Anybody familiar with Azure?

D

Danny C

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 3, 2010
Messages
124
I am looking for opinions on the brand AZURE. Have been looking at used Regal 2200s and Searay 220 Sundecks. An Azure 228 popped up that looks good but there are so few of them out there, I am a bit nervous on quality and dependability. I assume is it lower quality than Regal and Searay, but I am not sure. I also heard that they are no longer in business, which also makes me nervous. I have some very informative threads on this site and from the research I have done so far, it looks like they are made by Bennington. I have also heard some rumblings about being associated with Crownline. Maybe just in design as they look pretty similar to the Crownline EX (deckboats).

Also, would a Volvo 5.0 (260hp) with a duoprop outdrive push a 3500-4500lb boat around ok? I do not need to go super fast, but would like to ski/wakeboard/tube and be able to get on plane in a reasonable time. From what I am seeing so far, it seems being underpowered is one of the biggest concerns with this particular boat.

Any insight you have is appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan
 
B

burtonrider11

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2005
Messages
178
I can't comment on the quality of Azure boats. From what I recall, I believe they were a pretty good looking boat! However, I can tell you that they were under the Bennington Marine Group umbrella and produced boats from 2005-2009. If you are concerned about them no longer being in business, I would make contact with Bennington to see if they can provide any kind of support or information. If they can't, I would probably be less likely to buy that brand....I don't know that them being out of business is a direct correlation to them being a good or bad boat, more likely a victim of bad timing. 2005 we their first year and by 2008, the economy was in the tank....3 years is hardly enough time to build a strong enough brand loyalty to ride out a storm like that....

Powerwise, it's probably adequate. With the Duoprop, it should get out of the hole fairly nicely. I would expect top end to be mid to upper 40's. The official specs list this boat at 3250 dry weight which seems like a pretty good match in terms of horsepower to weight ratio.

Good luck with your search!
 
jbcurt00

jbcurt00

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 25, 2011
Messages
25,124
And on a 10yr old boat its

Condition
Condition
Condition

I'd rather buy a meticulously cared for entry level boat then an abused and neglected 'high end' boat after 10yrs.
 
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