new boat...

[Thunder_SS]

Hey guys, just wanted your opinion on new-to-me boat. I just upgraded from a 1995 sea ray 175 (3.0L 4 cylinder) to a 2001 sea ray 190 signature (5.0L V8).

I have only been in this new boat once to test drive it. It is currently winterized already, so I will not have the chance to take it out until next spring.

Anything that I should be concerned about or have checked out. I have it until Thursday and it will be put away until April...

 

[bushway9172]

Sounds like a good upgrade. Did you have a survey done prior to the purchase?

 

[Thunder_SS]

Nope, what does a survey entail? The boat is really clean and in good shape. I know you can't always go by that, but I also trust the marina I bought it from. They are my local sea ray marina and the one that I always purchase consumables from. Also, it was a consignment purchase, and I do know that this marina turns away half of the consignment deals because there is usually something is wrong the boat.

It also only has 280 hours on the boat, which is averages out to be less hours per summer than I put on my current boat.

 

[bushway9172]

Nope, what does a survey entail? The boat is really clean and in good shape. I know you can't always go by that, but I also trust the marina I bought it from. They are my local sea ray marina and the one that I always purchase consumables from. Also, it was a consignment purchase, and I do know that this marina turns away half of the consignment deals because there is usually something is wrong the boat.

It also only has 280 hours on the boat, which is averages out to be less hours per summer than I put on my current boat.

Hmmm.. sounds pretty good considering your purchasing conditions. Most people, especially when buying from an unknown dealer or private seller, have a marine surveyor come check things out. This includes a complete check, done professionally, of mechanics/electronics, as well as cosmetics. Most of the time, when people get this done, they are usually glad they did (whether it be a minor issue, or in some unfortunate instances, a larger issues). You could have this done in the Spring just to make sure all is well before you splash in for the season.

I don't know much about your specific model, but hopefully you'll enjoying some helpful reading material over the winter, while we all cry about the fact that we're not year-round boaters. :lol:

I'm probably just as excited as you are to start off a new season of great boating (and hopefully great weather). Oh well, the snow will start falling soon. CSR makes the winter go by faster. Good luck with everything, and consider a survey before you become waterborne next Spring/Summer (definitely a good consideration on an 8-9 year old boat). :thumbsup:

 

[Mr Happy]

Hopefully you will be okay. I did not get a survey and bought my boat from a dealer. Brownie's Marine in Indiana. Bought it as a Christmas present to myself and the boat came with a 30 day warranty, that would start April 1st. I took the boat to them April 1st and they started it to make sure I had done nothing. I took the boat out 6 times during April. Around May 10th the lower unit blew. My marina told me they think there was not enough lower unit oil and it blew. The reason they said no oil was because there was not much in the unit when it blew. None floating around the water and not much in the unit nor where it is connected to the engine. Normally it should have blown all over.

I will take some of the blame since I did not check the lower unit before I put in my slip. I assumed the dealer knew what he was doing. And you cannot check while in the water. My last boat had a lower unit oil reservoir but this one did not, so it cannot re-fill itself.

I took it to the dealer and told them the story hoping they would give me a break. They called and said the bill was $1,800. My wife and I drove to pick up the boat, I sent her in because I was afraid of what I would say or do.