Posted: May 21 2008 at 09:12 | IP Logged

Ok I am looking for some wisdom. I am a Trojan E26 owner and love the boat, However, she is a little too small for what we have planed in the future. In my marina, I have a chance to purchase a 1987 340 sun dancer for the sum of $15000. I went over this boat the best I could, other than being dirty she is in very good shape The twin 454s have just under 740 hours on them, the bulge is very clean, she comes with heat, air, gen-set, and everything else known to man (except the three foot blond with the flat head)

What are the bad things to look for, me not knowing much about Sea rays

Posted: May 21 2008 at 10:10 | IP Logged

Nothing to do specifically with Sea Ray but get a professional survey done to any larger boat (especially an older one).  Besides mechanical and electrical systems, the surveyor will examine the hull condition for delamination, blisters and moisture.

You want to know the condition of the transom (if you have stern drives) and the stringers.

Given the age of the boat, your insurance company will probably require a survey anyway. 

Hire your own surveyor and don't use a vendor supplied survey.  The surveyor needs to work for you not the seller.  Make sure the surveyor is recommended and recognized and don't get the cheapest survey you can find as it may be a waste of money and misleading.

$15,000 is a bargain but not if major repairs are required.

My two cents.

Posted: June 03 2008 at 07:36 | IP Logged

Frank,

Thank you for the input,

The cabin windows have been leaking, you can see the stain on the side walls. The heads up on the deck hardware is appreciate, did not get a chance to go over the deck as of yet. The limber holes are in the bilge yes ? IS there any other place to check the stringers for rot in the cabin and such. This boat was owned by a slob and I can say it was not maintained proper. It is still sitting there going no where, no one wants a hog like that here in upstate NY. I will wait till the end of the summer and give him 10 and he will take it, it is the price he will pay for being a pig with such a nice boat.

I have a 1976 E26 Trojan that I found in the weeds that I totally restored . Single screw 351 ford enforcer engin that can burn around 18gph. If this boat is sound, I will refit with twin diesels over the winter and make her like new. We need a bigger boat so we can start taking trips. As for the price of fuel , I worked hard and I will not let a bunch of greedy future traders change that.

Rick

Posted: June 05 2008 at 07:08 | IP Logged

Thank’s again,

I have already passed on this one. I have gone that road with the Trojan E26 I have , don’t want to do this again. I am sure that I would have to own the boat to brill test holes. I know what you mean, I had a Four-Winds that I picked up that the foam was saturated, Oh yeah, that was fun!!