680 Sun Sport

Beautiful boat and I think it was one of coolest Sea Ray's ever built for that time. When it comes to the million dollar boat club after owning a european yacht and a couple of Sea Rays (under a million for sure) I think would look towards the euro yachts (excluding Azimut) if I was looking for a 60 foot plus. Being in SoFlo I get the opportunity to see and board all types of yachts and there is a huge difference in my opinion in build quality. Just my opinion but I think they show much more experience in that field than Sea Ray ever has which in the end lengthens the life and lowers the cost of ownership. Again we don't know anything about your boating location or lifestyle which plays into this hugely. But I can tell you going from a 27 to a 60 plus older yacht either have a deep wallet or plan on spending most of your free time doing maintenance as it is a never ending battle to keep everything working on a yacht that size. One last comment I will say is finding parts for these older Sea Rays is becoming a huge issue as Sea Ray's mostly US vendors just don't support them anymore as Sea abandonded them by not making yachts anymore. You don't have this big of issue with most of the euro manufactures as they are still in the yacht building business.
 
I think one of the finest Sea Ray's of any time and have had the distinct pleasure of being at the helm of one of these rockets. There is a lot of bow on that boat and the raised helm helps but still someone needs to be up front when swinging it close to anything. The nice thing about the one listed is much of the navigation has been updated which would be required on a vessel of that magnitude; I know as I sank over $100K in my little boat in just electronics two years ago. The Cat engines are silky smooth, clean burning, and when that boat is put in gear it moves with authority. The engines and other equipment in that engine room are pretty snug so make sure you discuss maintenance with an experienced mechanic. Consider the benign; batteries alone would be a $5k investment. Note the wide gunnels to access the bow areas which is one of the first things I look for on any boat.
But, I would reach out to @Capt. Rusty Higgins on his experience as he has been behind the wheel of probably every one built.
 
Tucker K5 said:
I appreciate the input on this.

FWIW I have owned a twin engine 33’ in the past. I know that’s not even close.

I do have an agent that I am working with and I have some leverage on him to get me taken care of.

I also have 2 good friends with the credentials to pilot the boat until I can get my own.

If you still see holes in my plan please elaborate. Part of my reason for posting here is to open my eyes to potential pitfalls before I make this leap.
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As someone who has jumped from 28 to 58 in the last 10 years I can absolutely say the way you boat will definitely need to change. We used to be able to grab slips for the day or night on a whim. Now with a 58 we need to plan weeks in advance, and usually can't get in places we would like to visit.

The other thing to be aware of is the huge amount of systems on board, they all need maintenance.

Have you looked into cleaning services? I used to wash my 28 in three hours, it takes that just to was the bow area now.

All food for thought.

Good luck.
 
I find it strange that relative fuel burn is a consideration in that class of yacht. Probably the lowest cost of all cost categories for a 60 plus boat, isn’t it? I know range is important if you are crossing large bodies of water. But fuel capacity is most important for that. But what do I know. I love burning fuel.
 
ocgrant said:
Beautiful boat and I think it was one of coolest Sea Ray's ever built for that time. When it comes to the million dollar boat club after owning a european yacht and a couple of Sea Rays (under a million for sure) I think would look towards the euro yachts (excluding Azimut) if I was looking for a 60 foot plus. Being in SoFlo I get the opportunity to see and board all types of yachts and there is a huge difference in my opinion in build quality. Just my opinion but I think they show much more experience in that field than Sea Ray ever has which in the end lengthens the life and lowers the cost of ownership. Again we don't know anything about your boating location or lifestyle which plays into this hugely. But I can tell you going from a 27 to a 60 plus older yacht either have a deep wallet or plan on spending most of your free time doing maintenance as it is a never ending battle to keep everything working on a yacht that size. One last comment I will say is finding parts for these older Sea Rays is becoming a huge issue as Sea Ray's mostly US vendors just don't support them anymore as Sea abandonded them by not making yachts anymore. You don't have this big of issue with most of the euro manufactures as they are still in the yacht building business.
Click to expand...

Great feedback.

I wasn’t necessarily looking for 60+ I just didn’t see the benefits of the 50’ - 60’ range I was looking in when compared to this boat.
I have owned a 33’ cruiser FWIW.

I realize things like more AC units means more AC units to break and so on with other systems. My FIL is an automotive AC repairman and he will help me with anything he can and is close to retirement. He’s also really good with electrical troubleshooting. He and I get along great and can do about any normal repair excluding in depth engine repair or anything ECM related.

I’m the kind of guy that if one AC unit goes bad and they’re all the same age (old) I will replace all of them at once as well as any other component that has potential to fail and be done with it.

I own a fleet of over 30 semi trucks that support my main business and have 2 diesel mechanics on staff. If the engines need something I can use them to help diagnose and probably repair if it isn’t too extreme.

What is your favorite Euro brand?

I live in North Alabama and my business is right on the Tennessee River. I became a member of the local yacht club about 2 years ago when this pursuit of a yacht started.

My plans would be to move it out of Miami to another part of SoFlo where it would be less expensive, then try making a few trips down there for vacationing a week at a time this winter or until I see that I just can’t take care of it properly from here then I would drive it home where it would only be five minutes away from work and I have lots of resources to for most things it would need such as cleaning and routine maintenance. Plus the cost of my slip will be super cheap compared to SoFlo.

I have a retired friend who has credentials and to captain it until I have my own. This friend is dying for me to buy a boat so he can help me with it. He has his own yacht now. I also have a vendor to my business / friend who does have a captains license and a 60’ Sundancer which will be parked in the same small marina as mine. He will help me anyway I ask as he is just generous in that way and wants my business.


Then in 1-2 years I will have more time away from work and would hope to take it back to SoFlo and spend a lot more time putting it to use island hopping.

What SeaRay specific components do I need to worry about? I guess I’m under the assumption that any part can be replaced in the aftermarket parts world.

Please keep the why nots coming. That is why I’m here.

My broker keeps trying to talk me out of buying one of these boats and we’ve been at it for two years now.
 
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Creekwood said:
I find it strange that relative fuel burn is a consideration in that class of yacht. Probably the lowest cost of all cost categories for a 60 plus boat, isn’t it? I know range is important if you are crossing large bodies of water. But fuel capacity is most important for that. But what do I know. I love burning fuel.
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Well it’s not really that relevant but I do plan on moving it back and forth for winters and summers every year or two. That being between SoFlo to North Alabama.

I will put some miles / hours on it in the next 10 years.

I just brought up the fuel burn to demonstrate that 10-20% smaller boats use about the same fuel with smaller engines as they are turning more RPMs.
 
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Tucker K5 said:
Well it’s not really that relevant but I do plan on moving it back and forth for winters and summers every year or two.
I will put some miles / hours on it in the next 10 years.
I just brought up the fuel burn to demonstrate that 10-20% smaller boats use about the same fuel with smaller engines as they are turning more RPMs.
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I did find that really interesting too. The 680 hull must be a really efficient ratio of length width and shape.
 
All of your comments and concerns have been considered and I greatly appreciate all of them.

I have decided to make an offer so I’ll keep you all posted as this progresses.
 
bfernald0 said:
I was unaware of the Sea Ray 680 SS until this thread. Reading up on it, it's one hell of a yacht. $2.65 million new. 35.1 knots at WOT, though at 144 gph. It's become my new dream boat.

https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/sea-ray-680-capital-appreciation-0/
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I've only seen one from afar. Incredible boat.

not to derail the thread but the other one I had no idea existed was the enormous 650 MY. Seems like they must have been rare as they don't come up for same often https://www.seattleyachts.com/used-...kpit-motor-yacht-1994-heart-of-gold/2769363_1
 
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About 9 or 10 years ago there were two 680 Sea Rays wintering in our storage building at Algonac, MI. One was a local vessel with a black painted hull and the other was a Canadian boat. They were magnificent vessels.
 
If I’m not mistaken only 14 built?
Always said I’d I won the lotto that would be The one. Have it totally refit too.
Keep us posted!
 
The seller is not cooperating.

He listed the boat with a broker.
I flew to Miami to look at it.
Our two brokers worked out a price between us and we both verbally agreed.
Then the seller wanted 6 weeks to close instead of 4.
I agreed and signed the contract.
Now he wants to wait until January.
Dammit!!
 
Tucker K5 said:
The seller is not cooperating.

He listed the boat with a broker.
I flew to Miami to look at it.
Our two brokers worked out a price between us and we both verbally agreed.
Then the seller wanted 6 weeks to close instead of 4.
I agreed and signed the contract.
Now he wants to wait until January.
Dammit!!
Click to expand...
Then reneg on the price. He wants until January, the price just went down $15-20,000… or more.
 
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Tucker K5 said:
The seller is not cooperating.

He listed the boat with a broker.
I flew to Miami to look at it.
Our two brokers worked out a price between us and we both verbally agreed.
Then the seller wanted 6 weeks to close instead of 4.
I agreed and signed the contract.
Now he wants to wait until January.
Dammit!!
Click to expand...

That shows he is not a serious seller. If he signed the contract you are entitled to all your expenses paid after the contract was signed.

At a minimum I would get a credit for the amount to have your surveyor return the week before closing and ask that he put an equal amount to your deposit in escrow. If he backs out in January he owes you your full deposit plus his escrow money. If he is serious about selling no reason for him not to.

The seller of our current boat literally moved off all his personal belongings the day he signed the contract. We did the same when we sold our last boat.
 
Tucker K5 said:
The seller is not cooperating.

He listed the boat with a broker.
I flew to Miami to look at it.
Our two brokers worked out a price between us and we both verbally agreed.
Then the seller wanted 6 weeks to close instead of 4.
I agreed and signed the contract.
Now he wants to wait until January.
Dammit!!
Click to expand...
Does the seller expect to use the boat after the contract is signed and worse if surveys completed? That's a no no.
What about maintenance on the vessel over that period?
Or is the seller trying to avoid some tax consequences?
Kinda weird..
I would take a deep breath and try to understand the issue; I'm sure the brokers would like to take commission before next year. Maybe after peeling back the onion this is not worth letting the vessel slip through your fingers.
 
In this market sellers are getting away with a lot. I know of a boat that sold for just shy of seven figures in one day the first week of June. The buyer paid in full without a survey depositing the money in an escrow account. The seller then used the boat until the end of August putting about 350 hours on the boat. Seller took possession of the boat September first with no survey. I would not do that.
 
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