How Many Hours too many?

[Escapade]

In my search for a new to us vessel I found an ideally optioned 390 Dancer It is a 2005 and has 400 fresh water hours on twin 8.1L gas Merc.'s. Seems very high compared to all the boats we have looked at. Price is 15k lower than most w/ 2 x the hours. I have never had a boat w/ greater than 320 hours before. Would I expect this to be prone to maintenance?Opinions please?

 

[sbw1]

This depends entirely how it was operated and maintained. I plan on getting 2-3000 hours out of my 8.1 Crusaders, and they will not be worn out when I sell the boat.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Ditto on the hours.

Also keep in mind that the 8.1 engine is 'fresh water cooled' - Not the same as used in fresh water, but an engine that has an internal cooling system that uses anti-freeze. As a result corrosion decay to the engine is limited to the metal that comes in contact with the raw water cooling, e.g. risers, manifolds, etc.

Henry

 

[fwebster]

The average use for a serious pleasure boater is about 100 hours per year. We use the boat almost every day we are in Florida. Some years we run 175 hours, others 75. As long as your boat is about the 100 hours per year mark, I'd be more concerned with access to the service record and the condnition of wearable/stainable surfaces like vinyl, carpets, headliner/wall covering, upholstery, etc. than hours.

 

[barryg]

Yes, Frank is right on....about 75- 100 hrs a year here in S. Fla is about the norm, so 400 hrs on a 4-5 year old boat is just about right; and as long as you can get the service records and they have done the 100 hr services etc, and you get the boat surveyed and inspected with a compression check on the engines as well, you should be in good shape, and a great time to be a buyer.....If the owner really cared about the boat, he has gone thru most of the problems and had them fixed for you; another reason I never buy a new boat; I let someone else take both the depreciation hit as well as getting all the problems worked out.

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

 

[Escapade]

Gentlmen you have set me at ease and will proceed with caution. I tend to over-reaserch major purchases prior to my opening the check book. The boat is accross the pond from us located in Holland MI. I have never hired a Marine Survey so if we proceed will fly over to be present. An excellent suggestion regarding maintenance records. I did just inquire requesting fax of maintenance records / work done to the boat. On a good year we average 75 hours on Lake Michigan. That is on the hi side for our dock. I'll keep you posted! Thanks! Mike

 

[Skip]

I would also recommend getting the HIN and calling SR customer service. They can give you the boat's warranty history. I also hired separate specialists to do the hull survey (SAMS accredited surveyor) and a certified Cummins Tech to go thorugh the mains. Do not scrimp on the Surveyor or the Certified Merc Technician. I also believe it is very useful to try to find the most aggressive, experienced surveyor you can. Take your time and do it right.

 

[Escapade]

Skip- Great knowledge. Do you have phone # for SR customer service to check this out or can you direct me to find this?

Mike

 

[rwvw415]

When I bought my 2004 390 Dancer it had 325 hours on the fresh water 8.1's. I have never had any problem with the boat the systems or the engines. I did have all fluids spark plugs replaced in the engines the generator and the transmissions just to make sure things were done the way i wanted them. IM me if you have any questions on the 390 series. I feel it is a very good boat.

 

[JV II]

I'd be more concerned with the wear and tear on the other components, hull and fittings than on the engine. I would guess that 400 hours on the engines would equate to 1000 hours of kids jumping on and slamming everything, not to mentions other systems/mechanicals. All the little things that you might want to replace could add up to the same as an engine rebuild.

 

[Escapade]

Yesterday we had them take some detail photos of the boat to answer preliminary visual quesstions. The photos were acceptable and we wrote an accepted offer. We covered all the basic contingencies and include a full survey. I plan on being there for the survey w/ camera in hand, note book at the ready. I have requested copies of maintenance records and will place a call to Factory to check on warrenty issues w/ boat. Thanks in advance for the guidance!
Mike

 

[barryg]

Are you going to do the sea trial at the same time with the surveyor there? Good luck and let us know what you find/ decide to do.

 

[Escapade]

Barry- The only sea trial mentioned was once it was shipped back to Milwaukee. That is a good question to ask. Might be nice to take care of in Michigan. Thanks,

Mike