Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

[Shawn_floats]

So happy - we just made a deal on a SeaRay 205 Sport. Comes with the wakeboard package, trailer etc.
I did a ton of research before buying and it came down to this one, and we got a really smokin' deal on it.

I'm pretty much a newbie boater - I've run around on little tiny boats for a few years, but nothing in this class. I'm really looking forward to taking it out in the summer.

I got my 205 with the 5.0L Merc, which is carburated - but after reading another thread on here about MPI vs Carbs - it kind of makes it sound like no one buy carbs anymore.
I had a hard time justifying the extra $2500 for the MPI. The carb version we got has the "TKS" option (Turn-Key-Start) which is supposed to really improve cold starts.
I hope I made a good enough decision.

Hope to get the kids out tubing this year!

Arghh.. it's still February.... right......

 

[tmh]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

My 1085 carbed 5/0L mercruiser starts just fine each and every time. To me, who learned to drive around that time, it's pretty natural to advance the throttle once or twice then start the engine! I'm not sure what the fuss is about. All being equal, I'd likely opt for the MPI, but I have no issue with the carbs either. Lots are still bought, don't let the anti-carb folks fool you.

Enjoy your new boat! That Searay is a sweet ride, I checked it out at the boat show recently.

 

[John_S]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

Congrads on your new boat. Waiting to launch it will be torture!


"I got my 205 with the 5.0L Merc, which is carburated - but after reading another thread on here about MPI vs Carbs - it kind of makes it sound like no one buy carbs anymore."

Someone posted some recent stats that 80% of boats in the runabout class were being sold with carbs.

"I had a hard time justifying the extra $2500 for the MPI. "

And that is why they do.

Carbs are fine. They just need more care and maintenance than TBI or MPI.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

they are easier to rebuild and maintain, than injected.

 

[lrdchaos]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

Congrats on the new boat......You will be amazed at the number of times you climb in and out of it before you get to the lake.....You will be tinkering with it for the next couple of month guaranteed. Now get you a cover if it's not gonna be parked inside....Protect that investment!!!!!!

 

[Shawn_floats]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

Thanks everyone!

Good information. I drove carb'd vehicles for years, so I am familiar with the fact that they all have their "individualities" or quirks.
I guess not to worry.

I had my eyes on either this one, or the Glastron GT-205. I looked at them both very carefully, and while the GT-205 was a really nice boat, I got the SeaRay for a lower price than the GT205, and I was getting a little more boat for the money.

When you folks trailer your boats to take them on a long journey, is there any "tricks of the trade" that you do to keep bugs and road yuck off the boat?

Thanks.

 

[azlakes]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

Way to go on your new boat. Its a sweet looking vessel! People will be shocked to learn that todays modern engine w/carb is not held together by twisty-ties and gum. The TKS technology sounds pretty impressive from Merc. Your still cranking out a lot of ponys and top end speed.

Enjoy!

 

[oops!]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

hey shawn

welcome to i boats.

and congratulations on the new boat.....and the hitmen...!
(see ya in the playoffs)

i think youll find the searay has a higher resale value than the glasstron.

i like sea rays....there is a thread here called show your boat....post picks !

tricks for keeping stuff of the hull are mudflaps...

if your goin on gravel....i saw one guy that made big flapps that went from the trailer bottom to somewhere around the nose of the bow....nuthin was gettin thru that.....

where are ya gonna boat? sylvan?

cheers
oops

 

[Shawn_floats]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

Hey oops!

Actually, 99% of the time the boat will be used at Kal & Wood lake (your backyard).
We spend a lot of time out there every year.

I'll post pics once I pick it up in a couple weeks.

I'm going to learn to wakeboard this year!

Cheers.

 

[oops!]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

i boat kal and woods all the time....too cool that you boat there...we gotta have a corona.....!

id get some good hull protection for the rodgers pass...lots a loose stuff from winter.....in gonna try to find some picks of rigs that will work for you...

where you gonna launch that?... one of the campsites that had a launch got sold and closed.....theres one or two in vernon....busy..and the one i use is kukuli bay provincial...steep....but the best on the lake right now.
the natural boat launch at woods is ruined....
im gonna try to cut a deal with some locals to use their launch .

check out the show yer boat thread...i just posted picks of by sea ray and bliner...the bliner has a pic of my truck....if you see it at kekuli...

 

[oops!]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

btw....it has been 10 degrees here all week....i think its gonna be an early season....on the water may 1 at least

cheers
oops

 

[amynbill]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

Ah! Another 08 205'er

Have mine in the garage waiting for the "maiden" voyage (I dont count the sea test)

We go ours in blue/white, no graphics because I own an ad/marketing company and will be designing and putting my own graphics on the boat.

We got the 5.0 mpi, just because it is easier with everything all around, and has 260 hp as opposed to the 220 with the carb version. I like hp.

Its an awesome boat, enjoy! The sea test we took completely made the decision we made to go with this one seem the perfect choice.

 

[Shawn_floats]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

amynbill;

Ah right on!
I'm glad to hear that the test was good and made the decision easy.

Unfortunately, in our neck of the woods - buying a boat in the middle of the prairies in the middle of winter precludes any water testing, LOL
I had to rely on a LOT of reading and research.

I'd like to see what that boat looks like with all the graphics on there!

 

[oops!]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

hey bill !!!

just a few more weeks for you eh?....

gettin antsy yet...

how many times you been out in the garage "caressing" your new toy?

cheers bud...

when shaun gets up here with his....were gonna see if we can out last a few coronas !

oops

 

[amynbill]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

amynbill;

Ah right on!
I'm glad to hear that the test was good and made the decision easy.

Unfortunately, in our neck of the woods - buying a boat in the middle of the prairies in the middle of winter precludes any water testing, LOL
I had to rely on a LOT of reading and research.

I'd like to see what that boat looks like with all the graphics on there!

We bought it in October, it was ready right after thanksgiving. We were "lucky" with the weather to test it...around 45 and a light rain. You are going to love this boat. The handling was supreme, and it felt solid. The salesperson had told me he had worked for many dealers and thus manufacturers, and he felt this was definitely the best boat in its size and price range bar none.

Good luck with it! You made a good decision from where I stand. I as well did a lot of research before the purchase and Sea Ray came up tops for me as well.

The graphics I will be doing in May sometime, when the weather is warmer and I can be assured the graphics will set properly. I am going to take a good picture of the boat from the side, and bring it into photoshop and illustrator and design something unique and cool. Ill post pics.

AGain, good luck! Not too much longer!

 

[amynbill]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

hey bill !!!

just a few more weeks for you eh?....

gettin antsy yet...

how many times you been out in the garage "caressing" your new toy?

cheers bud...

when shaun gets up here with his....were gonna see if we can out last a few coronas !

oops

lol...ABout 6 weeks or so. I am actually thinking of skipping the CAN/AM hockey tourney this year so I can go out for the first time that weekend, as the boat ramp opens then. ME? Skip hockey? lol.

Been out in the garage often enough to know the bolt sizes for the engine mountings! As well, every trip to the crapper has been with owners manual in hand.

ANd the wife just did her boating license this past saturday, so I am psyched I will be able to ski and board too.

How's life up there? Whatcha been doing for entertainment lately?

 

[woodee148]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

Hey guys with the new searays,
How does the sea ray compare to the seaswirl? You had mentioned you did alot of research, was the seaswirl in the mix?
We went on Friday to buy one but didn't get the movement we needed on the price....back to the research

Woodee

 

[amynbill]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

Hey guys with the new searays,
How does the sea ray compare to the seaswirl? You had mentioned you did alot of research, was the seaswirl in the mix?
We went on Friday to buy one but didn't get the movement we needed on the price....back to the research

Woodee

I dont remember courting seaswirl at all in the final mix. I just looked at their site again and it was because they had emphasis on fishing, and didnt seem to have the refined aspects we were looking for in what we wanted which is more of a family sport boat.

Our final bunch were Bayliner, Chapparal, Four winns and a few others I dont recall right off hand. I felt Sea Ray had the most refined features, and the best boat for the buck. It also seemed to come up first or second in every category on the sites that do tests. The dealer, as well, was responsive, answered email after email, sent us literature and information quickly and seemed to want to have us as a client. I did not feel this way about the other dealers I called. The dealer and service of the boat is at the top of the list for priorities hand in hand with quality.

I have a neighbor with a ski nautique, another with a four winns all in my size range, and they as well thought the '08 is a fantastic boat. They have sat with a beer in hand with me on a couple of evenings.

 

[woodee148]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

Thanks, Do you mind if I ask how much? if its an inappropriate question I will understand. I did a bit of research myself and it appears the searay is quite comparable and maybe a bit of a better boat. The one I am looking at is a 217 seaswirl with a 5.0 merc MPI, no tower but a full bimini enclosure and trailer included.

I was hoping for 35,000 all in but the dealer is looking for 38,000 all in

Woodee

 

[woodee148]

Re: Got one! - 2008 SeaRay 205 Sport

sorry to be a pain but one more question.. You guys mentioned some sites where they post tests of different boats. Can you post a couple for me?

Thanks again!!