Sea Ray 380 Sundancer vs Larson 370 Carbrio

importmonkey

importmonkey

Opinionated Member
Jul 9, 2015
1,056
Space Coast, FL
Boat Info
2005 260DA (sold)
2007 44DA (sold)
1989/2015 Hatteras 65c
Engines
12v92TA
And go!

Targeting these two heavily foe our next step from our 260DA. Thoughts?

I'm thinking gasoline but the optional 420hp motors for either.

380 is bigger but no windshield walkthrough for the admiral. 370 is newer and has optional hard top and cockpit air. Of course, the Larson doesn't have the supportive community that I've come to love and appreciate of the Sea Ray.

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importmonkey said:
And go!

Targeting these two heavily foe our next step from our 260DA. Thoughts?

I'm thinking gasoline but the optional 420hp motors for either.



380 is bigger but no windshield walkthrough for the admiral. 370 is newer and has optional hard top and cockpit air. Of course, the Larson doesn't have the supportive community that I've come to love and appreciate of the Sea Ray.

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Click to expand...

I started out looking at 03&04 380's and while looking I came to really like 3860 Regals of that vintage too. Very different boats, but both great for there own reasons.
The problem with the smaller brand (Regal) was that there were a lot less of them to choose from because they didn't sell as many as Sea Ray did.
That's one of several reasons we dedided to go with another Sea Ray.
We wound up with a 410 in the end because the lure of the diesels hooked us.
 
importmonkey said:
And go!

Targeting these two heavily foe our next step from our 260DA. Thoughts?

I'm thinking gasoline but the optional 420hp motors for either.

380 is bigger but no windshield walkthrough for the admiral. 370 is newer and has optional hard top and cockpit air. Of course, the Larson doesn't have the supportive community that I've come to love and appreciate of the Sea Ray.

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Click to expand...

Have a look at the Cruisers Yachts 3672, 370, or 390. All based on the same hull. 390 has a hard top and IPS. Forward stateroom has a door, aft is a pullout on the same level of the rest of the boat. No cave to crawl into.
 
Aw man! Why'd you guys have to make this harder?

They are all perfect. I like the 390, but it's a bit (twice) out of our budget. I REALLY like the Regal. The second storeroom is awesome. Hardtop comes in newer models but they are out of my reach. Even the older ones without a hard top are pushing it.



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JVM225 said:
The problem with the smaller brand (Regal) was that there were a lot less of them to choose from because they didn't sell as many as Sea Ray did.
Click to expand...

That's kind of it right there. There are so many Sea Rays. It's the network effect. Easy to find parts, other users, service people are familiar with them, and they have brand recognition should you sell.

Another less popular brand can be an objectively better boat (or at least extremely competitive), but tougher to own and sell because there's less of them.
 
Or, it could be easier to sell. I just sold a 31' Four Winns, she was on the market ten days. Only 15 others for sale on Boat Trader to compete with versus over hundred 320s.

I bought another Four Winns, but love the Regals. Well built and still a family owned company.
 
We have moved up and on from this size boat but its a great deal for someone looking in this price range. I would remove the odd bow and stern thrusters but other than that the updates are really well done.
 
mobocracy said:
That's kind of it right there. There are so many Sea Rays. It's the network effect. Easy to find parts, other users, service people are familiar with them, and they have brand recognition should you sell.

Another less popular brand can be an objectively better boat (or at least extremely competitive), but tougher to own and sell because there's less of them.
Click to expand...

You got it! That was a big factor in our decision.
 
mobocracy said:
That's kind of it right there. There are so many Sea Rays. It's the network effect. Easy to find parts, other users, service people are familiar with them, and they have brand recognition should you sell.

Another less popular brand can be an objectively better boat (or at least extremely competitive), but tougher to own and sell because there's less of them.
Click to expand...

JVM225 said:
You got it! That was a big factor in our decision.
Click to expand...

I hate to be so blunt but Larson's are crap boats. They look decent but every Larson I've driven has handled horribly and the fit and finish does not even compare to Sea Ray (let alone a Bayliner). One of my best friends owns a Larson and I can't even stand to go out on his boat. The sad thing is that it looks OK from a distance but to drive that piece of junk is like driving...well, a piece of junk. I'm sorry to anyone who I'm offending but I flat out do not like Larson boats. Any Sea Ray is better and I'm not saying this because I'm on a Sea Ray forum (heck, I own a Cobalt).

Go with Sea Ray.
 
Larson is not the quality of Cruisers, Sea Ray, Regal. Plus Larson is not known for larger cruisers, they got out of the space. Finding the right boat is tough. When I was looking for our next boat I looked at lots of options. In the end I thought I wanted a non Sea Ray boat. 11 seasons later, still very happy with my 320.
 
Thanks for the leads.

I have to stay under a hundo. Wanna stay at 40' (to not have to pay for 50' slip), sticking to gasoline power plants (for cost of maintenance), no outdrives, and a separate shower. Those are the requirements, hardtop would be nice (for when/if I put cockpit air in later).

Honestly, I'd rather have a fly bridge boat, but just not in the budget now. We'll get to that one in 5-10 years. Our method of boating changed last year from day boating on the river to weekend condo on the bay.



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I went from an express cruiser to a bridge when we got serious about using the boat for a condo. We live on it every weekend. There is no comparison. If your heart is in a bridge boat, buy a bridge. Check out the Mainship 40 Sedan Bridge. It's my big sister ship.
 
quality time said:
How about a 400DB?
Click to expand...
Pretty sure they are a few feet longer than 40'. I think I can get away with 41' in a 40' slip. Plus, at that weight, I think diesels are a better power plant. The admiral wants a stepping stone. Then we can get the 420DB or larger.

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importmonkey said:
Thanks for the leads.

I have to stay under a hundo. Wanna stay at 40' (to not have to pay for 50' slip), sticking to gasoline power plants (for cost of maintenance), no outdrives, and a separate shower. Those are the requirements, hardtop would be nice (for when/if I put cockpit air in later).

Honestly, I'd rather have a fly bridge boat, but just not in the budget now. We'll get to that one in 5-10 years. Our method of boating changed last year from day boating on the river to weekend condo on the bay.



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Click to expand...
buy my boat... it's priced right at 89,500 -
 
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