DRLifer
New Member
I've recently retired, and my wife and I are looking into the Great Loop as one of the first bucket list items to attend to. We're also likely to head into Lake Ontario from the Carolinas many other summers to escape the heat. A 2002-or-later 480MY is on the short list of mutually-acceptable boats (tried to talk her into the 400, but there was no going smaller once she saw the space in the 480). Several questions/concerns:
1) Why did Sea Ray stop making the Motor Yacht series - any fatal flaws? This happened before the 2008 financial crash, so that couldn't have been it.
2) Being on the large side, and lacking flexibility (another bucket list item to work on), maintenance access to engines and other equipment, through hull valves, etc. is an issue. Is the 480 any worse than other designs in this respect?
3) Were there any feature/design changes during the 2000 to end-of-production period?
4) Are there specific versions/options to avoid?
5) Are there significant items likely at the end of their useful lives on a 15-year old boat (e.g. batteries, fridges, washer/dryer, pumps, etc.) that I should expect to replace soon if not already done?
6) Is the original electronics package still adequate, or should I be on the lookout for versions that have already been updated (or recognize the necessity of having that added cost)?
7) Are there any specific issues with this model and age that a surveyor should pay particular attention to?
Any and all guidance appreciated.
1) Why did Sea Ray stop making the Motor Yacht series - any fatal flaws? This happened before the 2008 financial crash, so that couldn't have been it.
2) Being on the large side, and lacking flexibility (another bucket list item to work on), maintenance access to engines and other equipment, through hull valves, etc. is an issue. Is the 480 any worse than other designs in this respect?
3) Were there any feature/design changes during the 2000 to end-of-production period?
4) Are there specific versions/options to avoid?
5) Are there significant items likely at the end of their useful lives on a 15-year old boat (e.g. batteries, fridges, washer/dryer, pumps, etc.) that I should expect to replace soon if not already done?
6) Is the original electronics package still adequate, or should I be on the lookout for versions that have already been updated (or recognize the necessity of having that added cost)?
7) Are there any specific issues with this model and age that a surveyor should pay particular attention to?
Any and all guidance appreciated.