Which are good options instead of a larger Sea Ray yacht?

sandydlc

sandydlc

Active Member
Feb 24, 2016
605
Seattle, WA
Boat Info
Swift Trawler 50
Engines
Volve IPS D6
There has been some discussion on a few threads about reasonable options for Sea Ray owners wanting to move up past a 40'-45' yacht but with Brunswick making the decision to stop producing larger yachts, it appears that owners wanting to move up will have limited options if they're wanting to stay with the Sea Ray brand.

Which brands/models are others considering when wanting to move beyond the 40' size limitation of Sea Ray?

Here's my list of features that we're looking for:
  • Prefer express style over flybridge
  • Volvo pods over Zeus (though would consider newer Zeus)
  • Two helm seats or bench style (no single helm seats)
  • Good visibility from helm (I'm short!)
  • Walk-around master bed/full-beam master
  • Better space for entertaining guests/friends in the salon
  • No canvas!!!
  • Easier/more secure davit system or dinghy garage
  • Galley on main deck
We also prefer a boat/yacht that has a more modern look (more angular/less curved couches and swoopy styling).

Obviously a boat that's mechanically sound and runs well are primary considerations and fit and finish are important to us too. We're not interested in moving on from our 450 DA until we find a boat that checks most if not all of these boxes. We're also in no rush to make a move so it's nice to have the time and lack of pressure to really look for the right fit for us. Looking forward to hearing everyone's responses!

Sandy
 
Sandy,

The first time you see the boat in the link below, I’m going to guess your reaction will not be one of approval.

The boat I’m linking to below grows on you like a great book.

Ooh, and its not a express cruiser.

http://www.nordhavn.com/models/76/
 
I am biased, let’s just put that out there first.

If you’ll only buy a new boat, then Sea Ray is definitely out of the question. But if you’re in the market for used, the larger Sea Rays remain a very attractive option.

Sea Ray isn’t going away, they are just methodically exiting the yacht marked. Newer boats are still under full warranty and the company is responsive to owners’ needs.

Once the warranty period has expired on any boat, does it really matter if the builder is still making that model? What fails over time are parts that are supplied by others anyway. I opted to extend my CAT warranties and will continue to keep them covered for peace of mind and for added value to a new owner in case I decide to sell.

It remains to be seen how vendors will handle certain special, custom parts, but I expect they will continue to be available through SR, dealers, or perhaps directly from the vendors.

I cruise my L650FLY from Maine to Florida and the Bahamas, seeing a lot of boats in this size range along the way. But to date, none “checks off all the boxes” like mine. It’s elegant at the dock, sea worthy, fast, has huge range, comfortable for a couple to run, an unbelievable party platform at times, with equipment and amenities to match any vessel out there.

Sorry if I sound like a salesman, but I love my boat and think she, along with many other “classic” Sea Rays should remain on the radar of buyers in the used yacht market.
 
I neglected to include that if only looking new:
Fleming
Princess
Sunseeker
Sabre
Grand Banks
Ocean Alexander
Hatteras
Viking
Hampton
 
I would suggest adding Marquis to the list.

There is an interesting teaser at Marquisyachts.com. They are not sitting still.

Very happy with the build quality and finish.
 
Larry said:
Very simple answer... Riviera! I believe meets all your criteria
Click to expand...

There are some Rivieras that we like but there always seems to be something major that’s a detraction like the master bed on a pedestal that’s so high for me it might be uncomfortable. But we’ll keep looking at them!
 
FootballFan said:
I would suggest adding Marquis to the list.

There is an interesting teaser at Marquisyachts.com. They are not sitting still.

Very happy with the build quality and finish.
Click to expand...
Those are gorgeous yachts - just not available in the Seattle area.
 
Sea Gull said:
I am biased, let’s just put that out there first.

If you’ll only buy a new boat, then Sea Ray is definitely out of the question. But if you’re in the market for used, the larger Sea Rays remain a very attractive option.

Sea Ray isn’t going away, they are just methodically exiting the yacht marked. Newer boats are still under full warranty and the company is responsive to owners’ needs.

Once the warranty period has expired on any boat, does it really matter if the builder is still making that model? What fails over time are parts that are supplied by others anyway. I opted to extend my CAT warranties and will continue to keep them covered for peace of mind and for added value to a new owner in case I decide to sell.

It remains to be seen how vendors will handle certain special, custom parts, but I expect they will continue to be available through SR, dealers, or perhaps directly from the vendors.

I cruise my L650FLY from Maine to Florida and the Bahamas, seeing a lot of boats in this size range along the way. But to date, none “checks off all the boxes” like mine. It’s elegant at the dock, sea worthy, fast, has huge range, comfortable for a couple to run, an unbelievable party platform at times, with equipment and amenities to match any vessel out there.

Sorry if I sound like a salesman, but I love my boat and think she, along with many other “classic” Sea Rays should remain on the radar of buyers in the used yacht market.
Click to expand...

We were in Chicago a few months ago and walked through several Cruisers yachts, a Tiara 53 coupe (loved that one!), and a new Sea Ray Sundancer (540?). Of all of the yachts we saw my husband said the Sea Ray had the best build quality followed by the Tiara and then Cruisers. We are unlikely to buy a new boat the next time out. We’d love to have a 60’ but the waitlist at Elliott Bay Marina for a 60’ slip is 4 years and we’re only 7 months in. So we’ll likely be looking at something closer to 50-52’ where moorage is not an issue.

The features of our 450 that are undesirable at this point are the canvas(!), the small master stateroom where we have to climb into our bed, and in the winter we don’t have a comfortable area in the cockpit to invite friends over for a drink unless they’re okay to hunker down under the canvas. On a sunny day there’s no better boat for entertaining but on a winter day when it’s raining, ours is the last choice for hanging out.

Lastly the floating chock system for our dinghy actually makes our boat less sea-worthy. The straps come loose in beam seas (from port) no matter how many straps I put on the darn thing.

We also would like to keep our next purchase below $1,000,000 but it seems that prices jump from about $450k to $1,000,000 and not a lot in between. My hope is that once we’re ready to pull the trigger in another year or two, the boats that are currently at the higher price will come down into a range that we’re more comfortable with. There is obviously what we *can* afford for another yacht and what we *should* pay in order to be able to do other non-boating things like traveling to Europe. I am grateful that we’re even in a position to buy a bigger boat of course.
 
Maggieiscrazy said:
I really like the newer Carver’s.
Click to expand...

I have never really been a Carver fan. Have done a couple of bare boat charters with them, good boats, we just never were wild about them.

When we first ran onto Marquis, I paused, I thought since they were owned by the same parent company that a Marquis was a dressed up Carver. Through research understood they are a different boat with a different lineage than the Carvers.
 
To each his own! I’ll take a floating condo, but I’ll take a small cruiser with wind in my hair, every boat from a John boat to a 100’ mega yacht they all have pros/cons when comparing.
 
Todd320 said:
Is this one close to what you are looking for, but just not a boat in Florida, needs to be CA or NW?
https://www.galatiyachts.com/yachts/details/1013968/2016/princess-yachts/v48/48
2016 Princess 48, < 1m$, Looks like it has room for people to stay inside if the weather is not nice and still have some room??
Click to expand...
That a gorgeous boat! We do like Princess but they're usually too expensive. Ideally we'd like to get something close by or something we could run up the coast but when we're ready, if Florida is where the boats are, then we would have to see whether or not the transportation cost is reasonable or not. Thanks for finding that!
 
Bridog said:
Interesting thread for CSR. Didn't think I'd see the day. Congratulations Brunswick! I'm sure the fine folks here will find someone to take your money.
Click to expand...

Honestly it made me sad to post it but as the newer/larger Sea Ray yachts (40’+) start aging, we’ll have no choice but to look at other brands. We used to own a Chaparral and I had always assumed we’d just get a larger one when ready but Chaparral also exited the large yacht market several years ago and now their focus is on lake boats.

We saw a 2018 L550 Sundancer a few months ago and the quality was just amazing. It’s out of our budget now but in a few years, hopefully not. Yesterday we went to a yacht show featuring only Prestige yachts and the comparison is like night and day. All of the materials used for cabinets, doors, drawers don’t appear that they will last 5 years with regular use where our 8 year old 450DA looks nearly new.

My belief is that Brunswick will eventually start producing larger yachts again but I’m sure it won’t be for many years.
 
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