Considering pre-owned 48 DA in Destin, advice?

jff

jff

Member
Mar 29, 2008
510
Atlanta
Boat Info
2017 Crest Pontoon
Engines
Yamaha
I'm looking at a pre-owned 2005 48DA in Destin (it's a MM boat). This would be my first diesel boat. A few questions:

- the boat has ~675 hours on it. As a 'gas guy' and just in general, to me that sounds like a lot of use. From a diesel perspective, would that number of hours be concerning or just breaking them in? I'm thinking that's nothing for diesels but thought I would validate that thought.

- no offense to anyone in Florida, I was born there and my family is from Florida, but aside from the obvious (doing a personal inspection and getting a survey done) what kinds of things do I need to be aware of/consider given that we're talking about 675 hours in salt water?

- just by chance, anyone know the specific boat I'm talking about and have any thoughts in that regard?

- anything in particular with the 2005 48 DA I should be aware of? I'm also looking at a 2006 48 DA, any reason that one would be much better to consider (lets say for the sake of argument that all else was equal except the model year and a price difference)?

- anyone have a surveyor they recommend in the Destin area?

Thanks for any/all advice.

Regards,
Jason
 
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This is a total and complete guess since you sent us on a chase to even find the boat. A link would have been helpful.

The boat was most likely sold new by Killenger in Pensacola. MM cannot sell new Sea Ray yachts in Destin since it is out of their territory. They do have a used and brokerage office in Destin which is likely where you found the boat. The home port shows Pensacola so my guess is the owner has cruised the boat a lot to average 200+ hours per year. By used pleasure boat standards and averages, this is a lot of time on a 2005, but in the grand scheme of things, 600 hours is nothing to a Cummins QSM.

I'll let the guys who own them address specifics, but at this number of hours you can expect some near term maintenance cost for things like impellers, cleaning heat exchangers, water pumps, coolant maintenance, etc.

NW Fla is the pits for bottom growth. If the boat has a recent bottom, you'll get a year out of it. If it has had a quick coat of bottom paint to get it sold, then figure $50-65/ ft for a complete proper bottom job in this area next year.

This area also had some decent storm activity with storm surges in the 2005-2007 time frame so be sure you have the boat thoroughly surveyed and that it isn't a storm repair boat.

The best surveyor in the area is Chris Mills in Panama City 850-913-1595. He is practical, down to earth and misses nothing....but I'm sure there are others in Destin.

48DA's are great boats...hope it works out.
 
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I'll second Chris Mills. I had him do my survey and found him to be very knowledgeable, he really doesn’t miss anything! When he did my survey he said that he would meet me on the boat around 8:00 am I got there a little early and he had been there since 6:00! He didn’t finish until 5:00 at night and his survey report was very professionally done!

Frank,
Remind me to tell you about my neighbors 220 that he got in Destin at MM.
 
Thanks for the tips and surveyor lead. Sorry I didn't post a link, since there is only one pre-owned 48 at MM in Destin I just mentioned it in case someone knew it well. This is the boat:
http://tinyurl.com/72cdzc

Anyway, thanks for all the feedback.

Regards,
Jason
 
Great boat, except for the dual Sea Ray Navigators.

Unless the deal comes with an extended full and separate electronics warranty, you will incur a substantial cost to replace both of these units when (not if) they fail in the near future. Unfortunately, I speak from experience here.
 
Jason,
I have considered that boat for awhile, but have not seen it in person. I have gotten lots of info from my dealership on that boat. My concern from a distance is that it has been for sale in inventory for more than a year. I am still looking at 48 Da's, but have not made a decision. I agree with every reply post on here.


Paul
 
My personal opinion is that you can get that boat for $475.....Hyannis Marina (www.hyanismarina.com) in my area had a 2006 with 200 plus hours on it for 624K 3 months ago and is now 499K.....Just my 50K cents.
 
I agree with you ... although that seems to be an extremely low price on an '06.

Regards,
Jason

PS - In my case I would be trading in my 390 so in reality the deal gets worked on both ends.
 
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I bought my 240 from Jim Raftelis (508-790-4000 x169) at Hyannis Marina, Great guy.
 
Wow, that's so cheap you have to wonder about the history. I noticed it says "average condition". Anyway, thanks for the link.

Regards,
Jason
 
I saw that one too. WOW!!!
Man wish I was in the market for a change.
I bet its just a sign of these tough times.
Also, sets a new low bar for the 48 and the like...lets wait a year and see if it was really a good price or just a realistic SELL price?
 
National Liquidators has so many boats that have been bank repo'ed they can't give them away. The So. Florida boat sales mkt is in a shambles. There are more used boats for sale then houses. The banks want these boats off their books. My friend / broker was over at National Liquidators the other day looking for a specific boat. The sales guy told him if he see something he likes throw out a ridiculous offer. The banks were OKing almost anything. True? - I don't know but If I had the time and was in the market I would look closely at some of these repos and see if I could steal a boat.
 
I asked around about that boat. Evidently the boat was run aground. The grounding wrecked the running gear dislodged the shafts and the engine room partially filled with water. I am told there is an offer of $425,000 that has not been a accepted.
 
You've just validated my fear of buying one of these too good to be true repo boats ...

Regards,
Jason
 
Hello Jason,

I live in Destin across from MM and have seen the boat. It looks nice from the dock. I think the bank now has this boat and MM is trying to sell it. You will like the diesels. Remember in NWF we boat year arround so 600 hrs is not too bad. I agree with the other comments, It is a buyer's market! By all means have any boat surveyed before you buy. But you can learn a lot by calling the previous owner(s). Also, your friendly Sea RAy dealer can check on the warranty work, repairs, etc.

I think they will deal on this boat. But you know the game on trade ins. You can expect the same market impact on your boat. You may be better off selling your boat yourself and do a straight buy. With all the problems in the banking industry, Banks want to settle their non performing loans asap. It is my experience that they will take consideralby less than the pay off.

Good luck,

Tad
 
Thanks Tad, good information. Want to buy a 2005 390? :)

Regards,
Jason
 
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