Looking to buy 24-28 foot cruiser

P

paul Lamb

New Member
May 5, 2021
3
Boat Info
Seadoo
Engines
215
hello alll
Been looking for a boat this year for a couple months now and I am on other forms for JetSking in for years and I should’ve came out a form like this sooner. They are always a wealth of information.
I am in Niagara Falls Ontario Canada
Looking for a cruise or 24 to 28 feet. Possibly 2006 -2010 will be my price range.
My initial first question would be where can I access information that shows the different models they made during these years and how long that model was available before they made changes. Is it like vehicles the model stays the same for three for five years depending how well it does. If I’m looking at see a 2006 and that model changed in 2007 and had some nicer upgrades or better features maybe I should consider bumping up a year.
Really undecided if I want to stay with an 8 foot six beam or go wider.
I don’t think I will know for sure till I get a boat how often I would want to trailer it but if I did it would not be for only 30 minutes from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. I really have no intentions of trailering it further than that. Any input you have is greatly appreciated.
I’m hoping that the US border will open up shortly so I can shop in the states possibly Buffalo area or Michigan. The prices do seem to be a little better on the US side. If anybody knows of anythingThat’s available in these times I’d appreciate it US or Canadian side
Paul
 
The NADA boat guide can give you a general idea of what might be available ( https://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/Power-Boats ). One observation, if you are interested in the 2006 - 2010 range, many manufacturers started cutting corners to reduce expenses after the Great Recession of 2008. Look closely at any 2009 and 2010 boats. In many instances the 2006 - 2008 boats will be of better quality.
 
You can do your research on the Sea Ray website... they have all of the information on the older models. Look under "Owners Resources".

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!
 
Chip S said:
The NADA boat guide can give you a general idea of what might be available ( https://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/Power-Boats ). One observation, if you are interested in the 2006 - 2010 range, many manufacturers started cutting corners to reduce expenses after the Great Recession of 2008. Look closely at any 2009 and 2010 boats. In many instances the 2006 - 2008 boats will be of better quality.
Click to expand...
Thats interesting and a goo tip T.Y

Where do you loose the 2 feet from a 280 to a 260, on the deck in the cabin or a bit of both ?
 
Last edited:
JimG said:
You can do your research on the Sea Ray website... they have all of the information on the older models. Look under "Owners Resources".

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!
Click to expand...


No luck finding anything yet, I emailed them
 
Do not pay much to model number feet. I got a 91 250, became a 270 in 93 exact same boat, eventually became a 290. Same boat. Ya no shit. The mid 2000 260 is no bigger than a late 80’s 240. Numbers do not mean size.
 
paul Lamb said:
hello alll
Been looking for a boat this year for a couple months now and I am on other forms for JetSking in for years and I should’ve came out a form like this sooner. They are always a wealth of information.
I am in Niagara Falls Ontario Canada
Looking for a cruise or 24 to 28 feet. Possibly 2006 -2010 will be my price range.
My initial first question would be where can I access information that shows the different models they made during these years and how long that model was available before they made changes. Is it like vehicles the model stays the same for three for five years depending how well it does. If I’m looking at see a 2006 and that model changed in 2007 and had some nicer upgrades or better features maybe I should consider bumping up a year.
Really undecided if I want to stay with an 8 foot six beam or go wider.
I don’t think I will know for sure till I get a boat how often I would want to trailer it but if I did it would not be for only 30 minutes from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. I really have no intentions of trailering it further than that. Any input you have is greatly appreciated.
I’m hoping that the US border will open up shortly so I can shop in the states possibly Buffalo area or Michigan. The prices do seem to be a little better on the US side. If anybody knows of anythingThat’s available in these times I’d appreciate it US or Canadian side
Paul
Click to expand...

I just (yesterday) traded in a 2003 260da to Smith Boys in Buffalo. They'll probably be advertising it in the next few weeks. Great boat -- way better cockpit layout than the newer 260s. Low engine hours, well maintained, etc.
 
paul Lamb said:
No luck finding anything yet, I emailed them
Click to expand...
@paul Lamb Go to the owners section of the Sea Ray website. https://www.searay.com/us/en/owners.html

Scroll down to the bottom to find the "Resources" section. There is an option there for model archives. You will be able to select a year and a size range, and then it will give you a list of models for that year. You will be able to download the original spec sheet (PDF) for that model. The spec sheet will give you length, width, weight, and a rough layout, as well as a full list of standard and optional equipment.

You have to do the homework to research the model differences, but it is a really good starting point for understanding the models and how they change over time.
 
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