Visit to a Searay Plant + added bonus

JimmyDubai

Member
Oct 13, 2015
351
Dubai, UAE
Boat Info
Sundancer 290 1996, one big block Mercruiser 7.4 LT
Simrad Go9 XSE + 3G radar
Engines
One, Mercruiser 7.4 V8, 310 HP
Hey folks,

I left Dubai back in May and after spending a few weeks in Denmark, France and Spain I am now in Florida. The Searay plant in Merritt Island is just a short drive from where I am in Port St Lucie so I decided to phone our buddy Captain Rusty to coordinate a visit; I took my brother in law with me and off we went. I've heard on the forum that Captain Rusty was a nice guy. Well, the word "nice" falls short. He is an awesome person. Captain Rusty showed us the different sections on the plant and introduced us to a few members of the great Searay team. What we saw was impressive; everybody working hard to get the final units through the door before the facility is shutdown later this month unfortunately.

What about the "added bonus".... well, Captain Rusty was given the task of testing the very last Searay l650 Fly and he invited us to join the team. Little did I imagine that I would have the chance to drive the massive yacht itself!!! This is historical guys, drive the very last 650 from the production line of the plant that for years manufactured the largest Searay yachts.
Very few people know how passionate I am on boats, and for someone who has sailed just a 290 Sundancer and suddenly be at the helm of a $3.5 million dollar 65 ft long superyacht is just awesome. Captain Rusty certainly made my year, not my day.

Thanks a million Captain Rusty for your time and generosity; we had so much fun. You have a true friend here. I'll see you in Dubai!!

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These are the molds of the largest hulls made over here


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One year ago this section would be packed with boats in the making

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The interior of the l650. Captain Rusty checking on the information for the sea trial. The target: confirm what speed the boat reaches at WOT.


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Captain Rusty at the helm passing under a bridge.

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You wouldn't think that a 90,000 lbs yacht can make it through this narrow passage which is the only exit from the Searay dock; he made it perfectly, not even touching a leaf!!


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Same passage back to the dock


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This experience will stay for ever in me Captain Rusty, thanks so much.
 
I live a few miles from there and was privileged to get he same tour a few mos ago, minus the sea trial. Rusty is just a super super guy!
 
Thanks for posting the story and all the pictures.

I really liked the picture of the entrance to the channel to the plant. You'd never imagine what was down that shute.
 
Incredible and sad at the same time. Any more pictures from inside the plant? Those huge molds for the 650 are amazing. Thanks for posting this.
 
Incredible and sad at the same time. Any more pictures from inside the plant? Those huge molds for the 650 are amazing. Thanks for posting this.
Yea, it was amazing. No more pics sadly
 
What a great adventure to be able to ride along with Rusty on the last 650 to go out the door. There are few things I've done that I have carried the memories with me for a lifetime. This would have been one of those.
 
I have been down that canal (not all the way back to the plant, but the canal that the plant canal empties into) and I could not believe that the Sea Ray plant could be up that tiny, narrow, tree lined channel. It is truly a testament to Rusty's skills to get so many boats in and out of that channel unharmed!
 
Yet another example: When Rusty gets involved "boating magic" happens.

Thank you for sharing the experience and pics.

Mark
 
Post of the day! thanks for sharing.
Thanks!! I can't even say that "it was a dream come true" since not in a million years I would consider this a dream. I would say this was a gift from heaven!! meet the man in person and been at the helm of a l650....
 
Such a wonderful post how awesome is that !!! And at the same time so sad to see all of this coming to an end. I hope some day to get to meet Capt. Rusty...I often sit back on my Boat and think what an awesome machine that was built right there and its so sad to see it all close down.Thank You so much for you're post again it does put a Ray !! of Sunshine on it all !!!!
 
Really enjoyed your visit Jimmy....and hope to see you again soon, but probably not at 3:30 AM tonight for the Delta Heavy launch. I am sure it will wake me, and I will probably take two steps out the back door to see it fly to space....then walk two steps back in and reclaim the supine position. Hope you guys enjoy it!!

Thanks again for coming and visiting us!

Capt. R
 

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