[SEAMIKE]

Hi everyone, I'm based in the UK, and do most of my boating in my local area, of Cardiff Bay, South Wales,and every year trailer down to the South Of France I've owned a Sea Ray 180, for 4 years now,and I'm looking to upgrade, to a 2004, Larson, 220, Cabrio, I,m going to take a test drive of one, coming into my local boat yard,next week, the engine is a Mercruiser 5.0 ltr, MPI, with I believe a bravo 3 leg, does anyone have any experience of the 220, what should I look out for, what good and bad points are there for this model, I intend to have a survey done, got caught out before.
Any comments would be very helpful.

[bifflefan]

Welcome aboard...

Sounds like you have things well in hand with survey and all. I personally dont know anything about those so i cant help there.
Im sure that the suevey will show any defects and you can ask the person doing it ablout the boat also.
I have gone to different dealers to ask questions b4 maybe you can try that.

Good luck with your new purchase.

[SEAMIKE]

Hi bifflefan, thanks for your reply, the boat is coming from a main dealer, part of their brokerage stock,being brought upto Wales, to help sales for the local dealer, I've seen pictures of the boat, but not as yet up close, been on boatest.com website, and they reviewed the 2009 model, it had a good review, popular in the Nortern States, and Canada, and in Europe, although I've not seen one in my area, probably not much difference between the 04, and 09 models, I'll wait and see when I test out the boat next week, and I'll post how it went.

[SEAMIKE]

Hi all, water tested the above, very impressed with the handling of the boat, with the engine runing flat out, at just touching 40 mph, with a 4 bladed prop, the Larson rep, really put her through it's paces, no hull slamming when crossing over wakes, quick on the plane, cruising at just under 25mph, my wife was very happy sat out on one of the u shaped loungers, she felt very safe, and secure, even when the boat was being thrown around, and even at full power engine noise was very low, didn't have to shout over the engine,all of the instrument gauges were easy to read, the two bolster seats were very comfortable, giving good visibility.
The cockpit is very spacious, great for entertaining friends, we've ordered the infill cushions for inbetween the two u shaped seats, to make one very large sunpad, the boat that I've just bought has the full canvas package, great for when the weather turns, the only criticsm, is the lack of storage, there's a large under floor locker, for your fenders and lines, with a drain inside, I'm going to order some gas struts, so it won't slam down, and take your toes off, and a small carpet lined under floor locker, for your personal items, no glove box, you can store gear under the two u shaped lounge benches but they are open, will have to buy some sort of sealed boxes, would prefer to have gear stored out of site.
The cabin is very spacious, I'm 5' 10, and had room to sit upright inside the cabin, very comfortable, great for overnighting, there is also good storage under the seats.
All in all, a very comfortable and roomy boat, which my wife and I look forward to many years of use, looking forward to next season, when we can travel further afield, especially when we trail the boat down to the South Of France.