1989 230 Weekender cored hull? Quality?

[tartan28]

I am close to purchasing a 1989 230 weekender. I heard that when Brunswick took over, the boats were not manufactured as well. Is this true with the 1989? My concern is the hull type and durability. I am not sure of when Brunswick actually started "cheapening" the boats. I am sure if they did it was unfortunately due to competition.

Thanks,
Craig

 

[Ka1oxd]

I believe that they took them over in 1986. With the 340 DA, the hulls were from the same mold from 1984 to 1989. It seems that when they made changes after that point they had some problems.

 

[fwebster]

Here is a case where internet forums spread garbage.

Brunswick is a marine holding company and for many years after acquiring Sea Ray, the Brunswick influence was pretty much limited to giving Sea Ray buying leverage and engine packages. As the 90's approached, Sea Ray began to learn from some earlier construction mistakes and the quality of their boat's structure actually improved.

Sea Ray began as a maker of smaller boats and the sized boats the OP is looking for have always been excellent boats. I think it is in the larger boats that some of the learning mistakes.....plywood interior cockpit walls, plywood seat base structures, PVC lined limber holes, etc. were made. I also think the jury is out on the newer boats that have been designed post $5/gal fuel times. Sea Ray engineers have removed a lot of weight from the newer designs in order to make them more efficient. I trust their engineering ability and I have yet to see any structural or asthetic issues with the lighter construction techniques, but one must wonder if the weight removed resulted in a lighter less rigid structure.

Enjoy shopping and quit worrying about something that never happened.