93 370 sundancer with high hours

[Steve Leach]

Hey everyone. I am still looking and it’s getting old lol. I am looking at a 93 370 DA with 454 s. This boat is in beautiful shape compared to a lot I looked at and has a survey to prove it. The issue with the boat as there seems to be a issue with everyone I look at is the high engine hours and no generator. The boat has been meticulously maintained with service records to go along with it. The hours are 1900 on the 454’s. Anyone out there seen a boat with this kind of hours? Should I run although the boat is mint? Thank you

 

[Golfman25]

I wouldn’t necessarily run, but the boat should be priced right. Depending on your boating you could get several more years of service. But yeah, I feel your pain as I’m in the same boat.

 

[Almightys]

I mean you are looking at a nearly 30 year boat. That’s like 60-65 hours per year. Assuming you are looking at this boat due to one the size and two the price range. get a good survey and have an engine survey done as well for piece of mind.

 

[Steve Leach]

That’s just it. I’m buying what I can afford. The survey was not a mechanical one. But the survey of the rest of the boat came back above average. The boat has been stored indoors in the winter and completely covered in the summer at the dock. The boat is in showroom condition. But a lot of hours. I have looked all across Ontario last three months not easy to find a boat in good condition. I also love the layout of the 93.

 

[copb8tx]

I would definitely do compression and leak down tests on those motors. If that checks out you'll probably be good for a while on the motors. Transmissions will need to be carefully looked at as well.

Having no generator on a boat that size is going to help your purchase price but eventually hurt your resale value. Seeing where you'll be boating it probably isn't that big a deal up there.

 

[Steve Leach]

Ok. That’s a good idea.

 

[Jmac572]

Hey everyone. I am still looking and it’s getting old lol. I am looking at a 93 370 DA with 454 s. This boat is in beautiful shape compared to a lot I looked at and has a survey to prove it. The issue with the boat as there seems to be a issue with everyone I look at is the high engine hours and no generator. The boat has been meticulously maintained with service records to go along with it. The hours are 1900 on the 454’s. Anyone out there seen a boat with this kind of hours? Should I run although the boat is mint? Thank you

Assuming you are trying to get more serviceable years out of those engines then you would actually prefer to see those hours rather than, say, 500 hours. With low hours on motors that old you are asking for corrosion and deteriorated seals, etc. from lack of use. The boat must be priced right and you need to have the train of thought that you're going to be replacing one or both long blocks in the coming years. No one can answer this question for you without a compression and leakdown test of the engines. Only then will you know where you are standing. If the compression/leakdown numbers are good then I say go for it, maintain the motors properly and continue to run them often. Also have the manifolds/risers pulled and check their condition. I wouldn't be surprised to see you get 2500+ or more hours out of them.

One thing, did you pay for the survey or are you using one provided by the seller? I would want my own personally. At least hire your own professional to get a multiple moisture readings all over the hull and transom. Also, test larger equipment like the A/C, vacuflush and other head equipment, fridge/freezer, water pump, cooktop, etc. on your own during a sea trial.

 

[Steve Leach]

Thank you for the feedback. This guy has all the service records and kept boat indoors in heated storage during the winter and a covered slip in the summer. He had the survey done but by a reputable source.