Sea Ray abandons plan to join jetboat market

MonacoMike

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Sep 15, 2009
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Indiana lakes and Lake Michigan
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2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
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85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
— Reagan Haynes

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/526584-sea-ray-abandons-plan-to-join-jetboat-market



Sea Ray decided not to enter the jetboat market because of the “unacceptable quality, reliability and durability of the propulsion systems” in prototype boats.

“The primary and by far most significant reason Sea Ray decided not to enter the jetboat market was the reason given in the written statement — the unacceptable quality, reliability and durability of the propulsion systems in our prototype boats,” marketing vice president Matt Guilford told Trade Only Today.

The company did not mention its supplier by name, but has said in the past that German engineering company Weber Motors would provide the jet propulsion for the endeavor first announced in 2012. Weber did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Guilford said other reasons, such as BRP’s decision to sell its jet propulsion systems to at least two boatbuilders after exiting the boatbuilding business itself, were secondary considerations at best.

“Obviously the landscape changed significantly” since Sea Ray made its decision to enter the segment, Guilford said. “When we started the project we knew BRP was leaving the industry and at the time had made its jetboat business for sale, so that part of the landscape changed. That played a role, but that certainly wasn’t the only reason. We said as clearly and as well as we could what the major component was in the release we put out.”

Guilford said the endeavor wasn’t a complete wash because while Sea Ray was doing market research for the project the builder gained insights into consumer tastes and preferences in the 25-foot-and-under recreational day boat segment — an area the company has said it plans to aggressively pursue in both the sterndrive and outboard configurations.

“For Sea Ray, there were enormous insights we got into consumer tastes and preferences in the recreational day boat segment, and that helped our understanding of what consumers are looking for in the 25-foot-and-under category,” Guilford said.

“Even though we are not pursuing the jetboat business I think the insights we got are going to increase our competitiveness in that category. It wasn’t a waste,” he said. “As we got to the end of this thing we were able to say, ‘That’s not the right path for us,’ but it has illuminated other market opportunities. We’re not coming out with jetboats, but we are laser-focused on delivering highly competitive sportboats.”
 
shame to scrap the project this late in the game but better to not put one out rather than taint the brand with an inadequate product. the Sea Raider wasn't a great boat either.So much horsepower loss through a jetdrive anyway...really have to overpower a jetboat to make it perform.
 
This is a great call for Sea Ray as they are focusing on quality and reliability over short gain profit. Coming from a large corporation I can say this is not uncommon. The deal here is to have deep enough pockets to be able to do the R&D, find that the proto’s don't work and then move on using the gained knowledge to drive into other projects if the original idea doesn't work.

Too many manufactures stick all their eggs in one basket only to find problems with the basket. Then they need to bring the bad basket to market to try and gain enough profits to overcome the R&D cost. Ultimately they lose financially on warranty cost and they tarnish their reputation.
 
I agree that this is a good move. Diversity is a good thing but stick with proven products and improve on these designs. Even the pod drives are questionable to me. Give me props and if the boat is large enough to warrant them, bow and stern thrusters and the same control can be had. How many pods are going to be hauled off of the bottom because they sheared off. Improve the efficiency of standard propeller models and stay with a known commodity. The idea of pods is pretty cool but it is still unknown how long they will hold up and I don't really like the idea of a hole that large cut into the bottom of a boat. Now, if I were to run a pod boat, my opinion may be swayed...
 
I too appreciate all the R& D efforts. I understand their position not to show the dropped proto jet boats. I'm curious to see the fruits of their labor was.
 
We saw ......and even posted some photos here..... of the jet boats during Yacht Expo last year. One of them was on a static display on a trailer, not in the water. I liked the overall design and look and think there is a place for a well built, upscale jet boat with some decent power. It appeared to me that the engine cover was low to allow easy access to over the transom for water sports. Mercruiser has/had an excellent Sportjet in the !50hp area but is based on a vertical crankshaft powerhead that is probably much too tall to fit under the deck on the jet boat I saw. It is a shame because the F-16 Sea Rayder powered by the Merc sportJet was a good little boat but was just that...little. I'd be a buyer, to replace my 15 Dauntless, for a 20ish ft. shallow draft jet boat.
 
Volvo has been using the pods for a good while now with good success in larger boats. You just need to remember they're hanging under the hull. The ones I've seen are mounted well and will take a heck of a hit before coming off. Usually the props are toast as they are forward drive and contact first.

They are cool but I don't think I would want them on anything under 30ft.
Just my opinion.
 
Volvo has been using the pods for a good while now with good success in larger boats. You just need to remember they're hanging under the hull. The ones I've seen are mounted well and will take a heck of a hit before coming off. Usually the props are toast as they are forward drive and contact first.

They are cool but I don't think I would want them on anything under 30ft.
Just my opinion.
You can't get them on boats under 30ft. anyway.
 
the pods(not that I could afford them) make me nervous
I like my 28" draft.
 
Donzi tried the Sport Jet Market and it was a failure....friend of mine has one. Bottom line.....you need a 454 or 455 or 460 in a Glastron Carlson to own a real Jet Boat! 2mpg is not that bad....I get worst than that!

 
I have a 20' 2005 Sea Doo Utopia that is powered by a Merc 250 Optimax jet.... it is a fun 50 mph boat that only needs about 6" of water to run in while on plane. Great for the local sand bars and taking the kids out on the tube.

 
MD I agree. I have a 15 twin engine Ski Doo Jetboat and we love it. I actually would like to get something in the 20 to 24 ft range just for pulling the kids in a tube or water skiing or just for short, fast trips.
 
I would love to see them launch a new 210 SPORT sterndrive with an interior layout similar to the Jet (wrap-around lounge seating), and while they're at it ... install *manual* (to keep costs down) Active Trim Control as either standard or optional equipment. It's time for a new 21 foot SeaRay in this segment, which has gone a LONG TIME without product develpment. New gel coat colors and decals don't cut it!
 
Today I saw Marine Max promoting Scarab's upcoming jet boats. Hmmmm. Wonder if this played a factor in Sea Ray's decision to pull the plug. Isn't Marine Max their primary retailer?
 
So there's some media becoming available (photos, videos, etc.) on the new jets from Chaparral, Glastron, and Scarab. Granted, it's not the same as sitting in them, but from what I've seen it looks like Scarab has done a really good job. There's a 10 minute video walk-thru by their VP of Engineering on YouTube. Looks pretty innovative (reconfigurable sunpad is pretty cool), sleek (windsheild construction), and quality fit and finish. And I think their graphics are actually in the gel coat - something about them being 'tatoo'd"? Anyway, looks like a job well done.
 

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