Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Mr.Fiz, I have to vote for the Sea Ray. In this size boat I would go for any major brand over the Seaswirl. In my opinion Sea ray knows how to build boats, have excellent dealers\service facilities and will hold their resale. Seven to ten years from now I know that Sea ray will still be a major name....where will Seaswirl be ?<br />As for the tow vehicle, beef it up a little(trans cooler, etc) and get a good hitch. You said that your longest run would be 50 miles....that is not much at all, now if you said you were going 250 miles every week that is different.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Sorry to double post, but I left something out of the last one. When you buy an 18 ft Sea Ray, they know that is most likely the start of your boating life. They are hoping to "get you for life". Sea Ray treats their 18 ft buyers, almost the same as their 63 foot buyers, because they know that as you upgrade, they have a boat for you....they want you for life. When you and your family reach the point of a 30 ft or larger boat, what does Seaswirl have....nothing. In my opinion a brand like that is always looking for the first time buyer, not people "moving up".

 

[KCook]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

It's true that the largest Seaswirl is a humble 29' walkaround. But the Seaswirl brand has been around since 1955. So they may be doing something right?<br /><br />Kelly

 

[garycinn]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

My vote is for the SeaRay. Bigger, better ride, better resale, quicker resale. It will fly with a 4.3L vs. the 3.0.<br /><br />I think your van can handle the 50 mile occassional trip.<br /><br />Go for it and don't look back.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Not a vote, cause I don't really know, but a couple of observations that others don't seem to be making. <br /><br />The Sea Ray fans have very strong opinions (which is in itself a strong commendation), but that might also effect objectivity a bit.<br /><br />I've got an '89 Seaswirl 17' and it's been great. Still in great condition, still very smooth ride, tight boat, etc. May or may not be relevent since I haven't looked at newer ones, things may have changed. <br /><br />To me, some points that haven't been made are: <br /><br />As far as resale value, the Seaswirl will be 2 years old when you drive it off the lot, but the Sea Ray will by 1 year old as well. How long do you expect to own this boat? If a couple of years only, that year difference will mean alot more than if you expect to own it 8 or 10 years.<br /><br />Resale value of brands. Might be worth doing some research & actually quantifiying the difference. I suspect Sea Ray may retain more value, but how much? <br /><br />18' vs. 17'. That seems to be a big plus for the Sea Ray. What are the beam widths for both boats? I know my old seaswirl seems to be wider than many boats of similar size & type for it's age. You've been in both boats, how do the boats feel to you with respect to difference in size? How many passengers can each carry? Big difference in stortage capacity?<br /><br />Speed. With same rated Hp, isn't the smaller Seaswirl going to be faster and more powerful?<br /><br />As far as the brand name goes, like KCook said, Seaswirl has been around for almost 50 years, wouldn't expect them to disappear in the next few. From what I've heard, Seaswirl is much more popular in the northwest, fairly rare on the east coast, might have something to do with some people's lack of experience with them. All I'm saying is that I wouldn't rule them out based on company size without further investigation. <br /><br />Is there a difference between the trailors? If one is double axel vs. single, or difference with respect to brakes, don't forget to factor that in. That could make a big difference, especially given your towing vehicle. I'd look at this one VERY closely.<br /><br />Difference in price. It's 'only' $4,500, but to some people $4,500 is not 'only'. From a % perspective it's over 30% higher. Might the dealer go even lower on either? Especially the Seaswirl, given that it's a 2003. If that boat interests you, point out to him the depreciation factor as soon as you take delivery. Offer him $12,000. If he doesn't bite, tell him you'll have to further consider & walk out. You might be able to get him to come down to $12.5 or $13k. <br /><br />Towing weight. Unfortunately for you that does seem to be a factor. You have to decide how much of one given your circumstances.<br /><br />Note I have no experience with Sea Rays or newer Seaswirls, and probably have less boating exerience than most of the posters here. These are just some of the issues that would go into my analytical anaylsis if I were in your shoes.

 

[KCook]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Nice to hear from "the other side" LakeLivin! <br /><br />As far as the current Seaswirl bowriders go, there is plenty of room for confusion. As most of the bowrider models are no longer made in Oregon with the other Seaswirls. Instead they are VEC designs built in the same plant as Glastron and Larson in MN. However, VERY IMPORTANT, the '03 175 was an exception. It is a pre-VEC design, that was still built at the Oregon plant, with the craftsmanship Seaswirl fans expect. A very sweet 175.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[mrfizban]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Thanks for the info. And that info on the 175 is good to know. Funny enough, I'm from Oregon and that 175 bow rider is a stones-throw away from the manufacturing plant. So that might explain the good deals on the 175's so close to home. <br /><br />Jeff

 

[garycinn]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Don't know about the '03, but the '05 SS 170 weighs 2550 lbs.<br /><br /> http://www.seaswirl.com/Boats/Boats_Detail.asp?bid=326 <br /><br />The '04 SR 185 sport weighs 2650.<br /><br /> http://www.searay.com/online_brochure.asp?tab=1&modelid=34816&reqtype=1,9,15,19,5 <br /><br />The SS appears to be 3" wider.<br /><br />Sometimes at this level the trailers don't have brakes. Be sure the dealer "throws them in" or you cut a deal to get them added. You will absolutely need them on your minivan.<br /><br />At 2500 lbs dry w/o trailer, you are still going to be over your 3500 limit on van.<br /><br />My boat is listed at 2750 dry and I am 4000 lbs wet on a trailer w/ toys.<br /><br />I still contend that the Glastron MX175 weighing 2025 dry is a better match for your boat. It also lists for under $12K with trailer.<br /><br /> http://www.glastron.com/pages/Models/MX175.html <br /><br />or the SR 180 sport at 2100 lbs:<br /><br /> http://www.searay.com/online_brochure.asp?tab=1&modelid=34814&reqtype=1,9,15,19,5

 

[KCook]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

The '03 Seaswirl 175 was 2350. That is with the std 3L. For the 4.3L add about 200 lbs.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

KCook, you seem to know alot about the Seaswirl brand. Maybe you can fill me in on some things. Impression I've gotten recently (and I do mean impression, not based on research, maybe just an article here & there in a 'Boating Life' type magezine) is that Seaswirl seems to be targeting offshore boats (center console outboards) more than the past. <br /><br />Is that true? And maybe tied in to where the different types are manufactured? From the sounds of your post, seems like you believe the VEC designs are inferior to the previous design? Whats the diff, and how big? All this is just curiosity, not in the market now or even soon, so no problem if you don't take the time to respond.<br /><br />Mrfizban, I would be curious to know the comparison between the trailors for each boat. I've towed my boat on a 'base' model trailor (single axel, no brakes) and a double axel trailor with brakes, and it really makes a difference. If you're going to do alot of towing don't underestimate the trailor factor!

 

[KCook]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Right after Seaswirl was bought from OMC by Genmar all of the bowriders, except the fishy dual console models, were dropped from their catalog. Seaswirl was suddenly fishing boats only. At about that time Genmar also had plans to replace the conventional open mold bowriders at Wellcraft with new VEC designs. These new Wellcraft VEC bowriders were on the market less than a year. Then Genmar did a "remix", dropped all the bowriders (except fishy dual consoles) from the Wellcraft line, and gave the very same VEC molds over to Seaswirl. So just as suddenly Seaswirl was back in the bowrider business. Except for that '03 Seaswirl 175. Got whiplash yet? <br /><br />When these new VEC Seaswirls first appeared, their appointments and general presentation left something to be desired. Not as nice as Glastron, even though Glastron is also VEC, and made in the same plant. That was a couple of years ago. I haven't looked at any recent Seaswirls. Hopefully the kinks in Seaswirl's arrangement with Glastron/Larson in MN have been smoothed out and they are getting up to snuff now. Hopefully.<br /><br />Kelly