Should I buy a newer, preowned boat?????

I have a 2000 340 Sundancer. We really love the boat. It is in great condition but I am noticing that more and more "issues" are occurring simply because it is a 20 year old boat. Issues such as mechanical, electrical and some systems (i.e, generator, refrigerator)

I realize that "issues" will occur with a 20 year old boat. The issues I am referring to can be of any nature each season. Each season is a new issue. On average, I am paying several thousand dollars per season for the yard to repair these various repairs. Major repairs would be considerably higher than this. My last major repair was done in 2016. I really don't want to spend on a Major repair

Here's my dilemma: The thousands $$$$ I am spending on my 20 year old boat could be eliminated if I had a newer boat. OR, it's also possible I could pump those same thousands $$$$ into a newer preowned boat with newer preowned problems.....

I am considering a 350 or 370 Sundancer. Why? because we like the Sundancer configuration. Due to cost constraints, I was thinking of a preowned boat between 2010-2015.

Any thoughts/suggestions/recommendations???? Thanks

There will be no guarantee that the new boat will be problem free, true. The question is, are you having repeat issues or once you fix these issues can you expect to get several years out of the replaced components? The Delta in cost between a 2015 ish boat and what you will spend over the next several years on a your 20 year old boat will likely be dwarfed. I think it comes down to upgrading due to style and innovations of the newer boat and the sheer inconvenience of dealing with repairs during your boating season. By the time you pay the costs of selling yours, finding a new one and paying the sales tax, financially it won't pencil out but that doesn't matter at all if you are moving up in boat for reasons other than just old boat MX costs. I am looking to move up but budget will keep us in a bit older than we have now and it is definitely weighing on my mind. I just may dig deeper and stay at least in the 15 year range rather than 20 or 25.
Good luck with that venture.
Carpe Diem

340DA said:

Here's my dilemma: The thousands $$$$ I am spending on my 20 year old boat could be eliminated if I had a newer boat. OR, it's also possible I could pump those same thousands $$$$ into a newer preowned boat with newer preowned problems.....

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Are you losing boating time due to repeated issues? If so, the money towards a newer boat might help get you more days on the water. That’s priceless. Plus, it’s just nicer having a newer boat, but I would be concerned when the newer boat has tech that that drives higher maintenance. For example, going from v-drive to pods. If you could go from v-drives to outboards, or to diesels, you might come out ahead...

Carpe and Todd offer good advice. you didn’t say what you are spending the bucks on. Drivetrain issues or generator, ice maker, etc? As Todd said, are these issues keeping you off the water or are they keeping you from having ice in your rum? Big difference.

And as someone who has a 28 yo boat (see earlier thread this week where I got my dick knocked in dirt complaining about maintenance) I see a LOT of peeps on here asking advice about repairs on newer boats. So no guarantees a newer boat will be better. Sometime it better to dance with the girl you brought then the hot crazy across the room.

Perhaps, if you have the time, learn to do most of your own maintenance. It's actually very satisfying to do the work plus you will have more confidence to do more in the future. I'm running a 27 year old boat and will tackle almost anything in maintenance and repair. Right now I'm installing new lights and helm switches and working at freeing up a stuck seacock. It's enjoyable!

Hey Jules, I got a seacock that requires the strength of King Kong to move the lever. All others I had moved like butter. Any idea why so hard move?

340DA said:

I have a 2000 340 Sundancer. We really love the boat. It is in great condition but I am noticing that more and more "issues" are occurring simply because it is a 20 year old boat. Issues such as mechanical, electrical and some systems (i.e, generator, refrigerator)

I realize that "issues" will occur with a 20 year old boat. The issues I am referring to can be of any nature each season. Each season is a new issue. On average, I am paying several thousand dollars per season for the yard to repair these various repairs. Major repairs would be considerably higher than this. My last major repair was done in 2016. I really don't want to spend on a Major repair

Here's my dilemma: The thousands $$$$ I am spending on my 20 year old boat could be eliminated if I had a newer boat. OR, it's also possible I could pump those same thousands $$$$ into a newer preowned boat with newer preowned problems.....

I am considering a 350 or 370 Sundancer. Why? because we like the Sundancer configuration. Due to cost constraints, I was thinking of a preowned boat between 2010-2015.

Any thoughts/suggestions/recommendations???? Thanks

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My boat will be 35 years old Preventive maintenance is the key to trouble free boating. Not to say you won't be thrown a curve once in a while with an untimely cost is just the nature of the beast. A newer boat will not guarantee more boating time if you don't do preventive maintenance in my opinion !

I have owned boats for many years having bought all of them brand new. We have owned a variety of brands and including three sailboats. We enjoyed them all, some more than others and the one thing the power boats had in common was they cost thousands of dollars per year to keep running properly. For the most part they were absolutely trouble free although a lightening strike caused us some aggravation until we got it sorted out. Most people tend to skimp on maintenance, so buying a used boat will not save you much. Probably you will not save any money at all. That is the nature of boating....fun but expensive.

ALL GOOD ADVICE!!!!! And good thoughts

And Yes, budget is a concern.

To provide some answers: I am primarily experiencing mechanical issues. Engine related issues. When I get them fixed, Yes, for the most part, I can expect several years of no recurring issue from that particular repair (such as replacing raw water pump and/or alternator) for several years.

However, I am still having a Port engine issue that has been occurring for 2 seasons now. It's still not fixed and the yard has not yet figured out the cause. This limits my ability. I do not feel comfortable leaving the bay with the boat

These are the types of "repairs" that I know about now. Next season will be new "repairs". Because, there always are

My point is, that the "repairs" vary in nature, as primarily mechanical, because I have a 20 year old boat. Things just "break" or need replacement on an old boat. That's true, and I get that....

Also a big consideration, I have a sick wife. She LOVES the boat, as do I. Being on the boat and being on the water is a real "escape" for us both. However, I am losing confidence. I am now beginning to wonder when we get on the boat....."What's next to break"? And therefore, how far could/should I travel with the boat and can I be confident that we can get home???

That brings me back to the same place I started. A new boat might be better. BUT then again, it may NOT be better!!

I may simply be trading my old problems for newer ones?

sbw1 said:

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I have owned boats for many years having bought all of them brand new. We have owned a variety of brands and including three sailboats. We enjoyed them all, some more than others and the one thing the power boats had in common was they cost thousands of dollars per year to keep running properly. For the most part they were absolutely trouble free although a lightening strike caused us some aggravation until we got it sorted out. Most people tend to skimp on maintenance, so buying a used boat will not save you much. Probably you will not save any money at all. That is the nature of boating....fun but expensive.

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I’m have similar thoughts. My last 2 boats were purchased new. I maintained them very well and knew exactly what had been done. New that I’m looking to go bigger, a used boat is more likely. But you don’t know how the prior owners treated the boat. My wife pointed this out as a reason to consider buying new vs used.

Pirate Lady said:

Hey Jules, I got a seacock that requires the strength of King Kong to move the lever. All others I had moved like butter. Any idea why so hard move?

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They need servicing annually and "exercising" (open and close every month). Mine is stuck because the previous owner never did that. I 'll try penetrating oil and a heat gun to loosen it and then some lube.