Refurbing a 1998 Sundancer 330 - good idea?

W

WannaBoat

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Joined
Mar 30, 2004
RO Number
13112
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4
Hi all,

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1998 Sundancer 330 (7.4 310 hp v-drives) that is heavily reduced in price due to partial submersion - water intrusion limited to engine room. Apparently both engines and generator need to be either rebuilt or replaced. Although I am mechanicalloy inclined, I do not have the expertise, facilities or tools to perform this on my own. But my neighbor builds boats for a living, and has the manpower to do the engine rebuilds/replace. Here are my questions:

1) Is there a ballpark rule of thumb cost for engine rebuild/replacement?
2) Is this year/model plagued by the infamous water intrusion problem? If so, is there anything additional that needs to done?
3) Are there detailed manuals for engine/generator replacement/rebuild?
4) a LONG time ago, someone on this forum offered up a spreadsheet for sources of searay replacement parts (without the searay logo :)), is that available?

ANY insight into this would be greatly appreciated, as I am trying to determine if this venture (with some hard work and patience) could net me a nice boat at below market value.

Thanks!
 
How much is below market value? After all is said and done in this economy, it may behoove you to keep looking.
 
If you are looking at replacing the 7.4 with a reman, prices will go from $2500 to $5000+ not counting installation. You will also have wiring problems that may plague you for a long time. If the boat was sumberged in salt water the problems will multiply rapidly. The price would have to be VERY reduced to interest me.
 
I agree with what David said, it would have to be very much below market value to be worth the effort.
But if it really is that cheap I ask you where are you located? The reason I ask is there is a member of the forum, BillyIII that may have a pair of almost new 8.1 HO’s that should fit the 330- you may be able to convince Billy to move over to Diesels sooner than later
 
The 330 Sundancer is a dime a dozen boat. Very popular -- so there are usually many of them for sale. I think you would need to get the boat for just about free for it to work. Since the boat is so popular, there is no reason to buy one that is substandard. Good luck.
 
I'd run away from the deal. Keep in mind no matter how well you redo the boat it will always be worth ZERO to anyone else, just as you'll see from the messages. Run>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
Many boat owners are upside down and desperate.

Boats over 10 years old are generally not well thought of by many, especially those who do not do thier own maintenance.

Those of us who do our own maintenance and repairs are more in tune to the realities of the market and it is those opinions you are seeing here on this Forum.

In consideration of any repower, the hull must be worthy of the both the financial and the time investment.

RWS
 
quote:
Originally posted by Golfman25

The 330 Sundancer is a dime a dozen boat. Very popular -- so there are usually many of them for sale. I think you would need to get the boat for just about free for it to work. Since the boat is so popular, there is no reason to buy one that is substandard. Good luck.

Click to expand...


This is EXACTLY what I was thnking !!

"Almost free" are the operative words here
 
There is nothing wrong with considering the 330 Sundancer. They are very popular. Today Yachtworld has just about 190 330 Sundancers listed. Just the ones between 1996 and '99 with gas engines. (AND mine isn't even listed!) The asking prices range from $24,000 to $139,000. Take off 10% for negotiating and 10% commission and those numbers drop to $19,440 and $112,590; and that is without discounting the dreamers and considering the time of year and a terrible boat market - yes, I know the used market is in better shape than the new. If you are patient you will find a perfectly good one at a reasonable price. I would avoid the ones with a genny unless you are planning to use it. It weighs a lot relative to the boat's size and it must be maintained along with the main engines. If you plan to anchor out and run your electricals then by all means consider a generator. I like a camper back on this size boat. It provides you with much more usable space. Check out what it costs to replace the canvas before buying.
At an engine rebuilder's conference a few years ago the president of Jasper - I believe the biggest of the rebuilders - said, in so many words, that the biggest problem his industry faced was finding quality rebuildable engine blocks. I took those words to heart. Good luck!
 
Thanks for all of the responses.

As a reference point, the boat is offered at 25K. Divorce sale, wife took possession and let it go into disarray, defaulted, then the financing company took posession. Considering my location and intent of use, generator is a necessary evil.

I have no problem working hard on a project like this, but there are several unknowns- many of them stemming from the fact that I am new to the cruiser market. All of the boats I have owned have been single engine (inboards and I/Os), run in fresh water, stored under cover. So I have been limited to maintenance (change oils, plugs, flush, impellers, bilge pumps, blowers, electrical, etc). The whole v-drive, generator, bottom paint, etc, are new to me :)

My bigger issue is trying to estimate what would be required (dollars and time) to get this to be a "nice boat."

Thanks, and keep the info coming!
 
IMHO......There are PAGES of 330DA listed on YachtWorld...........Im sure you can get into a 330DA for around 50/60K.......thats what its going to endup costing you after all......plus alot of aggrivation.

Take your time and look around.......its a buyers market. Some people may try to steal a boat that's listed......( I just turned down a LOW BALL on my 370DA ).....but SERIOUS buyer can get a " good " deal.

Good Luck in your search !
 
What value do you put on your work? I can see the need for at least 25,000 of labor on top of the engines, and full rehash of propulsion electrical. This is an OLD BOAT. They all have problems at this age. Agree with others. Seek out a near "mint" condition boat whose owner is motivated. Life is short, Project Boats take a lot of time away from the pleasure of boating.
 
Figure about $10,000 each for rebuilt engines (new ones are about $13000 + labor each), another $5,000 for genny - you may need to replace any electrical components in engine room (charger, etc...) Do vee drives need work?, they are about $7500 each (plus labor.

How long was boat submerged? There may be damage to stringers.

There are too many great deals out there that don't require that much work.

A lot of insurance companies won't insure boats over 20 years old.

Keep looking...
 
I would pass on the boat unless you are getting it for free, and can do most of the work yourself. Otherwise it's probably not worth the time, effort, and money.

quote:
Originally posted by Double D

IMHO......There are PAGES of 330DA listed on YachtWorld...........Im sure you can get into a 330DA for around 50/60K.......thats what its going to endup costing you after all......plus alot of aggrivation.

Take your time and look around.......its a buyers market. Some people may try to steal a boat that's listed......( I just turned down a LOW BALL on my 370DA ).....but SERIOUS buyer can get a " good " deal.

Good Luck in your search !

Click to expand...


Don: Can you PM me the low ball offer you got? My friend who I told you has the same boat as yours is seriously thinking about selling it and we were wondering what he could get for it in this lousy market.
Maybe the guy who low balled you would be interested in my frienda boat. He might be more flexible than you. It is exactly the same boat including year, the only difference is the color scheme.
 
I just got back from looking. Unbelievably, the engine hatch opened. I got more of the story:
The marina did work on the boat, which was towed to them with water damage. Apparently a raw water intake pump leaked and flooded the engine room. They "pickled the engines???", but then the boat sat on the lot for about a year. The owner didn't pay, so the marina put a lein on the boat, and the owners walked away. The marina claims to not have done a thorough mechanical check, they just want to be rid of it. Here is my guess on what is required:

1) Remanufactured engines
2) Generator
3) Heater
4) Refrigerator looked bad, rust on bottom metal mount
5) New eisenglass
6) New dash panels (behind switches)
7) Missing rear seat and table
8) Missing a few cushions is room under stairs
9) Had a bit of a funk smell, perhaps mold in the carpets.
10) It was cosmetically in very good condition
11) 4 blade props, shafts and tabs all barnacled up
12) In need of new bottom paint
13) Hairline cracks aroung exhaust outlets (I think... the holes right above the bottom paint line)
14) Have no idea on electrical, but it was nice to see the hatch open.

Regarding engines, the sales guy stated that long blocks could be procured for about $2500. Some mercruiser end-of-year sale??? He also stated "He Was Told" they can be found for about $1800.
 
Yes, the $2500 is for the block only.

Then you have labor costs of removing the old engines,, taking off whar you will move over to the new blocks, reinstalling the parts on the new blocks, buying new parts and installing them and reinstalling the engines - figure at least $5000 - $7500 in total for each engine.
 
run away, run away and if youdidn't hear me, RUN THE &%$K AWAY NOW!!

don't even turn back to look, you'll end up as a pillar of salt!

RWS
 
What amount is the lein? Tell them you'll remove it for free to take it off their hands. Going to need a lot of TLC to bring back to life. Money will add up quick. Go look at some that are in good condition and compare. Good luck.
 
The original power in Saint Max ingested water. They were replaced with new 6.2's. Out and in over 20K parts and labor. As a reference point, a former 330 owner here got $50K for his boat. It had 2 year old remans and was in pristine condition.

Twenty five years ago, I bought a Formula 233F for 5K. When all was said and done I had close to $30 into the boat. Learn from my mistakes. For about 1/2 that I could have had a 25' Sea Ray Sundancer cruiser with brand new power and brand new trailer.

Take your time. We have not even seen close to the bottom of this market.
 
Wanna, get away from that boat. If they gave it to you it is a bad deal. They need to part it out.
 
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