Bummer..IMO

ocgrant

ocgrant

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Dec 31, 2006
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So went to the Sea Ray booth at FLIBS and while I have always and will always take pride in owning a Sea Ray I have to say it was so disappointing to see what Sea Ray has become. While don't get me wrong these "day boats" they are building look nice but nothing sets them apart from everyone else. When you walk right out of Sea Ray and see Cruisers and what they have now and all these other brands that have popped up building nice mid-size boats that Sea Ray used to build so well it is depressing. Then to talk to these new brands and hear they are sold out for 3+ years. Just crazy that they could not manage their business plan better to still be in and dominating this segment of the industry right now. Instead they are building and taunting a 40 foot want to be cabin cruiser with gas guzzeling V12 outboards on the back of a tiny swim step when gas is hitting $5 a gallon. I guess I just don't get it.... Hard to wear this around the show anymore with the prestige it used to carry
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I hear you. I am a die hard SR fan, but I think they have lost their edge to other builders including the large day boat market. Look at Cruisers, Regal, and others. They are building the boats that SR used to dominate in the market, and selling every one of them.
When I look at the underlying systems like wiring, plumbing, etc, these other builders appear to be doing a much better job as well, not just the aesthetics.
 
Yes. I always caveat my "I'm a hard core Sea Ray fan," with, "when they made good boats."

And walking around the show, all the boats looked the same. It seems everyone started to generalize their designs to the masses instead of taking pride and courage or, dare I say, effort in personalized design.
 
paulswagelock said:
I hear you. I am a die hard SR fan, but I think they have lost their edge to other builders including the large day boat market. Look at Cruisers, Regal, and others. They are building the boats that SR used to dominate in the market, and selling every one of them.
When I look at the underlying systems like wiring, plumbing, etc, these other builders appear to be doing a much better job as well, not just the aesthetics.
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Agree 100%. Except for one small thing. On the Chesapeake, SR is still king. I can unload an SR quick here, find many SR for sale. others, TBD. I think its a regional thing.
 
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Yup - Im waiting 'til summer '23 for a concept - i spent time with a factory guy from TN (forget his name, but he ownes a new 32 dancer) and he did his best to try to convince me sea ray made someting that would suit my needs/wants - I told him to make a center console pachanga at a realistic price and I would be in......he said he does not see anything like that happening - sport boats have disapeared - even the slx models (smaller ones) are far more luxury than sport - I thought the 400 was very cool, but the offerings from formula and even tiara are very stiff compitition
 
Was at the Sea Ray booth Friday got my VIP pass and hat. They only had 5 boats I believe and the 400 SLX was their flagship. I asked about building a 250SDX and was told I could have it in March if the other manufacturers are sold out for years that’s not a good sign for Sea Ray as they can’t compete even in the small boat segment. I did get on other brands and have to say the Sea Ray was still built better one boat the anchor locker hinges where so tiny the door was wobbling.
I was disappointed in Sea Rays offerings but am still a loyal owner and hope they bounce back.
 
Boy have times changed……. I remember a time when you could work your way up in size comparing the various Sundance models and then being so impressed with the bridge boats….. I did get a VIP pass and a free Sea Ray hat for me and the Mrs. so there’s that…….
 
My wife and I had pretty much the same reaction after the 2019 Boston show. If we wanted a new day boat, Sea Ray had them, a cruiser - not so much.

The move to outboards is an industry thing. I saw recently (Soundings (?))that even Hinckley is now offering a Talaria model with outboards. Basically a similar layout to the larger Picnic Boat, but with hull optimized for outboards (Picnic Boats use Hamilton Jet drives). They do offer a lot of advantages, mainly just about every marine service operators work on outboards, but the number that work on sterndrive systems seems to be dropping.
 
“Sold out” means nothing.
Those are just deposits. Everything will change before a strand of chop is sprayed.
 
Had, loved, and looked forward to my next Sea Ray for over 30 years. No bigger fan until about 5-7 years ago. I still covet some of the older SRs, with the 48 dancer being way high on that list, but now you're looking at 10-15 year old boats and the issues that go along with that.

If the hull layup on the new 37 is like that of the 32 I saw on the sales floor then, forget it, they've lost their quality edge.

I have the hats, shirts and ownership pedigree but no path forward. I just wish someone would come in and reinvigorate the brand.
 
Was talking on the docks tonight with a poster from here, similar to the post above.

I started with Sea Ray. Sea Ray gave me a progression as I moved up. SR was the top end of the market.

Quality was always #1 in the market.

Did I leave Sea Ray or did Sea Ray leave me. Maybe it was Brunswick.

Was not Sea Ray employees, everyone I ever met had a passion for their customers.

What other boat brand has created such a loyal following?
 
I did the virtual FLBS and was also dissapointed. I love my 400EC but SR isn't making anything remotely like it. While the new boats are pretty, I can't get excited about them.
 
FootballFan said:
Was talking on the docks tonight with a poster from here, similar to the post above.

I started with Sea Ray. Sea Ray gave me a progression as I moved up. SR was the top end of the market.

Quality was always #1 in the market.

Did I leave Sea Ray or did Sea Ray leave me. Maybe it was Brunswick.

Was not Sea Ray employees, everyone I ever met had a passion for their customers.

What other boat brand has created such a loyal following?
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Good to see you both, enjoy the rest of your trip.
 
I'm very late to the Sea Ray party even though I owned one 30 years ago (24' Laguna with white "Sea Ray" outboards). I was completely out of boating for a number of years. Muscle cars and hot rods were my passion during my years in Florida. Why no boats in Florida? I was spoiled by fresh water boating growing up and salt water was too much upkeep for me. Being away from boats for so long, I didn't even know Sea Ray was out of the bigger boat market. I've always liked Sundancers and decided to buy much older than I'd like just to get the size I wanted without tying up too much cash.

Sea Ray should look into reviving the Venture I actually like the hidden outboard idea. With fixed powerheads like the Merc 600's they could package 3 or 4 tight to one another.
 
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Pirate Lady said:
Agree 100%. Except for one small thing. On the Chesapeake, SR is still king. I can unload an SR quick here, find many SR for sale. others, TBD. I think its a regional thing.
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Yeah, I think that is because of Prince William Marina though. That place could sell a sea ray to an eskimo. I almost drank their cool aid.
 
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