Manufacturer build quality?

[The Dougler]

Need a little help, not trying to start a flame war here and realise that these things are some what subjective but ever more experienced view point helps.

Order these from best to last in terms of construction quality.

Monterey
four winns
crownline
rinker
glastron
Larson
sea ray
sting ray
maxum
cobalt

some of these guys are owned by the same parent company too I believe, any help would be great. TIA

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

This has been discussed quite a bit here in the past. You can probably dig up some old posts for reference using the search function.

That said, I am usually pretty vocal on these sorts of questions. In general, all of the major builders make a pretty nice boat. A few do some things on the cheap and few go above and beyond. Here is how I would rank your list from best build quality to the "lowest".

*****
Cobalt

****
Four Winns
Monterey
Crownline
Rinker

***
Larson
Glastron
Sea Ray

**
Sting Ray
Maxum

It isn't easy really to rank them all from best to worst. In fact, from one size/model to the next a given manufacturer could be at very different levels. The above ranks are how I would catagorize for the <20' bowrider segment for each of the manufacturers.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

I dont think I could diplomaticly sort that list from "best to worst"; mostly because I havent owned or read reviews on all of them but also because things like age and size have a great deal of impact on this equation.

However; I can offer some basic advice from what I do know. Four Winns has a long history of quality, well built, and solidly finished boats. Crownline also has a very strong reputation of well assembled and constructed boats. SeaRay has improved their quality over the last few years (early 90s +) but has a somewhat sub-par early history. Maxium builds pretty decent small crafts but ranks on the low to cheap side for their large (cabin cruiser) boats. Rinker has gotten rave reviews from almost everything Ive read from both their design, construction, and value for the money (although I have never had personal expierence with this brand). As for the rest I just dont know enough to speak intelligently.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

I would say Stingray has an average build quality. The benefit of a Stingray is value -- good price versus build quality ratio.

The all have the same drive line build quality -- it's either merc or volvo.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

Maxum is no more. Definitely read my share of fiberglass issues with Larsons on here.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

*****
Cobalt

****
Four Winns
Monterey
Crownline
Rinker

***
Larson
Glastron
Sea Ray

**
Sting Ray
Maxum

That seems pretty fair to me. I'd say that in between the astricks, the brands are probably interchangable. I would also say pretty much every brand there except Cobalt starts at about 18 feet, while Cobalt, I believe starts at about 23.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

Rinker has gotten rave reviews from almost everything Ive read from both their design, construction, and value for the money (although I have never had personal expierence with this brand).

Not having owned a Rinker, I can only pass on the issues my brother has had with his "brand new" custom ordered Rinker.

Generator issues x3
Rusting driveshaft due to leaking bellows x2.
Frozen props x2
Engine water pump x2
Fuel system failure
Canvas enclosure rotting and discolored after 2 years
Hull finish problems
A/C issues x 2
Battery issue

Obviously, I don't have the time or space to go into the details, but after 3 years, he has only been able to put 90 hours on this boat!

The biggest problem is the lack of service he was getting from the dealership and from Rinker themselves. Not only is henot happy with the boat, he goes out of his way to discourage others from purchasing one.

It's too bad...it's a beautiful boat.

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

Just for the sake of playing devils advocate, that looks like 90% drive issues, not hull issues. A bad dealer could make it all worse though.

Terry

 

[smclear]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

Rinker's are manufactured right down the street from my lake house. My grandfather was good friends with John Rinker (founder). The Rinker family is pretty heavily involved in racing (not sure the class) and I believe they put a lot of racing experience into the commercial business. The family sold the company several years ago and I believe their quality has gone down. My neighbor worked for them until very recently (last fall). The stories he has told me lead me to make the previous statement re: the decline in quality. Personally, I had a 1995 Rinker Captiva 212 until last year when I sold it to get an older Century Resorter. I never had any issues with the Rinker. It was a very well made boat that held up quite well. IMO, if it's an older Rinker, you'd be fine. The newer ones I'm not so sure about.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

Like some others have said, I'm not going to speak about boats I dont know too much about. A boat I do know much about, and found little literature online about is the Montereys (I know there is stuff online about them, but it took a lot of digging to ensure that bad reviews were just some pissed off boater, and rave reviews werent just some "I dont want to say anything bad about the boat I spent thousands of dollars to buy").

I bought my monterey not to long ago, and I've checked out every part of it and found it solid. Definitely a well built boat from a smaller manufaturer. I've also seen the plant, and it seems like they care about there boats and owners. The only real negitive reviews I've read have been about the drive train, which isnt made by Monterey.

One thing I've really noticed, it feels very safe and strong in the water, I havent had one instance where the boat even hesitates to obey the commands of the driver.

As far as the whole list, I like Subliminal's rundown, seems to match up pretty well with what I've read.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

That seems pretty fair to me. I'd say that in between the astricks, the brands are probably interchangable. I would also say pretty much every brand there except Cobalt starts at about 18 feet, while Cobalt, I believe starts at about 23.

I agree, between the asterisks it is toss up....and I really hesitated putting Rinker in the **** category and as others have stated as a whole maybe they belong in the *** category.

Cobalt currently has what they call the 210...actually a 22' 5" bowrider as their entry level boat It isn't clear if they include the extended platform in that measurement or not. I think up until this year they had a 20' boat as their entry level.

 

[jkust]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

*****
Cobalt

****
Four Winns
Monterey
Crownline
Rinker

***
Larson
Glastron
Sea Ray

**
Sting Ray
Maxum

For the most part i'd agree with this but Cobalt quit making the sub 20footer and like someone mentioned above, some brands treat their small bowriders much different than their larger boats. I'd switch Maxum and Stingray and put Monterey above Four Winns but pretty much the same. The thing i'd take out of this is how low Sea Ray has fallen with their smaller sport boats. I am suprised they have sold a single one ever given the other brands available for the same or less money. There are a few sort of standard items that I think show off a quality boat. For example, I could not find a Crownline with fiberglass sole (no glued on carpet) to save my life when I was buying and it was a standard on many of these boats. Also then if you are talking say 2009 and newer boats, I think most have gone through a sort of major contemporization meaning they all took the next step forward. I mean that even a Glastron is pretty blinged up and contemporary looking these days. To me the dry weight is also telling. You also might want to put Chaparral on your list.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

I think most have gone through a sort of major contemporization meaning they all took the next step forward. I mean that even a Glastron is pretty blinged up and contemporary looking these days. To me the dry weight is also telling. You also might want to put Chaparral on your list.

I've also noticed how flashy some of the new models have gotten. Almost makes me nervous that all that fancy detailing is meant as a deterrant to poor construction. Like a Timex in a Rolex box. Maybe not in every casse but Im it sure plays well into the 'wow factor' and head over heals haze salesmen rely on.

Also agree with the Chaparral suggestion.

 

[The Dougler]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

Sorry forgot Regal and Chaparral. There's a monterey I'm eyeing, might start negotiating tomorrow.

 

[DYLBOSS]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

Sorry forgot Regal and Chaparral. There's a monterey I'm eyeing, might start negotiating tomorrow.

I'm glad you added this. I've really been interested in knowing where these two fall in the list. I have an idea about Regal, but not Chaparral.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

No Wellcraft? I prefer the old hand layed glass boats. Thats when they built them and built them to last. Bertram, Formula, Slickcraft, Chris Craft. To get a quality built boat today that would hold up for 30 years would cost big bucks Like the Tierra Pursuit. I'd refit an older hull over a new boat any day. The way the markets are today the manufacture's use the least amount and least expensive materials as possible to make a buck. Just like an automobile they rot out/wear out in no time. I suppose if you do alot of home work you could catagorize a better quality boat at the most affordability, not me. Thats my $00.02 worth!

 

[NCLakeboater]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

Bryants are well made boats although they are a big builder.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

Sorry forgot Regal and Chaparral. There's a monterey I'm eyeing, might start negotiating tomorrow.

What model Monterey?

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

100% satisfied maxum owner here. Bought new leftover 2008 last august right after US Marine announced they were discontinuig brand. Love the performance all quality. No problems whatsoever except with stereo and dealer and US Marine are standing behind warranty. Is it the best made boat out there? No, but I knew that going in and price fit the budget and it has treated me well and perfect fit for my needs. Just my .02!

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Manufacturer build quality?

I was just picking up some of my last supplies (enough Type IIs, chain for the anchor, first aid kit, etc) at the local Crownline dealer. They had pretty much my exact boat (mine is Monterey) in the Crownline. the 180BR or somesuch. It looked nice...but I've got to give fit/finish to Monterey over Crownline, that's for sure!