1996 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer ** Insurance Total **

[mmetzger1028]

Hey guys,

Its my first post and Im looking for some advice. I have the opportunity to purchase a 1996 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer for $5,000. The boat was an insurance total, some dude got a little too boozed up on Lake Tahoe and ran into something. I am curious of your thoughts on this boat.

I am a total handy man, in fact, bought a 34ft class A that was an insurance total, fixed it up and use it all the time with my wife. I see the same possible potential in this purchase, however I am curious of what you more knowledgeable boat goes think of this purchase.

Thanks for the help in advance!!!!!

http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_6...a8_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_d...ZW_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00606_9...M1_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00b0b_e...oL_600x450.jpg

Maybe this is what happened...lol
http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/magazine/2012/october/assets/img/14.jpg

 

[Rickmerrill]

The pictures didn't post. Best way is to get a free photobucket account, upload there, copy the IMG link and paste it directly into the text of your message.

 

[mmetzger1028]

Weird, I just used the craigslist picture URL's and one that he emailed me that I had saved to my desktop. They show up for me? Maybe try refreshing?

 

[Rickmerrill]

It's just cached up on your computer, we can't see them. Since the recent upgrade everybody is having problems uploading links.

 

[mmetzger1028]

Thanks for letting me know. I tried just putting the image addresses in the original post let me know if those don't work. I have one that is on my comp that is a better angle of the damage, so Ill have to figure out how to post that one too eventually

 

[Rickmerrill]

That works!

 

[mmetzger1028]

Cool! So what are your thoughts?

 

[Rickmerrill]

Well, it's going to need a substantial amount of structural hull repairs to the bow and there's usually more damage than you think. If the engine(s) are in good shape, no rot below decks, interior decent, maybe. Matching the top decks repairs cosmetically with what's already there could be problematic. How difficult will inside access be to do repairs? Let's see what others have to say on this one cause it's way over my head!

 

[Woodonglass]

What's your fiberglass knowledge/experience? Painting Experience? What kind of work environment do you have at your house? What's your Guess-Ti-Mate for Repair Costs. and Time? I know what Mine are!!!

 

[mmetzger1028]

My fiberglass experience is slim to none, however Im definitely not "afraid" to take it on. I was actually thinking about learning as much as I could in order to as least fix it structurally via wood framing/fiberglassing etc, then somehow cleverly hiding the damage using perhaps a stained wooden deck etc. Im really not worried about doing it to the extent of looking like it was never in a wreck. Mainly to get it "usable" with out looking like total crap lol.

My thought was to get a moorage at Dagmars in Marysville Washington, they forklift the boats in and out. My buddy has a boat there and the whole operation is pretty slick. So I was thinking I could just work on it there, out of the water. Take my time and do the repair as good/cost effective as possible with the aid of friends and forums.

The interior is in really nice shape, engines haven't been started in a couple years, but I don't see that being too much of an issue as they are EFI and not carb'd. It is missing the radar tower and hand railing that goes around the bow.

 

[zool]

Five grand is a really fair deal, unless it sunk....pics for sure, most anything can be repaired, cept a distorted, mangled up tinny

 

[Woodonglass]

The costs to get that boat seaworthy again could be very expensive and very time consuming. For a total novice with No previous fiberglass skill or knowledge I'd be very hard pressed to advise you to take on a project of that magnitude. That boat took a Hard Hit and has severe Structural Damage from what I can see. It also appears that the valuable electronics have been stripped from her as well. To effect the Glass repairs you will need access to the inside of the hull and that means you may have to remove or cut away the interior of the cabin etc. On large craft such as this it can get expensive and overwhelming IN A HURRY unless you and your helpers have experience. I'm usually the kind of guy that says "Go for it" but on this one...and you not having any experience with Fiberglass...Uhmmmm I'm a bit shy!!!!:scared: But I'm an Old Dumb Okie so what do I know!!!!:fish:

 

[mmetzger1028]

Thanks for all the input. I'm still on the fence about it. Does anyone know how one would even go about fixing this? There is a pretty large piece missing from the top, how would most go about filling/fixing that? It would be very interesting to see how a professional shop would go about this.

 

[JaCrispy]

I've never done a repair like that, but if it were me, I would make a line across the top cap, cut and remove the damaged area. Repair the hull since it "looks" like most of it is there. Then fab up a new piece for the top cap/bow. You might have to make a mold, I'm not sure. Maybe find a scrap boat similar in size and whack the bow off. Modify it to fit.

I would def look if the engines shifted and look for cracks along bulkheads, ect.

Or...turn it into a 33' bow rider.

 

[mmetzger1028]

I've never done a repair like that, but if it were me, I would make a line across the top cap, cut and remove the damaged area. Repair the hull since it "looks" like most of it is there. Then fab up a new piece for the top cap/bow. You might have to make a mold, I'm not sure. Maybe find a scrap boat similar in size and whack the bow off. Modify it to fit.

I would def look if the engines shifted and look for cracks along bulkheads, ect.

Or...turn it into a 33' bow rider.

This is very similar to what I was thinking. Cut a clean line straight across the top, reinforce the damage to the Bow, then fabricate a new nose, or possibly find another hull that could be cut off and fabricated in...... Maybe find something like this http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/4635668850.html

PS, 33ft Bow rider, lol that would be awesome!

 

[Woodonglass]

It's hard to tell in the pics but is there also major damage to the bow down in the black area below the water line??

 

[zool]

Thanks for all the input. I'm still on the fence about it. Does anyone know how one would even go about fixing this? There is a pretty large piece missing from the top, how would most go about filling/fixing that? It would be very interesting to see how a professional shop would go about this.

If I was gonna attempt the repair to the cap, I would start by mocking up the side and top contours with thin ply, maybe 3/8 to get the right curves, then I would trace off the contour on 1x trim to join the seams for the sides and top. I would clamp, glue, and screw it together. Once I got the right shape, using a router and sanders on the hard edges, I would glass the outer skin to a similar thickness, once in place, I would then build up the core to the original thickness from inside..prolly 1/2 or 3/4. Then glass the inside, cut out a hatch if its in that area...then fill, fair, sand. I think where the rubrail attaches may be the trickiest.

 

[mmetzger1028]

I was interested enough to drive an hour south and check it out. The damage in the front was just a fraction of the issues with this boat. Very very misleading ad and person. It was some old dude who owned a used car dealership. Complete waste of time. In side roofing was all gutted, windshield was completely ripped off, cluster gauge was torn to pieces. The boat is COMPLETELY messed up. Only thing about that boat worth anything is the two engines, if that seeing as how they haven't even been started in 5 years. Thanks for the advice anyways guys, Im moving on to another boat. Found a 1990 Bayliner 2556. Guy says he'd do $4,000. So going to see it soon http://bellingham.craigslist.org/boa/4607972829.html

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Woodonglass]

Well, I'm no Big Boat Guy but having been on the forum for a few years I do know that the OMC drive train is NOT highly desirable since they went out of business back in 2000. You might want to take that into consideration. From what I understand they are getting harder and harder to find parts for and Mechanics don't much like working on em. But at least this boat has a lot more DIY'r potential!!!!

 

[zool]

The ripped off windshield would be the breaker for me, probably ran under a dock at speed. Check the substructure on that BL carefully, or you'll be gutting the cabin.