Brunswick dumping Sports Yachts and Yachts. Where do we stand?

L

Laualarry

New Member
Dec 3, 2017
21
Boat Info
400 Fly 2018
Engines
2 x 480-hp Cummins QSB6.7 480 HO Diesel V-Drives
As an owner of a late model Sports Yacht (18' 400 fly) what are everyone's thoughts going forward. It is my understanding they will be keeping a small team to deal with warranty work and customer service for these models in the near future but what happens five years from now? Did the owners of these yachts take a hit on value moving forward? I think it is a shame they decided to stop production of these lines.
 
I doubt that Sea Ray’s discontinuance of particular models or class of boats will have much impact on the resale of a 5 year old vessel.
 
How much more of a hit is possible, when it comes to a boat, LOL. But, seriously, you love your boat? Be happy, don't worry!

My opinion, more possibility of upside for you. They are awesome boats, in which Sea Ray had more invested and into, than the market was willing to bear. Meaning, you have quality through and through. It would be worse, if you had a 2nd rate brand that went belly up.

Sea Ray isn't going anywhere, and it wouldn't be of any surprise if they started to inch back into bigger vessels the moment blood can be seen in the water.
 
I don't think this will affect resale values of preowned searays. there is such a huge following on the searay brand and they have built so many slam dunk models, 34da, 40da, 44da, 44db, 48da 48db, 52bd, 510, 540, 580 sundancer. I do believe if you own one of the new models launched this may be an issue like the new 520 sundancer or bridge....there aren't many built and very little exposure. One of the reasons ive always stayed with the brand was sale ability. I bought my 48 da 5 years ago and can probably sell it for 10% less than what I paid. all these models above are well sought after and will always sell.
Not sure about the L class as I don't know that market. I do see a lot of them offered preowned though.
 
Additionally - most of the non-structure interior items are outsourced anyway and just integrated into the design so parts availability should be no different long term.

-Kevin
 
Most of the high quality boat companies have skated with financial disaster over the years they have been in business. It is a tough industry. People still appreciate their products even if the brand has been beaten up a bit. You don't see too many Tollycrafts on Lake Michigan any more but they did hang around for years after the company stopped making them because they were well made. Original Bertrams, same thing in spite of the bottom problems they had. Great sea boats. Hatteras was propped up by a well know customer who infused the company with cash because he loved the boats the company built. Viking nearly went belly up a while back. There was a time a while back when Tiara built parts for boat companies in Asia to survive. They even made windmill blades. Sea Ray's problems are not unique. Their boats that were popular when new, are likely to remain so if they are well maintained and hold up structurally. Most of the things that break or wear out can be replaced by third parties. Not the best scenario, but it's a little too soon to hang crepe.
 
WOW just got the e-mail..... about this. :(

Email below:

As an iconic brand for nearly 60 years, Sea Ray represents a favorite way to spend time with friends and family for the more than 300,000 people that have owned a Sea Ray and countless others who aspire to own one. Thank you for being part of the Sea Ray story, which continues to evolve.

This week, we announced plans to wind down Sea Ray sport yacht and yacht production. You may be a bit surprised, but know that the future is bright for Sea Ray. This decision was not easy, and provides the best long-term growth strategy for Sea Ray.

True to our heritage, all Sea Ray boats are manufactured to exacting standards of quality and performance. Sea Ray is supported by the best, most-awarded, dealers in the world and backed by Brunswick Corporation, the largest marine company in the industry. Together, we are committed to providing outstanding service and support to you, consistent with the Sea Ray brand promise and history.

On behalf of the Sea Ray team and our world-class dealer partners, we deeply appreciate your loyalty and look forward to delivering you the best boating experience in your Sea Ray. If you are interested in purchasing a Sea Ray, please CLICK HERE to contact your local Sea Ray dealer.

As with all new Sea Ray products, you will receive a full, factory warranty, so that you can focus your time on what truly matters – the memories you make with the ones you love on the water.

Sincerely,
The Sea Ray Team
 
KevinC said:
Additionally - most of the non-structure interior items are outsourced anyway and just integrated into the design so parts availability should be no different long term.

-Kevin
Click to expand...

True, but there is a minor flaw in your logic. Brunswick still has vendor agreements in place thqat prevent most vendors from selling to anyone but a Brunswick company or a dealer. For exampler try to buy something for a Sea Ray from TaylorMade...........

My boat is 21 years old and between what I can find and the parts manager at my dealership, I haven't had a problem finding anything I have needed, but sometimes it takes a while to find replacements.
 
fwebster said:
...For exampler try to buy something for a Sea Ray from TaylorMade...
Click to expand...

I have tried and still have a broken foot on one Taylormade hatch leg because of it. Never have enough time to get to MM for such a small part. But the idea is atleast we can still get parts.

-Kevin
 
The company is still around, and there should be no problem with warranty work for boats that applies to.
Boats that are out of warranty are generally serviced and repaired by someone other than Sea Ray anyway.
Whatever documentation Sea Ray has provided to buyers of used boat should continue since that is a customer service thing. My 410 was out of production for almost 15 years when I bought it and their customer service was still able to send me PDF’s of manuals and the original order sheet.
As I said in another thread: I think the drastic styling change and seemingly significant price increases over the past several years were both bad moves. Hopefully the folks that made those decisions have found other employment.
The styling is an acquired taste and was a bold departure from what has worked for them for decades. Besides not being crazy about the look of them, they don’t work for how I use the boat. I suspect that may be true for most Sundancer owners.
One of the great things about the Sundancer is enjoying time on the boat with friends and family and all the cockpit seating was an important part of that. It could be enjoyed on the hook, at the dock, or even enabled me to interact with guests while I was running the boat. That’s probably why they dominated the market for so many years. The new styling eliminated that important aspect.
While all boats have increased in price over the last few years, it seemed to me that Sea Rays have increased at a larger percent. Not sure if that’s true, but it seemed that way in my boat show visits.
I always considered Sea Rays to be like the Buick or Oldsmobile of boats. A cut above a Chevy, but short of a Cadillac. Seemed to me like they started pricing their big boats like Cadillacs. At that pricing level, there were other options for potential buyers to consider.
Hopefully their new business plan will be successful.
 
Interesting news out of the Palm Coast Sea Ray plant: the past week was spent chainsawing apart nearly completed big boats. I heard this from our neighbor who knows a lot of folks who used tto work there.
 
My guess is, warranties will continue to be handled through their existing channels. As with all discontinued models, parts and expertise will begin to dwindle over time.
 
I'll say this. Was at Marina today and saw some Sea Ray "sport yachts." Only one word came to mind -- FUGLY. No wonder why they don't sell. :)
 
bobeast said:
My guess is, warranties will continue to be handled through their existing channels. As with all discontinued models, parts and expertise will begin to dwindle over time.
Click to expand...

Sea Ray is retaining customer service personnel as well as the warranty service staff in order to honor their warranty obligations which extend to 3 years after the date of sale. There will be no need to keep a lot of parts....the warranty service guys can fix any fiberglass parts better and stronger than a replacement. Most everything else is vendor supplied and is warranted by the manufacturer.
 
Third Edition said:
Interesting news out of the Palm Coast Sea Ray plant: the past week was spent chainsawing apart nearly completed big boats. I heard this from our neighbor who knows a lot of folks who used tto work there.
Click to expand...
As an employee of the Palm Coast plant I can say as of 6/28 there have been no boats disassembled or cut up.
 
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