2005 sea ray 300 da selling as new price question

A bow thruster is an electric motor and impeller in the front of the boat, below the water line, that is installed side-ways in a hole that goes through the boat left to right.

If you turn the motor on one way, it drives the bow to the right. If you turn it on the other way, it drives the bow to the left.

If you put one engine in fwd and one in rvrs, it does the same thing. If you have a huge boat that you need to parallel park, get a bow thruster. Otherwise, learn the boat without. Save the money, maintenance....

I'm surprised that people buy 2 B-III drives - That's 4 Stainless Steel props, on 28/30 foot boats. With a single, it provides excellent maneuverability. On a twin, I can't imagine that it helps much. They are more efficient though.
 
The life span of a boat is completely and totally dependant upon how you care for and maintain it.

The dealer is getting some help from Sea Ray pricing, so what the original cost was in 1995 to the dealer is immaterial. By now on a 2 year old boat, I would expect to see the Sea Ray contribution to the equation lower the cost enough so the the boat could be sold below the 1995 cost.

You will have a learning curve, but you can handle a 300DA as long as you don't let the boat intimidate you.

A bow thruster may be nice but is only needed on a 300 to increase the sales price and mark up. My boat is 45' and I put it where it needs to go and I don't have a bow thruster.

I think the reason the boat has not been sold is because it is an outdrive boat which makes it a low demand 300DA.
 
Keets,

On a single engine boat with a single prop, the stern will walk to port when backing. The Bravo 3 has counter rotating props one in front of the other. That eliminates the problem I just described. You also get better performance because you have 6 blades in the water.

Boats with twin engines have counter rotating props so you don't have the problem. The Bravo 3's still provide a benefit in twin engines because of added performance but it's not a must.

If you want to swing the bow to port on a twin engine, you put the starboard engine in forward and the port engine in reverse. This will move the bow to port but will also move the stern to starbpoard as the boat rotates on it's axis. with a bow thruster, only the bow moves and the stern stays in one place for the most part.

Another advantage of the bow thruster is that you can use the drives to move the stern to port by simply shifting to reverse and turning the helm to port. At the same time you can use the thruster to move the bow to port. This in effect, lets you walk the boat sideways into a dock. It's nice. At the same time, the boat will also be backing because you have both drives in reverse. So you need to make sure you have room behind you. You can reduce the astern movement by shifting the starboard drive into forward but you will need a little more throttle on the port engine. This takes practice.

The bow thruster can also save you on a windy day in close quarters. Just be careful you don't become dependent on it because it can fail. You also can't operate it continuously.
 
Thanks for all the info. I will take some classes. All the boaters i've met so far have been real nice and friendly. I know a couple of long time boaters that told me they will help me out. They said they will go out on my boat with me till I feel comfortable. This forum is great and I will have a lot of "dumb questions" I'm sure. I figure I got 4 long months to learn. Between friends, classes and this forum I know I will be alright. Thanks Keets :thumbsup:
 
For discussion purposes, maybe you could get a complete list of all the options on the boat and post them for us. For instance it would be good to know if it has A/C and a Generator. Both of those options are very important.

Plus if you haven't perused Sea Ray's web site, go ahead and do it. There is a wealth of information there. This link is to Sea Ray's Archives on the 2005 300 Sundancer http://www.searay.com/online_brochure.asp?tab=2&modelid=43715 Pricing is no longer avaialable on their web site for 2005 models but you can go ahead and price out a 2006 (at retail) on this link http://www.searay.com/configurator.asp?pmid=54025&tab=2& By doing this you can also see the engine and outdrive combinations available as well as the price of each option. You can download the owners manual as well in PDF format ....but it is almost 18MB. Just right click on this link and select "save target as" http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manu...manuals/2005_300_SUNDANCER/2005 300 DA OM.pdf

One other thing that may not have been mentioned here. It's likely the 300DA will not be available in Sea Rays lineup after this year. The newer 310 will replace it. With the kind of deal you are getting, that wouldn't be important to me personally but just wanted you to know.

Lastly, all of us here at CSR will be glad to help out in any way possible. Ask as many questions as you want. There is no such thing as a "stupid question".
 
keets said:
They also said I can keep it docked all winter for $20 per foot use their elect but they don't want you to run your heater all the time. Is that bad for the boat? I will still winterize it. storage out of the water is $500. Like I said I am a newbe so this is al new to me. thanks for all the info. keets
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I always haul mine out every fall, even though many at my marina stay in the slips all year – I figure they can’t sink while “on the hard.†:smt001 Also, this makes the wax on, wax off core a bit easier every spring.
 
Get the biggest boat possible. I went from a 220 Sundeck to a 260Dancer to a 300Dancer in a little over 4 years. Save yourself some money and go big first. The drive /engine combo on that boat would worry me. It is an incredible deal if the boat has the major options such as windlass, AC, Generator,canvas,ect. But I wouldn't even think about it before going out on a sea trial. Load the boat up with your family and their friends and see how the boat performs. I can't stress enough about the sea trial first. Good luck. Brian
 
keets: The 300 is/was offered with two interior layouts. I have the dinette with opposing seats. The other option is the "crescent shaped couch" which I think is nice, but the table is smaller.

I refuse to take work to the boat...but the 300 would make a nice floating office regardless of layout :thumbsup:

If you can get it...a covered slip is the way to go. It will preserve the boat's finish (providing it is cared for) and add years to the canvas.

Keep asking away....note my signature line :thumbsup:
 
fwebster said:
....I think the reason the boat has not been sold is because it is an outdrive boat which makes it a low demand 300DA.
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All current design 300DA are outdrive. V-drives are not an option until you get to the 310.

Keets: Buy a Chapmans book, and check out this site:

http://www.boat-ed.com/

To see if your state has any training requirements. Then take a class. You may find out that your state requires a specific course.
 
Welp I didn't closely read every response, but on a spir of the moment decision last summer we purchased an 04 300Da with 38hrs. on it. I have the merc 6.2's so it really hauls ass, but is probably over the top for most people.

here is my advice...

when people tell you to get the biggest you can afford you should take it to heart. I definately was overwhelmed when I first got the 300. The biggest I drove before it was like a 20' bass boat..lol..however after you figure out slow slow slow and that with those two engines you have full control of your own destiny you will slowly get more comfrotable with it, and within a few months you will all of a sudden realize you can control your boat and its a great feeling..after that you will feel like you can drive anything 30' to 60'...not meaning you can but you will then really appreciate that you got the 300...

The only thing I wish was that i could transport the boat easier as we are planted on the Allegheny about 3 miles north of the Ohio in pgh. However the boat is so much more than a recreational vehicle..I use it for business clients..we have parties down on the dock/boat and its just enjoyable for everyone and taking it anywhere else wouldn't really be as beneficial

Kind of long winded but I really do recommend the 300 over the 260 and its not really something you can convince someone of until they experience it on their own...if you have any questions I'd love to help

Thanks
Aaron
 
Aaron, have you been through the lock system yet? If so how was it. My main concern is not being able to pull the boat out of the river myself. I think I would like to take the boat to deep creek ect. My wife says no matter what size boat we get, that once it's in the water that I won't pull it out till the end of the season. She is probably right. But I do like thinking I have the option. I just want to weigh all my options before I purchase. Thanks to everyone for your advice. Keets.
 
Locking through is fun haha...The first time we went through we did not have a line to toss the operators and they were not thrilled but we managed...then after that its a cinch..come in slow slow slow, stay pretty close to the side, have your line run from the bow to the stern and they'll hook it up and you just sit there and either use your fenders or stick to keep you off the wall..really no big deal, my second time out i did it all by myself..I recomment having two mates the first time through so you can just focus on piloting

as far as taking it out..we wrestled with this issue as well. For a few reasons we decided to get a boat too big to pull out. Here they are in no particular order:

1. We did not want to put the wear and tear on any of our vehicles when we had the option to boat from one spot.

2. with 3 rivers at our finger tips we figured we would be able to find somewhere new to go almost everytime we went out

3. I'm extremely busy with work, so when I get free time I dont' want to fuss with anything, i just want to begin enjoying myself

4. We are paying for a very nice slip and amenities so we really dont' want to waste money by pulling it

we did however take the boat down to myrtle beach with us this year for the first time. It costed us but it was an awesome experience

The only things I don't like are being on water that is constantly moving, and dams, but the rivers can be easily navigated after you get learned a little, and its just as safe as anywhere else

I did watch a family of 6 go over the dams the very first day we had the boat out, and two died...so I twinge a little bit thinking about the dams
 
A*aron said:
I did watch a family of 6 go over the dams the very first day we had the boat out, and two died...so I twinge a little bit thinking about the dams
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:smt119

Are you kidding? They don't have some sort of protection to prevent that?

That would rate up there as one of the worst things you could witness.
 
Boy did that last comment scare the crap out of me.............. I ride a 167 hp 0-60 mph in less than 3 sec motorcycle and that never worries me. I guess it's what your use to. Anyway how did you get the boat to myrtle beach and what was the cost. would you mind if I pm you with some questions? Thanks........Keets.
 
Yeah send me a PM about the cost....


You prevent going over the dam by not going past the bouys, and not flying around the dam. There is bouys, but nothing to actually stop you. If you notice on most of the dams on the Ohio there are grates in front to stop you from going over, which would definately be nice if someone wasn't paying attention but if you drift into that it can almost be as bad as going over

This particular instince the guy was drinking in a 20' bow rider had already gone through one lock further upstream was doing about 40mph with a boat full of people and never saw it. We watched him land about 30' past the damn but he ripped off his outdrive and it pulled the family back in, and filled the boat with water before it capsized. We were just pulling into the lock when we saw it, and we had to get out for river rescue. If we were more seasoned we could have gotten closer to help but the river was high and river rescue had to launch a pontoon to get close enough. The lock employees pulled two people up the wall before it capsized a 7 and 10yr. old, and then a 20yr. old guy his mom, and girlfriend went over along with the driver. The mom and 20yr. old got pushed down stream and the guy got pulled out a few hours later, and the poor 19yr. old girl didn't surface for 3 days...it was about the worst thing you could ever experience on the river I would imagine. Their screams still haunt me, but I'm in a way glad that I was able to experience it and learn from it. Unfortunately my wife doesn't really feel the same way and she is still rather apprehensive when boating, but she trusts me...The funny thing is she wont' sleep on it even when we are in our slip, because she is afraid its going to break loose and go down stream and over the dam...lol...probably have about as good of a chance of that happening as getting struck by lighting 10 times

sorry this post was so long, but who knows maybe someone will learn to take boating a little bit seriously

Oh and one more thing...I am very thankful to have my twin, if one engine fails, I still have another to get me where I need to safety:)
 
keets said:
Boy did that last comment scare the crap out of me.............. I ride a 167 hp 0-60 mph in less than 3 sec motorcycle and that never worries me. I guess it's what your use to. Anyway how did you get the boat to myrtle beach and what was the cost. would you mind if I pm you with some questions? Thanks........Keets.
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Oh I also forgot to comment about this..your going to be into a big shock, at least I was...I rode sportbikes, stunted them everything else, and felt like I could do anything. Moving a boat in the water can be very humbling because it is so different. You have to be so much more patient and calm.

Wind gusts, current and other factors can make the boat do things you didn't intend on it doing...so u have to adjust quickly, but also stay calm...It's not hard now, but I'm saying at first I was very humbled.
 
Wow, your story reminds me of growing up near the Niagara River and taking my dad's boat out for some fun. The only thing that stops you from going over the falls is a big red sign that reads "DANGER - NIAGARA FALLS - 4 MILES, BOAT LIMIT - 2 MILES." Not a great place to run out of gas.
 
In the span of 19 months I went from a 22' Inboard ski boat (Supra Conbrio, 5.7 PCM, 320HP EFI, 3200 lbs) to a 45' Sea Ray 420 DA with 900 turbodiesel ponies, and nearly 15 tons loaded for battle. A couple thoughts:

-As has been said, do the proper analysis up front. You don't know what you don't know as regards usage..so just assume up front that you and your family will love the boat, yor kids will invite friends, and 30' plus of Sea Ray will seem sorta small in a hurry. If you buy it right, you can trade it on a bigger one without losing your shirt. Buy the biggest boat you can comfortably afford to own, operate, and maintain. I failed to do that, and traded a pristine 320DA after 9 months of ownership for the 420DA we now own.

-Take a boating course, and buy an experienced captain's time on the water to teach you how to use your boat safely. You can't buy experience---time is the only currency you can expend in this regard..but a captain will teach you the basics, and the mechanics of getting in and out of the slip, close quarters manuever, etc. Just prepare yourself for a few gel coat dings. they happen, even to guys with a ton of helm time. Fiberglass can be repaired.

-If operating in inland waterways, download and study the USCG colregs, or collision avoidance regulations. They are pretty straightforward and common sense. Knowledge is power.

-Safe boating requires planning and "what if" drills on your part as the vessel captain. Have a plan for the worst things..an injury on board, a fire, etc. Preparedness is key.

-Be prepared to love this great pastime. Be prepared to be a hero to your kids when you pile them aboard and pull away from the dock and bring the boat on plane. Things on the boat will break, won't work as advertised, and your dealer service department, other boaters, etc. etc. etc. will get on your nerves. Try to take it all in stride. When you come off plane and drop the hook in a quiet anchorage, on a beautiful sunny day, with no annoyances from the outside world, every single thing in life will be a bit better, and you will ask yourself why you waited this long to get a boat.

best of luck with it. we are all here to help along the way.

regards
Skip
 
GO WITH THE 3OODA NEVER LOOK BACK!
YOU WILL HAVE 4 FOOT ITIS SOON ENOUGH.(':smt043')
 
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