Sea ray Vs Ebbtide

Im looking at at 2006 Sea Ray 220 deck boat with 350 hours or a 2007 Ebbtide 2320 with 112 hours. Both are asking $37k Both have only been in freshwater. This will be my first boat so any and all comments are appreciated. Thank you.

Re: Sea ray Vs Ebbtide

No experience with ebbtide but our 2002 24' sea ray now has over 700 hours, and hardly any problems, maintained regularly. The 5.0 mpi can cruise all day on a half tank of gas, with plenty of power for two tubes and people in the boat. Enough storage for bumpers, two sets of skis, wakeboard, ropes in the floor seating, and life jackets, boat cover, tables, etc under the seats. Overall a very well thought out design and layout, maximizing use of all available space. The boat rides very well in the chop at planing speeds, and the handling is very responsive at speed or around the docks. I honestly can't think of any negatives, aside from the seat is too low to drive in the full sitting position when someone sits up front.

Re: Sea ray Vs Ebbtide

37K HOw much were these boats when new?

Re: Sea ray Vs Ebbtide

sstone said:

No experience with ebbtide but our 2002 24' sea ray now has over 700 hours, and hardly any problems, maintained regularly. The 5.0 mpi can cruise all day on a half tank of gas, with plenty of power for two tubes and people in the boat. Enough storage for bumpers, two sets of skis, wakeboard, ropes in the floor seating, and life jackets, boat cover, tables, etc under the seats. Overall a very well thought out design and layout, maximizing use of all available space. The boat rides very well in the chop at planing speeds, and the handling is very responsive at speed or around the docks. I honestly can't think of any negatives, aside from the seat is too low to drive in the full sitting position when someone sits up front.

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Thank you! Great feedback and very reassuring.

Re: Sea ray Vs Ebbtide

In my opinion Ebbtide would be just a touch above Sea Ray. Given that, and the Ebbtide is a year newer, has 1/3 the hours, and (judging by the model number) is a little larger I would get the Ebbtide.
However, numbers aren't everything. Which boat do you really like the best. They are probably both very nice boats. At least, they'd better be for that much money. Mainly get the one you like the best.

Re: Sea ray Vs Ebbtide

The Sea Ray is a top of the line brand, and a very well thought of in the boating world. Ebbtide is a small boat company from just west of Nashville, and they make a pretty nice boat.

For resale value and superior quality, go with the Sea Ray. The hours is not a major issue.

I would research any boat purchase closely on IBoats.com and Boattrader.com to get a feel for the retail market on any boat--especially if you're talking $37K. Remember that the boating business still sucks, and it's a buyer's market. And, you're talking about a 5 year old boat.