GW Invader vs Sea Ray

[gixxerjim]

I have a 1988 Sea Ray Seville with the 3.0L in very good shape. I am considering going to a 1992 GW Invader with a 4.3L. The GW is a little heavier, a little wider. They are both 18ft boats.

Whaddya think of this change? How is resale on the GW? Are they well put together? I don't know anything about GW so any input you can give would be appreciated.

 

[haskindm]

Re: GW Invader vs Sea Ray

There is a GW Invader group on this forum - go to the manufacturer's index at the bottom of the forum opening page. Post your question there and you should get some response.

 

[arks]

Re: GW Invader vs Sea Ray

I might be wrong, but the 18' INVADER was not made by GW (Grady-White). The "original" GW Invader was only about 10' long and manufactured in the 60's and early 70's. They were cool little 2 person boats and many are still around.

This 18' boat is probably made by one of the following companies. I believe they were both Texas companies. The manufacturers identification code might help you identify it. Boats made after 1971 had them imprinted in the hull on the starboard side of the transom.

Invader Boats, Inc. code: MWK
Invader Marine Inc. code: ILP

 

[thunder219]

Re: GW Invader vs Sea Ray

Gw Invaders was a company in Sharpsville Indiana. I had a 94 18 footer and was a pretty nice boat. I know four other guys at the lake that have them from a 19, two 20, and a 23 footer. Mine was called an Indy series 180 and with a 4.3 merc. and ran around 51 mph on my gps. I liked the boat but the 18 foot included about a two foot swim platform so it made the boat feel small in the inside. I could not find much info on these boats on the internet but a lot of info from people at the lake that used to work there. I think they closed in 96 or 97.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/thunder219/100_0426.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/thunder219/100_0428.jpg

I think these links will show the boat.

 

[Josh in Pa]

Re: GW Invader vs Sea Ray

I have a 1992 GW invader 20'. I'm not real familiar with other boats so I don't know how it compares. My stringers were not completely surrounded by fiberglass, and were rotted out when I bought the boat. When I gutted it, I thought that it was kind of cheaply built, all plywood and not completely wrapped, but I've never torn into another boat. Mine feels small inside also, it is 20', but about 2' is swim platform. Mine has a removable fiberglass cover for the bow seats, its a nice option that I haven't seen before.
Josh