By Jason Y. Wood
We spoke to three brokers who each are listing a Sea Ray 480/500 Sundancer from the early 1990s, and each explained what to look for in the listings. Here are some highlights:
Ted Patrick, Lake and Bay Yacht Sales, 877-458-7616:
“Interior space on the boat is huge—two staterooms, two heads, two showers, large cabin, full galley. The seating up on the aft deck area is huge. You could probably put ten or 12 people up there easily—it’s a great spot for entertaining. With a boat of this vintage, you’ve got to look for the updates that have been made. Obviously everyone wants flatscreens, which this boat does have, and updated sound systems and satellite TV systems, so they can go anywhere and still watch TV.”
Dave Lash, Admiralty Yacht Sales, admiraltyyacht.com:
“You’re looking basically at a 20-year-old boat, all I can say is condition, condition, condition—who’s owned the boat, and how they’ve kept it up. The actual structural integrity of the boat is still the same, as is the power and everything else. I suppose you’ll see an occasional engine rebuild, but most pleasure boats you find, a 20-year-old boat will have about 1,500 hours on it, which is nothing for these engines.”
Marino Andreoli, POP Yachts, www.popyachts.com:
“Remember, these boats can vote. Even with an excellent boat that’s in great condition, age is age and there are going to be things to fix. The engines are getting older and they’re not the latest and greatest electronic diesels that get better fuel economy. The price takes all that into consideration. And it’s just where these hulls are trading right now.”
