Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

[S8861]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I've owned a 2006 250lr 350 mag mpi that I bought used with 96 hours for one year. Put 35 hours on it over the summer & no major problems. Looks showroom new still. When I bought it, had to replace the horn and thermostat. Other than that, no problems that weren't my own doing.

 

[jkust]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

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.

Well it's that but more because while we have endless lakes, most aren't big enough to practically accommodate a larger boat. The few large lakes we have larger boats but even then many of them are overkill.

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.

I didn't care about any award as I was a little kid but I've got to ask my dad but think it cost maybe $4k back then with trailer, no trim or tilt or radio. If your Stingray was 11k back in 83, that would have been an expensive boat especially in the high interest rate era. I actually met a guy not long ago with an 84 Bayliner and the first thing out of his mouth was bragging that it was the power boat of the year. It was a bit comical.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

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.

I would buy another Stingray. I feel the construction is MUCH better than my friends 2005 Bayliner 25ft. They skimp where necessary in the interest of price point and performance.

I'm sure once over the 19-20ft Mark they have a better ride quality. I've noticed Stingrays seem very popular in foreign markets where lightweight, fuel efficiency and narrower beam are more important.

 

[V153]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I would buy another Stingray. I feel the construction is MUCH better than my friends 2005 Bayliner 25ft. They skimp where necessary in the interest of price point and performance

Well fwiw they're not the only ones, but Bayliner's gonna have to work hard to reverse that stigma. Let's face it they built some really crappy boats. Old timers still call them "the boat with the see through transom" ...

How 'bout that Frankenstein L Drive contraption they saddled buyers with awhile back? Yikes! What a turd that was.

They made their bed & now they gotta get the bed bugs out. Not a particularly popular brand in this neck of the woods.

Purty sure my bro'd buy another Stingray too. Given the chance. Though his wife & kids spend his money these days. Poor bastard ...

 

[jkust]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I'd like a V6, MPI, 19 foot Stingray as a second or third boat. Third because there is likely pontoon on the horizon.

 

[theBrownskull]

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!

I wonder if it chinewalks at that speed.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

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

I agree. I was merely explaining that it was a selling point for me at the time, and I've been a satisfied customer for 30 years now. My son's is a 2007 and based on personal experience they improved over those 23 years.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I didn't care about any award as I was a little kid but I've got to ask my dad but think it cost maybe $4k back then with trailer, no trim or tilt or radio. If your Stingray was 11k back in 83, that would have been an expensive boat especially in the high interest rate era. I actually met a guy not long ago with an 84 Bayliner and the first thing out of his mouth was bragging that it was the power boat of the year. It was a bit comical.

Go back to my post #4 where I compare the price differences in 1984. These are my recollections, so I don't guarantee perfect accuracy......LOL.

This thread piqued my interest so I did a little digging in my reference archives. A 1984 Capri sold for about $8500. So your $4000 recollection is a bit low. Mine was upgraded with the fishing interior (rod holders and such), plus a tandem roller trailer, plus full canvas (side curtains, aft curtain, etc.) The original base was about $10k, or $1500 above a bayliner.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Well fwiw they're not the only ones, but Bayliner's gonna have to work hard to reverse that stigma. Let's face it they built some really crappy boats. Old timers still call them "the boat with the see through transom" ...

How 'bout that Frankenstein L Drive contraption they saddled buyers with awhile back? Yikes! What a turd that was.

They made their bed & now they gotta get the bed bugs out. Not a particularly popular brand in this neck of the woods.

Purty sure my bro'd buy another Stingray too. Given the chance. Though his wife & kids spend his money these days. Poor bastard ...

I was thinking his would be built better due to being newer and I had optimism for his purchase, but it was a real letdown looking into the engine room, under the floors, edges of things, feel of vinyl. A lot of the hatches and doors don't shut or latch right. some brittle parts, just not impressed. He likes it because it was alot of boat/ newer than he could afford otherwise but I would never tell him what he doesnt want to hear.

With a stingray you might get the industry vinyl/ plastic grab handles rather stainless steel handles and a generic plastic dash rather something made out of leather but construction is solid, the vinyl is good, flooring and construction is stout and they can take a pounding.

I have a thing for that 225sx (go-fast) but they are very rare up here. I would consider with a 21-22ft bowrider from them for a next one.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I wonder if it chinewalks at that speed.

Good question. Does it have a pad? If not I bet it's a handful and those speeds.

 

[jkust]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Go back to my post #4 where I compare the price differences in 1984. These are my recollections, so I don't guarantee perfect accuracy......LOL.

This thread piqued my interest so I did a little digging in my reference archives. A 1984 Capri sold for about $8500. So your $4000 recollection is a bit low. Mine was upgraded with the fishing interior (rod holders and such), plus a tandem roller trailer, plus full canvas (side curtains, aft curtain, etc.) The original base was about $10k, or $1500 above a bayliner.

Oh yeah but our Capri was/is the 16 foot with the 85hp. It was, I think the most entry level version then later they came out with the 15 foot with something like a 50hp engine. I see those numbers and they really are jaw dropping given interest rates were so high back then.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Oh yeah but our Capri was/is the 16 foot with the 85hp. It was, I think the most entry level version then later they came out with the 15 foot with something like a 50hp engine. I see those numbers and they really are jaw dropping given interest rates were so high back then.

Its all relative. I only borrow money on real estate, so I was happy for the interest rates back then because my savings were growing leaps and bounds. Actually I DID borrow the max on the Stingray. I had a CD come due and was about to use it for the boat. But the dealer offered me a 12% boat loan rate, so I put the money back into another CD that earned 14% interest. It was a no-brainer.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

But the dealer offered me a 12% boat loan rate, so I put the money back into another CD that earned 14% interest. It was a no-brainer.

Interest rates were crazy back then.

You probably would have been better off paying cash for the boat since the after tax return of the 14% CD was probably much less than 12%.

 

[jkust]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Its all relative. I only borrow money on real estate, so I was happy for the interest rates back then because my savings were growing leaps and bounds. Actually I DID borrow the max on the Stingray. I had a CD come due and was about to use it for the boat. But the dealer offered me a 12% boat loan rate, so I put the money back into another CD that earned 14% interest. It was a no-brainer.

It's like i'm reading Greek seeing interest rate numbers that high. I gotta ask my dad how they paid for that BL back then one of these days. I wish interest rates would jump dramatically.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Interest rates were crazy back then.

You probably would have been better off paying cash for the boat since the after tax return of the 14% CD was probably much less than 12%.

Possibly. But back then I had so many deductions that I was in a low tax bracket anyway.

Paper returns and a calculator were a PITA. Now with tax software you can run several scenarios to decide which is the best way to go.

 

[V153]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I can 'member my folks paying 18% on the house they bought in Snyder, NY. That was in '75 or '76. Never thought about it much then, cuz I wasn't payin for it, but Wow! That's kinda pricey? Well, it was a 'nice' neighborhood ...

It is true, at the time, if you invested wisely you could recoup much of that. Not so much anymore. Now we're punished for saving.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

I can 'member my folks paying 18% on the house they bought in Snyder, NY. That was in '75 or '76. Never thought about it much then, cuz I wasn't payin for it, but Wow! That's kinda pricey? Well, it was a 'nice' neighborhood ...

It is true, at the time, if you invested wisely you could recoup much of that. Not so much anymore. Now we're punished for saving.

That doesn't compute. I bought my first house in the same neighborhood in 1975 with mortgages going for 8 1/2%. They were at that rate almost through all of the '70's. They peaked in the early 1980's. I believe they maxed at about 12%. By 1988 they were back down to 7 1/2%.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

It's like i'm reading Greek seeing interest rate numbers that high. I gotta ask my dad how they paid for that BL back then one of these days. I wish interest rates would jump dramatically.

Yeah, we want those interest rates back up because that inflation is the best thing ever! :laugh:

 

[jkust]

Re: Stingray Bowriders, any opinions?

Yeah, we want those interest rates back up because that inflation is the best thing ever! :laugh:

Not to worry, it isn't going to happen anytime even remotely soon.