Looking to buy a 26ft Sundancer would like some advise

D

dannieboiz

New Member
Nov 24, 2009
8
SF Bay
Boat Info
00" Bayliner Capri 1950CL
Engines
3.0ll Alpha I
I found a good deal on a 26ft Sea Ray Sundancer that I'm considering. The guy is 600 miles away so I gotta make sure this is what I'm looking for.

He has paper works for a recent outdrive service on the upper and lower unit. He said it was a total of $1900 but I didn't go into detail on what was done since he didn't have the papers in front of him.

The boat is a Mercruiser 350 engine 260hp and Bravo One outdrive, is this normal? Here's a picture of the boat, can someone confirm the exact model of it?

Are there anything about this boat that I should be aware of? Any advise is greatly appreciated.

I currently have an 02 Bayliner Capri that's only 19ft the biggest boat I've had is a 22ft cabin cruiser. This would be quite a leap for me.

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Caveat Emptor.....
The best thing to do would be to get both a mechanical survey and a Sea Trial performed by a professional.
Aside from that... Immediately here's what I see...
That boat is old....and theres' nothing wrong with that per say BUT it just means that the price had better reflect the condition of the boat(and TRAILER!- that's a long tow), and you realizing that there MIGHT be more investment here than you are prepared for.
NOW before all the guys with 1980's boats jump in and mutilate my P.M. box- I'm just saying that there may be other considerations here, There are huge values in used boats but it's on the buyer to be aware of them!
--Kevin
 
dannie,

First off, welcome to CSR. This places is loaded with information & some great people that are willing to share it. Im going to suggest you have the seller e mail more pics & details. (600 miles is a long way). Post the hull ID back here. That way more folks will likely respond with all you need to know.

Good luck moving up to a Sea Ray. Again, welcome to CSR.
 
Good advice above about surveys and checking through past threads on this site about what to look for - just take some time and search - the info is there, it's just this search engine isn't always the most friendly.

I would guestimate it to be an SRV260 from the early 80's. You can look on Sea Ray's website for a comparison. As mentioned above, more info from the seller will tell you, as well. Especially the Hull number and the model number (which is underneath the hull ID).

Bravo 1? I'm not sure. I would lean towards a Bravo 2, but I honestly don't know. Have him send you pictures of the drive and the prop pitch/size. Post back with those pics and info.
 
I can help. I have completely restored and repowered one 260 'dancer of that vintage, and was directly involved in the same process for 3 others.

They have the potential to be outstanding boats. However, there are a lot of pitfalls. Some that I fear even a good surveyor would miss.

Here are some thoughts.... The mechanicals while very important, aren't that difficult to assess. Any competent marine mechanic should be able to evaluate and provide some expectations. Just know with that age equipment (in truth any age marine equipment) there are no guaruntees. Oh, they never came with Bravo's, so if it has one, it was added later. This would have entailed removing the engine and changing the transom assembly.

The really tricky part is structural stuff like dry rot, delamination, and prior structural repairs. It is common to find moisture related problems in the stringers, transom, deck and cabin tops of these boats. Think of moisture problems as cancer. They often go undiagnosed until advanced stages and then are pervasive and critical. A boat of that age (and construction) is likely to have problems. The repairs are extremely expensive and/or labor intensive, and are often completed without full confidence the boat is "cured".

As far as the boat itself, they are great. Beautiful in my opinion. They are relatively easy to tow and handle, have a great layout, and are easy to work on. The ones powered with single 350, which are the most common by far, are a bit underpowered. However, the boat will perform exceptionally with a big block and Bravo.

PM me if I can help more.
 
Looks to be a pre-1983 to me.

Like said before, she didn't start out with a Bravo. I think it was the Merc 1 or whatever they called the grand daddy.

We went from a 19' to a 24' and then a 26'. It was the height not the length that took some getting used too. A Dancer will catch the slightest wind when trying to dock etc. Plus the tight cockpit makes it harder to go back and forth as you do dock or beach.

Otherwise a great boat and like Keokie said, a single 350 is the bare minumum for that size.

You going to visit the boat or planning on buying based on other's opinion?
 
Look into bank own boats, I just bought a 2005 sea ray amberjack for $ 63000.00 with eveything, had it look at by survey [ cost $ 500.00 ] . Boat was 520 miles way So I relied on the survey, Did a great job. When I got the boat it was evey thing what he said. Boat is in great condition just needs to be clean up. He value the boat at $ 118.000.00
 
I have a buddy that I work with that's going to be in the area tomorrow to do a sea trail for me. He's a Chief Engineer on a maritime vessel. He should be able to give me some feedbacks and snap detail pictures and send it to me. If all checks out, I'm going to drive out there next friday to take it home. Unfortunately, I won't be able to do the sea trial since they'll be taking the boat back to the house after my buddy gives me the ok since the boat is 1.5hrs from their house.

The owner has all original papers that came with the boat. From our conversation, the engine was rebuilt 3 years ago and since put had 50 hours on it. The out drive was completely hauled out this year and rebuild as well. He noted that the only thing that would need to be done is the bottom paint which he didn't do since it's been on trailer and then recently dropped back in the water. He also installed a power generator in the engine compartment, has 3 new batteries and 3 additional used batteries all are working.

This week, they just spent $700 on fixing all the brakes, spindles on the truck. He has all maintenance receipt for the boat and truck, which makes me feels comfortable with it.

I hardly do any ocean trip so I'm not concern of heavy seas. 95% of my trips will be on the California Delta and perhaps a trip out in the bay. My little 02' Bayliner serves me well and has never gave me any problems. I'm now going to a boat that 13 years older but it has the size where my family would be comfortable in.

The only thing I don't like about this boat is the wood accent interiors. I think it's the wood that makes the boat looks old. Maybe I'll just throw a coat of high gloss white paint over it instead of re varnishing.
 
Odd thing is, you go on a brand new $14-27 million yacht, and the whole damned interior is wood....and marble.....and granite. (I built 5 of them; 120'-150'.) Personally, I LIKE the wood interiors. I think they give the boat a warm, cozy feel below decks and the newer tugs with all shiny fibergass interiors smack of the back seat of a squad. BUT, that's just my opinion, and it ain't worth 2 cents. I'm sure I'm just biased since mine HAS that wood interior. As long as YOU like it, that's the ONLY opinion that matters. :)
 
I absolutely LOVE the wood interiors.

As far as that generator, be very careful. If that is not a properly installed (according to CG requirements) MARINE generator, tear it out. Anything else would be extremely, EXTREMELY dangerous.
 
I like the wood interiors too!

There are some guys on here that have "modernized" theirs with some white panels etc and they look pretty good if thats what you want. But once done it can't go back very easily...

What kind of generator is in there and how in the world did they make it fit????? With just a single engine, water tank and water heater there is no room for one. Unless it sits on the starboard side where the water heater would be?

Share pics when you get them.
 
A generator can fit even with a big block. But it is quite tight.
 
that deal was too good to be true, it's not an 89, I believe it's an 81. here's the hull id. ser8992a0481.
 
Hey thats even better! As I said earlier, the picture you had is of a pre '83 model.

Keokie - you have any pictures or details of a genset in a 260?
 
KRB64 said:
Hey thats even better! As I said earlier, the picture you had is of a pre '83 model.

Keokie - you have any pictures or details of a genset in a 260?
Click to expand...

why would it be better that it's a pre-83? I'm supposed to get some pictures soon, but I'm thinking about calling it off. I don't want to open any cans of worm.
 
So are you guys saying that, even if the boat is now 8 years older than what it's supposed to be. It's still a good buy if everything is in good condition?
 
Ok, got some photos of the boat from the owner. He said most of the woods has been revarnish and restored. The generator is one made for marine and was installed by a boat mechanic. All the wires has been gone through and 100% of the boat is in working condition. There is only a few seats that still needs to be done, but he has all the marine vinyl that matches the boat. The asking price is $5k including a 1990 F350 dually Diesel that has all the hose and sealed replaced recently as well as a $700 brake job done this week all with receipt to show.






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I think the price is right also, but I'm just concerned of the 30 year old boat. Regardless of how well you take care of it, it's still a 30 year old boat.

So what's the dfference between the 81 and the 89? Why would some of you think it's a better boat?

Sorry for the questions, but I have no experience in Sea Ray and like I said, I'd hate to open a can of worm. I will be using the boat only for day/night fishing trips, usually have a group of 4 fishermen, occassionally we may have an extra person or two that won't be fishing but just to hang out.
 
Whoa... is today December 1st or April 1st?

Either the seller needs crack or the rig is hot or both...

A nice running 260 SD AND a ton Power Stroke all for 5K?

What am I missing here?
 
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