Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

[BoatingJunkie]

We are wondering which one to choose? Does anyone have any advise or first hand experiance with either model? We are looking for a good lake boat to do water sports but also like to head out on the ocean for day trips. We narrowed our search down to the Sea Ray 250 select or the Chaparral 256. Which one would you choose????!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

not enough info. what are power plants, years, prices, equipment.

 

[BoatingJunkie]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

Ok, my hubby knows this stuff better than me but here goes....

Both boats are pretty much fully loaded for options. Both have a sport tower/arch. Both are 2008's. The Sea Ray has a 375hp Merc for power. The Chaparral has a Volvo?? and my hubby said it was a bigger motor so I'm fiquering it's 425hp. Which brand motor has a better rep? The Sear Ray is up here in Canada and priced at $100,000 total with taxes and trailer. The Chaparral is $70,000 with trailer but havn't added taxes on yet AND it's located in Seattle so we'de have to figure bringing it accross the line(we're Canadian) and paying whatever we have to pay for taxes/duty??? The same Sea Ray we are looking at up here was only a couple thousand less down in Seattle so that's why I was wondering how come the Chaparral was so much cheaper? Is it cheaper in quality???

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

Hands down the Sea Ray, the 250 and 270 Selects are unbelievable boats! When Sea Ray does it right, they can't be beat, and these are done right!

 

[KCook]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

Sea Rays are high style. But when it comes down to the execution of the details I really prefer Chap. Here is a link to another thread on these brands -

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=212479

Kelly

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

personally you are paying for a name. boats are both great quality. i highly prefer the Volvo drive train. they are both GM engines, it is the drive system that is different.

 

[oops!]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

personally you are paying for a name. boats are both great quality. i highly prefer the Volvo drive train. they are both GM engines, it is the drive system that is different.

yup.....volvo (drive) is better.....hands down


but ...a few thoughts.....im a ray fan....but ive looked at the chaps....they are stunnung...and a real quality boat....both hold good resale...

however......duty is a %^$&^%$ !

now....having said that.....the us econemy is in the tank...and boat dealerships and the mfg are hurting........(im a real big fan of buying local....(in your city or province)...

but if you go to seattle.....or even just across the boarder....you might be able to cut a screeming deal......if your in hongcouver...its worth a drive !

(just a side note....if the dealerships head mechanic is a guy by the name of don s.....BUY IT ! )

but check with customs on the duty before you jump....if the difference is only one or 2 k......then id buy local......

however...then theres the warranty issues....you want to drive to the states to get it looked at all the time?

soooooo.......youve got a lot to think about

(i drove to vegas to get a used boat)

what ever you choose...im sure youll love it......welcome to i boats....glad to see another canuck on here....there are several i boaters in your area......this is quite a little family on this site.....a real good bunch of people and all willing to help. the more time you spend on the site the better it gets...and the more you learn

cheers
oops

 

[BoatingJunkie]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

Thanks so far to all whom have responded!! Doesn't make the descision any easier, but great stuff to think about. We havn't looked into the duty thing at all yet. My hubby is under the impression that we don't pay any duty. I better look into that. The Chap is alot cheaper. About $20,000 cheaper. But I have mentioned to the hubby about the "driving down to Seattle for warrenty work" hassle. We are on Vancouver Island so it invloves heading over on the ferry first (which has become a huge hassle as ferry traffic increases) then driving down to Seattle. Anyway, keep the comments coming! Reading them all.

Oh, and after double checking with the hubby, the Chap has a Volvo engine but it is 375hp, so same as the Sea Ray but differnt brand.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

I think that there is zero differnce it n the reliability of the two drive brands, but it is MUCH easier to find a Mercury service shop.

 

[KCook]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

So what other brands are available on Vancouver Island besides Sea Ray? Maybe Campion?

Kelly

 

[oops!]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

magster is in sidney.....he a big ray fan and he is allways bringing one up from the states.....pm him.....i havent seen him on for a bit.....but hes part of the i boats family.

the koho (victoria) goes right there.....

check the duty....or just launch it in port angles and scoot across the strait

 

[torcano]

Re: Sea Ray 250 Select or Chaparral 256???

I just sold my Searay 240 Sundancer and bought a Chaparral 290 Signature. I was very happy with my SeaRay in general but I liked the ammenities of the Chaparral better. I also liked the layout better. In my opinion, the Chaparral is a boat of comprable quality for less money. I do not think you can go wrong with either boat.