the Stingray is 19ft but has a VERY hard ride on anything but flat water, it just beats you up! I've been looking for a bit but after this last weekend my partner had enough and we resent not being able to run on plane across a choppy lake, it is a common thing to get the windshield wet from splash. Growing up my family had a 1990 Regal 19ft but with the Deep V and heavier weight, that boat was our benchmark for a good quality ride- something the stingray doesnt have.
We wakeboard, want to do near 50 or more MPH, still need decent MPG (love the 3.0L for that), and want a bowrider. Dont want any larger than 22ft due to occasional low water issues and want a sub 4,000 towing weight since I'll be likely getting a lighter duty tow vehicle in the coming year.
We looked at an 07 Glastron GT205 with 23 hours last week and a 4.3L MPI, it just still had the low profile look of our stingray and narrow beam with a non deep V hull making me think the ride won't be an improvement? Price was 16K with matching tandom trailer and extended platform which I thought was OK however it needed a MAJOR detail and showed some serious wear for 23 hours!
I'd LOVE a sea ray Select, but they are too expensive and I want to stay 2003+, I'm attracted to the 205 Sport from '05+ but wonder how the ride is? and question how much Bayliner influence is on them due to the Brunswick connection? (dash looks very sparse...)
Also like the Crownline and Chaparelle 21ft's... Other must have's are fresh water- no bottom paint, the "sport seating" and snap in carpet. Would really like the Merc MPI 4.3L or 5.0.
I guess I'm excited that I'm with someone that wants to spend money but want ALL of this for under or around $15K, am I reasonable? I've been looking some and think I can do reasonable selling our Stingray due to it being in above average condition and we did alot to restore/ maintain it to a turn key level.