, size of beds, number of heads, heating, cooking facilities and a lot more. Make a wish list based on what you plan on doing now and in the future. How far do you plan on going in your trips, what time of year you will be out. Your requirements will probably not be the same as others. In general terms we wanted all the comforts of home because we spend 3 months on the boat. For us a watermaker was an important item for most it is not as they are marina people.

Would never boat without an autopilot. Saves fuel and makes your use less fatiguing. Would probably never pay for bowthrusters on a twin engine boat. Would always have them on a sailboat or single engine big boat. Bigger is usually better than small if it checks all the boxes for how you will use it. So, the 36 over the 34.

A little more info might get you some better opinions.
What size boat are you coming from, where do you boat, coast or inland lakes? How are you going to use the new boat, do you have a large family or are you a couple or will you be single handing? Are you willing to think a little further down the road...push it to $150k and buy a nice 2000+/- 460 dancer and have non electronic diesels and enough $ left over to buy new electronics and pay for a bigger slip?
Bow thrusters are only necessary on single engine boats but sure are nice on other size boats. I have one because it was on our boat when we bought it. It sure came in handy when traveling and we were seeing our slip for the night 30 seconds before having to back into it in windy conditions and running tidal currents. If you’re on a small lake, no real need for auto pilot, but if you’re coastal or Great Lakes, you want it.
Have fun shopping and
Welcome to CSR

Agree with all the above. Went from a 270da to a 2800 Maxum to a 36 Bayliner to 500da in about 5 years time. Bigger is better. Next boat check list, ice maker at waist level not on the floor,...………..

Tedbert said:

looking to buy 34 or 36 sundancer 2008 or about due to budget of $100k or so. Stepped on many and kinda of daunting regarding electronics and engines. Any advice? Is autopilot critical and bowthrusters key? If I push budget to 150$ and newer model are there better upgrades.

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That year 34’s don’t typically come with a bow thruster or auto pilot. Bow thruster is roughly 10K for the size boat. Auto pilot depends but Garmin 40 is $3700. It’s a great year and boat but it will cost you more if those are already there. Best bet is to look for a low time, well maintained vessel and do that work yourself. If you do find a boat with that done it will cost more. A 34 is an easy boat to drive and you don’t truly need a thruster. Nice to have, not needed. Imma big electronics guy but buy a boat with stuff you like and don’t settle. Keep this in mind. You can always add electronics but you can’t take off time on engines.

How often should risers and manifolds be done on 34 sundancer. Is corrosion on pins a big problem in a 2008

Depends on if it’s a freshwater or saltwater boat. If I remember correctly the manual states every 5-6 years For the manifolds. Each manifold is $6-700 so it adds up but it’s a boat. Look for one who’s service has recently been completed and has records. If not then budget for it and plan on doing that right away. Once they start leaking you could cause serious damage. Ultimately a compression check will verify is there was any serious damage done if they did leak.

Risers and manifolds are good for the life of the engines in clean fresh water. We have 30-40 year old lake water cooled engines that are still running without any changes to the cooling system. Salt water figure on 5 years.