Buying a used boat anxiety-talk me down.

[Jimwhall]

I been looking for use boats for a while, I am looking for something significantly bigger than my 16 foot sylvan. I boat in lakes and the family wants to do a lot of tubing and knee boarding and waterskiing. I am looking to cart about 8-9 people around.

I am scheduled to take a lake test this weekend of a 2004 SeaRay 200 select. It has about 600 hours on it, which seems about right for regular summer usage in Michigan. It is on the third owner. It has a 5 L Mercruiser with a bravo 3 out drive. The impeller and the gimbel were replaced this year. Little over $20,000. (It appears to be a sellers market right now).

I read the used boat checklist, and plan on going through that. I've also looked at a bunch of YouTubes on doing boat inspections. I guess I was really excited at first, because I've been looking for a long time and this boat fits all my needs. However, after seeing 1 guy who had a 1997 SeaRay that he bought, boated around with, and then brought home only to discover that the stringers were rotted I am now super nervous. I can check for a lot of things, I can check the transom, I can do the tap test, and I can check the motor. But the stringers seem like they are completely tucked under the deck and unavailable to do a thorough check. And if they are rotten it sounds like the boat is a ruin. I am really nervous. This is a ton of money for me. I am slowly talking myself out of purchasing any used boat. But I cannot afford a new one and cannot get a surveyor to look at 1 quickly enough so that would just mean no new boat for me.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this brand and model of boat? If the bilge and the motor compartment are clean and the floor is solid can I assume the stringers are in good shape? Or is this boat too old and I should just assume there is some rot? also, I am 285 pounds, how can I tell the difference between a soft floor and 1 just giving into my massive girth?

Thank you for any help.

P,S, Sorry for the stilted language, I had surgery and so I am dictating everything.

 

[briangcc]

Tap test on a fiberglass boat isn't going to tell you anything. To determine if it had rot, you'd either need something significant - soft floor, cracks in transom, etc - OR be able to drill into it to test and I honestly would not expect a seller to allow you to do this.

You're looking at a 17yr old boat designed to survive 15 years. It may be a garage queen with no issues or it may be at the end of its lifespan in need of a major overhaul. Condition is going to tell you this.

My thing with this boat is your anticipated crew. 20' with 8-9 people is going to be cramped. Toss in coolers, towels, snacks, gear....you may want 2' or more larger.

The other thing I'll say, as its come up ALOT here recently....PAPERWORK. If the owner does NOT have the appropriate documentation for the boat and trailer (typically titles but may have transferable registration) IN THEIR NAME, you have to be prepared for a fight with the registration authority (DMV, BMV, F&W) to get it into your name. I typically will walk if this ISN'T in order.

 

[southkogs]

It would be ideal if you could maybe hire a marine tech to come look it over with you and give you their thoughts. Maybe not as thorough as a surveyor, but maybe an informed opinion.

The other thing you can actually trust a little more than people let on is your "gut." If you get a good vibe from the seller, the boat looks well cared for and seems to pass all of the "tests," that counts for a least a little.

$20k is a big hunk - for me, I'd be apprehensive spending that even with a written guarantee

 

[Jimwhall]

Thank you. So if the hole is in good shape, not repaired, no cracks or repairs there is a decent chance it is okay?
Also question on the 15 years thing. Do boat manufacturers really just design for 15 years of summer use? Or is it 15 years of constant use? My sylvan is now 26 years old and really has not had any major issues. But we are only using it in the summer.And it is aluminum

I mean if it is really just 15 years of summer use, then there is no point in buying a fiberglass boat that is anything but a couple years old. And those are way out of my price range right now.

 

[Jimwhall]

Given what everyone saying so far I think I will probably just pass. I may just pass on getting a new boat at all. I was willing to go up to $30 but I am just not seeing anything on the market that is relatively recent. In these fiberglass boats if they are only designed to work for 15 years before they need major work sound like they are just going to be a major money hole.

I am a little surprised, in that my 95 Sylvan has been a great boat with very minimal work for 26 years now. I mean I had to replace gas lines and rebuild a seat, but that was it I had assumed that new her build boats that were a bit up market it would be higher quality. But it sounds like the manufactures are relying on turnover.

I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[briangcc]

It really all comes down to care. My boats when turned in were factory new as I kept them covered when not in use, kept them clean, and either did the maintenance myself OR had the marina do it.

Think of it with cars as well. You can baby a 2004 Corolla and it will look factory new if it never sees salt, rain, inclement weather, and is garage kept. Now compare that to the same year Corolla that's lived outside all its life, and basically been neglected. The latter is ready for a landfill.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I don't think there is anything magical about the '15 year' life design. I boat that is well cared for will last much longer, and a boat that is treated poorly will last fewer years. There is an excellent chance that a 2004 SeaRay will not have wood in the transom or stringers; you probably could even call or write the company to find out. (A thorough search here might yield the answer, too.)

I do think that a 20' boat would be cramped with 8-9 people, if you have a day's worth of gear (coolers, tubes/skis, etc.) to tote around. If you are simply taking trips from the dock of a lake home to go skiing or tubing, without a day's worth of provisions, you would probably be OK.

 

[Jimwhall]

So it is probably worth at least a look? I will write SeaRay. That is a great idea thank you.

 

[cptbill]

Always worth a look but 8-9 people might be over loaded for that boat or at the very least like what was already said cramped and probably no fun

 

[southkogs]

I think the boat is very worth a look.

 

[racerone]

Many builders have started using composite materials in construction of boats.----Only with research can you find out which ones build a " better / premium " product.----

 

[Scott Danforth]

Yes, boats are designed with a 15 year design life. they are designed to be bought, used, and replaced so that they can still make boats.

SeaRay re-designed their hulls in 2002 when they moved the small boats to Mexico. while it may not have wood, the plexus joints crack over time.

$20k is high for a 18 year old boat.

To get 8-9 people in a 2004 BR, you may need to make sure they are children and stack them.

depending on your seat configuration that may only be a 6 person boat.

a good friend has a 2004 240 SeaRay deck boat and there is no way to get 8-9 people on that boat comfortably

 

[Jimwhall]

Yes, boats are designed with a 15 year design life. they are designed to be bought, used, and replaced so that they can still make boats.

SeaRay re-designed their hulls in 2002 when they moved the small boats to Mexico. while it may not have wood, the plexus joints crack over time.

$20k is high for a 18 year old boat.

 

[Jimwhall]

Okay then. I am out. Been looking for months, had boats sold out from under me, and no one seems to want to let me have a surveyor look at their boats because they have another buyer lined up right behind me. I have also read of people who have had their boat surveyed and they still end up with bad issues. Sounds like the only way to go is with a new boat, and I cannot afford that. Certainly not every 15 years. I looked at a new low end bayliner and they wanted $45,000 for it. And then the dealer told me that I had to lock in the price in the next month because prices were going up. I just seems like a huge mine field with everything people tell me. Larson's have soft floors. Do not go with the Volvo because her parts are difficult to find. Dorals are good. Dorals are bad. It just depends on what year.

This sucks, I really wanted something my family could be on the lake with more comfortably. But at least I am not stuck with a Jonah. I am not sure how so many people have older glass boats on the lake. Maybe they have got rot issues and they just do not know it yet. The 15-year thing blows me away. Boats are a luxury item, not a car.

I do really appreciate everyone's input. And I thank you for it. Some of mention concern about my 8-9 person capacity. I was not being clear 8-9 would be just for short jaunts. My most long-term time on the lake would be spent with five or six. So I think a 20 foot would still be good for me. The 16 foot is just getting cramped for even five.

 

[Scott Danforth]

keep in mind, design life is what it is designed to survive, service life is what it actually survives. depending on usage, maintenance and care. the boat may be a garage kept cream puff

 

[Jimwhall]

That might be the case. But with the third owner I doubt it. And it is 2 Hour drive. to get there.

 

[tpenfield]

My thoughts. . .

Sea Ray is a decent brand of boat. Not sure if/how the construction has changed from 1997 to 2004. Lots of boat companies were changing the construction methods/materials during that time frame.

You really need to know what you are looking at in order to properly inspect a boat for structural issues. That is why a surveyor is often the best approach.

I agree with the comments about the size of boat . . . 20 feet is fairly small vs. the possible number of people on board.

It is a very tough market to be a buyer right now, which is unusual.

 

[Jimwhall]

My thoughts. . .

Sea Ray is a decent brand of boat. Not sure if/how the construction has changed from 1997 to 2004. Lots of boat companies were changing the construction methods/materials during that time frame.

You really need to know what you are looking at in order to properly inspect a boat for structural issues. That is why a surveyor is often the best approach.

I agree with the comments about the size of boat . . . 20 feet is fairly small vs. the possible number of people on board.

It is a very tough market to be a buyer right now, which is unusual.

I been looking at the use boat market for a whileI have never seen it like this. It is like everybody has decided to go out and buy boats. Seen boats purchased out from under me site unseen. Even if I wanted to get a new boat, if I brought it today I would not see it till July.

 

[hugh g]

In another year or so the market will calm down especially when the stargazers realize what's involved in owning a boat such as cost of maintenance, fuel, financing, repairs & all the rest of it & they start dumping them. Hopefully, manufacturers aren't dumping garbage on the market like they did back in the 80's & 90's with no regard for quality control when the boat market went wild back then.

No way would I spend $20k on a 14 year old 20 ftr. unless the previous owner stored it in a sarcophagus. I don't care who built it.

 

[JimS123]

The 15 year service life is merely an opinion, not documented fact. It's all about care. I've seen 6 year old boats that were pure junk. My last garage kept boat was 35 years old when I sold it and it was good as new.

Nine people together on the same boat, with all the crap they bring, will be a nightmare, even if its a 30 footer. Six from the same family is doable.