Looking for a Sea Ray Sundeck 220 To Check Out in South East Michigan

[groovy_moon]

I am really interested in moving up from my Sea Ray 175 to Sundeck 220. I can't find any for sale local to me in SE Michigan. Also.. I have heard that the 5.0 is under powered and the 5.7 MPI is a much better choice, thoughts?

 

[jkust]

Not sure why, but most of the Sea Rays I see seem to have that 5.0 base engine in my neck of the woods. Even some larger boats will have that 5.0 when I'd expect a 6.2. Finding my sig boat way back when I bought it with a 5.7 was a bit challenging as well as so many ordered the base 5.0 and the base Alpha 1. I can say that the 5.7MPI really pushes a 22 foot boat along pretty well and gets out of the hole just as you'd hope. I like the Bravo Drive as well for it's smooth shifting.

 

[groovy_moon]

Not sure why, but most of the Sea Rays I see seem to have that 5.0 base engine in my neck of the woods. Even some larger boats will have that 5.0 when I'd expect a 6.2. Finding my sig boat way back when I bought it with a 5.7 was a bit challenging as well as so many ordered the base 5.0 and the base Alpha 1. I can say that the 5.7MPI really pushes a 22 foot boat along pretty well and gets out of the hole just as you'd hope. I like the Bravo Drive as well for it's smooth shifting.

That's what I am thinking.. There are a bunch for sale... None near me, many salt water boats, there is one with a Bravo and 5L MPI...and I saw a 2005 with 350HO 5.7 MPI but it's in Missouri. We usually go out with 5-9 people and the 175 (although a really big boat inside for its OAL) is getting small.

Really want to see what one looks like before I commit to travelling hours and hours to get the boat

 

[wahlejim]

I am sure if you provided more information on what exactly you are looking for in a boat, where you boat, and how its used, you will get a lot of suggestions to look into. Are you trailering it? Just using it for cruising or water sports? Why just Sea Ray and not other brands? Budget?

The reason for a lot of 5.0 engines is the outdrive. Upgrading to more horsepower would likely lead to an upgrade in drive as well since the 5.7 is at the limit of what an Alpha One is rated for. Sea Ray shoppers are typically not big spenders and work off of a budget as it is considered an entry level boat. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I own a Sea Ray myself, but I don't need a lot of fancy gadgets and trim packages. I have the 5.0 on my 19.5 foot bowrider and I would say that I wouldn't want a much bigger boat with that engine in it.

 

[jkust]

I looked at a Sundeck 220 when considering my Chaparral 220 which is actually 24 feet with the swim platform. Not happenstance that I ended up with the Chaparral. Chaparral was a premium boat by comparison where the details were concerned. Had a Chaparral not been available and there was a Sea Ray 220 with a 5.7 and Bravo Drive, I'd have seriously considered it. Eventually, you don't even notice the fancier stuff like owning a high end car, it just becomes hygiene.