Looking at at new used boat

B

Bentwings

Member
Jul 4, 2018
110
St.Paul,MN
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
hi, I’ve been away for a while hospital, injury, and wintering on my existing boat.

I really, really need a larger boat. I found a 2000 40 foot express cruiser right in my back yard almost. I know there is a special section for these but I thought it might be best here in general.

So this sweetly has only 400 hours on it and 1 hour on the gen. It’s wintered on shore and I think covered. I had not even considered these before as they are mostly gas boats up here. I really was looking for a diesel boat but after a lot of digging I decided for up here in Minn on the big river the gas boat is probably better.

So this boat seems to be a cream puff. It’s more money than I wanted to spend but if I don’t have to do a lot of updates it might be a Berber deal.
I know slip fees will be greater shrink wrap is more and these are gas hogs. I’m not a speed demon especially on the river. Hitting a log or anything at speed is going to be expensive. My neighbor hit a log last spring and wiped out a prop, drive shaft and strut. Several thousand to repair by the time he was done. I’ve hit one but at barely making headway o it just made a terrible noise. No damage. So anyway this boat looks pretty nice in the pictures.

Are these motors carb motors or EFI motors. 7.4 Mercury.
It says only one head. Is this correct?
It has mahogany colored interior. I looked at one a year ago that had serious delamination of the interior panels. Hope this is not the same boat. There aren’t many pictures of the engine room. It says 5 new batteries. Probably good deal there. The interior looks nice. It says leather seating. Electric bunk. Nice forward berth.
What kind of anchor and winch might this have. Foot pedal control? It’s got a huge gas tank over 300 gallons. You could easily put @$1000 in the gas tank here.4-4.50 per gal,in the summer. Yikes.
Would the AC have R22 refrigerant? Bad deal as it’s no longer even made so as supply’s dwindle the price will go up. It has dual AC I think. Would consider bargaining this point as the new units are very efficient. And easily serviced. My new one has built in Gages right on the unit.about 4 grand for two units.
I haven’t seen any 40-410 with washer dryer in them. Space would be an issue. This one doesn’t have an abundance of canvas. They do have a lot of space in the rear so I could live with what is there.

I’d like to hear what others think about these boats.

Thanks
 
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I know this is off subject a little but if you're looking for an awesome 40da with low hour diesels, I have one. I have it listed thru jefferson beach yacht sales.
Seriously, this is in excellent shape with tons of upgrades.
 
Bentwings said:
Hitting a log or anything at speed is going to be expensive. My neighbor hit a log last spring and wiped out a prop, drive shaft and strut. Several thousand to repair by the time he was done.
Click to expand...
Oh yea! I'll agree with that!!!
 
Bentwings

I know this is a typical answer but you need a survey. I do admit the hours are suspect. A 20 year old boat with 400 hours on the mains and 1 hour on the genset screams deferred maintainance.

Try not to let your emotions get involved and just get a survey. The EC boats are nice. There is a 410ec 3 slips down from me and I am very familiar.

Gas wise, 300 gallons means a usable capacity of 240 with 20% reserve. Figure .8 mpg and usable range is 200 miles so it may seem like a bunch at first but everyone wishes for more.

anyway I do like those boats. They run a little bow high but are good boats overall. If all the numbers are correct you would be wise to make a list of upgrades and maintaince items that need to be addressed.

good luck and share some pictures!

Josh
 
I am a fan of diesel power in this size range. Especially on the river system vs a land locked lake. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I am local to St. Paul and have been in the river systems far the past 7 seasons.
 
No issues with gas on my end! :)

I'm certain you'll be fuel injected in a 2000 since my antique 97 is FI.

The Express is a little less common than the Sundancer. Google can surely highlight some of the differences for you. Usually the most notable differences are the mid-cabin layout and the engine room/drive package.

With 1 hour on the generator it's either brand new or does not work. The difference between the two is $10-15k, ballpark?

400 hours does seem pretty low, even for us northerners. But 20 hours per year isn't "out of this world" low for someone that wasn't really into boating. A good survey would surely tell you whether or not the prior owner took good care of it.
 
Bentwings said:
hi, I’ve been away for a while hospital, injury, and wintering on my existing boat.

I really, really need a larger boat. I found a 2000 40 foot express cruiser right in my back yard almost. I know there is a special section for these but I thought it might be best here in general.

So this sweetly has only 400 hours on it and 1 hour on the gen. It’s wintered on shore and I think covered. I had not even considered these before as they are mostly gas boats up here. I really was looking for a diesel boat but after a lot of digging I decided for up here in Minn on the big river the gas boat is probably better.

So this boat seems to be a cream puff. It’s more money than I wanted to spend but if I don’t have to do a lot of updates it might be a Berber deal.
I know slip fees will be greater shrink wrap is more and these are gas hogs. I’m not a speed demon especially on the river. Hitting a log or anything at speed is going to be expensive. My neighbor hit a log last spring and wiped out a prop, drive shaft and strut. Several thousand to repair by the time he was done. I’ve hit one but at barely making headway o it just made a terrible noise. No damage. So anyway this boat looks pretty nice in the pictures.

Are these motors carb motors or EFI motors. 7.4 Mercury.
It says only one head. Is this correct?
It has mahogany colored interior. I looked at one a year ago that had serious delamination of the interior panels. Hope this is not the same boat. There aren’t many pictures of the engine room. It says 5 new batteries. Probably good deal there. The interior looks nice. It says leather seating. Electric bunk. Nice forward berth.
What kind of anchor and winch might this have. Foot pedal control? It’s got a huge gas tank over 300 gallons. You could easily put @$1000 in the gas tank here.4-4.50 per gal,in the summer. Yikes.
Would the AC have R22 refrigerant? Bad deal as it’s no longer even made so as supply’s dwindle the price will go up. It has dual AC I think. Would consider bargaining this point as the new units are very efficient. And easily serviced. My new one has built in Gages right on the unit.about 4 grand for two units.
I haven’t seen any 40-410 with washer dryer in them. Space would be an issue. This one doesn’t have an abundance of canvas. They do have a lot of space in the rear so I could live with what is there.

I’d like to hear what others think about these boats.

Thanks
Click to expand...
i don't Think they made a 400 express in 2ooo I believe it was the 380 DA or the 410 DA and with those hours something doesn't seem right to me look at the hull # that will give you the year and size. But you never know i could be wrong about the hours . Good Luck
 
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SkiPharmer said:
I believe this is the boat the OP is talking about. it has been for sale for about 3 years. its now at like $94,000. I would low ball as I think the seller wants it gone. I have a buddy who went through the boat with a moisture meter last year and thought it was ok. good luck.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2000/sea-ray-410-express-cruiser-3250617/
Click to expand...

I wonder if something is wrong with the boat...or the generator is shot. It shouldn't take 3 years to sell a 410 at that price...
 
Stee6043 said:
I wonder if something is wrong with the boat...or the generator is shot. It shouldn't take 3 years to sell a 410 at that price...
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it was listed at $109K...he dropped it to that price this Fall. Those boats aren't are popular around here at Sundancers
 
Very nice boat, I can see why the dancers could be more popular, but, wow, that's a lot of fresh water boat for that price. Good luck!
 
Stee6043 said:
I wonder if something is wrong with the boat...or the generator is shot. It shouldn't take 3 years to sell a 410 at that price...
Click to expand...

I would agree.. This boat has more of a market than what is local to MN. Doesn't mean it couldn't be a good deal but I sure would want a detailed hull and engine survey.

I am still sold on the thought diesels are the way to go in this size.

I assume this is the boat mentioned above..

https://www.jbys.com/boat/1999/sea-ray/40-sundancer/14969/

I would be all over this vs a gas model
 
Yeah that's my boat. This thing is in excellent condition and has always been a fresh water boat
 
I’ll throw another competitor into the mix here. The wife and I are looking at adding a 2nd kid to the family so we don’t see ourselves doing much boating for the next few years. We’re either going to take a few years off or downsize to a smaller outboard dayboat. We dropped $40k into the boat in the last two years and then didn’t even use it in 2019.

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/1997-sea-ray-400-sundancer-(diesel)-103729148/
 
Z-Worthy said:
I’ll throw another competitor into the mix here. The wife and I are looking at adding a 2nd kid to the family so we don’t see ourselves doing much boating for the next few years. We’re either going to take a few years off or downsize to a smaller outboard dayboat. We dropped $40k into the boat in the last two years and then didn’t even use it in 2019.

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/1997-sea-ray-400-sundancer-(diesel)-103729148/
Click to expand...
Nice boat, did you put the camper top on, or did that come with it?
GLWS
 
Z-Worthy said:
I’ll throw another competitor into the mix here. The wife and I are looking at adding a 2nd kid to the family so we don’t see ourselves doing much boating for the next few years. We’re either going to take a few years off or downsize to a smaller outboard dayboat. We dropped $40k into the boat in the last two years and then didn’t even use it in 2019.

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/1997-sea-ray-400-sundancer-(diesel)-103729148/
Click to expand...

Don’t do it! I bought my first cruiser when my youngest was 6 months old. Best family time money can buy. I stuff 3 of ‘em in that mid cabin every weekend May through October!
 
Chris-380 said:
Nice boat, did you put the camper top on, or did that come with it?
GLWS
Click to expand...

Yea, we had the complete canvas and glass package built in 2017. Roll-up panels in the back with replacement screens. And polycarbonate panels in the front. The upholstery was all done in early 2018. And the SeaDek flooring was late 2018.
 
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