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Time to do lots of homework on purchase

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by mykgrant, Nov 29, 2012.

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  1. mykgrant

    mykgrant New Member

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    Newbie here. This is my first post. I've been lurking in the shadows reading for a week or so and just signed up yesterday.

    Here's my situation: I commute to work from Sacramento to San Francisco on Mondays and then back to Sacto on Fridays. During the week I work in the finanicial district.

    Currently I rent a bedroom 5 miles from the office which is in an area that is scheduled for re-development. Once I get a 90 day notice, I am forced to move but like any development project, the date keeps slipping. Currently they expect to send out notices in Fall/Winter 2013 which gives me all year to shop! Because of the redevelopment, I can leave at any time I find a good deal and break my lease without any penalty. So, I'm looking for a boat that I can spend 4 nights a week on.

    Being a Newbie I've spent a little time on YachtWorld and think that I am narrowing down my search. Here is my wish list (so far):

    35-45 foot LOA

    Trying to stay with a boat made in 2000 or newer

    Budget $200,000 or less

    Twin Diesels only, no gas

    Small cockpit area that leaves more area for the other living areas, etc

    Salon on the same level as the cockpit. I will be also doing some entertaining (and maybe some light fishing) and like the flow of the floor plans. Steps down to the galley and/or berths OK.

    So far, I've looked at the Carver Voyagers and Mariners. I like the exteriors of the V'gers better. Also looked at Silverton, Navagators and a couple of Sea Rays. Is there anything else out there that would fit?

    I also don't know much about the quality differeneces in the boats. If I lined all of them up would thay all be Chevys or would one be a Chevy, one a Caddy and one be a Maseratti.

    Any help would be appreciated. You guys are great!!:)
  2. kkreicker1

    kkreicker1 Senior Member

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    If I had to do that I would go with a 48' Sea Ray 1998-2002. I had a 1998 480 and loved it. They really are great boats! Easy to operate and maintain. I went out a lot by my self and did just fine in most conditions. I really think that you would be happy with the boat in all. As to the car reference, I would say that the Sea Rays are more like the Caddies. There are a ton of them and the are built a little bit above average.

    Best of Luck,

    Keith
  3. ombreetsoleil

    ombreetsoleil Senior Member

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  4. RER

    RER Senior Member

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  5. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    They're all Chevy's, but that's ok. Every boat has a purpose. You just have to find the one that matches yours. From what you say I'd go for the Carvers. They're not the best boat and certainly not the most sea-kindly boat, but they have an attractive floor plan and probably more space than any you've mentioned. They're well suited for living aboard and entertaining, and within your price range. I'd stay far away from a 42 Azimut, in fact any Azimut. I won't go into the reasons here. There are several threads on YF that explain it well.
  6. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I think a Late 90's-2000 or so, 45' Searay sedan Bridge. Seems to meet most of your criteria if not all, budget and etc.....
  7. ombreetsoleil

    ombreetsoleil Senior Member

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    I was using that boat as an example.
    I dind't look at it's location.

    Seems like a lot of Americans dont really like the Azimuts.

    Are Searays that much better in construction and wiring?
  8. aviator4512

    aviator4512 Member

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    Welcome to YF! I would disagree that all boats are "Chevys"... The difference in quality between Carver (Chevy) and Sea Ray (Caddy) are noticeable. While neither is the Rolls Royce of the boating industry, I feel that a Sea Ray would be perfect for your needs as some others have discussed. Being that you are a new boater, I would suggest starting around the 40' mark rather than going straight to a 45-50'. The Sea Ray sedan bridge is exactly what you are looking for, or even a Luhrs/Silverton would be suitable. My girlfriend's parents have their 40' Sea Ray sedan bridge on the market - link is below - to give you an idea. It seems to satisfy all of your requirements.

    Jensen Yacht Sales, LLC (Old Saybrook, CT)

    Hope this helps.

    Aviator
  9. aviator4512

    aviator4512 Member

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    Oh, and stay away from that older Azimut!
  10. mykgrant

    mykgrant New Member

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    Thanks for the scoop on the Azimut! I usually try to stay away from brands that I can't pronounce anyway...LOL

    Mike
  11. mykgrant

    mykgrant New Member

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    Beautiful boat. Just wish it was close to California. Not sure how to get it here. There were no pics of the cockpit area. Are there any steps down to the main salon? I may have to refine my search here on the west coast.

    There's a 1998 440 Express Bridge for sale on Yacht World that is interresting (supposedly rare on the west coast). Lots of other options that I haven't seen on any of the other boats that I've looked at such as recessed bow walkway, bow seating and a walk through windshield from the bridge down to the bow.

    At first I was thinking that I like the lower Helm area on some of the floor plans but now I'm second guessing myself in leiu of more useable square feet and less expense with redundant electronics.

    Thanks for all your comments equating them to cars. That helps me a lot. I don't want to gey a Hyundi because all the bells and whistles are there only to find out that your basic Chevy without all that is much better.
  12. PropBet

    PropBet Senior Member

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    There are a couple of Offshore's and OA's in the Bay Area worth a look. I'd be preferential to a trawler than I would a planning boat considering your needs.
  13. carelm

    carelm Senior Member

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    What about a houseboat? (Duck for cover). You could use it to cruise in the Bay as well as up and down the Sacramento River. I did notice the pickings are pretty slim in SF for boats in your shopping range. It looks like only about 5 or so that meet your criteria.
  14. aviator4512

    aviator4512 Member

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    I would think that they could ship it over land, but there are probably some boats that are closer to your location. The 400's came in both Diesel and Gas configurations, I know that their boat has the Cummins. It's too bad you aren't closer as this is a really clean one-owner boat from new... Google for pictures of the cockpit. Their's has a bench seat and there is enough room to put some chairs out with a table if you want to sit in back or you can use it to fish. Also an icemaker out there! There are two steps down from the salon into the galley, and then one additional step to enter the "hallway" to the staterooms/heads. There are actual steps up to the bridge versus a ladder which makes it easy to get up and down in a hurry. There is also very sufficient room on each side of the boat to get from aft forward. You are correct in your logic of having a lower helm in addition to the bridge - really overkill for a 40' boat. I'm no expert on the 44' Express, but I know that it has the steps down right when you enter which looks awkward versus a level surface from the cockpit into the salon. The 400 SB has a nice master, twin bunks in the guest stateroom that can be converted to a king, and the sofa folds out flat electronically in the salon for additional sleeping arrangements. The bridge is also much smaller on the express. Just some food for thought.
  15. sunchaserv

    sunchaserv Member

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    If you never plan on a blue water cruise outside the Golden Gate don't overlook gassers. A 44 Tolly gasser is perfect for your desires and is less than 200K.

    Diesel Searays with the 3126 can be a batch of trouble. Peruse boatdiesel.com for various diesel issues. This search may not be so simple once you start factoring in condition and PO abuse.
  16. mykgrant

    mykgrant New Member

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    My guess is that I'll use the boat mostly for entertaining, fishing and cruising in the bay and only rarely take it out the gate. Again, most of my time on the boat will be living aboard 4 nights a week. But I do agree that if I was planning to go up and down the west coast that a displacement boat would be much more comfortable and safe. That being said I'm not opposed to a little adventure now and then.

    Sorry I don't know the lingo, but what is an OA and an offshore?

    Thanks/MG
  17. mykgrant

    mykgrant New Member

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    LOL. I"d be the only person brave enough to have a houseboat on the bay. SF Bay is pretty brutal (as the Oracle team just found out with their AC72). Oracle capsized during a practice session on the bay in an ebb tide and couldn't recover the boat until it had gone 3-4 miles out to sea, through the Golden Gate, totally destroyed. A serious waste of carbon fiber and $8M.

    I do plan to make a few trips outside the Gate and offshore, but that would be rare. I would expect most of my running time would be in the bay. Your comment about going up river is a good one. We could go all the way up the delta and have dinner in Sacramento given a small draft. That's one reason that I'm not looking for anything with a keel..LOL.
  18. aviator4512

    aviator4512 Member

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    Good recommendation on the Cat 3126 - i've heard a few sagas about this set of engines as well. The Cummins are the best option, although you may pay a little bit of a premium over a like-kind vessel with Cats.
  19. PropBet

    PropBet Senior Member

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    Offshore, a very well built boat. IMO/ YMMV.
    OA = Ocean Alexander, another great boat for the money. Again, IMO, YMMV.