Alias - our much loved Hunter 35.5
We had for some time been casually looking at power boats and as we plugged upwind under power to some destination 8 – 10 hours away at 6 knots we would watch with some envy as they powered past. leaving way after we did and sure to arrive hours before we did. So we started looking on ‘yachtworld’ and ‘boatcan’ etc to see what could possible be available. As it turned out, we started looking for powerboats at the time when the prices were more depressed that at any time in recent memory. Thus boats we could not have even looked at 2 years ago were suddenly within reach. I didn’t have much experience with power boats although my parents had owned a couple back in England in the 70’s. But lack of experience wasn’t going to stop us – no way.
Well, to make a long and likely boring story short, we ended up finding Kennedy Auto Marine, in Ontario, just south of London. Not on the water or near it. In fact not the part of S.W. Ontario you would really think to look for a boat re-seller. But wow, what a selection of power-boats. Now Dana, as in Dana Kennedy has build quite a business here of the last 10 years. It’s an interesting business model. He has developed connections with banks and apparently gets first dibs on boats that the bank is repossessing. He gets them back to his shop and goes through them pretty thoroughly, new canvas, carpets, compounding etc. They are in pretty nice shape when he sells them and the price is very competitive still. They are all fresh water – most from Michigan area. Dana doesn’t deal with salt water boats – salt water turds as he calls them.
We ended up down there one summer evening – actually to look at a 40 ft Regal that turned out to be sold. But the 400 Sundancer was there and on we went. After sailboats the room was staggering as was the luxury and comfort. Central air, central hear, central vac, 3 burner glass topped stove, 2 heads………………what was not to like? And the outside – OMG. I just love the aggressive sleek look with the forward sloping radar arch and sweeping windscreen. Nat figures I am going through my mid-life crisis….she could be right. Could be worse. I could have bought a Corvette or Viper or something to fill up the driveway. At least we can all enjoy the boat. :-)
Well, we are nothing if not compulsive so before we went home we had bought the boat. In hindsight this is not the best way to buy a very expensive toy. We had not done one ounce of research into possible issues with this model. Now, in our defense it is a Sea Ray – very well known and reputable builder and it was in amazing condition – indicating a lot of care from the previous owner. Still, every manufacturer has that one or 2 models……As it was it seems to have turned out OK so far. That doesn’t mean we didn’t get home, look at each other and go holy crap, what did we just do?
Will standing by Plan B at Kennedys.
