newbie in KY, new to boating and Searay!

M

mattkats1

New Member
Dec 9, 2007
25
Hola all! I've been perusing the site for months researching a possible purchase and now am weeks away from making it a reality. I've bounced back and forth between SeaRay and Four Winns, finally settling on a 98 215 Express Cruiser with low hours. This seems to be a good choice for my limited experience with boats and my intended purpose, fun overnights and fishing with my two kids, ages 6 and 7. We will be 99% on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, one deep and one fairly shallow.

Looking forward to getting to know more of you better as well as picking your brains on the 215. Wonderful site can't wait to start digging deeper.

Your thoughts welcome as are past experiences with the 215EC.

Thanks in advance.

Matthew
 
Welcome mattkats1,

We boat on Lake Cumberland and have been on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes several times, you are going to really enjoy the boating experince. Best family activity available!
 
Welcome to the board!! The 215 is a nice boat. What type of options are on the boat? (power package etc...)
 
Welcome aboard. Lets see the pictures of the "new to you" boat when you get her.
 
Guys...thanks for the welcome! So far as I can tell the boat has the standard 220 hp V8, full canvas package, pressurized water system, GPS, depth finder and radio. Other than the aluminum trailer, I don't see a ton of options. It has 225 hours and looks to be pretty clean (this coming from a guy who keeps his cars and things minty clean lol). It is a brokerage boat at Marinemax Altoona, probably Lake Lanier (?) and with trailer priced at $14500. I read the one thread though about the deal falling through due to the boat being a turd in reality.

I guess I will find out for sure when I drive down. I made sure the deal was pending the boat checking out. Owner claims it is 95-99% mint. The pics I have seen seem to back it up but only a site visit will tell the truth.

What do you all think? The other boat I was considering was a Four Winns 238 Vista for several thousand more and about 300 miles (one way) further. I was worried that cruiser might be too big for my first "dive" into boating. Also too heavy for a V6 Explorer to haul as well.
 
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I had a 215 for 1-1/2 years. It was a great boat. I am sure you will enjoy the boat. It's good for the occassional overnight in the fall and spring. Not great for every weekend staying on it. But a great day boat.
 
Welcome aboard Matt, You made the right choice with the Sea Ray. You and you'r crew will have a ball this summer!!!!!!
 
Matt,

Welcome aboard! We took delivery on a 215 Weekender this past May and had a blast all summer. We looked at several used 215EC's before deciding on a new, leftover 2006. It is essentially the same boat. At some point Sea Ray added 6" and 970 lbs.

We hope to make a trip down to Kentucky this summer.

Enjoy your new toy!
 
thanks again for the warm welcome! my kids are really excited about going out on the lake...hope they enjoy the freedom as much as I will.

What is involved in adding a small tv to the cabin? Running off battery power. Thanks in advance!
 
hoosier..maybe we can meet up this coming spring at the lake. Thanks for the welcome!

I am picking the boat up first week of January, purchase pending a sea trial and visual inspection. At the price I am getting it, I have to admit I am a tad skeptical as it seems to be one of those "too good to be true" deals. But it is a MarineMax brokered boat, and I've heard good things about their rep. Pics look good, hours are low, and the owner is said to be in need of cash and just doesn't use it anymore. That coupled with it being winter and the market kinda stalled, maybe this for once won't be a typical letdown. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! :thumbsup:
 
Matt, Hopefully we can meet up this coming spring at the lake.
We've already had too much winter in my opinion. Maybe Santa will bring lots of new toys for the boat. It sounds like you might have lucked into a great deal. Good luck.
 
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