Hello to all! - 360 Sundancer qu / assistance req'

S

s12raider

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exMember
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Oct 5, 2007
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Hello there everyone!

I'm Stu and based in Sydney, Australia. I've read most of the forum and found it very hospitable and have learnt a lot of things - especially enjoy some of the banter as well.

I'm looking to get into SR and eying up a 360 in USA (second hand not new). Before I do proceed I would like to share a few points in order for you to hopefully help me.

I'm after used from 2002-2004 and hoping this year range does not have any issues with SR that I should be aware of.

Secondly I'm aware of a few people on the forum who suggest the Maxum 3700 (37SY or similar - forgive me for my lack of precise knowledge). Maxum is not a big seller in Australia so not a lot of opportunities for me to check these out.

Could some of you provdie some pros & cons anre try to limit any bias (I am sorry if this offends anyone no intention).

Many many thanks

Stu
 
Stu, I'd have the opinion that if a Maxum boat is not usually available in your local area, it's going to be harder & more expensive to get it worked on if anything goes wrong? Further, when it comes time to resell you'll have a tough time finding people who know what your selling or are willing to buy it? As a prior Sea Ray owner myself, EVERYBODY knows a Sea Ray. Just my own opinion.
PS We Americans really do appreciate the steadfast friendship of Australia.
 
Thanks Capt Art. Your words make absoulte sense. Their is one dealer near me in Sydney (the other is too far away). SR has a lot more dealers within close proximity.

One further question I have is in relation to responses provided by a dealer / broker. If one asks if the boat has been involved in any accident, sunk, or similar, is the dealer / broker / seller / owner legally obliged to tell the truth? Meaing can they be held to account should they not divulge the facts of the boat's history in their reponses? I ask only because in Australia if someone makes a false statement (untruthful or misleading) they are liable for any misrepresentations.

Thanks - oh and can anyone recommend a GREAT surveyor in or near to Fort Lauderdale.
 
Stu,

I agree with Art, on the Maxum issue, however it is also a Brunswick built boat, so parts availability should be no problem, pretty much a sea ray with less lip stick...

We had a 3700 Maxum last season and it was hands down the best user friendly express boat for us, we're also on our sixth searay, as of last weeks delivery... however we did have a new 06 340, this season (also perviously a 300, 290, 260 and 270) and that was a very nice boat as well... however with two kids, I'd still take the Maxum 3700 hands down, if anything for the one foot more of beam, two feet more loa, (over the 340) sea keeping, storage, and access to the engines & systems, seperate shower, twin bunks in after state room... but perhaps that is only if you plan on keeping it for some time.

I know it's hard to sell a boat brand people are not familiar with, but we were impressed.
The 3700 shows well, handles well, and personally we prefrred it to all of our express cruisers we've owned, of course it was also the biggest EC we've had too, so that may be a little biased.

I know you can find a few out there priced pretty well right now...Ours was a 98 gas with 380hp 7.4 horizons (closed cooled) never had a bit of problem with her.

Good luck and keep us posted....
 
Stu, as far as anything a Dealer/Broker or such will tell you...
Don't trust a word of it unless it's written. Even if written, don't think it's the Lords Prayer. Get a surveyor who knows what he is doing and trust his opinion on accidents, sinking etc. Then check & verify the surveyors findings yourself. In other words trust your own judgement & evaluation of your total understanding of the boat your about to buy? I always like to buy with what I call mistake room. *Murphy's Law can work for you in negotiations prior to purchase. After purchase it will be your adversary.
*Murphy's Law - "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong & at the worst possible time." I didn't know if you hear about Murpy's Law Down Under Mate? Gooday
 
Hi Lou and Art,

Many thanks for both of your comments.

Lou - agree with what you say about the 3700 (as far as I can tell from reading only - have to take a small trip to see one up close). I'm looking at a 360 not a 340 but still your comments are valid.

Art - thanks for this. Yes I tend to trust my gut no matter what. Even if I travel far (though work in USA 4 weeks a year or more) I'd be going through the normal motions of assessment and then some (given I'd be shipping to Australia). And Murphy's Law is WELL UNDERSTOOD, in the UK they call it "Sod's Law" but as I am a NZer living in Australia Murphy is a "friend" on numerous occassions.

Cheers
 
one thing to watch out for on the 98 thru 2000, maybe 2001/2002 boats are the velvet drives (Vee drives). Many failed and had to be replaced and while most should have been replaced by now, there should still be some low hours, babied drives waiting to fail if pushed a little harder.

the drives were the only issue i had with my 1998 maxum 37... I never had to call maxum or the dealer for any other issue.

when you think about it, there are very builder specific parts on boats, it's all off the shelf components... Merc engines (brunswick brands), velvet vee drives, perko hardware, faria gauges, vacuflush, shurflow/par etc... pumps, rule bilge pumps, cruisair/marinair ACs, etc.. not an issue. I'd be more concerned about getting the engines and generators for which you can find good service locally.

as too comparing specific models, boat equipement, design and quality change (usually for the better) every year. I know that when I compared boats in that range in late 98, it came down to the maxum 37 or the regal 42. I picked the maxum because i didn't quite want to jump up to the 42 but the quality was excellent.

in 98, the SR i looked at still had formica counter (i think it was formica, in any case it wasn't at good as the Corian like of the maxum), no bow pulpit (just a roller), plastic thru hull (the maxum had chromed bronze), and a few other details like the shore power inlets on the side of the boat, whereas the maxum had them protected in a stern locker with storage for the cords).

but you need to compare the exact features depending on the year. eventually, the SR was upgraded and got a much nicer interior than the maxums, which where then merged into the newly formed meridian lines. Brunswick shuffling their markets and brands. so check each boat, dont rely on general x is better than y statements.

another thing which i find totally unacceptable with most SR is their inability to deliver a boat with an ER in which you can work in... yeah.. here I go again... but maintenance is an important part of boating and something to consider. maybe the later 360s have better ERs, but having seen pictures of the 60' sundancer with no room to stand between the engines, I'm not so sure.

check the features of each boat and see what is importnat to YOU. and take a look at the regal 42 as well...
 
Many many thanks Pascal - I was actually hoping you would respond as it was your "words of wisdom" to look at the Maxum 3700 due to the engine room. I totally agree with you, and can compare this to some of the European cars which require complete engine review from below the car when servicing as opposed to other cars (European included).

Also thanks for the explanation on velvet drives and also on the history of the engine issue in earlier 37s.

I have time to review and not in desparate rush to dive in to purchase yet, however if I find what I like and ticks primary boxes of my needs / requirements then , all things considered, will go for it.

Again, thank you all for corresponding to me.
 
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