Favorite Mfg.

[Boilers2000]

Looking at potentially upgrading my Searay. What are solidly built boats that you would by again?

 

[Prophammer]

I think Bayliner has come a long way and is very well built these days, wiring is laid out way better than my other boats, and pricing is quite reasonable

 

[mr 88]

Way to broad of a question . Upgrade as in going bigger ,how big if so ? New - Used ? I/O -outboard-inboard-jet ? To be used primarily for cruising ,fishing ,water sports ? What type of water are you in ,Great Lake ,smaller inland lake ,river ,ocean ? Plan on spending weekends on it or a day tripper ? Budget ? Slip or trailer ? Twin engines or single ? What are you thinking about ?-BowR-WalkA-SportF-DualC-CenterC-Ptoon-CuddyC-CabinC-FishS-Ect. Fiberglass/Aluminum ? Budget ? Picture of GF and or Wife is needed before we can proceed .

 

[dingbat]

They don’t make them much better than Grady White.

I'm on my third.

https://www.gradywhite.com/the-grad...age&utm_medium=topblocks&utm_content=202002-I

 

[Scott Danforth]

compared to your 29 year old SeaRay, most boats today are built better than they were back then. at least from construction techniques.

However by saying upgrading.....

are you looking for Newer, bigger, faster, more comfortable, more features........ etc.

you are currently in a Bow Rider

are you looking to stay in a Bow Rider? migrate to a pocket cruiser? deck boat? dive boat? dedicated fishing boat?

 

[Boilers2000]

Mr 88...good point so I'll elaborate. Looking for 20'-24' ft open bow for water sports. Primarily on a reservoir or inland lakes. Right now trailering, but stresses wife out so may slip it for the season in the bear future. Single engine I/O preferred.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Looking for 20'-24' ft open bow for water sports.

skiing?
slalom skiing?
competitive skiing?
barefoot competitive skiing?
wake boarding?
knee boarding?
tubing?
parasailing?

each of these water sports requires a different type of boat.

 

[mr 88]

If I had the money for a new rig and considering some of the info you gave me ,Pursuit Dual Console would be hard to beat. Looking used , it's always about the condition and either a upgraded V-6 [more hp ] like you have now or a 5.7 and up Mercruiser to power her. Slipping usually means your on the water more as it's just easier to jump in the car ,throw off the lines and go out ,like right after work in the middle of the week . Pain to do the launch thing then ,so you don't. Bigger is better ,go as big as you can and skip the 2 footis every couple years.

 

[JimS123]

I have very specific requirements, but that's just me. I don't compromise.

I won't own a curved windshield because it causes distortion with my particular eyeglass formula. I won't own a white fiberglass dash because it reflects on the glass making poor visibility. I won't own an I/O any more because IMHO 4 -stroke outboards are much better. Etc, etc.

Grady's are awesome boats, Chaparrals are equally good, as are Montereys and many others. Cobalts are fine boats but they are not cost effective. However, none of those mentioned are suitable because I don't like the layouts.

For a fishing boat and water sports, the best is a Boston Whaler. For a general runabout, SeaRay all the way. For a PWC nothing but a Yamaha.

I say that not because they are the models I own. I could literally buy anything on the market. I own them because they are the best.

That's my opinion. If you think otherwise, then that's your opinion.

 

[briangcc]

Boats I have owned and would buy again...

Bayliner - they get a bad rap here because some are stuck in the 80's. Build quality/features have come a long way since then and they deserve a revisit.

Four Winns - I had mostly trouble free service until I got rid of the boat at 12 years old. This was due to the ever rising cost of trying to find a competent Volvo dealer to service the engine/outdrive...and the boat deciding it no longer wanted to be part of my family so I set it free. Another is likely, albeit with Mercruiser power this time instead.

Chaparal - for me the layout is nice, converts from cruising to fishing (have honestly never done it but I have the option) and have had trouble free service so far.



Other boats we looked at at a recent boat show and would receive consideration on a new purchase:

Crownline - We liked the layout and features of the boats.

Glastron - although this comes with a small disclaimer as the bolted on ss looking sidepanels looked incredibly cheesy. Otherwise layout was nice.

Monterey - layouts were nice as were the storage on them.



Boats we looked at and would NOT consider:

Searay - sorry, still no spot to put fishing poles unless in a ski locker. As my admiral put it time and time again to the salesman....You want me to put my pole where?? Gotta love my admiral!

Regal - sorry, but there's absolutely NO reason to put emergency brake lights on the transom of a boat. You're the only manufacturer to do this...ever think why that is? They aren't necessary!

Anything you could buy at a big box fishing/outdoor store....you know the one with the big old large mouth bass as a logo??

Anything jet boat related. We fish as a family, sometimes in weedy waters. Sometimes in shallow waters. Sucking rocks/weeds into a jet isn't appealing. Ones I have been around are incredibly noisy too...no thanks.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Bought a new Starcraft toon last year... seems pretty well made......

 

[JimS123]

Searay - sorry, still no spot to put fishing poles unless in a ski locker. As my admiral put it time and time again to the salesman....You want me to put my pole where?? Gotta love my admiral!

When I fish I use my CC Whaler. Nevertheless at times I want to fish when out in our SeaRay with the family.

Our SeaRay is an outboard, so the space under the sunpad is cavernous. I love those telescopic packrods and have 2 mounted on a small bracket under it. I could also fit a half dozen tackle boxes in there if i wanted them.

The side decks are very wide and easily accept a Fish-On rod holder. I have one on each side and they work well for simple storage or for trolling. We don't ski so my in-floor locker is empty except for a pair of 7' heavy trolling rods, just in case the urge hits me.

Lots of possibilities - you just need to be creative.

 

[Scott06]

I’m on my second Sea Ray, would buy another. Hull and upholstery &canvas seem to hold up well.

 

[tpenfield]

Formula . . .

 

[rallyart]

If you are looking at that size and primarily for watersports you could easily look at getting a wake boat. A V-drive will give you lots of interior space for the boat length. They are easier to enter and exit when you are in the water and they actually do most watersports better than an I/O bowrider. All the manufacturers make good boats in that sector. Prices might be higher than a 4 Winns or Regal but some manufacturers are reasonable. Not sure where you are located. That makes a difference in wake boats because some are smaller manufacturers and may not be readily available everywhere.

 

[BRICH1260]

I`m on my second Chaparral. I think they would be a good choice for your inland lake needs.