Sea Rays severely underrated

El Capitan

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2014
3,828
Chicago IL./Vero Beach, Fl
Boat Info
1970 SRV 180 w 2.5L Mercruiser.
2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer
Engines
120HP Mercruiser
I read tons of SR bashing on the other fishing forum...that site is mostly for fishing boats in salt with outboard motors. But if you look further you can see name brand so called high quality build boats and their new fangled 4-stroke-fly-by-wire outboards with all kinds of problems....just like any other boat.

There is a video being circulated on that forum of boats of all sizes and type exiting the Haulover inlet in Ft. Lauderdale. An inlet I've been going through since I was a kid on a 17ft Mako openfish. Well, it is hilarious to see all kinds of "superior quality" and "100% wood-free", "composite blah blah blah" pin their bows going through that inlet on an outgoing tide with easterly winds, the swells look 8-10 but low to moderate wind, 1-3 second durations.

BUT....there was one boat with its bow high in the air. Virtually no spray over the bow. Handled it without any problem. Mind you there were sportfisherman yachts, 30ft center console boats, big luxury yachts, etc, all got man handled. One guy was up on the flybridge and he almost got tossed.

The Sea Ray that went through there didn't even seem to notice the conditions. He went right through. Looked like 30-something footer.

I recall when I had my 1980 250 cuddy cabin. That boat was all wood. Had a 454 BI, and it plowed. Those new age composite open fisherman boats would line up behind me going through 2-4 chop as I cruised at 25mph not pounding.

These SR's are far better boats than many snobs give them credit.

Rant over.
 
Yes they really have something against Sea Rays and their owners over there.. It's like wearing a MAGA hat downtown Portland.... best not stir the pot :)
 
Ha! I wear my red MAGA as often as I’m not in a suit. I get dirty looks and compliments.

I love showing my pride in ‘Merica.
I didn't mean it like that... I am with you... I was referring to Hull Truth...it just takes the thread side ways when bashing Sea Ray
 
Im not bashing my boat but I owned a 01 22 Grady White Seafarer with outboard on a bracket that blows my 05 270 Amberjack away as far as ride goes. The Amberjack has creature features that my wife likes (great party boat) and this is why I have owned this boat for 10 years. Just the other day she says to me as we were in a 1 foot chop and 15 mph winds. And I quote "why does it feel like we are skidding on the water". The boat was all over the place. If I trimmed the nose down it bow steers. If I raised the bow up it skids. No happy medium. Not to mention how trim sensitive it is to wind. I'm constantly adjusting the trim tabs to keep it level. God forbid I get caught in someones wake, the boat feels like it wants to tip over. I know people who own 24-26 ft Sea Rays and they all say the same thing as I mentioned above. The Sea Ray is pretty but its a bay boat at best.
 
Dan, Your experience is very different from mine. In fact quite the opposite. What sold me on Sea Ray years ago was how my 250 handled the offshore seas. My wife and I went from Miami to Key Largo and back, we went part of the way on the outside and part on the inside. That boat handled really well.

On another trip to Islamorada, quite a ways south of Key Largo, I took my brother, a licensed captain, and his father in law. We left Ft. Lauderdale went the whole way on the outside and back. On the way back we had rolling 4'ers and the ride was fantastic. Perhaps I was at the perfect speed and angle of entry but we were cruising at 30mph. As we got closer to Key Biscayne we started to see other boats follow us but they couldn't stand the pounding, we were just gliding over those swells.

Last one I promise, heading out to Bimini through Haulover inlet in the dark of morning, we got into the inlet and found ourselves is severe conditions, 6'ers + with very short intervals. I had no choice but to proceed out of the inlet and immediately after the rocks I cut south at an angle to the swells. I had to time the waves as they were coming in sets so I could quickly turn the boat around. We did, never taking one over the bow, and we came in on following seas in 6' waves, never once took one over the bow, we did get sprayed a couple times from the wind but that was it.

I trust these boats.
 
El Capitan,

I think the narrow beam 8.3 and its top heavy makes a difference in the way it handles. Also its under powered with the 350 mag. This boat weighs 7300 lbs dry. The best I can do is 28mph or 29mph @ 4000 rpms. The motor maxes out at 4400 rpms, 32 mph and that going with the current. Like I said I have friends who have the 260 Sundancer and have the same complaint in its handling characteristics. But because its a 1.000 lbs less the engine doesn't work as hard and has more top end. Now the 28 Sundancer is a different story. The guys I know that own that boat love it. Bigger beam and twins. We took a trip to Watch Hill Fire Island last week. My buddy with the 28 was cruising at 3500 rpms and running at 28 mph. And I was trying to keep up at 4000 to 4100 rpms. He would take a wake and barely move. Me I was like hold on.

So that's my story.
 
Hey Dan-

2 comments:

1. Did your Grady hull separate? Everyone I know that owned one did.

2. You and your wife are dissatisfied with your Sea Ray and it’s ride. I suggest you sell it an move on.
 
El Capitan,

I think the narrow beam 8.3 and its top heavy makes a difference in the way it handles. Also its under powered with the 350 mag. This boat weighs 7300 lbs dry. The best I can do is 28mph or 29mph @ 4000 rpms. The motor maxes out at 4400 rpms, 32 mph and that going with the current. Like I said I have friends who have the 260 Sundancer and have the same complaint in its handling characteristics. But because its a 1.000 lbs less the engine doesn't work as hard and has more top end. Now the 28 Sundancer is a different story. The guys I know that own that boat love it. Bigger beam and twins. We took a trip to Watch Hill Fire Island last week. My buddy with the 28 was cruising at 3500 rpms and running at 28 mph. And I was trying to keep up at 4000 to 4100 rpms. He would take a wake and barely move. Me I was like hold on.

So that's my story.

Big difference between the 260/270 and my 340. When I had my 260DA the water had much more control over my boat. Now the wider beam and heavier weight makes all the difference. I remember the first time I trialed the 340SDA I heard a noise like a slap and asked what is was... It was a wake bouncing off the boat rather than rocking it.

As far as I can tell the only problem with the 340 is it will not fit on f dock. ;)

-Kevin
 
I read tons of SR bashing on the other fishing forum...that site is mostly for fishing boats in salt with outboard motors. But if you look further you can see name brand so called high quality build boats and their new fangled 4-stroke-fly-by-wire outboards with all kinds of problems....just like any other boat.

There is a video being circulated on that forum of boats of all sizes and type exiting the Haulover inlet in Ft. Lauderdale. An inlet I've been going through since I was a kid on a 17ft Mako openfish. Well, it is hilarious to see all kinds of "superior quality" and "100% wood-free", "composite blah blah blah" pin their bows going through that inlet on an outgoing tide with easterly winds, the swells look 8-10 but low to moderate wind, 1-3 second durations.

BUT....there was one boat with its bow high in the air. Virtually no spray over the bow. Handled it without any problem. Mind you there were sportfisherman yachts, 30ft center console boats, big luxury yachts, etc, all got man handled. One guy was up on the flybridge and he almost got tossed.

The Sea Ray that went through there didn't even seem to notice the conditions. He went right through. Looked like 30-something footer.

I recall when I had my 1980 250 cuddy cabin. That boat was all wood. Had a 454 BI, and it plowed. Those new age composite open fisherman boats would line up behind me going through 2-4 chop as I cruised at 25mph not pounding.

These SR's are far better boats than many snobs give them credit.

Rant over.

I have watched many of those videos from haulover. Most of the time I think it the captain not knowing how to properly judge the approach or in some cases should have decided against going out.

-Kevin
 
tc410 believe me we have talked about it. And no the hull did not separate. As a matter of fact that Grady is still running around. I know who has it and its been good to him.
Kevin your right the 34 is way to big for F dock. LOL
 
Good friends of mine had a later-model GW 22 Seafarer. It's no joke. That boat has an oddly good ride - not just for it's size either. It was comfortable (but wet) in seas that would make me uncomfortable in my 40. Even more impressive about the ride was the fact that the helm is far forward. It just sliced through stuff. It had a tendency to chine ride, but that was solved with Bennett Auto Trim.

The boat looked great after 5 years of freshwater use. Having said that, the survey revealed a huge list of failed components, including some water intrusion. The buyer flew from Boston to Ohio to get it. He bought it anyway, but it left me suspecting that GW quality has slipped.
 
It's interesting Haulover comes up a lot on this site, maybe because there are a ton of videos from Haulover online.

When I kept a boat on the east coast it was about 2 miles north of Haulover. Haulover was my normal inlet at any time of the tide cycle. It is not one of the bad inlets. There are inlets I never went through - and have no desire.

I have actually been in worse conditions at Government Cut coming into Miami.

The Sea Ray is pretty but its a bay boat at best.

Depends on which model of Sea Ray you are referring to.
 
I grew up in Miami. I recall going to the marina to see if my boat (Mako 21) survived.

I got to see tons of boats scattered all over the yard. Saw a GW walk around. Got hit on the deck/ hull joint front starboard.
It looked very thin and severely damaged w glass fibers hanging out. I could push the outside of the hull in w my hands.

From then on every time I looked at a boat I pound the hull sides and listen for hollowness or solid thump sound.

I’ve not been very impressed w so called name brand offshore rigs.
 
I've never been on a boat like the Grady White but it looks like the bow is pretty sharp compared to SR hulls. They'd enter/slice through waves easier I'd think.

My wifes pretty hardy when it comes to rough water but one time I noticed she was getting a little tense, she asked what we were going to do if things got much worse. I told her we have no choice but to continue, as long as the boat keeps running we'll end up OK.

Trust? Well OK, I'm confident that my boat won't split in two, that's about it for SR. I trust I've given my boat good care and pm would cover the rest.
 
El Capitan,

I think the narrow beam 8.3 and its top heavy makes a difference in the way it handles. Also its under powered with the 350 mag. This boat weighs 7300 lbs dry. The best I can do is 28mph or 29mph @ 4000 rpms. The motor maxes out at 4400 rpms, 32 mph and that going with the current. Like I said I have friends who have the 260 Sundancer and have the same complaint in its handling characteristics. But because its a 1.000 lbs less the engine doesn't work as hard and has more top end. Now the 28 Sundancer is a different story. The guys I know that own that boat love it. Bigger beam and twins. We took a trip to Watch Hill Fire Island last week. My buddy with the 28 was cruising at 3500 rpms and running at 28 mph. And I was trying to keep up at 4000 to 4100 rpms. He would take a wake and barely move. Me I was like hold on.

So that's my story.

I had the same boat with the same engine as you for 13 years. Based on my experience, there is something about your boat that's holding back it's performance. 2 things come to mind:
  1. Clogged injectors. I have the cool fuel paint peeling issue. The paint clogged up the fuel injectors and significantly impairs its performance. Once the cool fuel module was fixed and the injectors cleaned, the performance returned.
  2. Rough bottom paint. I had 11 years of ablative paint build up that was rough, chipped, and chunky. I had the paint blasted and redone. All my lost performance was regained- and it was actually better than when the boat was new.
Before the bottom job I was "cruising" at 24 mph @ 16-18 gph with WOT at 4300 rpm, 28 mph. After the bottom job I cruised at 27-28 mph, 3700 rpm, burning 14-15 gph. WOT was either 4600 or 4800 (I can't recall - I think it was 4800) and 36 mph AGAINST a current. I have a photographic proof because I was shocked at the improvement.

I'm curious about your weight specs of similar model year 270 AJ and 260 DA. Sea Ray's specs list the 2006 270 AJ as 7325 lbs dry, and the 2006 260 DA at 7500 lbs dry. Since the 260 DA is in fact heavier, it further suggests there is some issue with a 270 AJ that is getting markedly worse performance that a 260 DA equipped with the same power plant.

There is no disputing that the the boat likely performs better with one of the larger motor options. Likewise, it has a fairly narrow beam (8.5'), a deep V, and is fairly tall. That will make it ride differently than a boat closer to the water, one that's heavier, or wider, or all three. The 2005-2009 270 AJ was built to Class C specs - near shore rating. That said, I took mine out in some meaningful chop / waves and I always had good confidence in the construction of the boat. Yes, it is susceptible to changes in weight distribution and currents where careful trim tab input is necessary. There is definite bow steering if it is pushed down to much but I never experienced the "skidding" you described. Over time I found that the best approach was to trim the drive up 2/3 for "flat" water, and 1/3 to 1/2 for rougher conditions to prevent pounding and avoid bow steer. I used the tabs only to level the boat side to side.

Your experience is yours; I felt the 270 AJ had limitations but was was better than just a "bay boat". I moved up to a Back Cove 34 so I could run further, faster, in more comfort and in more varied types of conditions than I felt the AJ gave me the opportunity to do.
 
THT?....They’re just a miserable jealous bunch over there probably suffering from SeaRay Envy.

Ha. I am on THT too and don’t hide my Sea Ray. It’s a different crowd on that forum. Many more offshore fishing Centre console types. No sea ray envy. More like Freeman envy. They mostly bash each other’s brands of cc though. Some good knowledge but some real idiots too.
 
My 250 dry weight was 4100 lbs and had 22degree dead rise at transom, 8’6 beam.

Show me a 25ft-30ft center console or fishing boat that has these specs.

Let me save you some time ... there aren’t any I could find.

That is what made my SR ride like a Cadillac. If you and the Mrs feel uncomfortable in your Amberjack you should get something you both enjoy more and feel safer.

I’d love to find a 255 Amberjack when I move back to Fl.
 

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