Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

[mrfizban]

Hello. I'm shopping new boats in my town and have narrowed it down to two new boat purchases and wanted anyone's opinion if they were given the two choices...<br /><br />#1 - New 2004 Sea Ray 185 Sport. 190HP 4.3L Merc. back-to-back seat option, 2-tone gel-coat graphics, and snap-in carpet. MSRP is $24,994 but they're offering it to me for $18,994. Total of $6,000 off which includes a thousand limited time manufactor's rebate to get rid of 2004 boats. <br /><br />#2 - New 2003 Seaswirl 175 BR. 190HP 4.3L Volvo. It comes with a bow cover, and tonneau cover and the trailer is used with no warranty. I'm not sure what MSRP is but I do know that a new like-kind model would be around $19,000 and they're offering this 2003 model to me for $14,500 to get rid of the old model. <br /><br />Both have their good points and bad points. Any suggestions or replies? Thanks. <br /><br />Jeff

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Searay has good product support...they've been great to work with for us. We don't have many Seaswirls around, so I can't say anything about their product.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Absolutely no comparison at all.The Searay is a much better boat and will be a much better deal for you.A real "No brainer" Charlie

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Searay, at the size you're looking at, that extra foot makes a better ride. Better quality/resale too I'd imagine.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Where are you going to use this, type of use, how many people, what type of lake, fresh or salt, tow vehicle, are you going to use this boat just on weekends, in the water or on the trailer.<br /><br />More information please.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

I'll agree the Searay is probably the better option, but I like the Volvo over the Merc. I'd still go with the Searay though.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Rat, I'm curious as to why you prefer the Volvo???

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Hi walleyehed. Just a personal preference. I've had a couple of Volvos, one Gas and one Deisel. Both were great engines and gave very little trouble which is good because they are very difficult to work on and expensive to fix. <br /><br />I'm still a little soured on Mercruisers from the 80's and early 90's that were maintenance hogs even though the technology is much better now.<br /><br />I mean no disrespect.

 

[mrfizban]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Pointer, <br /><br />That is a good "point". I'm using fresh-water, mainly a river and not a lake. Towing is one huge issue as my van is rated only to 3,500lbs and the 18' Sea Ray with trailer will be around 3,400-3,500 when fully loaded. The Seaswirl will be more like 3,000lbs. And the van is new and the only tow option. Also, my wife would like to travel 50 miles with it to a lake by a friend's house occasionally so being maxed out on weight also is important there also. <br /><br />Mainly it comes down to a known good brand in Sea Ray or a like-kind Seaswirl for nearly $5,000 less and while I've hear many people say Sea Ray's are high quality, I've still have yet to hear one person say a bad thing about a Seaswirl, so for all I know they are on the same level. I think the Sea Ray will have a higher resale value, but I've also heard to try and get a Volvo instead of a Merc as they are better engines. Thanks again for all the replies.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[KCook]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

If this is a "stepping stone" boat, try the smaller Seaswirl and give your van a break. But if this is a "keeper" the Sea Ray really is nicer. Then promise your van an early replacement.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[RatFish]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Sea Ray. I saw the 2003 Seaswirl bowriders at a boat show last year and IMHO the quality was really poor.

 

[KCook]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Seaswirl is a Genmar brand, not Brunswick. One of the many old OMC brands bought by Genmar.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[mrfizban]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Thanks. The more I read the more I wonder if I should aim for something even smaller. But my wife really likes those bow-riders and I don't think there is a much lighter or smaller bow-rider than those 17-footers. I also have some (probably misguided) visions of waterskiiing again like in my youth. But I'm not sure some 3.0L 17' boat can get my 225lb out of the water if I have 4 people in the boat. So that was also a side factor in my mind. Maybe I'll hold off until I can find one of those SeaDoo 16-17' jet drive boats or one of those small Glastrons. And I will say that the Transmission cooler was the first thing on my list of things to do after we buy the boat. Thanks again though for all the advice. That really makes a difference. <br /><br />Jeff

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Jeff,<br /><br />My questions were ment to make you think about how you are going to use it. If this is a 10-15 times a year deal on a very small lake for 2-3 people, then the seaswirl might be the better choice. If you have 4-5 people in a larger lake with considerable wave action the sea ray might be the better choice.<br /><br />The seaswirl I believe is a brunswick product just like the sea ray, and the added weight might do a number on your van. This is something that is to be determined by you. Going right up to the tow rating is always a little disconcerting. I am a fan of never buying more than I need and if you can expect a calm river with little affect by weather, and just 1-2 passengers I might be inclined to go with the seaswirl. <br /><br />How you use it might be the dictating factor. I would agree that I think sea ray is of better than average quality, but there are other brands that in my opinion would be of much higher quality. I like sea ray but would not fall over myself to pay an additional 5K for one foot unless I carried alot of passengers.<br /><br />As for the merc vs volvo, what does your mechanic prefer. Unless you are going to do your own service, your mechanic's comfort level would mean alot to me. <br /><br />Good Luck, and BUY A BOAT!!!!!

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Thanks Kelly! <br /><br />Oh yea, Jeff, you may want to look into a tranny cooler if you don't have one. That is where you are going to impact it the most. Brakes would be my next issue to address. Either boat will stress the heck out of your van.

 

[KCook]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

As 17 foot bowriders go, the Seaswirl is really slick. It just doesn't measure up to an 18+ Sea Ray. For that matter you should be able to get into a 185 Bayliner for less than the Sea Ray.<br /><br />Here is another thread on the 3L size motor and skiing - Horsepower <br /><br />Kelly

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Have you thought about an aluminum boat. I used to tow a 20' Lund with my mini Explorer Sport. Lot's of room and light to tow.........

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

You mentioned $4,500 diff in price, but didn't mention that the sea ray came with a trailor. Does it, or would you need to add that to total cost? Also, how much to add a tonneau cover to the sea ray?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

i agree on saving yourself some money where you can and also watching the tow weight.<br /><br />but, the seaswirl will be 2 years old very soon, to everyone except you. i don't care if you put 10 hours on it, if you try and sell next summer, you're trying to sell a 2 year old boat. not that a 2 year old boat is old, but something to keep in mind.

 

[mrfizban]

Re: Choice Between Two Boats. Any Suggestions?

Thanks again guys. First to Luna Sea, aluminum just sounds like a fishing boat and I can't imagine a day skiing out at the lake with family and friends in an aluminum. <br /><br />Second, to LakeLivin they both come with trailers, the $4,500 difference was for a boat top and a year newer Sea Ray on paper (both still new) and a foot longer and heavier Sea Ray. And thanks for the advice Matttt25, that made more sense than I would've even thought. Great to save a few bucks to buy new 2003 and 2004 models, but I suppose you also pay the price in using it for 5 years and having a 7 year old boat. Good point. Thanks again.<br /><br />Jeff