Follow the 650FLY on Her Journey Back to Florida

Glad you had the opportunity to go Frank. I am sure you two old farts had a blast. And, that is partly what life is all about.

Your writings about the trip south are a superior documentation of the real world use of a brand new multi-million dollar boat. It is not the type of review that a reporter, or even a potential buyer, can get from riding around for a day or so. If you are impressed with the vessel, then that is a strong statement about the finished product.

If I were the publisher of a magazine on boating, I would ask your permission to put your article in it.


As far as Rusty goes, I do not believe that there is a finer example of customer service on the planet than Captain Rusty Higgins. 'nuff said.
 
The squeak was probably caused by their breathing, when the depth gauge dropped under 5 feet - instant asthma!

DAle
 
I think Frank needs to do an annual blog. "Behind the Wheel".
 
QUOTE=fwebster;771698]

Here is a closer view........the buildings on the right are the VAB (Vertical Assembly Building) where the space shuttles were placed in a vertical position then the rocket fuel tanks attached. The structure on the left is what remains of the last shuttle launch pad:


View attachment 36475


This is a replica of Alan Shepherd's Freedom 7 capsule and the Mercury-Redstone rocket that propelled him into space for the first U.S. human space flight.



View attachment 36479[/QUOTE]

HMM - which side of the yellow security buoys were you guys on?

Tom
 
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Frank - what was causing the one squeak ?

Carter,

This is the prototype boat for the 650L class. The designers and engineers haven't even seen the boat since the first week in May. The boat hasn't been stopped long enough for a mechanic to even climb onboard, much less address something as minor as a squeak. We should give Sea Ray the opportunity to correct minor issues without airing them in public. You know me and if I could only find a few minor issues, (and I was on her full time for 10 days) then this is a tremendous boat. If this one fit our style of boating and was suitable for our use, I'd still be in Florida trying to make a deal with the sales guys on this boat.
 
That speaks volumes about Sea Ray's quality of construction - that a PD&E prototype boat could go out for nearly 3 months with such great results.
 
Looking at those pictures of the secret channel to the factory basin - made me think of Batman and Robin working their way back into the BatCave. Was Alfred there waiting with refreshments on a silver tray.

Does that channel show up on the Bat-Plotter, or on BATdar... Same BatTime, Same BatChannel - the dynamic duo works their magic.

The magic was a great blog about a great trip. Thank you for sharing your comments and photos.
 
Batman

Here is the way to the Bat Cave.

searaydr.jpg
 
Frank, I've been sitting quietly on the sidelines, reading and enjoying your write up and photos. I found a lot of similarities about the way the 650 handles and operates and my boat, it's older sista'. I really agree with you on one thing....there's nothing quite like having that much bulk and that much weight moving over the water at 35mph! My boat is smaller and lighter than the 650 so I can only imagine the "WOW" factor is amplified from what I feel when running at speed.

I must admit that when I first saw the pics of the 650 I didn't think much of it. Now, after seeing it from many angles it has really grown on me. There are a lot of things that I see about her that I find appealing.

I hope when the SR engineers get done with her they will evaluate some of the features on the boat and let those trickle down into the production of the smaller boats.

Thank you for taking the time to do such a complete writeup on the boat and the trip. It was nice to tag along with you and Rusty and see a part of the country I'll probably never boat in.
 
Good to be back home !

But if I must be away and on the water, the 650FLY is the coolest boat ever to spend two and a half months on.
The FLY and I have returned from our Coastal Tour and after a couple days off to spend with family and best friend (my Lab, Babe), I have to make an entry to this post thanking everyone I was able to meet and spend time with along the way. I so enjoyed each port of call to have you guys come and see me (I know you used me as an excuse to see the 650, and that was just fine with me.)

It was a trip of a life-time to cruise on that gorgeous vessel from the West Coast of FLA all the way to Boston and back. No telling how many miles I logged in, or how many cool places I got to see by water because what’s most important to me was seeing you. I did have a few folks ride along with me from one port of call to the other and it was my absolute pleasure to have you aboard. FW was an asset for me on my return trip as I was just about played out and he re-energized me to make it back from NYC to sunny Florida. Thanks Frank and sure hope we can do it again!

The CSR gang in Atlantic City is and always will be the true definition of what “Brand Loyalty” means and you guys do it to the max. If I name one of you I will have to name you all and the list will take pages upon pages to recite. I still have to thank Dr. Ron for putting my smile back together half way through my trip otherwise I would not have been myself. I consider myself a rich man simply because of a group of boat owners, I call friends. I am not an owner but instead just an employee of a company that you support and for the life of me I cannot think of anyone else who could possibly enjoy the comradery that I do. It is you the Sea Ray owners that make my co-workers and I feel like family…not many companies can say that and it makes Sea Ray Boats that much more valuable.

The 650’s are enjoying a strong showing in both consumers’ enthusiasm and media excitement. I had no less than three different boating publications onboard at different times and they all walked away with a wow factor looming. The Costal Tour and all its exposure was the creation of our VP Matt (searaycorporate) and he and his team of Shelby & Natalie made sure there were no loose ends for me to encounter. Great work on Matt's part to have the 650FLY highly exposed all the way up the East Coast of the USA. The stimuli in sales will be to his department’s credit.

The memories are golden, the FLY was superb and my log book is full….I and the FLY are both home without a scratch on either of us and I will soon be boarding another one for destinations everywhere. I will keep you posted.

Thank you again everyone. I am honored to be included in such a crowd.

And of course…Go Sea Ray !

Capt. Rusty Higgins
 
Love the 650 fly, the Searay brand, the fellow Searay owners and last but not least Rusty Higgins our freind!

Thanks for all that you do Rusty!
 
Well said Captain Rusty! It was great to see you on three different occasions along the way, you were a very busy man but always an accommodating gentleman and outstanding ambassador for your company. Glad you made it home safe, and hope to see you again soon. I'm sure a tour like that was not inexpensive in terms of fuel and dockage, etc. but getting the Fly out there in the eyes and hands of the consumer via these formal and informal events seems like it was a home run.
 
Thanks Rusty and Frank... I would sure like to meet the both of you in person one day! :thumbsup:
 

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