Well, I had been looking at a 370 sundancer that I thought might be a deal and felt the need to investigate it further despite the urging of many including Mr. Webster to walk away... well, as expected it wasn't worth it and I should have listened. Lesson learned. The intake manifold was rusted so bad it was close to rusting through plus the generator wouldn't run anything, bad risers/manifolds. Anyway, too many major issues. So now I'm on to my two backup boats and am looking for input on these boats in general as well as what you see in the engine rooms. Both are freshwater boats and in better condition than the 96 370 I looked at.
Boat #1 is a 1993 400 Express with 746 hrs on freshwater lake in TX. Has had many updates done and is in good condition, cockpit seats look like new plus he's put seadek down. A survey from a few years ago found it in above average condition. Main issue was an oily sludge in the coolant (owner said he fixed this by replacing the hoses since they were restricting the flow and this was the cause of the issue. Said there hasn't been an issue since he fixed it.) Replaced water pumps, starters, points and electrical on generator, new ice maker, new bellow in toilet, redid the helm with new dash panels, gauges, steering wheel, newer tvs and stereo. Needs bottom paint.
Boat #2 - 1990 350 Sundancer on great lakes with 1150 hrs on one motor and 300hrs on rebuilt motor. Generator hasn't been run in 7 years but it ran when owner bought it. I'm guessing that could be expensive to get running. Missing transom bench seat. Interior has been updated, waxed every year, shrink wrapped in winter, bottom painted every year, new battery charger, new fridge, new ice maker, dripless shafts, carbs rebuilt, new AC, new hot water heater, new plugs/wires. I can tell owner took care of it.
Boat #1 is $10k more than Boat #2. Here are pictures of engine rooms:
Boat #1, 400 Express Cruiser
Boat #2 - 350 Sundancer
Boat #1 is a 1993 400 Express with 746 hrs on freshwater lake in TX. Has had many updates done and is in good condition, cockpit seats look like new plus he's put seadek down. A survey from a few years ago found it in above average condition. Main issue was an oily sludge in the coolant (owner said he fixed this by replacing the hoses since they were restricting the flow and this was the cause of the issue. Said there hasn't been an issue since he fixed it.) Replaced water pumps, starters, points and electrical on generator, new ice maker, new bellow in toilet, redid the helm with new dash panels, gauges, steering wheel, newer tvs and stereo. Needs bottom paint.
Boat #2 - 1990 350 Sundancer on great lakes with 1150 hrs on one motor and 300hrs on rebuilt motor. Generator hasn't been run in 7 years but it ran when owner bought it. I'm guessing that could be expensive to get running. Missing transom bench seat. Interior has been updated, waxed every year, shrink wrapped in winter, bottom painted every year, new battery charger, new fridge, new ice maker, dripless shafts, carbs rebuilt, new AC, new hot water heater, new plugs/wires. I can tell owner took care of it.
Boat #1 is $10k more than Boat #2. Here are pictures of engine rooms:
Boat #1, 400 Express Cruiser
Boat #2 - 350 Sundancer