I may say goodbye to Sea Ray

BrentJones

BrentJones

Member
Oct 4, 2006
405
Fenton/Lake Ozark, MO
Boat Info
2005 240 Sundeck
Engines
6.2L
After looking for 8 months or so for a 2001 - 2003 280DA that fits my needs, I'm thinking the process is becoming too difficult to look for only one style of boat. My local dealer keeps in touch with me on incoming boats, but the last three have sold by the time I have gotten back with him. Two of the three I wouldn't have wanted either because no gen or single engine.

So next thing I did was open my search to older 290s, which has also been difficult, but I haven't been searching for these as long. Unfortunately for this model my wife does not like the exterior as well as the 280. She feels like the lines are too straight and not curved enough like the more modern models.

So earlier this week, my dealer e-mailed me with a 2003 Four Winns 298 Vista they just got in. They are asking 95k for it, but even after negotiating, I'm not sure I would be able to get it where I want it. But I pretty much immediately rejected it, because I am so sure I wanted a 280. Well the next few days out of curiousity I had been searching these boats and researching what people say about them. I've been very impressed and my wife and I love the layout of the cockpit and interior very much. The only negatives I have read are the access to the engines and the propensity for a wet ride when conditions are really rough

So after really thinking about it, I may consider this boat. It makes me sad to think that I would have a different boat than a Sea Ray. :smt089 I've been so proud to tell people that we own a Sea Ray and to see all the awesome Sea Rays on the water and parked in front of multimillion dollar homes. But, I think I would get over it. A local dealer has one listed at 88k. It has a 5kw gen, twin 5.0s, here is a link. http://www.kellysport.com/boat_detail.asp?boat_id=531 If I get a chance to see it in person, I think I may make an offer of 75k, but I haven't looked at these boats enough to know how they are selling. I read a thread on another forum of a guy who was going through the negotiating process on a 2002 model that was listed for 74k and they took his offer of 69k. So does anyone have any experience or know of anyone that has with this boat or Four Winns in general?
 
What will happen to that Sundeck?
 
If I did not own a Sea Ray Sundancer, an Four Winns Vista would be on my short list for sure.

Plus you can get the much more reliable Volvo DP drives.
 
Great looking boat! We were at the Ft Lauderdale Boat Show this year and were really impressed by Four Winns. The other two we liked were Doral and Regal. FYI: JD powers rates Regal right up there with Sea Ray

Chazaroo
 
I looked at four winns and regal too. both are great boats. In my area, there were just a ton more sea rays to choose from.
 
And another thing...When we were looking for our boat, we went to :
http://www.denisonyachtsales.com
That site has the boat mls so you can search all over the country by year,manufacturer,number of engines, etc. It has photos and specs so you can get an idea of condition. You might give that a try.

Chazaroo
 
Dave S said:
Don't forget the dealer. That Four Winns boat is being sold by a Regal dealer. Do you have a good Four winns dealer in the area?

What about this Regal that dealer has.........bigger boat......similar price. http://www.kellysport.com/boat_detail.asp?boat_id=412
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After Regal got all the attention from the JD Powers rankings, I took a look at their boats. I don't like the exterior arch and the bunchiness of boat in general. As for the one for sale, the cabin looks nice, but I like the cockpit layout better of the Four Winns. We have, what I've heard, a good Four Winns dealer at our lake. Village Marina http://www.villagemarina.com, I have a good friend who bought a 310 Sea Ray from them and have them do all their service and it isn't under any warranty with them. They haven't once taken their 310 to MM.
 
Four Winns are built in Cadillac Michigan and they have a good reputation. You see lots of them in Michigan probably because they are locally built. A friend of mine had an older boat (maybe 10 years old at the time) that had rot in the transom. He called the factory to talk about the repair and they suggested he take it to the factory and they would have a look at it. They fixed it free of charge and as you would expect, it looked brand new. I was pretty impressed with the way they handled the problem. The Winns are avid boaters and I believe they sold the company to a bigger company (Brunswick???).
 
Another boat in the 90 to 100 k price range is the 29 foot Tiara. The Internet sites have a number for sale in this range, some as new as 2000. This is a better boat than the Four Winns.
 
Brent, I've been looking for the past month myself, and there are a few "Cruisers Yachts" 28'. Nice looking boats and the 28 comes with a 10' beam. May be worth a look.
 
goblue said:
Another boat in the 90 to 100 k price range is the 29 foot Tiara. The Internet sites have a number for sale in this range, some as new as 2000. This is a better boat than the Four Winns.
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I'm not sure if this is the style of boat I would want. It is like an Amberjack, right?

RiverRat said:
Brent, I've been looking for the past month myself, and there are a few "Cruisers Yachts" 28'. Nice looking boats and the 28 comes with a 10' beam. May be worth a look.
Click to expand...

I don't know if I dwell on this too much, but I really prefer the forward arch. That is why I don't like the Regals either.
 
i had a 98 290da with forward arch, a/c, gen, and twin engines. those aren't oo hard to find, and there isn't much different to their look than 280's.
 
ylwjacket said:
i had a 98 290da with forward arch, a/c, gen, and twin engines. those aren't oo hard to find, and there isn't much different to their look than 280's.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at 2000-2001 290s. They are a nice setup. I like the wider beam and the double helm seat. But after seeing the 298 Vista, I have to say the cockpit and cabin are a better layout for the same amount of $$$.
 
BrentJones said:
I've been looking at 2000-2001 290s. They are a nice setup. I like the wider beam and the double helm seat. But after seeing the 298 Vista, I have to say the cockpit and cabin are a better layout for the same amount of $$$.
Click to expand...

Everyone's choice in their boat is a matter of personal preference, and a very passionate one, at that.
My only piece of advice is to compare the residual values of your narrowed down list for 5 years and 10 years. Needless to say, a boat is not an investment, but residual value is an important factor.
We had narrowed our list to Sea Ray or Cruisers.
Priced 5 year old boats of the same size (30'), and the Sea Ray was worth 25% more than the Cruisers.

Best of luck with whatever you decide... :thumbsup:
 
Brent - There is a pretty good guy on BoatUS Jvalich who owns a 288 Fourwinns and tows it. He might be a good one to ask some questions about that brand. Wife and I boarded one of the Four Winn's 348's and liked it. Very competitive too SR's 340.


But just so you'll know, you will have to turn in your keys to the executive head when you leave SR. :wink:
 
Four Winn's is a nice boat - not near as in demand as a S-R at LOTO - but overall very nice fit and finish. Somethings they do better than S-R other things not as well. If you find a F-W's with Volvo's they seem to be a nice set-up. But until you close on the boat we will hold out hope that you find the right Sea Ray :grin:
 
STIHLBOLTS said:
Brent - There is a pretty good guy on BoatUS Jvalich who owns a 288 Fourwinns and tows it. He might be a good one to ask some questions about that brand. Wife and I boarded one of the Four Winn's 348's and liked it. Very competitive too SR's 340.


But just so you'll know, you will have to turn in your keys to the executive head when you leave SR. :wink:
Click to expand...

I've seen some of his post, I will PM him. Can I be the token Four Winns member? :grin:

skolbe said:
Four Winn's is a nice boat - not near as in demand as a S-R at LOTO - but overall very nice fit and finish. Somethings they do better than S-R other things not as well. If you find a F-W's with Volvo's they seem to be a nice set-up. But until you close on the boat we will hold out hope that you find the right Sea Ray
Click to expand...
This particular boat has the Volvos. It seems like everywhere you go on LOTO there is a Sea Ray, it is crazy. Do you have any examples of where they are weak in comparison to Sea Ray? If there was a 280DA for about 65k-70k with twins and genny, I would jump at that first. Damnit! Why did I have to throw this whole Four Winns thing in the mix and make things complicated! :smt021
 
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