Searay vs Stingray

[mr 88]

We all have opinions and some of us value the opinions of others.

So, what would you consider the mid level competitors and what are the cadillac brands?

My list will not apply for what the OP was exactly looking for , and some companies may be out of business , hard to keep track and my list is for boats under 27-30. Upper would be in no particular order and will be both mid and upper. , Privateer-Parker-Boston Whaler-Contender-Yellow Fin-Cobia-Robalo-North Coast-Pursuit-Hewes -Grady White-Wellcraft-Key West-Hydra Sport-Regulator-Polar Kraft-Carolina Skiff-Glacier Bay-Striper-Tiara-Carolina Classic/Albermarle . I am sure there are a bunch that I will recall after I post this as well.

 

[roffey]

The Stingray 198 is a sport deck boat, but looks to me like a bowrider or that's what I call it. In Canada the 198 is over 50k right now. Not sure if you can compare the sport deck boat to a pontoon boat, completely different boats and uses. I know some will argue this point but the Stingray is a go fast boat and the pontoon is a cruising type of boat. Both nice boats but different.

 

[Blind Date]

I know some will argue this point but the Stingray is a go fast boat and the pontoon is a cruising type of boat. Both nice boats but different.

Agree and silly to recommend a 'toon with little to no info about the OP.

99.9% of the pontoons in MN/WI are tied to their owners docks or slipped because they don't trailer well. They are terrible for water sports. So for most they are a "no go" as an only boat. They have their uses & as someone that currently owns one, they are best as a 2nd water craft.

if I didn't own waterfront property it would be one of the first things sold that floats right after my swim raft.

 

[briangcc]

IF you are seriously considering the SeaRay definitely get hands on before pulling the trigger on it or any options.

One of the things I saw at this year's boat show was that SeaRay, in its infinite wisdom, has the carpet cover over top of the ski locker. The only way to lift the ski locker was to first unsnap the carpet to gain access to the pull on the locker. It was stupid. I brought this to the salesman's attention and his response, which I will not forget, is this:

"Our owners didn't like their feet stepping on the stainless pull so SeaRay did this to appease them"

When I mentioned that other manufacturers simply put a slot in instead of a pull he was dumbfounded someone would have the nerve to bring this up.



**FTR: This is the same dealer that my admiral at a previous show asked where she was to put her expensive (to her) fishing pole as there weren't side pockets to store poles. That salesman's response was to use the ski locker. Her response, which I won't foget:


"You want me to put my pole in the ski locker where it can get wet from my kids getting in/out of the boat swimming?"

He didn't have a good response for that either.

Sometimes my admiral just comes up with zingers!



As much as some on this forum like to smack around Bayliner, they have come a LONG ways since the 80's and 90's. Those people really need to revisit the line as they have made changes to their fit and finish. While not a prestigious brand, they aren't bottom of the barrel either. You should take a look at the new models as they'll hold up with the mid pack offerings.

Might also consider looking at other brands. Here in the Northern US, boating season is quickly ending so some marinas are looking to offload current inventory to clear their books...at discounts, sometimes substantial. You may want to look at brands you weren't previously considering just to see if you might get one on discount as a year end model/closeout.

 

[JimS123]

Last year we decided to buy a new boat, so we went to boat shows in 4 different cities. I would guess we looked at just about every brand available. After climbing into one boat after another it only took me a few minutes to say I would not buy that particular model because of one or more things that didn't meet my requirements.

I agree Bayliner now makes a real nice quality package. But I wouldn't buy it for several reasons not related to "quality". After owning a Stingray for 35 years, the new ones were eliminated right off the bat due to crappy fit and finish. The Cobalt was the boat I deliberated the least on. Oh sure its expensive and high quality and all, but the layout and ergonomics, IMHO, suck.

The only boat that met all our needs was the SeaRay. Once I sat in the Captain's chair I knew this was the one. My only complaint was the glove compartment, and I fixed that with a $5 part.

After a year's service, it was the right choice. The design, workmanship, materials and attention to detail met my expectations.

I also wondered why the ski locker latches were covered, while the carpet had a cutout over the latch to the aft cooler. There may be a logical reason but in my mind it makes no difference. Access to the compartment is quite easy.

I actually DO store several fishing poles in the ski locker, since we don't ski any more. Seems like a logical place to me. It CAN drain into the bilge (or visa versa I guess), but there is a fitting to close it off if you want to. Also, the hatch cover is guttered with a drain into the bilge, not the locker. So, depending upon what you use it for, you can make it wet or dry storage.

The only models we didn't look at were toons. Don't fit our lifestyle.

 

[AShipShow]

My previous boat was a 1995 Stingray, and during the time frame was actually a step ahead of boats of its caliber as they were starting to use fiberglass stringer construction, however, this day and age, it kind of a moot point. It seems that everyone has jumped on the bandwagon of composite structural members. The main thing would be what the transom material is... I'm not sure if sea ray or stingray use composite, but that would be pretty high up on the list of things I would want to find out.

 

[roffey]

For me if it floats and has a motor then I like it. Its just a matter of how much are you will to pay.