Newbie looking to begin buying

[byoun07]

Hello from Wisconsin. I found this site on the 9th page of Sea Ray research. It's already been more helpful than other research I have done. We have 2 young children and are looking at the 205 sport, 210 select, and 210 sundeck. There are 2008 models in stock and I have no idea how to negotiate pricing. Any suggestions? Looks like rebates are currently off the table. Lists are 32k, 48.5k, and 61k respectively. My wife likes all 3---preference is the 210 sundeck.

 

[Jack F]

Check this out

http://clubsearay.com/?p=14

 

[thomas]

Byoun,
PM me your email address and I will get you some pricing of what has sold ,and how much it has sold for from the brokers page at soldboats.com

 

[mwph]

CSR has got to be the best place for research. The article linked in the above post should certainly help. I'll suggest you use the Advanced Search feature under User Control Panel. This helps makes the best use of your time. Are you sure you want to buy new?

Anyway, welcome to CSR!

 

[bushway9172]

Welcome aboard.

We started off with a 220 Sundeck - Great starter boat. Handled ocean waves very nicely for its size and lack of trim tabs. Very comfortable, great layout, great performance, and we even stayed dry most of the time!

Enjoy the wealth of info on this site (it's helped me a ton) and keep us updated.

 

[Marbilous]

I have to ask the same question as "MWPH" - are you sure you want to buy new? After buying my first three boats new and moving up regularly I realized that the depreciation was killing me when I only kept the boat for a year or two. On our current boat we shopped around carefully and got an excellent deal on an older boat in pristine condition. Wish I had done that the first time out. Something to think about

 

[jhild]

I have to ask the same question as "MWPH" - are you sure you want to buy new? After buying my first three boats new and moving up regularly I realized that the depreciation was killing me when I only kept the boat for a year or two. On our current boat we shopped around carefully and got an excellent deal on an older boat in pristine condition. Wish I had done that the first time out. Something to think about

I concur. It will likely take you a season or two to determine how you and your family will use the boat. You might just find yourself shopping again in a couple years for the “perfect” boat once you know what you really want. (Very few people get it right the first time, myself included.) If you buy new, you’re going to take a sizeable depreciation hit. (And if you finance the purchase, there’s a good chance you’ll be upside down on the loan.) See if you can find a late model Sea Ray and save yourself a few thousand dollars.

 

[byoun07]

So far, great advice. I will use advanced search. In response to new purchase, we could go either way. Seems to be some repo's flying around at 40-50% off MSRP with very low hours on them. In no rush. Would like to have one before the spring. We researched most brands/manufactures and we keep coming back to Sea Ray based on fit/trim/performance and minimal maintenance.
Thanks so far for the help.

 

[skibum]

How do you plan on using the boat? If you're going to be tubing, waterskiing, making short day trips, then one of those boats would probably do you just fine. If you are thinking of overnight trips or long afternoons anchored by a beach or an island, then you may want to look at something with a cabin. Have you given any thought at all to this?

 

[byoun07]

Absolutely on the thought. This will be used as recreation, water skiing, tubing, and used on lakes primarily in Wisconsin. No overnights. I am surrounded by 8 fairly good size lakes.