Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

[Manipulator]

Brunswick bought Sea Ray right? A friend of mine was saying that a Sea Ray is no longer a Sea Ray and is no longer built by Sea Ray. Is this true? He basically said the new ones are a Bayliners with Sea Ray emblems. Is that true?

 

[Safety1059]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

Your friend is incorrect, I work for SeaRay and I can assure you that they are not Bayliners with SeaRay emblems.

 

[kozman01]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

Hey Jeff, welcome aboard. It's nice to see we have an "insider" here on our forum. If you wouldn't mind would you tell us what you do for the comapny or any other information that may prove helpful to any of us here. I believe that Sea Ray has a loyal following among people who own the boat. Right or wrong, Sea Ray owners love there Sea Ray's. I just hope SR is planning on staying the course and building a nice, solid boat. Anyways, glad to see you here!!!<br /><br />By the way, I compared my 04' SR 180 Sport alongside the 04/05 Bayliner 175. No, they are not the same boat but they are not the same price either.

 

[markvictor]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

Yes, Brunswick owns Sea Ray,and Boston Whaler,Meridian,Bayliner,Maxum,Baja,Sealine,Hatteras and so on as well as Mercury Marine...One of the key differences between a Sea Ray and a bayliner is that new Sea Rays are constructed of vinylester resin as opposed to polyester..vinylester is far superior and costs nearly twice as much..and they are absolutely built in a Sea Ray facility..not a bayliner by any stretch of the imagination...apples and oranges...I was a shop foreman for a large Sea Ray dealership before going independant. Sounds like your friend owns a bayliner....<br />markvictor<br /> http://groups.google.com/group/badboatbiz

 

[msd58]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

When did Sea Ray begin using vinylester resin? I mean what year did it begin?

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

Went to the boat show and sorry to say I was pretty disappointed with todays sea rays.

 

[magster65]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

What was disappointing about them. I'll be in the market for a 23' - 24' (Sundancer) soon so I'm curious what you found. Was it styling or quality issues? Pricing?

 

[johndoe]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

According to the web site the 242 Classic is Vinylester Hull...?<br /><br />Can anyone verify this.

 

[johndoe]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

^

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

Magster, I have a 1984 and they just don't make them like they use to. Mine has lots of teak and stainless steel. The new ones just look cheap. All plastic no teak and the emblems on the sides are stick on for God sakes. If I was in the market for a newer boat, Sea Ray would not be on my list. The older Sea Rays are really good high quality boats. In today's market there are boats that are better built and more affordable than the Sea Rays. Just my 2 cents.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

Unless you are talking about big boats (40 foot and over), the people buying boats today do not want to deal with the maintenance issues involved with products such as teak. Times change, peoples opinions of quality change and companies like Sea Ray are sensitive to what their customers demand. I love the look of a classic boat with all of the brightwork and teak, however someone in their twenties or thirties has no time or desire to maintain something like that, besides, they think it looks "old".

 

[shadow3g]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

I have a 75 Sea Ray SDO, number 23 or 28 of 43 built that year my boat is much moresolid then most new boats, a great amount of teak and brightwork included. I'll stay with older Sea Rays, particularly 75 to 86 models, much more character to them

 

[OperativeK]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

I think my boat is the only one from the original factory. ; )<br /><br />1965 Sea Ray 800

 

[pete643]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

Bayliners had vinylester resin for a long time. I had a Bayliner cruiser in 1987 (bought new) that was advertised as using vinylester resin, as are today's Bayliners if you look at the web site. Boat hull was fine on the '87, but the interior parts and hardware were cheap.<br /><br />Just bought a 2006 Rinker cruiser after looking at a variety of boats, including Sea Ray. The Rinker seemed superior with metal through hulls above and below the waterline, a stronger feeling rubrail, stronger windshield and a very nice cabin layout.

 

[imported_POLYWOG]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

Magster, I have a 1984 and they just don't make them like they use to. Mine has lots of teak and stainless steel. The new ones just look cheap. All plastic no teak and the emblems on the sides are stick on for God sakes. If I was in the market for a newer boat, Sea Ray would not be on my list. The older Sea Rays are really good high quality boats. In today's market there are boats that are better built and more affordable than the Sea Rays. Just my 2 cents.

 

[imported_POLYWOG]

Re: Is your Sea Ray really a Sea Ray?

I HAVE A 245 SUNDANCER ITS ALL OPEN FROM WINDSHIELD TO TRANSOM AND NO SISSY BAR RUNNING FROM PORT TO STARBOARD AMIDSHIP,AND ITS SOLID AND MOST PEOPLE LIKE ITS CLASSIC LINES A GREAT BOAT FOR A 1982...IF I COULD ONLY FIND OUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 245 AND A 240... POLYWOG