Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

[mnypitboat]

We the time has come to trade out of the Tahoe. It is an 01 Q7 and has served us well. It was really rough when we got it, but now it isnt so bad. We just want a newer, maybe nicer boat.

Today we looked at a 06 Sea Ray 205 Sport and an 05 Chaparral 204 SSi. Both boats are comperable in condition. The Chap has a 5.0 Volvo Penta and the Sea Ray has a 4.3 Mercruiser. The Sea Ray is $19995 and the Chap is $24995.

My knee jerk decision was the Chaparral. I have owned one before and it was the best boat I have ever owned. I have had Chris Craft, Caravelle, Bonita, Tahoe, Bayliner. Never owned a Sea Ray. SO I am partial to the Chap. I also like the fact that it is a V8. My father has a 21' boat with a 4.3 and it is a dog. I also do not like the color scheme on the Sea Ray.

I just do not know if the extra $5k for a year older boat is worth it. What do you guys think? I dont want to start a brand war, just get some opinions.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

We the time has come to trade out of the Tahoe. It is an 01 Q7 and has served us well. It was really rough when we got it, but now it isnt so bad. We just want a newer, maybe nicer boat.

Today we looked at a 06 Sea Ray 205 Sport and an 05 Chaparral 204 SSi. Both boats are comperable in condition. The Chap has a 5.0 Volvo Penta and the Sea Ray has a 4.3 Mercruiser. The Sea Ray is $19995 and the Chap is $24995.

My knee jerk decision was the Chaparral. I have owned one before and it was the best boat I have ever owned. I have had Chris Craft, Caravelle, Bonita, Tahoe, Bayliner. Never owned a Sea Ray. SO I am partial to the Chap. I also like the fact that it is a V8. My father has a 21' boat with a 4.3 and it is a dog. I also do not like the color scheme on the Sea Ray.

I just do not know if the extra $5k for a year older boat is worth it. What do you guys think? I dont want to start a brand war, just get some opinions.

Hands down sea ray here IMO. 5K cheaper, a year newer, and gives up just a little HP (depending on the 4.3) It won't be a dog, I can assure you that.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

Just opinion, I would lean towards the v-8. I owned a sea ray in the mid 80's... boy boats have changed a lot since then. I currently own a Chap 280 SSi jumbo bow rider and think it's one of the best boats (for my needs) I've ever seen. Living in north Georgia, it seems 80% to 90% of the bowriders are either Sea Rays or Chaparrals and I don't think I've ever heard an owner complain about either one.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

If the 4.3 Mercruiser is an EFI engine it should perform decently. It sounds like you like the Chaparral better, maybe you can get the seller to knock a couple 1,000 off the price. The 1 year age difference shouldn't count for much on a 5-6 year old boat.

 

[nlain]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

I have a 2004 SeaRay 185 Sport with the 4.3L 190 hp engine, dry weight of boat is 2650, the 205 you are looking at probably has the same engine, dry weight of 3150 for the 205. My boat has plenty of power and unless you load the 205 really heavy I think you will be good in it also.

 

[jkust]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

Well, I have the model Chaparral one foot smaller than the 204 SSi. Other than the most basic model Chaparral, you are probably aware that Chap builds them all the same, no corner cut or details spared due to the size like so many of the other brands do. One thing I don't care for with the Sport models of the Sea Rays is how spartan they are compared to their premium/larger models. While a larger Chaparral and a larger Sea Ray are great competitors and compete around the margins, the smaller Chaparrals and Smaller Sea Rays are in different leagues. While I bought my Chaparral with about 50 hours on it, I had been looking at other brands and new boats as well. With the Chap emulating their larger boats and so equiping their smaller boats ahead of the curve compared to all but very few (Cobalt hasen't made a sub 20 footer since 2001), the Chaparral wasn't just nicer than other's, it was more contemporary for the year. The newest crop of most all manufacturers has caught up and then some with their looks but not necessarilly their heft. My 18 foot Chap weighs in just under 3000lbs and it has the 4.3 carb which was the lower eschelon of optional engines with the 270hp v8 as the highest optional power. I'd say while the 4.3 carb is acceptable, it is a few clicks slower than the usual weight boat they are powering. My point is that your 21 foot Chap prospect weighs in at 3400lbs+ with only a v6 (ie more with a v8) which is extraordinarily heavy and has a very large gas tank as premium boats do but has only 30 more hp and a good bit more torque. My take is that I think your Chap will only be acceptable as my 4.3 is acceptable. If I'm buying a Chap like that I'm getting the mpi version of the 5.0 at the minimum. The Sea Ray on the other hand weighs over 10% less but I think would still be underpowered. You sound like a guy that has already gone through a succession of boats and I'm betting if you are like many, you have lived with the marginally powered boat for a few years. While that is a very nice Chap, if you are laying down that much cash, I'd hold out for MPI.

 

[Dave1251]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

I would go with the Chaparral. Nice boat with good power for any water sports. The sport series Sea Ray is an entry level boat from Sea Ray made in Mexico. It seems to me to be missing much of it's interior and has narrow beam for a 20 ft boat.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

I'd be looking at the Chapparral regardless of engine. The price on the searay is awfull high for what you get, they are not like a big searay. When I bought my 05 Bayliner I looked at the Searay of the same size and then bought the BL because it was a nicer boat (with a nicer price)

 

[Cincyrunner]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

I'd also go with the Chap. The 5.0 Volvo will give you all the power ranges you'll need, plus some for when you're loaded with people on board and running in chop. I'm running the same engine in the GXI version, on a Four Winns 190, which is two feet shorter than either the Chap or the Sea Ray. There isn't much difference with a year difference between the 05 and the 06. I'd still lean toward the Chap, even though it's priced $5K more, I'd try to negotiate and get him down a grand or two.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

Chap. I haven't forgiven Sea Ray for the Brunswick days...

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

Yeah, the Chap is my choice, I just do not like the extra $5k. My Dad has a 21ft Tahoe Deckboat with the 4.3 that is in the Sea Ray, and trust me, it is WAY underpowered. Especially at capacity with gear. I would think the Sea Ray would weigh in at probably as much or more than my Dad's Tahoe. BUT, again, it is less expensive, and from what I am seeing, the book on it is higher than the Chap. You can feel the quality in the Chap. The Sea Ray is spartan. Basic seats, in weird 80s colors, and the rear seat is split in the middle by an engine cover. I thought this was weird on a 20 footer. I do not like it at all. BUT, it is like new and may be our choice due to the low price. The Sea Ray dealer has the exact same boat, and year and color for $26500. This dealer I am looking at said that price was even negotialble and they would work a helluva deal on that one. The Chap is a consignment and the owner doesnt wanna come off the price. So if the price gap becomes $6k or more, the decision is made.

Or I can just buy a brand new Tahoe for the same price. I have been pretty happy with mine and a brand new leftover 2011 Q7 can be had in the $25k range. Full warranty, V8, etc.

Decisions decisions.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

You will not be dissapointed with a new boat. Turn the key and go boating. That seems like your best choice.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

I would go with the Chap as well. SeaRay just doesn't stand out in the runabout class as being on the same level as their cruisers do. The Chaps are really an outstanding boat from what I've seen and I wouldn't hesitate to choose it over the 'Ray. You might be able to get them to drop the price a bit if you let them know you are wavering between the Sear Ray and Chap. The power levels between the 5.0L and 4.3L will be similar, but there's no replacement for displacement!

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

I would go with the Chap as well. SeaRay just doesn't stand out in the runabout class as being on the same level as their cruisers do. The Chaps are really an outstanding boat from what I've seen and I wouldn't hesitate to choose it over the 'Ray. You might be able to get them to drop the price a bit if you let them know you are wavering between the Sear Ray and Chap. The power levels between the 5.0L and 4.3L will be similar, but there's no replacement for displacement!

Both boats are at the same place, so I cant play against eachother. LOL. The Chap is overpriced for sure, but most of the ones I have seen are even overpriced more. My problem is that this one will be a finance deal, so it has to book out, and apparently they are having a hard time getting it to book out that high. Personally, I think Chaparral is one of, if not THE, best runabouts on the market. My 93 was hands down the best boat I have ever owned. We only sold it because we put a pool and pool bar in at the house and thought we would not use it. Well, after only a couple months I was looking for another boat, and the deal on the Tahoe was just too good to pass up. It was a bit beat up but it served its purpose for several years. I would own another one. The layout is far superior to the Sea Ray, and I havent had any quality issues and it is an 01. The only design flaw is the rear deck allowing water to run down on the back side of the engine has been fixed in newer models. I threw that out there jokingly, but now I am considering going out to Bass Pro Shops this weekend.

I do like the Chaparral though. It just has a classy and very solid feel.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

Something else I am thinking about. I have owned OMC, both Cobra and King Cobra, Yamaha, and Mercruiser I/Os, but never a Volvo. How do they compare to the Mercruiser Alpha? Also, I looked at a Tahoe Q8 with a Bravo, and was wondering how that compares.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

Something else I am thinking about. I have owned OMC, both Cobra and King Cobra, Yamaha, and Mercruiser I/Os, but never a Volvo. How do they compare to the Mercruiser Alpha? Also, I looked at a Tahoe Q8 with a Bravo, and was wondering how that compares.

Most people prefer the smoothness of shifting the Volvo outdrives over the Alphas due to the Volvo using a cone clutch instead of a dog clutch. As far as overall serviceability and ease of maintenance they are both pretty similar. The Bravos use a cone clutch, so the feel would be similar between the two, however the Bravo is designed for higher-HP applications (300HP+).

If you want to see one of THE best runabouts, go look at a Cobalt on the same size as the Chap. Then grab an oxygen bottle when you see the price tag, lol.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

Something else I am thinking about. I have owned OMC, both Cobra and King Cobra, Yamaha, and Mercruiser I/Os, but never a Volvo. How do they compare to the Mercruiser Alpha? Also, I looked at a Tahoe Q8 with a Bravo, and was wondering how that compares.

Is service and parts available in your area for a Volvo?
Where I am, It is Mercruiser territory in terms of parts and availability and my mechanic friends are best with Mercruiser so that is my preferred choice.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

Is service and parts available in your area for a Volvo?
Where I am, It is Mercruiser territory in terms of parts and availability and my mechanic friends are best with Mercruiser so that is my preferred choice.

Actually it is just the oposite. A lot of the marinas in the area use Volvo in their rentals, so they are Volvo certified shops. I do not know of a "close" Mercruiser dealer. A couple towns away maybe. The guy I use in town is a Volvo shop, but has a Mercruiser mechanic that comes out when he gets one in, and that is the guy that typically works on mine(very seldom because I do most of my own stuff). He is a great guy too. Only problem is that he has to order all his Mercruiser stuff, whereas he has a pretty good selection of common Volvo parts.

Apparently they misquoted me on the Chap. It is actually $25995. So if they can work out another $1500 or so on the Sea Ray, I may just buy that. The good thing about Sea Ray is they have one helluva following around here, so the value stays pretty strong. Parker Boats is asking $26500 for the exact same model Sea Ray.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

here's a similar chap in the atlanta area for comparison http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/2502742379.html

 

[zagger]

Re: Sea Ray or Chaparral bowrider?

The 07 and newer Volvo's are as good if not better than Bravo drives. Chap is definitely the better of the two but I would as suggested above look at Cobalt and perhaps a Regal. Once you check either of these brands the others will not look same anymore. Before buying my latest boat I looked seriously at the Sea Ray and was very disappointed in the materials they use to build them, so much so I did not get one.