Looking for first (in a long time!) boat. Advice please. :)

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Marcus1971

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Over the past 6 months, I’ve been searching all ‘boats for sale‘ websites I can find to get ideas. It’s an absolute minefield, even with my limited budget!

I’d be very grateful for some advice/first hand experiences, particularly for/against the way my thought process is leading me.

We’re a family of 3 (occasionally 5) looking for a boat to enjoy a little coastal cruising, mixing up slow displacement pottering with fast planing and the ability to drop anchor in the sunshine whilst enjoying a little swimming/paddle boarding, a bite to eat and a chill out on deck to soak up the rays. There’s been some thoughts about being able to tow an inflatabl, but that’s not a high priority. My budget is around £25k, possibly stretching a little more. I’m thinking of around 25 feet and given that budget, that seems to rule out any diesel inboard/outboards unless I was to go for a boat built circa 1995, where as a petrol inboard/outboard from circa 2005 is in budget (and I’m a little fearful of going too old)

There are a few boats currently for sale that are jumping out at the moment, one being a Sea Ray 260 Sundancer……..thoughts ?

Another sideline question to throw in the pot…..I’ve started buying bits and bobs and have stumbled over life jacket choices. Any recommendations that don’t blow the bank (don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy to go all in if it’s justified, just not sure if all singing all dancing life jackets ; spray hoods, hammer activation etc etc) is necessary. I’ll be starting from scratch so will need to buy 5 !

Apologies for the ‘newby” questions, but would be grateful for advice. Thanks
 
Our first boat was a cranchi turchese, its a 24 ft Open dayboat with cuddy, used very much for the things you are talking about, it had a 5.7 petrol inboard so was going for towing as well. It was also possible to trailer in that’s your thing. Personally At this size I wouldn’t worry re petrol / diesel.

this one is sold but gives you an idea, prices may be high at the moment but previously (pre Covid) were selling for Sub £20k
Cranchi Turchese 24 7452411 – Burton Waters Boat Sales
 
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I have had a look (virtually!) at one of those currently on sale (2002 for £22500) and it’s still one one the list, so to speak. There are a few others pipping it, mainly due to lack of a separate heads compartment.

I think this on is top at the moment:
Sea Ray 260 Sundancer | 8m | 2005 | Boats and Outboards

Seems well priced, good condition and not too old, but I’m not ready to purchase until Feb, so it will undoubtedly be sold by then!

Im not looking to trailer. Too much of a pain for me (I’m too lazy for that!). Most likely going to be kept at Weymouth Marina, but not set on that either! Lots to think about……Thanks again
 
Marcus1971 said:
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I have had a look (virtually!) at one of those currently on sale (2002 for £22500) and it’s still one one the list, so to speak. There are a few others pipping it, mainly due to lack of a separate heads compartment.

I think this on is top at the moment:
Sea Ray 260 Sundancer | 8m | 2005 | Boats and Outboards

Seems well priced, good condition and not too old, but I’m not ready to purchase until Feb, so it will undoubtedly be sold by then!

Im not looking to trailer. Too much of a pain for me (I’m too lazy for that!). Most likely going to be kept at Weymouth Marina, but not set on that either! Lots to think about……Thanks again
Click to expand...
That is silly cheap. So cheap, if it was a private seller I’d be convinced it’s a scam. There won’t be another mpi powered cruiser of any size or age for sale for less than 30k anywhere else. 35k would be more likely or even 40-50k for this size of boat. Is that verified as genuine ? If it is. Jump at it.
 
QBhoy said:
That is silly cheap. So cheap, if it was a private seller I’d be convinced it’s a scam. There won’t be another mpi powered cruiser of any size or age for sale for less than 30k anywhere else. 35k would be more likely or even 40-50k for this size of boat. Is that verified as genuine ? If it is. Jump at it.
Click to expand...
150 hours in 16 years? I wonder what the history is.
 
QBhoy said:
That is silly cheap. So cheap, if it was a private seller I’d be convinced it’s a scam. There won’t be another mpi powered cruiser of any size or age for sale for less than 30k anywhere else. 35k would be more likely or even 40-50k for this size of boat. Is that verified as genuine ? If it is. Jump at it.
Click to expand...

Yes that is silly cheap even before the recent increases that would be cheap but as you say the is Morgan marine so I can’t see how that is a scam

Snap it up quick if I were you
 
paradave said:
150 hours in 16 years? I wonder what the history is.
Click to expand...
You’re right it does look almost too good to be true. I get the impression from the ad that it’s not a private sale. It does make me wonder though. It’s been advertised for at least a couple of weeks. From what I keep being told, boats are in very short supply and good ones go quickly!
It’s Not until Feb that I’m able to buy, so for now just keeping an eye on the market.
 
I can't believe the price of that!

Maybe a desperate seller that cannot fund an engine with a drinking problem but what a bargain if it suits your needs. They don't appear to mention the calorifier either.
 
That Searay looks like a US import. The 110v transformer in the engine compartment is a giveaway. Looks like an AC unit too. There’s a good chance it’s not CE marked but I’m not sure if that’s needed anymore.
 
QBhoy said:
That is silly cheap. So cheap, if it was a private seller I’d be convinced it’s a scam. There won’t be another mpi powered cruiser of any size or age for sale for less than 30k anywhere else. 35k would be more likely or even 40-50k for this size of boat. Is that verified as genuine ? If it is. Jump at it.
Click to expand...
I think you’re over egging the value a little. It looks a good price but certainly nowhere near a 50k price range.
This is a similarly good boat for the price: Sea Ray Sea Ray 290 sundancer - NewsNow Classifieds
 
paradave said:
I think you’re over egging the value a little. It looks a good price but certainly nowhere near a 50k price range.
This is a similarly good boat for the price: Sea Ray Sea Ray 290 sundancer - NewsNow Classifieds
Click to expand...
All about the engine for sure. Can’t ever compare old carb engines to an mpi. An mpi engine is a different thing all together really. Much more modern boat. Do I think it’s worth what I’ve suggested, if we were a couple of years back…nope. But now…yeah. I’d suggest it’s not a genuine add. Doesn’t add up at all to me. Email address doesn’t work either.
 
harvey38 said:
I can't believe the price of that!

Maybe a desperate seller that cannot fund an engine with a drinking problem but what a bargain if it suits your needs. They don't appear to mention the calorifier either.
Click to expand...
It’s an mpi to be fair. Very good on fuel over the usual common carb older things.
 
Dino said:
That Searay looks like a US import. The 110v transformer in the engine compartment is a giveaway. Looks like an AC unit too. There’s a good chance it’s not CE marked but I’m not sure if that’s needed anymore.
Click to expand...
Hmmm. Definitely worth checkin. Thanks
 
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