What are the best boats Sea Ray has built and Why?

I think there was a period a few years ago that the Sea Ray design faltered a bit. Looking at boats that have been released in the last couple of years - I think design is right on target.

For example the newly released L520 that we saw at the Fort Lauderdale show - outstanding design, well thought out.

Mark
 
We ended up with a new 32 Tiara open because we were unable to locate a 370 Express in 2004. We still love the boat which is really just an upscale version of the SR 370 wide body.
 
First boat was a 2001 240 Sundeck. Fondly known as the stationwagon since it could do everything well (but not great). Fantastic boat for a family - beachable, tows a wakeboard or a tube, or just a fun day boat.

Kids lost interest in boating with Mom & Dad so we moved to a 450 DA. Plan to retire and float up and down the Florida coast one day. Great boat, love the torque of the diesels and as a MarineMax sales rep once called it, a great "classic" boat. Funny he didn't even try to show me anything modern.

Oh, and for the car junkies, a 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. First year with a five speed gearbox in a turbo. Yes, a girlie ragtop car. Yes, modified to 420 HP with 466 ft-lbs of torque. Girlie my ass.
 
I've loved everything SeaRay for some time and I can't put my finger on it but every time I look at other makes I find issues and usually think "SeaRay wouldn't have done that."

I've had 3 boats so far.

98 180 BR, 11 260 DA, and most the current 98 290 DA.

I like them all.
 
Loved my 260DA enough that we moved up to the 340SDA. Right now I personally think it's a great boat for 4 people plus day guests and with twin 8.1s feels very sporty for a larger boat.

I agree with others that Sea Ray puts a lot of thought into layout and whenever looked at other boats in this class I almost always felt something was lacking.

Not that everything is perfect for todays world but looking at it from when it was produced was damn close.

-Kevin
 
We have a 98 450 DA, Was thinking about moving up to a 04 - 08 50 or 52. After we started looking we figured out we had a nicer layout, And would have a lot more money in the bank if we kept what we had.

This is the same thing we struggle with. We love our layout but the boat is older and has some old boat issues. However, every time we start to look at replacing it common sense tells me to keep the money in the bank.

We'll see how well I have resisted the urge after the Stuart and Miami Boat Shows over the next few weeks.
 
This is the same thing we struggle with. We love our layout but the boat is older and has some old boat issues. However, every time we start to look at replacing it common sense tells me to keep the money in the bank.

We'll see how well I have resisted the urge after the Stuart and Miami Boat Shows over the next few weeks.

Ken Wolkens - I keep my boat just North of you at Harbor Town Marina in Merritt Island.
For you and Jus The Two Of Us - I just stepped up to a 52 Sedan Bridge from my beloved 2000 400 Sundancer. From creature comfort and living space aspects it wasn't a step up but a leap to the moon.
 
My vote was for the 340DA, I didn't include the 47DB though I prefer it over the 340.

All about criteria.

While I love 47DB and think it is a unique boat design in the Sea Ray lineup - the market overall was divided.

Seems like it came down to people either LOVE the layout - or Hate the layout. No in between on that design. Personally we loved it, the aft Galley, the big Master stateroom. But then we didn't have any interest in 3 staterooms on that size boat.

With the 340DA (which we also loved) it seems when we bought the boat then a few years later sold the boat - it was the hottest boat in the market. We sold our boat in 1 week. That was 1 week till closing, not just offer.

So applying the dual logic of our tastes and the market acceptance - that's why I chose the 340DA.
 
I posted my view of the which is best a while ago in another thread, but after running a few of the newer boat, some adjustment my be in order.

the 1995-1999 450D - Best SR ever
390EC with 3208 Cats - Close second but now dated
The wide body 370EC with Cat 3116 power - always a favorite
the 60/610DA - Will always be one of the best running and handling Sea Rays
Late 90's -early 2000's 380DA with Cat diesels…extremely popular and always sought after.

The one I wish they would make would be the 370EC with a 16 ft beam, stretched out to about 48 ft, with a Carolina flare, Hardtop that extends over 1/2 of the cockpit, a raised bridge deck with a stainless steel framed sliding glass door so the helm, No isinglass, but all glass windows (like a 610 DA) and a drop curtain to protect the upholstery from the sun when in the slip, and front passenger area are completely air conditioned/heated. Walk in bilge with a 2'X3' day hatch, and a full width swim platform that is at least 6 feet wide. I'd prefer 1100 hp C-18 Cats but the legal beagles at Brunswick would probably limit them to c-12's.

This is off the subject, but it was fun to think about the possibilities anyway…………….
 
My 07 52DB with all the popular options available in 07, including MAN R6 800s. This is the best of the bridge boats. Comfortable, roomy, good sea boat, generally easy to work on. Rocket with the MANs. But it becomes the best bridge boat when my wife and my sons are aboard.
 
The one I wish they would make would be the 370EC with a 16 ft beam, stretched out to about 48 ft, with a Carolina flare, Hardtop that extends over 1/2 of the cockpit, a raised bridge deck with a stainless steel framed sliding glass door so the helm, No isinglass, but all glass windows (like a 610 DA) and a drop curtain to protect the upholstery from the sun when in the slip, and front passenger area are completely air conditioned/heated. Walk in bilge with a 2'X3' day hatch, and a full width swim platform that is at least 6 feet wide.

Frank, I LIKE your thinking. Let me check my financial accounts and see if you and I can purchase SR :D:D:D
Love the idea of all glass. And not to have to crawl around in the ER
 
1997 - 2000 370 Express Cruiser. Awesome boat, Amazing ride quality. Entertain, Fish, cruise. Perfect all around boat.
FullSizeR.jpg
 
Ken Wolkens - I keep my boat just North of you at Harbor Town Marina in Merritt Island.
For you and Jus The Two Of Us - I just stepped up to a 52 Sedan Bridge from my beloved 2000 400 Sundancer. From creature comfort and living space aspects it wasn't a step up but a leap to the moon.

I used to have my boat on D dock (D25) until a month ago. We went to the port and now are inside on a rack at Bluepoints.

I remember a 400 DA on the west side of E dock.

The 52 sounds like something I need to see. A warning though I may not leave. :)

Like Rusty says, the answer to this thread is the best Sea Ray built is one that is owned by someone else but I still get to hang out on it! LOL!
 
1997 - 2000 370 Express Cruiser. Awesome boat, Amazing ride quality. Entertain, Fish, cruise. Perfect all around boat. View attachment 52717

Obviously partial to this design, although mine is the 340 it has the added benefits of a gorgeous cherrywood interior (which was never available on the 370 EC to my knowledge). It's one solid capable boat!
 
I am a huge fan of the dancers from 2000 to 2004. 32ft to 55ft. Sea Ray got nearly all the bugs worked out, the decks all got diamond none skid and steps to the gunwhale are molded in vs a flip step. The gas versions moved to the new 8.1S platform and are still compatible with today' technologies. The style is still old school yet refined and not looking over Euro. The boats are heavy and run smooth in heavy seas.
No fancy drive systems that cost an arm and leg to service (At least for me). I can fix anything that goes out and enjoy the room in the bilge. The list goes on and I just love my 2001 410! She is truly better than new.

Mark
 

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