Hifirush
Member
- Mar 21, 2014
- 542
- Boat Info
- 1998 330 DA, 7.4 MPI with V-Drives, raw water cooled, Westerbeke
- Engines
- twin 7.4 MPI’s with V-Drives
The Admiral and I went to the Dallas Boat show Saturday afternoon. We are not in the market for a boat, but like going to show just to look at the boats and get ideas for upgrades and see what accessories are available. It was a perfect day for the show, raining! The crowds were not too bad and the kids seemed (with a couple exceptions) well behaved.
This past year has been the first year we have had a boat in 18 years (and instead of our old SR200BR Sig, we have a DA), so we had a different perspective on boating and what we like and what we want in boating. We have spent our first year cleaning and working out the bugs of our 18 year old baby. That is still a work in progress. We also did quite a bit of time on the water, which is the whole point to us. But in addition, we also learned about how we will use our dock as well, and are definately part of a family at the dock. So, the boat itself and the dock are important to our life as boaters.
The Admiral tried a paddle board on a cruise one year and fell in love with doing it. We wanted to get one for the dock, since we have a LOT of room to use one. We had a chance to look at a couple of them. One of the promenant ski shops in the DFW had a display of skis and some paddle boards. Didn’t buy one, but know what we like and will start looking online to get one.
One thing that we noticed about this show, is there is a LOT of smaller boats. I mean, many ski boats, open bows and fishing boats. Probably about 15-1 ratio. Not that I have a probablem with that, but mine (our) interest is in cruisers. But there was some of them, from Cruiser, Sea Ray, Chapparral, Four Winns and a I think others.
MM is the SR dealer here, and had sundancers on display. They really are gorgeous inside and out. If I were in the market and had that kind of money, I’d buy a newer model, probably a 350 or 370, both of which were on display. Fit and finish, style and a certain “feel” you get onboard. It just felt like being home.
One of our members here recently purchased a 370 Venture and I wanted to see one, again. They had one last year, I remember it specifically, but I really wanted to see it again after a year of boating. Oh well, maybe next year!
The Chapparrals were nice too. The finish is nice and the overall feel is pretty good, but..... My wife was constantly looking in closets, storage areas and how she would use the galley. Again, Sea Ray would win the day there too.
The Cruisers we very nice, but the Admiral still liked the DA’s better. They had on display a 470 (I think) Cruisers flying bridge that was very nice. Not in my price range but even it were, I think we would look to the Sea Ray's again. But they definately had some great cabin layouts and first class features.
I am getting on board with Sea Ray’s new designs. I like them and can see the thinking. I like the windows that are lower and give you a view of the water from the cabin. I am also liking the the different, squarish cushions the interior is upholstered in. The one complaint the Admiral had was the stairs from the cockpit are right down the middle, eating up room and open “feeling” of the cabin.
That being said, the new DA’s have steps from the cockpit to the forward deck, through the windshield! I like that and so does the Admiral. By doing this, the cockpits are slightly wider and the cabins are too, but the steps intrude. Give and take.
As for other items of interest for us, we are adding a grill to the boat this year. I was hopng they had some dinghies there, but if anyone had them, I missed them. SeaDoo was there and that is another thing we will be getting.
There were representatives from all the local marinas and even some from neighboring states. Plenty of gimmicks, weight loss, hand lotion, message chairs and the like. Kinda carnival like! But, it was a well spent afternoon. But it also gave both of us a better appreciation of our 330DA, in spite of her age. I have NEVER regretted purchasing it and even more so now. For our budget and wants and needs (as we saw them a year ago) it was and is the right boat for us! But someday, when we upgrade, Sea Ray again!
I know those of you on the coasts have much better boat shows. Bigger boats, and all kinds of “boating accessories” too. But we in the land locked areas have to suffer smaller shows. But, if you are thinking of going to the DFW boat show, just go, you’ll find something of interest. Sea Ray is well represented and if you want to compare, there are some others as well!
Matt
This past year has been the first year we have had a boat in 18 years (and instead of our old SR200BR Sig, we have a DA), so we had a different perspective on boating and what we like and what we want in boating. We have spent our first year cleaning and working out the bugs of our 18 year old baby. That is still a work in progress. We also did quite a bit of time on the water, which is the whole point to us. But in addition, we also learned about how we will use our dock as well, and are definately part of a family at the dock. So, the boat itself and the dock are important to our life as boaters.
The Admiral tried a paddle board on a cruise one year and fell in love with doing it. We wanted to get one for the dock, since we have a LOT of room to use one. We had a chance to look at a couple of them. One of the promenant ski shops in the DFW had a display of skis and some paddle boards. Didn’t buy one, but know what we like and will start looking online to get one.
One thing that we noticed about this show, is there is a LOT of smaller boats. I mean, many ski boats, open bows and fishing boats. Probably about 15-1 ratio. Not that I have a probablem with that, but mine (our) interest is in cruisers. But there was some of them, from Cruiser, Sea Ray, Chapparral, Four Winns and a I think others.
MM is the SR dealer here, and had sundancers on display. They really are gorgeous inside and out. If I were in the market and had that kind of money, I’d buy a newer model, probably a 350 or 370, both of which were on display. Fit and finish, style and a certain “feel” you get onboard. It just felt like being home.
One of our members here recently purchased a 370 Venture and I wanted to see one, again. They had one last year, I remember it specifically, but I really wanted to see it again after a year of boating. Oh well, maybe next year!
The Chapparrals were nice too. The finish is nice and the overall feel is pretty good, but..... My wife was constantly looking in closets, storage areas and how she would use the galley. Again, Sea Ray would win the day there too.
The Cruisers we very nice, but the Admiral still liked the DA’s better. They had on display a 470 (I think) Cruisers flying bridge that was very nice. Not in my price range but even it were, I think we would look to the Sea Ray's again. But they definately had some great cabin layouts and first class features.
I am getting on board with Sea Ray’s new designs. I like them and can see the thinking. I like the windows that are lower and give you a view of the water from the cabin. I am also liking the the different, squarish cushions the interior is upholstered in. The one complaint the Admiral had was the stairs from the cockpit are right down the middle, eating up room and open “feeling” of the cabin.
That being said, the new DA’s have steps from the cockpit to the forward deck, through the windshield! I like that and so does the Admiral. By doing this, the cockpits are slightly wider and the cabins are too, but the steps intrude. Give and take.
As for other items of interest for us, we are adding a grill to the boat this year. I was hopng they had some dinghies there, but if anyone had them, I missed them. SeaDoo was there and that is another thing we will be getting.
There were representatives from all the local marinas and even some from neighboring states. Plenty of gimmicks, weight loss, hand lotion, message chairs and the like. Kinda carnival like! But, it was a well spent afternoon. But it also gave both of us a better appreciation of our 330DA, in spite of her age. I have NEVER regretted purchasing it and even more so now. For our budget and wants and needs (as we saw them a year ago) it was and is the right boat for us! But someday, when we upgrade, Sea Ray again!
I know those of you on the coasts have much better boat shows. Bigger boats, and all kinds of “boating accessories” too. But we in the land locked areas have to suffer smaller shows. But, if you are thinking of going to the DFW boat show, just go, you’ll find something of interest. Sea Ray is well represented and if you want to compare, there are some others as well!
Matt
