Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

[trezmartin]

I'm looking to buy a used bowrider or sundeck. I'm zeroing in on a 2005 Searay 200 Sundeck. It's 21 feet, with a 5.0 260 HP Mercruiser.

Pros:
It looks like it has plenty of power
It has a head for the ladies.
Negotiated price seems reasonable $14,400
Low hours on the engine: 138
Light enough for me to trailer in my Chevy Equinox.

Cons:
Is a 5.0 mercruiser going to burn a lot of fuel?
Not a lot of seating in the cockpit

I'm also considering some other boats.
Larson 226 Senza
AM PM MARINE (Pasadena, MD)

Regal 2120 Destiny
AM PM MARINE (Pasadena, MD)


Any thoughts or advice?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

Welcome to iBoats. . .

My thoughts . . .

Have you benchmarked the price against comparitive boats and price reference guides?

Boats use a lot of fuel, there is no such thing as 'fuel economy' in boats. You should be more concerned with adequate power, as underpowered boats tend to burn more fuel.

So, 138 hours over the course of 7-8 years . . . That comes out to under 20 hours per year average, however, boats are rarely used in a consistent fashion over their life span. So, what do you know about the actual usage pattern and recent history? i.e. has the boat not really been used in a while, years, etc?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

Ohh,, take a boating class, and use NADA when looking at boats.

The 5.0L is just fine for the 220 sundeck. Fuel useage is not excessive. If you can afford one, take a look at the new 220 Sundeck with outboard power, much less maintenance than an I/O and better fuel economy also.

 

[trezmartin]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

Yes, I used NADA to negotiate the price to $14,400, it had been advertised at 26k. Wishful thinking on the dealer's part, I suppose. Has anyone else had experience with similar Searays? I was surprised at how small the cockpit looks, it doesn't seem like there's room for many people back there.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

I have a 5.0mpi in my 05 and it runs solid. What's the beam? Mine is 8 1/2.
Also, is there a swim platform?

 

[trezmartin]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

I have a 5.0mpi in my 05 and it runs solid. What's the beam? Mine is 8 1/2.
Also, is there a swim platform?

Beam is 8'4, it has a swim platform and coast guard equipment. The dealer is going to let me store over winter for free this year, and is providing a day's instruction on the water. Strikes me as a good deal for $14,400.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

i would go for it...

You might want to be careful that is a heavy boat sort of. what is the towing rating of the equinox.?

 

[Ming15237]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

I have to agree here, there is NO WAY I would be trying to tow a 4k+ boat with a trailer which is going to be in the 1400 to 1600 lbs range with an equinox. I own a repair shop an know for sure that that vehicle is not rated to do that kind of work, (most importantly) nor will it be able to stop that kind of weight. As an example, I have a boat that weights around 5500 + 1800 for the trailer that puts me at 7300lbs my SUV is rated at 8500lbs towing capacity. Power wise I can tow the weight, but I can't stop that boat for the live of me, and my trailer is new with 4 wheel disc brakes. There is NO worse feeling in the world than standing on the brake pedal and receiving 40% stopping power when you in fact need 75%.
As far as the boat goes, my feelings are yes hours are important, but IMHO proper maintenance is even more so. I think it is hard to go wrong with a nice sea ray. That boat has deprecated about as far as it is going to go, and the 5.0 mpi is a great motor for reliability, and ease of service. It's also about as fuel efficient of a v8 that you will find and will push that boat to around 50mph. Again service history is key here.

 

[trezmartin]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

I have to agree here, there is NO WAY I would be trying to tow a 4k+ boat with a trailer which is going to be in the 1400 to 1600 lbs range with an equinox. I own a repair shop an know for sure that that vehicle is not rated to do that kind of work, (most importantly) nor will it be able to stop that kind of weight. As an example, I have a boat that weights around 5500 + 1800 for the trailer that puts me at 7300lbs my SUV is rated at 8500lbs towing capacity. Power wise I can tow the weight, but I can't stop that boat for the live of me, and my trailer is new with 4 wheel disc brakes. There is NO worse feeling in the world than standing on the brake pedal and receiving 40% stopping power when you in fact need 75%.
As far as the boat goes, my feelings are yes hours are important, but IMHO proper maintenance is even more so. I think it is hard to go wrong with a nice sea ray. That boat has deprecated about as far as it is going to go, and the 5.0 mpi is a great motor for reliability, and ease of service. It's also about as fuel efficient of a v8 that you will find and will push that boat to around 50mph. Again service history is key here.

Thanks for the info on towing. My buddy has a Porsche Cayenne, I think it should have enough power to tow it. In any event, I'm going to look at these boats tomorrow and may have pulled the trigger by the end of the day.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

Best of luck!!! You should be happy with it. I love my Sea Ray!

With the swim platform, you'll have more room than mine.

 

[cobra1476]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

I would really consider a full size truck. I myself own a 21' Deck boat. No way in hell an equinox or a cayenne would haul that thing. I have a 2010 F150. and you can feel the boat behind you. that's just driving with the boat. Wait until you back up to launch it or pull it out. lol!!!

You'll basically warp your rotors if you can stop...Ruin your trans...sink either vehicles on the launch.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

Too many think "it's an suv so it can tow". Many SUVs and trucks can tow,,, at least for a while. Trailer breaks help-- but are not a cure all. Unless factory towing package is installed the trans can easily over heat or just burn out - the trans cooler is to curtail that. The package adds beefy springs and better rear end gear ratio. Not to forget a heavy duty breaking system. Love my Hemi too.
Back in the day-- you could buy a CAR and tow a 30' travel trailer all over the US and even cross the Rockies coming and going. in the 70s I had a Plymouth Gran Fury with the 727 trans and a 360 engine-- things got better in '82 when I bought a new 32' RV and a Dodge Ramcharger... in those days cars were cars now they are more like toys.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

A Cayenne? That's a SPORT utility vehicle. Sure the driveline is strong. But I wouldn't tow with it, too nice a sport vehicle, towing will screw it up.
And as said the Equinox isn't big enough. To tow a boat of the size you are considering, you need an full size truck or full size SUV. Mid size with bigger motors won't do either, you need the longer wheel base and bigger brakes of a bigger vehicle to tow well.
As far as the boat, we have friends with a bigger Sea Ray Sundeck and it's great, I am jealous of their space. They have a 2011 they bought new with a big fuel injected 8 cylinder engine. My little ol boat is a lot lighter so I burn way less fuel even though mine isn't F.I., and I have lots of speed at hand. I can leave them behind at any opportunity. The boat you are considering will probably be plenty fast too.
I really like Sea Rays, but I am more of a go fast guy than a deck boater.
The Sundeck line is intended to give lots of space so I am surprised you are finding the space limited. The guy who suggested outboard is right about maintenance, but I personally like the stern drive setup because it gives a nice sound and a better less obstructed rear sunpad and swim platform. I think you are being smart to look really hard at the space in the boat before making a purchase. You have to be satisfied or you will get that buyer's remorse we all hate.

Good luck, boating is awesome!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

Have any of you looked at the towing specs for the Cayennes? They and their VW cousins have remarkably high towing capacities. Coupled with good trailer brakes, it is probably very doable.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

Have any of you looked at the towing specs for the Cayennes? They and their VW cousins have remarkably high towing capacities. Coupled with good trailer brakes, it is probably very doable.

7716 lbs if the trailer has brakes. S not remarkably high towing capacities. Much higher than the Equinox at 3,500 lbs though.

 

[cobra1476]

Re: Considering an '05 Searay 200 Sundeck, any thought?

7716 lbs if the trailer has brakes. S not remarkably high towing capacities. Much higher than the Equinox at 3,500 lbs though.

7716? Lol!!! Like I had mentioned my truck (2010 F150) works while towing my 21' deck boat. and the tow rating on it is 11,300. Ha ha.