brunswick Searay's vs pre 86 Searay's opinions

fwebster said:
Sea Ray was a lake boat company in the early 80's. In the mid to late 80's they offered larger models and more of them. The company and their engineers learned a lot about the effects of big water, salt air, and durability. As a result, we now have real rub rails instead of aluminum strips, fiberglass seat bases instead of plywood boxes, heavy gauge vinyl, stainless steel windshield frames instead aluminum ones, etc, etc.

For me, no thinks on the older models.......I much prefer the post-Brunswick boats.
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I am not sure how the hull layup went in the 90's but my boat is built very strong and heavy {22000 lbs}.... takes a big lake to make me worried...
 
Interesting article - a little incorrect on the Sea Ray sterndrive statement because they did have inboards too but suprising that Sea Ray was purchased for less.
 
When I first posted this thread I made a comment about Bayliner being a throw away boat in the 80's.I want to make an apology to anyone I might have offended.It wasn't cool of me at all to bash and truthfully I meant only to comment on Searay's seeming decline in quality.I take a lot of pride in the searay's that I've owned and I was a little put off by Brunswicks purchase of the company in 86.IPROF:you seem to have a wealth of info on Searay's and if I have any questions I'll know who to ask.But I will always have the same opinion of pre Brunswick Searay's.I've been in newer ones and I just like the heavier feel of an older Searay.So to anyone I may have offended I am truly sorry.
 
fwebster said:
Sea Ray ... and their engineers learned a lot about the effects of big water, salt air, and durability. As a result, we now have real rub rails instead of aluminum strips, fiberglass seat bases instead of plywood boxes, heavy gauge vinyl, stainless steel windshield frames instead aluminum ones, etc, etc.
Click to expand...

You do have some points. There is no doubt Sea Ray put screws in many places where they should have bolts. I laugh now when I find a screw and wonder where it came from. I had to make supports for the microwave. And like most boats then, they did use wood in the seat backs; lasted 21 years though. But after I fixed those items, very little has shaken loose.

These boats are functional. I can stand at the helm comfortably with enough space between the seat and the wheel. Wheel is at the right height standing or sitting. There are side decks, not wide but workable and a step where it needed. I can get to the bow in a flash, much quicker than opening a windshield especially with the canvas up. Or if I'm on the dock, I can step on the side deck to get on and go forward to check a bow line. Flat area on the foredeck to safely walk or kneel on while grabbing mooring whip or looking in the anchor locker. There is storage everywhere. The shelf along the berth is deep enough to hold stuff. There is out of sight storage by the berth and a place to put your book, eyeglasses, flashlight etc. If the boat is at a fixed pier, there is a step on the gunnel for low tide and you can easily step on the swim platform from the side unlike some newer boats. Side vent windows for hot, drizzly days when the canvas is up make a world of difference; a dinette that seats four facing each other for eating or games, a screened window in the aft cabin, stand and see over the windshield for night visibility, breakers rather than fuses for key items, high sides in the cockpit. These are well thought out boats.
 
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