Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

[morgan.bylo]

I am interested in two boats but really torn beween these:

2007 sea ray 205 w/ 220 hp mercrusier (175 hrs)

2007 four winns 200 horizon w/ 225 hp Volvo (72 hrs)

Both are in great condition.

Opinions?

 

[robopath]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

Is there a volvo service place near you? If so, I'd take the Four Winns. Half the hours and smoother shifting engine are a bonus.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

What are the prices?
What cockpit seating option on the Four Winns? Sunsport ?
The 205 Sea Ray has been their best selling runabout for several years. Is it the carbed TKS V6?
The 200 Four Winns is usually a better bang for the buck over the Sea Ray. Is the engine Fuel Injected or carb?

With either boat, alot depends on the condition of the boat, how it was maintained, and what YOU like best.

 

[jkust]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

Well since you said opinion. Small Sea Rays are not what they should be for the money when new. That's my nice way of saying they produce crap boats and put a too high price on it. You have to get over 20 feet to even start to see that they put forth any effort. The 205 is almost there but still suffurs from their entry level mindset versus other brands that don't skimp even on their small boats. The larger ones are clearly where they focus as they are nice boats competing only at the margins with competitors. Of course the used market can cure any ill but there are simply far, far, far nicer same sized boats available where that same used boat theory applies. I would likely be more interested in the FW. As for the smoother shifting engine, I like the clunk of the mercruiser because it lets the family know it is time to get set and pay attention. It is a great notification system when you have young boys who need a notice beyond me telling them to get set. I know a lot of small Sea Ray owners that just didn't put the effort into their search and bough from the closest dealer which in my case is the SR dealer right up the street. Sea Rays are awesome when you compare them to an empty garage stall.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

My opinion is Sea Ray with Mercruiser.

 

[morgan.bylo]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

My opinion is Sea Ray with Mercruiser.

Reason for going with the Mercruiser?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

I think he is more familiar with Mercruiser's, and there are generally more shops that service them, and parts are cheaper than Volvo. Just guessing though....

 

[h2odick]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

Depends on region too, in my area (SoCal) _every_ single marine shop works on Merc as well as Volvo.. just depends where you're at (if finding someone to work on it is an issue, it may be something you want to consider) Otherwise honestly, its really six of one half a dozen of the other.. The Volvo parts are usually slightly more expensive..

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

All else being equal, and considering just the information you've provided, the Four Winns would be my choice. Mostly because it has an SX drive instead of an alpha one.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

Four Winns! Why? Because I own one :lol: I do have the Merc in mine tho

 

[brookieme]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

Four Winns....you cant beat the quality....in mho, Sea Ray is overpriced....I considered one, but just couldn't see where the money was compared to Four Winns....and as I was advised: You will have less repair with a Volvo- but Volvo parts aren't around every corner....you have more repair with Merc's so you'll have parts around every corner ! I had a Four Winns 238 Vista with a 5.7 Volvo....and it was a beautiful thing......

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

From your list of two in this order:
Four Winns
Four Winns

 

[CC245]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

The simple equation is: Over 40ft Sea Ray/ Under 40ft Four Winns

 

[mudeater]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

I vote four winns with volvo mainly because I own one. But in all honesty its what you like the best, and what is easier for you to work on or get worked on.

 

[beilwing]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

Isn't anything with a 5 on it the "entry" Sea Ray? That's what I was told when I had my 195. I did like that boat though. I guess I understand what folks are saying though about Sea Ray for the bigger boats but something else for the smaller ones.

 

[riptide09]

Re: Sea Ray vs. Four Winns

While I own an entry level Four Winns I have no complaints. Boat is solid as a rock and the quality IMHO is better than other entry level boats. The problem with Four Winns around my area is there aren't very many dealers. Three or Four years ago there were a lot more and most of them changed to other brands.

Power train, cables, electronics are all pretty common and parts are readily available from various sources. I have used after market parts for other areas of the boat and also eBay is good for original parts.