L580

Thanks for the link, time to drool.
 
This is pretty sick. Now I'm chomping at the bit to see the fly bridge layout. Loving the rest.

Fwebstr - why are the Zeus drives a deal breaker?
 
I had some expectation about the new 58 Fly but don't like these initial specs. First, it's smaller than a 58 DB. Also at this point they have to take the beam to 17' at least, 16' is just too narrow for this type of boat. I've been on similar size boats of other brands, and the extra beam makes a big difference (the 650 Fly is nice, but also too narrow for a yacht that size and price). Are the triple engines a joke ? they probably mean more fuel burn and maintenance. Let's give it a chance and see it first hand in a few weeks at FLIBS.
 
Stunnerable said:
This is pretty sick. Now I'm chomping at the bit to see the fly bridge layout. Loving the rest.

Fwebstr - why are the Zeus drives a deal breaker?
Click to expand...


1. Super high maintenance…3 Cummins engines vs. 2 Cats or another lower maintenance brand in the 700 hp class
2. High fuel consumption
3. High risk of another Merc new product that the buying public is being asked to prototype
4. Sea Ray prices are cost driven and Zeus is a lot more expensive then inboard transmissions; 3 engines are more expensive than 2, so the 3 Zeus configuration is going to be an expensive boat.


I was very fortunate to get to spend several days with Capt. Higgins when he returned the 650FLY to FLorida from NY. I am disappointed that Sea Ray decided not to make the 580 a little brother to the 650FLY/Express. I applaud innovation, but the 650 is so close to perfect in the way she runs, performs and handles they may have been better served to copy a great design than do something radical like the 3 engine Zeus configuration. As far as the larger beam comments go, well, I"ll just leave that one to the naval architects at Sea Ray. If the 650 is any measure, they don't need our help.
 
Thanks that makes sense. Sounds like due to the triple pod setup the price difference between the l580 and l650 might not be as drastic as it "should" be. A brand new 580DB was what, 2.25-2.5? Following that line of thought the l580 may come in around 3ish possibly more? If that's the case a lightly owned 580DB will be THE bargain.

As for the beam, its the same width as the outgoing 580 so what's the big deal? Also, gauging by the l650's use of space, this should be an absolutely more spacious 58 footer. I just hope the fly bridge is laid out in a way that it keeps the pilot involved with the rest of the passengers. Not a fan of this European layout.
 
One thing I've noticed it seems with the new boats - is they're really going to a straight lined, linear interior. I looked at a new 450, and much like this vessel - I was like "wow" on the outside - but not so much on the inside. The linear, boxy look is just that. I understand it probably maximizes space/usage - but to me it does so at the cost of appearance and personality.
 
One of the most frustrating things on this forum are members who don't understand SeaRay (and most manufacturer) models now match their length. This change happened in 2010.

Don't compare a pre-2010 model size specs with a current model number. That is an inaccurate way or looking at things.

The triple engines is likely a calculation of weight vs horsepower. Several boat builders use three engines. I'm guessing SR selected Zeus because of competing boats. You are hard pressed to find a boat in the 40-60' range without a joystick these days. Volvo IPS is very popular with other builders.

Im not saying I support the triple engines, I'm just saying they are the result of engineering.

The layout of this boat is nice. Will have to wait to see it in person to form a final opinion.
 
Fly'n Family said:
One thing I've noticed it seems with the new boats - is they're really going to a straight lined, linear interior. I looked at a new 450, and much like this vessel - I was like "wow" on the outside - but not so much on the inside. The linear, boxy look is just that. I understand it probably maximizes space/usage - but to me it does so at the cost of appearance and personality.
Click to expand...

The current 450 layout is about six years old. And I've heard may get an update for 2016.

The design/layout of today's boats is more straight lines and fewer curves. This is an interior design change and a style across most brands. Think of it like this, a home built today would utilize current design standards and not look like a home build 10-15 years ago.

I don't mind the linear approach as long as you have some opposed seating or seating in a way where people can converse. I know on my boat people sit around and talk, eat and drink.

Gone are the days of curved couches and bulkheads and from a design perspective I think this is just personal preference.
 
sfergson727 said:
I have to agree. I walked through a new 470 a couple days ago at my Sea Ray dealer. I liked the master stateroom, but various things had me scratching my head. Example, in the master stateroom, there is a lovely sink, very fashionable. That is, until you look at it and the depth of the bowl, which is about 2 inches, maybe 3 at most. Any water in that basin will be on the floor with the slightest movement.

The television in the salon is located at a right angle to the couch on the starboard side, and over a 45 degree angle to the port side, which makes it very difficult for anyone to watch it. The sliding roof is nice, but I didn't see any way to get ventilation to the salon beyond that. Maybe it's just me, but part of being in a boat is being exposed to the elements. If I wanted to sit in complete air conditioned comfort and look at water, I'd buy a home on the beach. In this boat, if you want to experience the wind and water, you need to ride on the fore deck, as the stern seating may as well be inside.

To me the boat looked very narrow and linear, not really that appealing. In fact, in all honesty, the dealer had a 44 Meridian next to the 470, and if I were in a position to purchase either boat, I would choose the Meridian. To Sea Ray, I love the boats of the past, but as a new boat customer, you've lost me since 2008.
Click to expand...

Were you on the current 470? A new one comes out in 2015 and the layout is dramatically different.

Meridian is SeaRays answer for boaters who like the older designs. R&D dollars and focus is on the SR line. And this is what I was told when I toured Palm Coast. The two boats are made side by side.

For now, the sedan bridge is not a boat consumers are buying. They buy fly models and sport yachts. If an owner wants to be out in the elements drive from the fly. If they want complete AC drive from the lower helm. This is what I don't get about boaters here who want the fly enclosed. There is an enclosed helm down below. That's the point.

I do several trips a year where I'm at the wheel for hours and I'd love to get out of the summer heat and sun for a bit. Plus a break from the noise.

I think one of the things SeaRay learned the hard way is that boaters love their boats so much they get one and hold onto it for a long time. They need new people to buy their boats to stay in business. They've designed boats that compete with the global market.

Other US builders have abandoned the sport yacht category.
Carver isn't making anything over 41'.
Look at Four Winns, Formula tops out at 45'.
 
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sfergson727 said:
Maybe it's just me, but part of being in a boat is being exposed to the elements. If I wanted to sit in complete air conditioned comfort and look at water, I'd buy a home on the beach.
Click to expand...

Silly boy Scott. Don't you know that SR has changed their marketing tactics. They no longer want to sell boats to boaters. We already own boats. They want to sell beach front homes that move to people who don't own boats, don't know about boats, don't know what's important to have (and not to have) on a boat.

I'm with you....they lost me as a customer many years back when they started buying their interiors from Home Depot an Ikea.
 
sfergson727 said:
I guess that would explain the advent of the joystick controlled boat.....no boating knowledge needed or wanted.
Click to expand...

Show me one large commercial vessel, cruise ship, etc made today without a joystick.
SR puts the joystick on the 650Fly. Not really a boat for a first time boater. My boat doesn't have a joystick. I have good old fashioned v drives and rarely touch my bow thruster. If I had a joystick I'd likely use it, but I still know how to do it the old fashioned way.

The designs are what they are. As someone in his 30's I like the new designs and I will likely move up in the next few years.

One thing to keep in mind is that Brunswick sells nearly 70% of its boats in N. America. That includes SeaRay. Buyers must like the designs because they are selling them. My dealer sold both its 510DA and 510Fly very quickly after they arrived this season. They've moved a couple of 350's and a 470 this season as well.

We'll all have differing opinions and buy different boats for different reasons. SeaRay is looking to sell to new customers and expand the brand. That's what any good company should be doing.
 
Ryan, I don't disagree with what you said. Plus, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I'm not alone in the group that does not care for (read that as--"would not buy") a boat with the eurodesign styling. I just don't like it, and I don't like the interiors that many companies are putting in boats these days.

Home Depot must be doing a great business!
 
Wish you all would come to the Lauderdale Boat Show (FLIBS) where we will have the new 580L, the 650L, and a cornucopia of new products. You can all offer your respected opinions to me and I will explain all we do to you.

I love this type of discussion as it brings about product enhancements everytime. Your words do matter to me.

R
 
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