boat ranking ?

[dgs119]

If you are to rank runabout boats what are some of the best ones out there? Looking for 2006 or newer. Anywhere from 19-20ft with I/O volvo or merc drives.

Choices so far to choose from-

reinell, four winns, sea ray, blue water, glastron, larson, bayliner, maxum, regal, crownline.

Thanks for the help.

 

[kkr26]

Re: boat ranking ?

I have a Reinell LSE200 and love it. It depends a lot on how much you are going to spend. If you are planning on spending more, Four Winns, Searay and crownline are pretty good. All the brands you mentioned are pretty good boats. You need to look at all of them and find one that suits your needs in a runabout.

 

[ebry710]

Re: boat ranking ?

When you are looking at boats with equally good manufacturing (which you are), I suggest it is time to look at the waters in the area and hits some trade shows. Otherwise it is time to touch fiberglass and visualize use. Your use of the boat for wake boarding, socializing with adult, use with kids, looking good, trolling with downriggers, deck fishing and/or multi-use is just as important as boat quality.

For skiing and wake boarding I like Mastercraft or Blue Water.......but I own a Whaler Outrage because it suits my needs (it is not ok to get fish bait between the seat cushions on a fancy boat).

 

[weider1717]

Re: boat ranking ?

i personally like stingray but i think they're a lower end brand..

they look good tho!

 

[slasmith1]

Re: boat ranking ?

Monterey is the best boat for any use.

Did I mention I currently own a monterey.

 

[EAVES]

Re: boat ranking ?

In that length i would go with a AZURE

 

[EAVES]

Re: boat ranking ?

And they are made by Bennigton #1 in the Tri-& Pontoons and the Azure is a big competitor with Cobalt and Sea Ray and Crowneline

 

[10 FOOT INVADER]

Re: boat ranking ?

I will second the monterey. Love my 206scr.

 

[salmonee]

Re: boat ranking ?

dgs,

How do you like your 190?

I was at the Sea Ray show room down in fife yesterday for brand comparison. I was very dissapointed with the open bow 205 model "20' actual". I couldn't tell the difference between that Sea Ray and a Maxum. I think I actually like the Maxum better. It must be the hull design that everyone likes so much? I will say that their sundecks are nice.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: boat ranking ?

biased i guess, aluminum starcraft!
when people as you see here are running around in 40+ year old boats, it kind of speaks for itself.

 

[JB]

Re: boat ranking ?

I wouldn't consider any boat until after I couldn't find a Boston Whaler that fit my needs. So far, that hasn't happened in about 40 years.

For one thing, I sold every one of them for more than I paid for it.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: boat ranking ?

I wouldn't consider any boat until after I couldn't find a Boston Whaler that fit my needs. So far, that hasn't happened in about 40 years.

For one thing, I sold every one of them for more than I paid for it.

tough to play one upmanship on that one.

 

[kkr26]

Re: boat ranking ?

I would have to agree on Monterey being a very good quality boat builder. I would have bought one but I got a SMOKING deal on the Reinell.

 

[Varago]

Re: boat ranking ?

Hey KKR26 I have an 08 BlueWater Vision, its the sister ship to your 200LSE. Cant tell ya how much I love this boat.


dave

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: boat ranking ?

I'm one guy that is interested in all things boats.

I spent a few hours at the local boat show here a couple weeks ago.

At the boat show I tried to somewhat objectively rank the brands that were represented. I limited my looking to the 19-20' bowrider segment and also the 22-24' "deck" boat segment. I looked at design/layouts/build quality. I would say they land something like this:

1. Cobalt
2. Four Winns
3. Crownline
4. Monterey
5. Regal
6. Larson
7. Azure
8. Glastron
9. Tahoe
10. SeaRay

The smaller SeaRays were completely unimpressive. As the sales guy said as I was peeking into the nooks and crannys "the Sport series are built to a price point". Well, I wouldn't buy a SeaRay in the 18-20' bowrider range. I'm sure they are well built and would fit the needs for many people. I didn't like the look or the design elements much at all.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: boat ranking ?

I wouldn't consider any boat until after I couldn't find a Boston Whaler that fit my needs. So far, that hasn't happened in about 40 years.

For one thing, I sold every one of them for more than I paid for it.

tough to play one upmanship on that one.

Giving me every whaler you have ever owned wouldn't even get you a ride on my monterey.

 

[Bard1]

Re: boat ranking ?

I would love to buy a new boat. I run a 14' 1964 starcraft. I've had that 3miles out in the Gulf, with no worries. Yes it was a nice day!!!!

 

[alumi numb]

Re: boat ranking ?

well in all i guess if it gets you out there and back with dry feet, it's a darn good boat.
kinda like a v dub bug was never a ferrari but it sure did have it's place didn't it.

 

[dgs119]

Re: boat ranking ?

Well I went with a Four Winns. Great deal that I could not pass up along with some good reviews for the boat. Thanks for all the input and help!! There are so many boats out there and it is a tough decesion to make.

Thanks,

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: boat ranking ?

Congrats. That was quick. What FourWinns did you get?