Now the proud owners of a 1986 Sea Ray 300 DA

First, the hoses are less than four years old and are in fine shape. I evacuated the entire fuel system myself then flushed through THREE TIMES until the old water-ridden gas was out of the lines. The carbs are two year old Edelbrocks, but I also removed and evacuated them three times eacch to be sure that all offending gas was out. All that I did was done AT THE INSTRUCTION OF THE GUY WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO DO IT HIMSELF! It's fortunate that although I am not a boat mechanic and certainly not employed as a mechanic I have spent a great deal of time rebuilding Ford and Chevy engines and that is what has kept me from being totally swamped under by more "shortcuts" that this guy wanted to take.
I hear where everyone is coming from here, but unfortunately I am not wealthy enough to just "walk away" with a valueless boat - that BTW I am still responsible for storage on if nothing else - and throw away over ten grand. I have not in any way violated the contract because he asured me that the boat was "ready to go" and the provision that I had to abide by was to have it out of his yard by March 31 or face being charged storage fees. As well, he hauled the boat and put it in the water - and I wasn't twisting his arm - after pressuring me to get it out for several weeks. As far as the legal aspects go, I am well aware of how those things go but there are lots of other avenues to collect besides through court.

It's unfortunate that although I had thought that I had found some kindred spirits here on this site and was getting some good afvice in situations that I had not encountered before, I guess that I was wrong and what I thought was a "friendly, welcoming community" is just as nose in the air and exclusive as any yacht club around. It's no wonder most normal people never bother to move beyond the ski boat stage - even the boat owners conspire to make it out to be totally prohibitive to the average guy to own a nice cruiser. I mean honestly if less people just rolled over and took this kind of thing, these kind of guys wouldn't be out there. i am in a fortunate position that I have come across members of the local boating community who have been ooking for this type of opportunity to get this guy out of here and I am going to help them. I guess sometimes in life you just screw the wrong guy. Well, good luck with your boating season fellas and have a good time on the water. Wish I could too, but I'll just have to keep being patient.
 
Sac, I feel your pain but I also think that many folks go to court thinking they have a clear case that turns into a nightmare and costs ways more than they thought it would. I'm not saying that this is your case, but I'm also the first guy that believes in principles and nailing the guy to the wall. I'd certainly have your attorney send the guy a few letters. Even an hours worth of review and some letters might scare the guy. I still wouldn't have him touch MY boat after that and I doubt he will pay to have someone else do it, so then what? I'm not a lawyer and don't have any idea what is in your contract regarding arbitration or making amends. I don't know what the measuring stick is for "completion" when the mechanic turns the boat over to you but I'm sure it's spelled out clearly in the contract, right?

As far as dollars go, you bought an older 30 footer for approximately 1/4 to 1/8 of what most of us spent for the same boat in the last few years. You got a deal, but your deal includes putting it back in working order and that WILL cost someone some money. If that was negotiated into the contract, then by all means take this guy to the cleaners since he signed the contract. I'm sure the contract had dates for completion and conditions for completion, so it's very clear right? In the letters from the attorney, I would suggest that AFTER he works on it, a marine survey be conducted and any items noted be fixed by him if they are related to the "working" condition of the boat.

I do think you received some opinions on what each of us would do if we were in the same position. I don't think anyone had any "yacht club" mentality and I think if you re-read the posts, all were meant to cut your losses. If you don't have the money to fix the boat, then where is the attorney money going to come from? If you spend money on the attorney and your boat DOES get fixed, then you win! You could always go out and buy a brand new 300 footer for around $220,000! That ought to make you feel good that you haven't spent nearly that amount and you will still have the same amount of fun, maybe more since your wallet hasn't been emptied.

This board does have a few folks that are obnoxious, but most of the guys responding have been helpful. I don't think that is any different from the rest of a sample population anywhere in the U.S. I certainly didn't see any nose in the air attitude in the prior posts that you mention, but it may show up now that you've drawn a line in the sand. It's all free and you have to take it with a grain of salt. Maybe I AM a lawyer? You don't know what kind of folks they are behind the screen name and I don't care what they call themselves, it isn't gospel because they said so.

You can spend the money on attorney fees and the boat MIGHT get fixed somewhere down the road. That's more stress than fun and who knows when it will get resolved or how much it will cost. Yes, the guy should be put out of business, but he'll just pop up somewhere else doing the same thing. How much is that worth to you? I think complaints at the Better Business Bureau would be cheaper and about as effective! If this guy is bad, everyone should quit using him and he'd have no business!

You can also spend money to get the boat fixed so that you can enjoy it in the next few weeks. It's your money and your choice, but we are attempting to help you! Scorpio volunteered to walk you through some of the steps, I'll do the same thing if you want help. How can you find fault in that?

Oh and by the way, I've NEVER been a yacht club or marina member and never will be. I don't run in the Grey Poupon crowd, I'm just happy to be out on the water with my family.
 
I had some work done to the boat by a repair shop over the winter, something I rarely do since I like to work on my boat and its expensive. The work order I signed stated that I was responsible for the bill AND any attorneys fees and court costs incurred in collecting the bill. If you take the guy to court, and I think you have a legit. grievence, and you loose, you will probablly be responsible for court costs and possibly HIS attorneys fees. I'm not sure about your state laws.

BTW, I'm NOT a lawyer or a yacht club member. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, only you can make that decision, I'm just telling you how I would play the hand you've been dealt. If you feel that you want to take this guy to court and don't mind all the hoops you have to jump thru, by all means, exercise you legal rights. I hope it works out for you.

I'm still willing to help as best I can with your project. I know the kind of frustration you are feeling. Nothing gets to me more than to feel I've been taken advantage. I hate having to pay again to correct a problem that was supposed to have been fixed.
 
Sac; I have a feeling most of your post was directed at me, for the record I am not a Yacht club member or into the marina scene. Glad you evacuated the tanks and the lines are in compliance. I can help you with the electronics portion. I was just telling you my experiences with the court system in New Jersey. To check the bilge blowers first start by taking them and either running a neg and pos leads over to them see if they turn, if they do it's either the breaker, a bad ground or the blower switch. If you have a multi-meter you can start tracing the wires back. Many times in boats people get hung up on the positive side and it ends up being a simple erroded compromised ground connection. Good luck again I hope there are no hard feelings as I said I was trying to give you strong medicine based on my dealings with the court system.
Take care. Bill (I am not the 3rd they are 3-L's after my name lower case).
 
Lot of good advise on this site..........lets try to keep it all informational not confrontational........

Thanks.
 
sac, work towards the future not the past, keep the legal system out,in most lawsuits for damages, its hard to prove damages, you will not get your time back
maybe a portion of the actual costs to bring it to whats stated in the contract,maybe if you paid some out of pocket costs, try small claims court , in calif
claims can be for under 5000 and thats settles any other claims no more claims after that, but its easy to file. but you need to prove damages
like invioces showing what was not done, and proof in writing you tried to get the sellor to repair or follow the contract, but did not.

also , a better way should of been to with hold $$ until the work was done then full pay. anyway thats glooming in the past
go forward and do whats the easiest and less stressful on you, you will prevail in the end.
iam not far from you up the hill 30 miles
 
I'm sorry about the rant fellas, it's just a rather frustrating situation. I will post a copy of the pertinant info from the contract here as soon as I have some time. Suffice it to say that I had run to the end and then some of my alloted boat budget for the time being and had not anticipated ANY of this upon going into the water. We are getting married this month so the funds have been divided between major expenses this year - as they should be. I do appreciate the good advice and tips that I have received here - they have been invaluble and without them I would be in really deep trouble. There are so many things that I have ended up doing myself for the first time because of being left in the lurch by this guy that without much of the tips and advice I have recieved here I don't know what I would do.

I think that when I have a chance to post the wording of the repair addendum to the contract that you may better understand where I stand. At this ppoint, the California BAR certified mechanic will be coming out tomorrow to do a full assesment of the enigne and drive functions (visible) including the cause and repair estimates for the leak and will be giving me that so that I can put together a letter of demand as a first step to getting this situation remedied.
 
First, get away from the guy. He can only cause trouble. Get a bill of sale signed paid in full. Do not ask him to fix or make good on anything. These are great boats. This one has been neglected. Put a couple thousand aside and plan on spending it, you just don't know where yet. Things likes risers, hydraulic cylinders, bellows etc are normal maintenance. Get the boat "zero timed" by a reputable mechanic so you know where you are at. By zero timed I mean all the normal maintenance things-shift cables, bellows, u joint, plugs, wires, etc. Even if the seller said they where done, don't trust him. Could be used parts, could be it wasn't done. Have your guy give it a a good going over. Check motor mounts, alignments, especially the drives. This is boating. Expect the usual repairs. But also expect the unusual now and again. I had the Y leak in my 89 30' Dancer. The Y's almost never leak. A dropped bolt was logged between the Y and the hull. The Y corroded at the point of contact. I've had a coupling fail and trim pump solenoid fail. Of course I've had hydraulic cylinders fail. That is normal. At this age, you may need shift cables from the helm, waterpump, starter. The good news is, once you get the boat sorted out, it will be great. Expect a couple of seasons to work through it. Your problems are actually pretty light and par for a boat that has been sitting. The Y can be fixed. It is just a broken part. You are going to find the electric is something silly but not expensive. It should be solvable in an hour with a voltmeter. My guess is something mis-wired, maybe a ground left off a battery, or a failed circuit breaker. After you have a tuneup, some of your running problems may go away. Don't forget the filters inside the carbs. Ethanol and boats don't mix. You may, make that probably have gunk in the carbs. They are actually pretty easy to remove to take to a shop and have cleaned. Can put a carb kit in while it is out. Cheap and it is one less potential problem. Don't let it get to you. $500 a year for repairs is normal especially while you are getting the boat sorted out. Again, you are way ahead of the curve. Just get away from this guy even if you have to pay some money.
 
Comment on props -- I have an 89 300 DA and run stock 14/19's (and am happy). I put the tabs all the way down, tuck in the drives all the way, and run it up to about 3k RPM. Once up, I put tabs all the way up and trim the drives up 2 seconds each (a little under 1/4 on the trim indicator gage). Adjust throttle position to 3K and cruse at 30 MPH on GPS. This seems most efficient to me and everything is running happy. Can cruise as slowly as 22 MPH but hard to maintain plan and need tabs to help out. Top speed is above 40 MPH fully loaded (fast enough for me). Haven't had trouble with getting her up on plane even with full tanks and 10 on board.

My friend has 86 300 DA and runs 16x16 props. Says he has similar cruse speed RPM but seems that he has better hole-shot. Is able to hold plan at lower speeds without tabs. Top speed is definitely under 40 MPH however.

Don't think I'll be changing, but if someone has already done the research I might consider new props.

Just $.02.
 
And I hit recommended WOT with the 14/19's just like it should...

BTW I paid 17,300 for my 1989 300 DA. It's in turn-key condition and everything works properly. All canvas and upholstery is perfect (not new, but no issues whatsoever). Motors and drives had $7k in work over this past winter (list is too long to publish).

Very happy with my deal.
 
How does this story end?

Is it the tale of the guy who foolishly expected a nice large boat for very little $$?

Or is it the tale of a shady mechanic who screwed a customer and got his due in the end?

Inquiring minds wanna know !!
 
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