Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Why don't you do some research on sub 19'-20' bow riders in the sub $32k price range and then make that post again. I spent about 3 months doing my research before I bought. Is a Chaparral SSi 196 a nicer boat than my Stingray 198LX? Hell yeah but it's also a lot more money. All my comments are apples to apples not a $30k boat vs a $45k boat. I wouldn't even compare a Stingray to one of the others you mentioned because they're not in the same class. OP sounds like he's looking for a decent boat on a budget and my post was geared toward that.

When we bought our Stingray we also did a lot or R&D. Powerboats Magazine called them a "Floating Oldsmobile". Now I know most of you kids don't know what that is, so let me splain it. Its not a Ford, nor is it a Lincoln.....its a solid half way between.

That article is partly what sold us. That year it won the "Powerboat of the year award". The same year Bayliner was rated a "do not buy". Both have improved since then.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

You didn't mention anything about price point or size. You simply said that it was the "best performing bowrider you can get", and the sport deck was a "neat innovation" that isn't really an innovation by Stingray aside from it possibly being a new model for them. I simply put your comments into context since you really didn't have anything concrete in your listing of reasons why you went with Stingray.

Again, not bashing a Stingray by any means, I have only seen them from the outside, never ridden in one. Just trying to understand your conclusions which didn't seem to have any basis for comparison.

I understand where you're coming from and I didn't go into great detail in my post.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

My lil brother has a '01 19' w/4.3 he bought new. It has proven to be a great boat for he & his family. They're purty anal bout keeping it clean, and garage kept, so it still looks very good. He replaced the gimble bearing a year or so ago. His only major expenditure.

I'm in the canvas & cushion business and I've never noticed anything 'substandard' or 'starter level' about the boat's interior. It's really purty nice. Looks great, holdin up good? Bro's been overjoyed with the forum & their customer service btw.

Say what you want about em & call them what you will. A Stingray will smoke the competition. For a lot less money. Bro's 4.3'll run 53 with half dozen crew on board. No BS.

Far as it riding rough? Unless they were attempting to perform a circumcision. I doubt the riders could tell the difference between Stingray and it's competitors.

Lol that last part had me rolling.

I agree with you. Stingray uses very nice vinyl and hardware in their boats for the price point.

I believe the 53MPH to. I've see 53.8MPH GPS with 5 adults (2 of them big guys) and 34 gallons of fuel on board. A lot of 5.0L powered boats can't do that.

 

[tgell001]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I bought a 180rx brand new in 2010 and since then I've replaced the fuel pump, the trim hydraulic pump, the ignition switch, engine and oil temp sending units, various hinges/hardware and spent hours every season cleaning the carpet that is not removable (even carpet in the engine compartment, why?). Was my first boat and got it for a good deal (with good financing) but its basically useless in 2ft seas and that happens a lot in the Chesapeake area. Not sure if all the problems are stingrays fault or volvos. I split the blame. But won't buy either in the future. They look nice tho

 

[V153]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Check out "uzicanvas" @ youtube for a couple vids of Dave's Stingray & my old Glastron. May she RIP.

 

[V153]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I've seen 53.8MPH GPS with 5 adults (2 of them big guys) and 34 gallons of fuel on board. A lot of 5.0L powered boats can't do that.

Yup. And their performance with the 3.0 smoked the competition as well.

 

[Mule Laker]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Lot's of conversations come up about the Stingray's. It's funny, there's one thousand lakes in the county I live in and I've never seen a stingray boat. We actually looked for one for a while, as we wanted a newer 18 or 19 footer that was under 2600 pounds. We never did find any to even look at and bought a Glastron.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Lot's of conversations come up about the Stingray's. It's funny, there's one thousand lakes in the county I live in and I've never seen a stingray boat. We actually looked for one for a while, as we wanted a newer 18 or 19 footer that was under 2600 pounds. We never did find any to even look at and bought a Glastron.

They're made in South Carolina and fairly popular in my area (South East). Where are you located.

 

[Mule Laker]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Northern Minnesota. Lots of Lund's and Larson's!

 

[chris.j.marshall]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I feel I may fall into your "kid" category, so I'm chiming in......I'd call a floating Olds more of in between a floating Chevy and a floating Caddy....but that's just me.:laugh:

 

[jkust]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

When we bought our Stingray we also did a lot or R&D. Powerboats Magazine called them a "Floating Oldsmobile". Now I know most of you kids don't know what that is, so let me splain it. Its not a Ford, nor is it a Lincoln.....its a solid half way between.

That article is partly what sold us. That year it won the "Powerboat of the year award". The same year Bayliner was rated a "do not buy". Both have improved since then.

Hold on there. The 1984 Bayliner Capri won the 'Powerboat of the Year' award. We still have our 84 bought in 84, and the big ole 'Power Boat of the Year' sticker is on there. I do love the floating oldsmobile reference.

 

[jkust]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Northern Minnesota. Lots of Lund's and Larson's!

Oh yeah and about a gazillion Glastrons, Bayliners and Sea Rays. You have to go out on the bigger lakes to see a Cobalt or a Chaparral where you actually benefit from a bit more weight. MN is the self proclaimed ruling leader in under 20 foot boats. Here you don't buy a bigger boat, you just go up-market.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Hold on there. The 1984 Bayliner Capri won the 'Powerboat of the Year' award. We still have our 84 bought in 84, and the big ole 'Power Boat of the Year' sticker is on there. I do love the floating oldsmobile reference.

"Power boat of the year award" was the company that paid the most for advertising!

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Oh yeah and about a gazillion Glastrons, Bayliners and Sea Rays. You have to go out on the bigger lakes to see a Cobalt or a Chaparral where you actually benefit from a bit more weight. MN is the self proclaimed ruling leader in under 20 foot boats. Here you don't buy a bigger boat, you just go up-market.

With such a short season in MN it only makes sense to have small boats and even more sense to have an OB for power.

 

[captmello]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I've seen a number of stingrays around my area.

this one is for sale on CL right now. If you want eye watering speed and wallet draining fuel costs...

Stingray 23ft 230SX 502MAG supercharged 750Hp 85mph perfect boat!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I feel I may fall into your "kid" category, so I'm chiming in......I'd call a floating Olds more of in between a floating Chevy and a floating Caddy....but that's just me.:laugh:

Hay you got that right....LOL. I only used the Ford reference because I sense that the majority here are Ford luvers. I know there are some Caddy bashers here! Since Olds has been out of business for a long time, I fugured that the kids wouldn't know what it meant.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

"Power boat of the year award" was the company that paid the most for advertising!

Havent seen one of those mags in quite awhile so i can't say about now, but back in the day they didn't accept advertising, and that's why their recommendations were so coveted.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Hold on there. The 1984 Bayliner Capri won the 'Powerboat of the Year' award. We still have our 84 bought in 84, and the big ole 'Power Boat of the Year' sticker is on there. I do love the floating oldsmobile reference.

You're absolutely correct. I bought mine late Summer of 1983, right after the new models were intoduced at the Chicago Boat show. Stingray got the award in 1983, and that was a selling point for me.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Stingray got the award in 1983.

Not sure I would base buying a boat brand on an award a magazine issued 30 years ago.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

There are at least 3 at my marina. One went to dry stack as his 2007 with 260 hours just had manifolds and risers replaced for the 2nd time. Salt eats those things no matter what boat sits in the water. The others have been dry stacked since they arrived. One told me all 3 gave up pontoons as they boat in the inlets and venture out in the ocean on good days.