| Many, many boats built up until only a few years ago stuck with the 8
foot width for trailering purposes as it was the maximum allowed
without requiring "WIDE LOAD" towing practices. Even 26 footers. Any
boat will rock when the seas approach from the side, and to someone who
is used to a 10 or 12 foot beam the 8 foot will seem less stable. The
question is can you afford a larger boat with a wider beam? That said,
I and many others, have boats with an 8 foot beam, that have served us
well. (Albeit in my case for only one season - though the seas at the
break in Chatham have given me enough experience to say that the 8 foot
beam on my 22' Sea Ray is sufficient.)
There is nothing stopping you from trying to get this boat at a better
price - even if you think that it is fair. A surveyor will tell you
what the boat is worth, so don't agree on a final price until the
survey is complete.
I'd agree in part with -.1, that you can probably do better on the
price, but *if* the boat is very good condition that price doesn't seem
to be out of line as a starting point as he says. I don't think. (Based
on my looking at similiar boats lately) Certainly prices in general
tend to be more flexible this time of year. I would buy some Class-Ad
magazines that carry boats and see what other's are selling for. I
wouldn't expect that you would have to pay the retail price to a
private party either. Make sure you have the model of the boat.
John_who_almost_bought_a_26_foot_Sea_Ray
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| MM, here's my $.02 worth.......
Last March I bought an 85 Searay Weekender (23 ft), 130 hrs,
immaculate, full canvass with camper back, radios, 260 HP, kept in
fresh water, with trailer......Book value, average shape & equipment
minus trailer ranged from $18.5K up to $20.5K (March 89).. I paid
slightly more than the upper book value figure, but I got a low hour
boat, trailer and a boat in vertually new condition. As to value on
Searays; they hold their value. You will spend a little more, but when
you turn around to sell it down the road, you'll get more back.
As to the beam issue, I keep my boat in salt water. 8 ft beam with a
23ft length is fine. I was thinking of upgrading to the Searay 268
sundancer (26 ft with 8 ft beam). I've changed my mind. If you are
looking at a Sundancer, this has the aft cabin. By nature, boats with
aft cabins sit higher off the water so to speak as the steering area
must be raised to accomidate the aft cabin below. When I saw how much
the boat rocked (almost like it is a little more top heavy) with only
an 8 ft beam, I decided that this would not be my next step. By the
way, this is not just a Searay issue, but all the manufacturers in the
26 ft range with aft cabins fall into this category. My opinion is that
a Searay may be better than other manufacturers in this issue and other
areas.....Bottom line, I'll stick with SeaRay, but instead of the 268
Sundancer with 8 ft beam (some were made with an 8'6" beam), I'll
upgrade to the 27 ft Sundance with a 10'+ beam. This costs a lot more
and is no longer trialerable, but a real stable boat.....
Steve "Next Step" Westport MA.....
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| RE.3 I have an 1986 268 Sundancer. 268 is for 26'8". The beam is
8' as you stated. I keep my boat in fresh water but run mostly on
thr Cheseapeak Bay. The bay can blow up sometimes with wave 3'to
4'. Sure it rocks and rolls but it's not all that uncomfortable.
BTW the last 27' Sundancer was made in 1987. They kept the Sundancer
hull but made it the 270 Amberjack fishing boat. I don't know what
23' footers are going for, I'll see if there are any at the marina.
It's a dealer so our marina is 90% Searay.
They do have a 1986 like mine that they have tagged at 27,500.
As far as the quality of the boat, see the note on the one that
was pulled of the rocks !
Good shopping.
Walt
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