- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,153
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
Meridian was a part of the Sea Ray division of the Brunswick Boat Group. The Meridian line was designed from the begining to be a less expensive boat than a comparable Sea Ray. The PD&E group (Sea Ray's Product Development and Engineering group in Merritt Island FL, next door to the sea Ray Sykes Creek Sea Ray factory) designed all of the Meridian models.
In order to end up with a boat that cost less money than a Sea Ray, there had to be some differences in design and in components. In the later years, the Meridians were produced in Sea Ray factories by Sea Ray employees, so there were no economies in labor cost available other than the lower labor content in Meridian products.
That leave you with the major differences being in things like interior component materials and finish. Meridians will have glass doors with magnetic closures on some cabinets while a Sea Ray will have wooden cabinetry/doors with latching closures. The interior of drawers and cabinets on a Sea Ray will be finished; on a Meridian you may find molded plastic liners. Some construction designs are less expenssive to produce than in comparable sized Sea Rays. For example some of the bracing in the 341 Meridian is built into the deck cap instead of the hull. Once the hull and deck are assembled, the strength is adequate, however, there is a structural member in the deck cap that prevents the removal of either engine after assembly. Sea Rays are designed with enough structure in the hull that there is no impediment to a major service need like engine removal.
So, how does the lighter construction and less expensive finishing methods and cheaper materials cost affect owners?
Meridians run well, handle well and are safe in inshore and inland waters, but they were never conceived to be or designed as open or blue water boats. The hull will flex more in seas or crossing wakes than a Sea Ray will, there are more squeaks and rattles in a Meridian, fabrics (particularly vinyl) will not last as long because they are thinner.
These are not Bayliners or their brothers. Meridians can be a good buy if you can handle the above differences and the lower demand, resale value and depreciation when compared to Sea Ray boats.
In order to end up with a boat that cost less money than a Sea Ray, there had to be some differences in design and in components. In the later years, the Meridians were produced in Sea Ray factories by Sea Ray employees, so there were no economies in labor cost available other than the lower labor content in Meridian products.
That leave you with the major differences being in things like interior component materials and finish. Meridians will have glass doors with magnetic closures on some cabinets while a Sea Ray will have wooden cabinetry/doors with latching closures. The interior of drawers and cabinets on a Sea Ray will be finished; on a Meridian you may find molded plastic liners. Some construction designs are less expenssive to produce than in comparable sized Sea Rays. For example some of the bracing in the 341 Meridian is built into the deck cap instead of the hull. Once the hull and deck are assembled, the strength is adequate, however, there is a structural member in the deck cap that prevents the removal of either engine after assembly. Sea Rays are designed with enough structure in the hull that there is no impediment to a major service need like engine removal.
So, how does the lighter construction and less expensive finishing methods and cheaper materials cost affect owners?
Meridians run well, handle well and are safe in inshore and inland waters, but they were never conceived to be or designed as open or blue water boats. The hull will flex more in seas or crossing wakes than a Sea Ray will, there are more squeaks and rattles in a Meridian, fabrics (particularly vinyl) will not last as long because they are thinner.
These are not Bayliners or their brothers. Meridians can be a good buy if you can handle the above differences and the lower demand, resale value and depreciation when compared to Sea Ray boats.
