New 2010 280 Sundancer Major Issues - what to do?

[gsdinc]

That's how they got me, They took my 2006 300 for 20 less and sold me a 320 for 20 more, The bigger the boat the bigger the problem trust me.

 

[320Bob]

Artlu,
Go with the 330 deal because, in my opinion, it represents the most value you will get, for getting rid of a problem boat. If you trade it in elsewhere, and they do a trade check with all your problems, they might reject the trade or give you a haircut that is pretty bad. As Frank W said, you are getting a bigger twin engine boat that will handle better in rough seas. Yes, there will likely be software bugs with the Axius system but those are potential problems not actual ones like what your are currently having. There are risks in anything you choose at this juncture, but to me, the 330 deal risks would be managable.

 

[Woody]

I don't mind the costs of the bigger boat as I originally wanted a used 2009 310, and I can do the cash they are asking for. They are throwing in 2 years worth of service for the boat. The question is, am I smart to stick with Sea Ray? In an ideal world, I would love to get into the new 2011 Tiara Sovran 35 LE because of that insane deal they have going on.

I picked out two used boats from the MarineMax inventory today with the same price tag they are offering on the new 2010. Of course, they came up with all kinds of excuses:

1. The boat will cost $6,000 to trailer from NY/NJ to FL
2. The boat was "sold," but is still listed on the site.
3. Can't do the same deal via trade-in.
4. The bank doesnt look at used boats the same as new boats. yada yada yada...

So, the issue is, I am taking about a 20k hit on my 280 that I put 45 hours on, but I am getting the highest possible trade-in for it at this given time. If I hold onto my 280, I will probably be taking another 15~20k hit if I try to trade it in next year. The 330 is a great boat and with Autopilot/Radar it will be well equipped. Being double the weight of my 280, I am expecting it to be much more capable in the gulf as well. Also, do I High and Dry a 330 or do I get a slip for it is the other question.

Thank you to everyone for the feedback.

Be co-operative in trying to resolve all issues with your 280. You are obviously dis-enchanted with SR and question there QC etc. Will you have anymore confidence in the next SR? Why dump another 135k into another SR if you really want a Tiara. Get your 280 fixed, take your hit and go get the boat you say you really want.

 

[EricW]

In an ideal world, I would love to get into the new 2011 Tiara Sovran 35 LE because of that insane deal they have going on.

Have you tried to work a deal with the Tiara dealer? Maybe you can get your 280 completely fixed by MM, and get a good deal trading it in on the Tiara you want. All said and done, it might not be too much more than the 330 DA deal and you'll get the boat you really want.

 

[artlu]

Thanks for the suggestion on the Tiara... already on top of that.. i would need $120k out of pocket to consider the 45 Sovran LE... shame... Ideally a 2007/2008 4300 Sovran would work too, but that's still $120k+ out of pocket... The quality of the Tiara's is quite incredible. I know a few owners who have gone a whole year with nothing but standard maintenance.

 

[johngus]

why would you have anything but normal maintenance.seems like these new boats break too much.

 

[Tonka Boater]

I know a few owners who have gone a whole year with nothing but standard maintenance.

For what it's worth, I've gone 2 seasons with my 280 with nothing but standard maintenance. That's the way it should be. My issues have not been with the boat but with the dealer's poor quality of service.

 

[Bridog]

Hey Join the party and good luck. Hope your not using MarineMax to fix and service this boat, I'm on my second searay and nothing but problems myself. You think you spend $252,000 on a boat it should work right but as i was told (It's a boat) what do you expect. MarineMax is the worst to work with, I hope you didn't pay for the Extended Protection because it don't cover any thing. They forgot to show me the 18 pages that it doesn't cover which is every thing that it says it does. I'm in the process of wrighting a letter to Mr. McGill about my experance with MarineMax and 3 years of worthless boating. Lets see if he can address my problems with his company and there poor customer service in Brick NJ

Wow that sucks! I've had nothing but good experience with the service guys at Marine Max Brick.:huh:

 

[Bridog]

I am shocked that a new 330 costs that much. The 2010 330 has the 10'5" beam, and used to be the 310, that used to be the 300?? It's a nice boat, but not very big and the price is INSANE. I know Axius and the electronics add quite a bit, but $250k for a so called 33 x 10.5" boat?? And the MSRP is $310k!!??!!! Really?? Isn't that at least 100k more than the last new 300s were selling for? $250k buys SO much more used boat.

Absolutely no offense to artlu --- but at these prices, its a wonder any new boats in this size range are sold.

Somebody call a doctor cause I just got hit by a severe case of sticker shock.

Eric is right on with that. The new 330 is the same size as my 2006 300DA. 250K??? Sticker shock indeed!

 

[billnpat]

I wanted to give everyone an update of my progressive. MarineMax has been great in trying to attend to my needs, but when it came to brass tax on a new boat, I am not getting that great of a deal. The proposed deal is:

$115k for my current boat ($15k~25k more than any other place would give as a trade)
$250k for a new 2010 Sundancer 330 with T-350/Axius. I got them to load it with electronics too like Autopilot, Radar, fishfinder, and Raymarine C80. The MSRP of the boat and electronics is about $310k.

They also threw in an additional year of emergency service.

I need to come up with about $30k cash down to make the upgrade work. Does everyone think it is worth it or should I stick with my 280?

GO FOR IT :thumbsup:

 

[EricW]

I need to come up with about $30k cash down to make the upgrade work. Does everyone think it is worth it or should I stick with my 280?

After what you've been through, I hate the idea of you giving that MM and SeaRay more of your money. If you think the 280 will keep you satisfied for at least a few years, skip the deal and stay in the 280. But if you think "foot itis" will set in quickly, making the deal now on the 330 makes the most sense. Hell, it sounds like you already want a bigger boat anyway!!

 

[Rich]

I would trade the boat for a 2008 330. That's a boat!

 

[boughtabouy]

As far as a trade is concerned, only you can determine the financial fit, however, you need to keep in mind that even though these boats are production boats, they are built by hand and they will never be perfect until you work out all the new boat bugs. The fact that you are considering an Axius boat and may be looking for a Lexus type initial customer experience, you may be expecting something that isn't likely to happen. [/quote]


Seems like two issues here. Did you by the right model boat, and the first year punch list. My punch list for the first year is so long, I've lost track of it. Most items have been resolved, but just had another one crop up...the Kook Fuel module, which will take my boat out of commission for a month. Just had to replace the full set of house batteries after a year because mine sat in the Phoenix heat for a year and a half. No help from MM. Also, MANY MANY other fit and finish, and lack of initial setup issues have been dealt with. I thought it was normal to have quite a punch list for the first year. Ever heard the dealers advertise "better than new...all of the bugs worked out"?

That said, would I have done it any differently? NO! I did get a good deal on the boat, and I feel that I bought the right boat for our needs, which helps a little. The next time, I expect the same type of punch list.

Good luck with your decision, but don't expect your next new boat to be completely free of hassle until the bugs get worked out.

Actually, Tiara's seem pretty nice. Maybe not with a Tiara...

Kevin