Chapter Four:
You Came to See Who? Ray?, No, I came for the Sea Ray
Actually there was no confusion about a Sea Ray, I just liked how that read for a chapter heading
The next excursion was for visuals only, scheduled for 3 boats. These 3 boats today are about the same price, There were two at a broker, and one more at a wholesale dealer. The 2 at the broker were first, then the one at the dealer. The one at the dealer was my new number one, it was a nice looking 2006 Sea Ray 185 sport with the 3.0 Mercruiser. Really cool looking color usage in the interior between white and blue and yellow. Looked to be in great to maybe superb condition. Hull was mainly blue. I wanted to look at that one last.
The 2 at the broker were a 2007 Glastron MX175 with 3.0 VP, and a 2007 Bayliner Discovery 215 BR with a 5.0 Mercruiser.
The Glastron was in very good condition, the MX is an entry level trim but it had the snapin carpet and was overall very nice. It might do if the Sea Ray was gone. The Bayliner was right beside it so had to look. It was, well, a Bayliner. It had the traditional lounge and jump seat arrangement and a nice extended swim platform with ladder that works good with a crowd, and with the 5.0 was probably a very nice cruiser. One jump seat set was missing, and the other had some tears and scuffs in 2 or 3 places. It was just not the right level of quality boat for me.
Now on to the the Sea Ray.
I was very impressed with the personnel at this dealer. We went over the Sea Ray, and man was it nice. Engine had 340 hours, but I can see why, I did not want to get out of it either! Super sporty. I knew the 3.0 would not be a powerhouse and was resigned to that. Before we got started on the Sea Ray, as part of the introductory conversation, he mentioned that, if it was ok with me, that he would like to show me one more boat later if I had the time. I said sure, then we got to the Say Ray. After looking it over I was ready to say this is the one, and move forward to lake test. We had already discussed that a sea trial was mandatory, and in fact it is their policy. With the broker all that got complicated as they are just the go-between, where with the dealer they buy it then sell. I said let's hit the other one and then I will be ready to make a decision.
Yes impatient readers, we then walked over to My Bryant. It was same price, 4 years older but fewer hours and had the 4.3MPI and was a larger boat, good for more days when wind was a factor. They had just got it in, so no one knew about it yet so to speak. There were some challenges, first was there was no trailer. They had retrieved it with their awesome totally adjustable heavy duty roller trailer, which it was still sitting on. The dealer had one they would give with it though. Their price was with trailer, guaranteed to be good and equivalent year. I said, ok. There were some paperwork and titling work to do as it was a trade for the seller's bigger huger brand new Cobalt, but they assured me it was just a time issue. Still very early in the procurement process. I said cool, this is the one I want, but I want the Sea Ray if this falls through, can you hold both. They agreed, we got through all the challenges and it is now in my covered pull-thru storage stall!
That first day we went over to the trailer they were providing. It was a RoadMaster, 2001 model single axle. Very clean shiny paint, bearing buddies, chrome wheels, spare tire well, but no spare. This was acceptable. So we made arrangements for me to show up at the ramp after they moved it off the shop trailer and on to this one, and then I would get the demo launch,ride and retrieve. That happened, got them paid, towed it home, done deal.
2002 Bryant 188
Yellow and White
4.3 MPI Mercruiser Alpha One
High 5 Stainless 19p prop in perfect condition
Sill has the OEM Coleman Cooler that fits under front cushion in the bow
Interior is really immaculate. Well except for the cooler's white top, kind of dingy.
Proud yet modest tow vehicle...
Next,
Chapter Summary and Disclaimers
