Hi guys,
I have been following the CSR threads with interest over the past few months but I finally decided to register because I am looking for advice. We recently sold our 365 Four Winns and will finally move to a Sea Ray. The 460DA has always been a favourite and we have it narrowed from a dozen examples (Cummins, Cat 3208, & Volvos) down to either an '01 or '02 in the Great Lakes. Both have hard tops and Cummins 6CTA motors.
But wait...we saw a 480 sedan bridge and soon realized that for the same money we would move back a year and get a three stateroom condo with good performance. We started concentrating on '00 and '01 models and really loved this boat.
Now the crunch...they are all equipped with the 3196 Caterpillar engine (I also belong to BoatDiesel) and that appears to affect the value, to a point. (The 480 with QSM-11 is out of my price range.)
We are active boaters during our abbreviated season and annually will take one 500 to 1000 Nm voyage plus weekends of anchoring in Georgian Bay. Diesel service is a bit harder to obtain around here so I really need dependable motors.
Either boat would suit our needs well. We come from an express cruiser background so the DA would be great but the DB is gorgeous as well. However I'm hung up on the 3196 motor issue and each example that I phone Cat for a background check seems to have a long list of warranty work and "upgrades".
Thank you for any advice, guidance, or opinions.
James
I have been following the CSR threads with interest over the past few months but I finally decided to register because I am looking for advice. We recently sold our 365 Four Winns and will finally move to a Sea Ray. The 460DA has always been a favourite and we have it narrowed from a dozen examples (Cummins, Cat 3208, & Volvos) down to either an '01 or '02 in the Great Lakes. Both have hard tops and Cummins 6CTA motors.
But wait...we saw a 480 sedan bridge and soon realized that for the same money we would move back a year and get a three stateroom condo with good performance. We started concentrating on '00 and '01 models and really loved this boat.
Now the crunch...they are all equipped with the 3196 Caterpillar engine (I also belong to BoatDiesel) and that appears to affect the value, to a point. (The 480 with QSM-11 is out of my price range.)
We are active boaters during our abbreviated season and annually will take one 500 to 1000 Nm voyage plus weekends of anchoring in Georgian Bay. Diesel service is a bit harder to obtain around here so I really need dependable motors.
Either boat would suit our needs well. We come from an express cruiser background so the DA would be great but the DB is gorgeous as well. However I'm hung up on the 3196 motor issue and each example that I phone Cat for a background check seems to have a long list of warranty work and "upgrades".
Thank you for any advice, guidance, or opinions.
James