2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

[pbc]

So looking to purchase a used boat, mainly for cruising around a relatively small lake (Scugog) that doesn't get overly choppy, tubing and water skiing with the kids. Most of the time I'd expect 3-4 people in the boat, occasionally 7-8. Outside of myself, the rest of the family are ... short in stature let's say (I'm 6', the rest are 5-7 and under and less than 170lbs sort of thing).

Two that have come up are a 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport with a 4.3 190HP Merc, or a 2001 Regal 2100 LSR with the 5.0 Thunderbolt V8. Both have swim platforms.

The Regal is considerably less expensive ($3-4k or so), but looks to be in excellent condition.

Wondering what the thoughts are on the two boats, how much worse mileage is going to be on the 2100, etc. I keep hearing "a 185 is going to feel small and you'll want a larger boat" so starting to wonder. Would probably be used 8-10 weekends a year max.

Thanks!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Regal.

Bigger boat. . . You will appreciate it over an 18 footer.

 

[pbc]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Thanks. I think the 2100 will be too long for the boat garage now that I think about it. There is also a 2007 Bayliner 195 SE with 190 merc stern drive available for 5k less than the Sea Ray. Not the same fit and finish but also seems like a decent boat, and I could take the 5k diff and put it towards a boat lift or something.

Darn this is tough!

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

My advice is to get a boat with a fiberglass cockpit sole and snap in carpet. I know the 2100s came with glued carpet over plywood initially; I think later models may have had glass soles though. I had a 98 2100 LSR and loved it, but hated the carpet sole.

The 2100 will probably have gas consumption similar to a 18-19 footer. The stepped hull improves efficiency nicely. Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

I have a 18.5 footer and can say that 7 people in it is doable ( 1 or 2 of the people are in the water usually (tubing/skiing)... but since you dont have that many every trip and it will fit in the garage, I'd get the sea ray.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Thanks. I think the 2100 will be too long for the boat garage now that I think about it. There is also a 2007 Bayliner 195 SE with 190 merc stern drive available for 5k less than the Sea Ray. Not the same fit and finish but also seems like a decent boat, and I could take the 5k diff and put it towards a boat lift or something.
Darn this is tough!

I'd take a close look at the searay vs bayliner. I doubt that you'll notice much actual difference.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

A Sea Ray Sport is a pile of crap that floats (for the price). They had a couple good years with their smaller boats in the early 2000's and prior then turned budget but forgot to lower the price to match the product. At least look at other brands to compare the Regal to. I wouldn't think twice about fuel usage and just get the most power on whatever boat you choose. Boating is expensive even if you never have a mechanical issue. Caring about the fuel usage tells me you may want to consider how expensive anything with the word marine associated with it can be. Even the boat wax is multiple times more $ than the identical bottle with the word auto on it. If I spend 30$ versus 33$ on gas I don't care.

 

[pbc]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

A Sea Ray Sport is a pile of crap that floats (for the price). They had a couple good years with their smaller boats in the early 2000's and prior then turned budget but forgot to lower the price to match the product. At least look at other brands to compare the Regal to. I wouldn't think twice about fuel usage and just get the most power on whatever boat you choose. Boating is expensive even if you never have a mechanical issue. Caring about the fuel usage tells me you may want to consider how expensive anything with the word marine associated with it can be. Even the boat wax is multiple times more $ than the identical bottle with the word auto on it. If I spend 30$ versus 33$ on gas I don't care.

Thanks, the gas cost isn't really an issue, just didn't want to have a gas guzzler where I was having to refill more often than not. Interestingly I can get a brand new Glastron mx 185 for only about 2l k more than the sea ray so you're prob right re: price. Though many do say the Sea Rays are better than most mid tier brands. The Bayliner is being sold by a guy who bought it off an auction so thinking twice about it.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Though many do say the Sea Rays are better than most mid tier brands.

Not so much in the small boat category. When I bought my 05 Bayliner 195, I looked closely at the Sea Rays and could not figure out what the price was for. The upholstry was actually better in the Bayliners and the Searay cost another $8K or so if you can believe that.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Thanks, the gas cost isn't really an issue, just didn't want to have a gas guzzler where I was having to refill more often than not. Interestingly I can get a brand new Glastron mx 185 for only about 2l k more than the sea ray so you're prob right re: price. Though many do say the Sea Rays are better than most mid tier brands. The Bayliner is being sold by a guy who bought it off an auction so thinking twice about it.

Understand that the large Sea Rays are decent but the small ones for almost a decade are not up to par for the price they charge. See some brands make really nice small boats just as nice as their big ones and Sea Ray hasn't done that in a long time. The problem is that Sea Ray charges as though their small boats are even close to as nice as their similarly priced competitors that are much nicer. You named several of them already. When I hear someone speak fondly of the smaller Sea Rays it tells me they haven't owned another brand, maybe just don't understand what the differences are, own one and have Toyota is better syndome, possibly they have limited eyesight or grandpa owned one and nostalga takes over or possibly they believe glossy marketing.

Not so much in the small boat category. When I bought my 05 Bayliner 195, I looked closely at the Sea Rays and could not figure out what the price was for. The upholstry was actually better in the Bayliners and the Searay cost another $8K or so if you can believe that.

Sounds about right. End of the day the used marked can cure the problem and you can pay a fair price for any boat.

 

[pbc]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

So the 185 sold. The Regal is still available but recently a Chaparral 190ssi came up. Going to see it today hopefully. The guy claims he bought it off someone in North Carolina and that the engine was replaced last year after the block cracked due to the owner not winterizing it and a colder than usual NC winter. If I move forward on it I'd have it fully checked out mechanically of course.

Only "issue" is that I was hoping for a fuel injected engine and it is equipped with a 4.3 Volvo GL carb instead. Boat will only be used on the weekends in the summer, for the most part. How big of an advantage is having a fuel injected boat vs carb?

 

[security6]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

So the 185 sold. The Regal is still available but recently a Chaparral 190ssi came up. Going to see it today hopefully. The guy claims he bought it off someone in North Carolina and that the engine was replaced last year after the block cracked due to the owner not winterizing it and a colder than usual NC winter. If I move forward on it I'd have it fully checked out mechanically of course.

Only "issue" is that I was hoping for a fuel injected engine and it is equipped with a 4.3 Volvo GL carb instead. Boat will only be used on the weekends in the summer, for the most part. How big of an advantage is having a fuel injected boat vs carb?

I have a 2000 Larson with a 5.7 GS Volvo with a carb. When boat shopping I wanted fuel injection too, but I found a good deal on my boat. I've been very surprised how trouble free the carb is. In 3 seasons, I've had zero issues with the carb. I do see threads in the volvo repair forum for fuel injection issues on a somewhat regular basis, so I don't think fuel injection is as good in boats as it is in cars.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

A wouldn't be concerned about carb vs fuel injection - look at it this way, there is less to go wrong with a carb Chaparral is a nice boat.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

So the 185 sold. The Regal is still available but recently a Chaparral 190ssi came up. ?

My Chaparral is the 190SSI. I can't say enough positive about it. There are upsides and downsides depending on how you look at it. The upside is that it is pretty top tier in that size category and was a few years ahead of its time. The down side is that it is the heaviest 18' 3" boats you will ever come across. It is 19' 11" with the optional swim platform. While it will take waves and provide the driest ride you may encounter in its class, it needs more power than the similar competitors that weigh sometimes 800 or more lbs less plus it has a 33 gallon gas tank which weighs it down more yet. The top engine on that boat was the 270hp 5.0 liter MPI V8. You very rarely see that engine and mostly see the 4.3 in carb or MPI form. End of the day a 4.3 carb fully loaded with people and gear with a 21" aluminum prop will get you a GPS or 47ish. On a good day, with just you and maybe a child, with 10 gallons of gas, you will hit nearly 52 on the gps. The equivalent 4.3 MPI engine will give you a good 4-5mph more every day not just on a good day and better throttle response among the other superior attribues of mpi. You will not keep up with equivalently equipped but less expensive boats that weigh less by a full crew of people right off the bat. The nice thing about this particular Chap is that it is built as well as their largest cruisers with very few corners cut. Even the under hatch storage next to the engine is enclosed which is rare along with the dedicated anchor locker which makes life a lot easier. When you get down into the details of the build from the circuit breakers instead of fuses to the high end guages to the built in compass and a bunch of other details you will realize what I'm saying.

Post some pics of the 190SSI so I can comment more as I have had mine for a long time now.

 

[pbc]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Yeah, was wondering how the 190hp would fair given the boat weight, and how that would impact water skiing. Here are some pics...

 

[jkust]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Yeah, was wondering how the 190hp would fair given the boat weight, and how that would impact water skiing. Here are some pics...

Well the deal is that the v6 has crazy high torque numbers and the 190hp is arguably a low number. Of course we don't talk torque in the marine world but the point is it is a really robust engine. Additionally a prop change can cure most ills anyway when using for tow sports. I've been fine with a 21" aluminum prop. I could maybe eek out something more with some experimenting but my speeds at WOT are exactly at the top of the rpm recommended range. For us with the boat completely loaded to the gills with 33 gallons, full load of people, tons of gear will yank me right up on a salalom deep water start. I go about 185. That is my exact boat as well. I'd also make sure that they have the actual carpet pieces as well as the carpet itself was a an option, as was a wood grain steering wheel, a Fireboy automatic fire supression system, retractable cleats, a transome tilt switch, a bow door, a bow filler cushion, an extended swim platform, and a couple other things I can't recall. If it is a deal, I wouldn't hesitate to snatch it up. At least here, newer Chaparrals rarely come on the market. Also just so you know that hull was patented in 2001, started being used in the 2002 model year and lasted all the way through 2008 with zero changes and a few tiny changes to the interior the biggest of which included a new helm design which has some plus's and some minus's. In all the years I've owned the Chap, I've yet to ever see one at an access and generally only see them on big water where you will reep the benefits of the heavier hull with the longer wetted surface of the Extended V Plane. If I'm at the access and don't get at least 2 other boaters complement the Chap, something is wrong as they are just that nice and the pictures don't do it justice. Of course here, everybody has a boat and where bowriders are concerned they tend to be Bayliners, Larsons, Sea Ray and Glastrons and while some people know the brand as they explain to me they didn't want to shell out the extra $ to get one since we have generally an entry level mindset where our boats are concerned. If I were you, I'd get on it and go out on a water test and see how you like it.

 

[pbc]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Yeah, trying to figure out if the asking price is decent. Tough to find similar models. They seem to go for 15k or lower in the US though, so may consider driving to Rochester or something and save money that way.

 

[pbc]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Btw, a 2003 SSI 196 with the 220 HP Merc MPI and cruise/convenience options came up as well. Went to see it but it was already winterized. Gorgeous boat, but 2k more than the 2004 SSI 190 and didn't even come with a trailer. Great size. The width of the boat was great. Didn't have the sport seating though.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Yeah, trying to figure out if the asking price is decent. Tough to find similar models. They seem to go for 15k or lower in the US though, so may consider driving to Rochester or something and save money that way.

You're more apt to find a larger, newer Chaparral versus a small one that everyone can afford to use. Upper end smaller boats don't stay for sale long. Are you in MN or NY as you mentioned Rochester? How much are they asking, and out of curiosity how many hours are on that high-end Faria, digital, in dash, hour meter? Interestingly, when I got my sig boat it was still in the break in period purchased buy someone who overestimated how much they would actually go boating. I shopped high and low, saw every bowrider brand available (again this was a number of years ago) and was dumbfounded by how much more Chaparral paid attention the the details that were overlooked on other boats. In 10 seconds in this guys garage, it was evident who they build their boats for. Also don't forget when you buy used, it isn't uncommon to get a lot of gear thrown into the deal. I got over 2,000 dollars of the really nice gear, the brands I wouldn't shell out for, from the original buyer including two nice tubes, two full wake board/bindings/boot set ups, tubing and boarding specific tow ropes, pumps, life jackets, some for water sports and some for in boat use plus a package of those old school orange ones and a ton of other things. My point is sometimes the total deal can be a good one.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2001 Regal 2100 LSR vs 2008 Sea Ray 185 Sport

Btw, a 2003 SSI 196 with the 220 HP Merc MPI and cruise/convenience options came up as well. Went to see it but it was already winterized. Gorgeous boat, but 2k more than the 2004 SSI 190 and didn't even come with a trailer. Great size. The width of the boat was great. Didn't have the sport seating though.

That is a nicer boat yet...seem to recall that one even had bow rails instead of grab handles. Sport seating really works well for our family and given how many years we will keep our boat, I'd miss it. The 183/190SSI is a sort of anomoly for someone who wants a boat that fits in the garage but still wants an actual nice boat not just a boat with shiny speaker grills. It weighs what a much larger boat does, you can power it however you need and it's still decent looking even in today's world of more contemporary designs.

My sig boat literally fits in my winter storage with the tounge folded but by less than an inch and that is with the out drive/propeller in between the studs. I'd probably have as big a boat as would fit in our storage as my tow vehicle has a lot of unused capacity. I couldn't even get the extended swim platform as that would have pushed me over my space limitations.