Considering New Boat

[dolfan1710]

Hello, I have a 1988 Stingray SVB 176 SS that has a rotted Transom and I'm thinking of moving on from it. I'm looking for something similar where the vast majority of my boating would be on a small lake (about a mile up and back) and maybe some bigger ones on vacation. It would include water sports like skiing and tubing as well. I'm looking to stay as close to 30,000 as possible for this purchase, I'm looking at 3 boats, does anyone have any experience with these?

Stingray 198LX
Tahoe 500TS
Regal 1900ES

I know I can look at the Stingray locally, not sure about the others. All 3 boats seem as though they can be had for 30,000 - 35000. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[southkogs]

I don't have anything bad to say about Stingray or Tahoe. See a lot of them out on the water around here. But I'm partial to the Regal. I like the company and the general quality of their builds. If buying brand new, Regal is where I would lean.

 

[JimS123]

It all comes down to personal preference, plus having a good dealer nearby to work with.

I don't like Tahoe. Those that I have seen don't have the aesthetics, plus poor use of space. They look cheap to me.

No Regal dealers near me any more so no recent experience. You first 2 choices are deck boats, and the Regal is not. The bow section is not user friendly.

Our family had Stingrays for over 40 boat years, and with that exemplary experience they would be my first choice.

None of your choices have acceptable windshields IMHO. A white dash and distorted glass makes seeing the ocean ahead of you a real chore.

Looks like you want a sun pad. If that's not a mandate, I'd go with a 191DC. Superb windshield, good bow section, large cockpit and best of all an outboard. Compared to the I/O it'll be faster, more fuel efficient, have more storage space, and a HUGE improvement in maintenance.

 

[crazy charlie]

Regal is a great boat and it is not at a premium price point.I have owned 2 and I highly recommend them and the hulls cant be beat.I think they now have a lifetime warranty on the hull. Charlie

 

[dolfan1710]

Thanks! I’ll look at the 191DC. My early research.

stingray would be the most convenient to buy.

I can probably find a Tahoe 500TS to look at

Regal 1900ES would be buying blind, no chance to look at one locally.
I have an 88 stingray SVB 176SS and had it on the water on its 31st year. I have no issues with Stingray.

 

[dolfan1710]

Ok I have looked at the 191DC, that 115 HP outboard is enough? I think that was my deterrent. My current stingray is a 165HP sterndrive and did 46mph with 5 on board in its 31st year. Would the 115 HP be able to hit 40’s?

 

[JimS123]

Ok I have looked at the 191DC, that 115 HP outboard is enough? I think that was my deterrent. My current stingray is a 165HP sterndrive and did 46mph with 5 on board in its 31st year. Would the 115 HP be able to hit 40’s?

Our last boat was a Stingray. We bought new and had her for 35 years. Only sold her to move up to a bigger boat, and move to a low maintenance outboard. I was finally fed up with the bellows, U-joints and winterizing, et al.

We had a 3.0 liter I/O. Everybody told us it was crap and we needed a V6. Well, with me alone and a half tank of gas that 'ole girl would hit 50 GPS. So much for the naysayers.

Here is the performance curve for the 191. Up to you to decide. I would have bought her myself but my local dealer went out of bizness. We are verrrry happy with our new SeaRay, but it cost twice the price.

http://www.stingraypb.com/data/documents/boat_house_bulletins/191dc_115hp_061115.pdf

PS - you won't do that with 5 people because the test data always looks at low load. But swap for an Enertia prop at the proper pitch and that Stingray will blow the doors off everybody in town.

 

[dolfan1710]

Our last boat was a Stingray. We bought new and had her for 35 years. Only sold her to move up to a bigger boat, and move to a low maintenance outboard. I was finally fed up with the bellows, U-joints and winterizing, et al.

We had a 3.0 liter I/O. Everybody told us it was crap and we needed a V6. Well, with me alone and a half tank of gas that 'ole girl would hit 50 GPS. So much for the naysayers.

Here is the performance curve for the 191. Up to you to decide. I would have bought her myself but my local dealer went out of bizness. We are verrrry happy with our new SeaRay, but it cost twice the price.

http://www.stingraypb.com/data/documents/boat_house_bulletins/191dc_115hp_061115.pdf

PS - you won't do that with 5 people because the test data always looks at low load. But swap for an Enertia prop at the proper pitch and that Stingray will blow the doors off everybody in town.

Thank you very much, that is eye opening and plenty of performance.

 

[roffey]

I have the 198lx, no complaints but it is a lake boat for sure and does not like big water but you would already know that with your boat.

FYI, I can do 54 on the GPS...

 

[QBhoy]

Always admired the stingray for their performance with modest power. But not for their quality of build. Tahoe, I’ve never been on or even near to be honest.
Ive never really been to fussed by regal boats, but not so long ago, I became familiar with a friends regal 1900 with a 4.3 mpi. Quite a serious machine. Over 50 gps easily. Clever stepped hull and a surprisingly good ability in rough water, compared to the usual comparable boat. Nice enough finish on it too.
For me personally, if all were like for like power plants...the Regal all day for me. But as an example...if the Tahoe was an mpi and the regal wasn’t...that would tilt the scales the way of the Tahoe for me. Especially at that price.
what ever you decide...at that money...make sure it’s at least a 4.3. Don’t settle for a 3.0 at that kind of budget. Can’t fault their reliability...but for the money...needs to be more refined. Will be a more desirable boat when it comes time to sell too.

 

[JimS123]

what ever you decide...at that money...make sure it’s at least a 4.3. Don’t settle for a 3.0 at that kind of budget. Can’t fault their reliability...but for the money...needs to be more refined. Will be a more desirable boat when it comes time to sell too.

The 3.0 was dropped when GM stopped making them. The 4.5 Mercury built I/O is the smallest in production now.

 

[QBhoy]

The 3.0 was dropped when GM stopped making them. The 4.5 Mercury built I/O is the smallest in production now.

You’ll be correct about that. But at the likely age, there may be a chance that the 3.0 mpi was still in play. Perhaps I’m wrong. Was the age mentioned ?

 

[JimS123]

You’ll be correct about that. But at the likely age, there may be a chance that the 3.0 mpi was still in play. Perhaps I’m wrong. Was the age mentioned ?

I thought the OP was looking at newer boats. At that price point they couldn't have been more than a year or 2 old.

 

[QBhoy]

I’m

I thought the OP was looking at newer boats. At that price point they couldn't have been more than a year or 2 old.

may be right. Would be very cheap for a new regal 1900, I suspect. It would be about another 20k here to buy one.

 

[dolfan1710]

Thanks , the Regal is highly unlikely because I’ll never be able to see one. I’ve been looking online and Stingray seems like the easiest for me to access. I found a Glastron dealer nearby but the are a little more pricey and there’s a bay liner dealer too which I haven’t seen many good things about. Also Hurricane deck boats I found a dealer.

 

[dolfan1710]

Found a 191DC but it has the Suzuki, anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[JimS123]

Don't discount Bayliner. Their new boats are actually pretty nice. Not what you remember from the 1980's.

I live in a major boating area. 15 Mercury Dealers, 1 Tohatsu, 1 Yamaha. Guess which brand I own? Kidding aside, I think Mercuries are the best anyway, but nothing wrong with a Suzy if there is a good local servicing dealer.

 

[briangcc]

Bayliner has upped their game substantially since the naysayers around here last looked at them. They do deserve a look.

As for Regal, I think its them anyways, the only thing I didn't like were the goofy tail lights they mounted into the transom. You connect them to the trailer wiring and light up when you use brakes/turn signals. Again, goofy as all hell - something my dad would have done on our old boat.

 

[Faztbullet]

A Chaparral 232 is a great boat for ya needs