New boat prices

When I bought my Sea Ray new the discount off of MSRP was significant. Is this true for most makes of boats? What is the typical discount? I have been admiring the Formula 350 crossover but the MSRP is way too high for me unfortunately

If you stand firm, you should be able to get a new boat from a dealer at up to 30% off MSRP ...especially if it’s left over inventory from the previous model year and depending on how much the boat is. (More expensive boats=more of a discount typically) Personally I never buy new. Cars, boats, you just lose too much money and can get so much more for your dollar in the used market. But that’s just me. That said if you don’t do your homework in a used purchase (surveys, inspections, and the like), you stand to lose a lot more than buying new. There’s something to be said about warranties and knowing everything is at “zero” buying new.

skunkman said:

When I bought my Sea Ray new the discount off of MSRP was significant. Is this true for most makes of boats? What is the typical discount? I have been admiring the Formula 350 crossover but the MSRP is way too high for me unfortunately

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We were looking at the Formulas at the NY Boat Show a couple of years ago and they were willing to discount a fair amount at the show. They contacted us after the show and offered an ever better discount.
It was very tempting, but we decided to stick with Sea Ray and pay cash for an older boat rather than saddle ourselves with a monthly payment.
Those Formulas sure are nice boats though. I really love them.

JVM225 said:

Those Formulas sure are nice boats though. I really love them.

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Agree completely, their quality is another step above SeaRay, in my opinion. I'm not a fan of the PC models though, that's where SR beats them, they sit too high.

Great Lakes said:

Agree completely, their quality is another step above SeaRay, in my opinion. I'm not a fan of the PC models though, that's where SR beats them, they sit too high.

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I agree. They do sit a bit high, and that look takes some getting used to, but they are great boats and I’ve come to appreciate the look.
I was really impressed with the ability to configure hull color and interior scheme combinations if you order a new one. They really give you a lot of choices to personalize the look of the boat.
I love my 2002 Sea Ray, and I think the generation after mine (Hardtop 420/440) is absolutely beautiful too, but I’m not a big fan of the Euro styling on the newest Sea Rays and the cockpit space on the 40 we looked at doesn’t work for the way we use the boat. I can see where it would work for a lot of people, but just not for us.
For a brief period, we really considered going for a brand new boat when we decided to upgrade about 2 years ago. Had we gone that way it was looking like it was going to be a Formula. Especially since they were pretty reasonable about negotiating.
In the end we decided that we didn’t want a boat loan at this point in our lives so we kept shopping and wound up with our fantastic 410. We love our boat and have absolutely no regrets, it was the much smarter move for us, but I still love the Formulas.
I’ll probably get flamed for saying this, but the Regals were a close second when we were looking. While not quite as nice as the Formulas, their traditional styling was attractive to us and I felt the quality was about on par with Sea Ray and while they don’t offer as many choices to personalize a new boat as Formula does, they are less expensive to begin with and seemed to be just as reasonable about negotiating.
The OP may want to take a look at them too.

I like the Regals, but 2 of my FL dockmates have Crusiers Cantius 48's - and that is a nice boat - a little tall like somebody said above, but their Volvo pods have been trouble free and the way the ER is laid out, they are really roomy for their size.

I don't want to start a pod vs straight/V drive argument (heck - that's like oil choice discussions or portable generator discussions!!), but that's the way a lot of the new boats are coming...

carterchapman said:

I like the Regals, but 2 of my FL dockmates have Crusiers Cantius 48's - and that is a nice boat - a little tall like somebody said above, but their Volvo pods have been trouble free and the way the ER is laid out, they are really roomy for their size.

I don't want to start a pod vs straight/V drive argument (heck - that's like oil choice discussions or portable generator discussions!!), but that's the way a lot of the new boats are coming...

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I really like those Cantius 48's as well, but I still much prefer the lines on the Sea Ray 48DA ...although the Cantius might prove to be more practical with the fully enclosed cockpit/salon. Especially where I live.

M Prod said:

I really like those Cantius 48's as well, but I still much prefer the lines on the Sea Ray 48DA ...although the Cantius might prove to be more practical with the fully enclosed cockpit/salon. Especially where I live.

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The "coupe" style seems to be a rising trend. There sure a lot of them in the new P&MY. I think it makes a ton of sense, better cover from the weather without needing to rely on acre of isinglass and canvas. The downside in peak summer may be that they act like greenhouses and get pretty hot, although most seem to have of a lot of windows and power tops.