So if I did not buy a Sea Ray I would buy...

I would have to say I would buy a Chaparral Signature 350.

Now if money was not an object then

Savannah Yachts 54 or Viking V53 or V58

Craig
 
Something decent with IPS. Probably the Regal 4460.

Why? Decent quality, good performance and efficiency. It's not zeus!

Best regards,
Frank
 
If I won the lotto...... Lazzara. That being said, I will stick with SR, compared to other brands, I have yet to observe an equal in terms of design, price and consistent performers. During the past two years, I have run boats built by Viking, Riviera, Fountain and a Cabo (all over 45' and the oldest being an '05, and not just a joy ride, but multi day trips/deliveries up and down the pacific coast) and I still wouldn't trade my 400DB for any of them. Just my .02
 
I think a Malibu or Mastercraft. Something that is geared more toward watersports (especially wakeboarding) and you can fit a whole heck of a lot more people on them.

As far as if we ever decide to buy something for cruising the coast, Id probably stay with SR, as I am happy with the product, but they just dont match up in the runabout/towboat category with some of the others.
 
"If I won the lotto...... Lazzara"

One of the boats we are considering traveling to to look at, the owner just bought one, sent me photos, what a beauty.
 
Fleiming 55 -or- Huckins Linwood 56.

2848861082_a04eacb1a2_o.jpg


My wife says it's ugly. I say it's cool. Love that retro look and it cruises at 30 knots.

If you're talking reality... I strongly considered an Azimut 43 either open or fly, before we bought the 44DB.
2848041773_8fac168f9e_o.jpg
 
Last edited:
fc3 said:
Something decent with IPS. Probably the Regal 4460.

Why? Decent quality, good performance and efficiency. It's not zeus!

Best regards,
Frank
Click to expand...

Frank,
Why do you think IPS is much better than Zeus? I'm still not comfortable having these expensive components in the brackish or salt water. I wander what kind of reports we'll get when these units get around 5 yrs of use.

Alex.
 
fc3 said:
Something decent with IPS. Probably the Regal 4460.

Why? Decent quality, good performance and efficiency. It's not zeus!

Best regards,
Frank
Click to expand...

Yeah, but it's still a Regal. And, yes I have owned one. (with diesels and 40'+) Not even close to my SR in ride, especially if the swell was more than 3'.
 
As an Economics major in college one of the first things we always did was list out the assumptions before attacking a question/problem. So the assumption here is "I want to buy a XX foot Sea Ray Model/Make but cannot not because <insert reason> so now I will buy the <insert boat>/next best thing in my opinion"
 
We went to AC boat show last weekend and we trying to pick out next realistic dream boat. It's obvious that Sea Ray Sedan Bridges are very nice boats, but very pricy as well. So, for a while we keep Meridian Yachts on the radar. In the past we liked 368 SB but it looked too small this time around. This year we've looked at few and 411 Sedan Bridge looked like a nice candidate. 391 was very nice but I was surprised that it had only one head for the size. So far, we think that Meridian bits Silverton and Carver for design ad quality. I have no clue about the performance.

So, now that we're on the subject, may I ask some SR Sedan Bridge owners how much worst or how much less quality Meridian brings in comparison to SR DB models while they (Meridian) cost almost twice less? For example, '08-'09 44DB was in $700K-$800K while Meridian 411 '08-'09 was $500K. Even in the used market, I'm sure the difference would maintain the same. I ws able to find few very nice Meridians in $200K+ range, which is a lot of boat for the money.

I loved the new 43 Sundancer with Zeus drives, but $900K price tag had ruined it for me.

Thanks,
Alex.
 
Last edited:
At the Annapollis boat show this year we were told Meridian is a combination of Maxum and Bayliner and SR was not going to be making ACs or MYs anymore, Meridian would.

The Meridians we boarded were beautiful, but felt "thin" to us.
 
Alex F said:
For example, '08-'09 44DB was in $700K-$800K
Click to expand...
Alex- First of all, I'm glad to hear that the prices have gone up that much (theoretically makes my resale better--- not that it matters), but DON'T BE FOOLED BY "BOAT SHOW" PRICES, I paid 20+% less for my boat than the "Boat Show Special" that year. And I am sure I'm not alone on that.

That being said, the Meridian is definitely cheaper. Cheaper in more ways than one:smt101. Pay now or pay later...
 
Formula 40PC, IPS Pod drives, with Tommy Bahama Fabric package.

Because I love the lines, helm layout, build quality and efficieny and maneuverability of IPS.

I better start buying lottery tickets though.....
 
We were slipped next to an 05 52'-ish Viking Convertible at Annapolis on the way to BIH this year. What a beauty, and built like an M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank. Gorgeous boat, and only about 70 GPH at cruise. The owner and I chatted for a while, and he said he nearly turned the boat back to Viking in the first year of ownership. One of the ECM connections (a twelve pin affair) was bad, and the port main would shut down at 35 knots. Now that would be exciting running on plane in an inlet, huh?

Viking and Man flew techs in on five different occasions to find the fault. Owner nearly lost his mind. Fault would not always repeat. Finally, one of the techs pushed the connection together firmly. End of problem.

Boats. Gotta love 'em
 
Alex F said:
We went to AC boat show last weekend and we trying to pick out next realistic dream boat. It's obvious that Sea Ray Sedan Bridges are very nice boats, but very pricy as well. So, for a while we keep Meridian Yachts on the radar. In the past we liked 368 SB but it looked too small this time around. This year we've looked at few and 411 Sedan Bridge looked like a nice candidate. 391 was very nice but I was surprised that it had only one head for the size. So far, we think that Meridian bits Silverton and Carver for design ad quality. I have no clue about the performance.

So, now that we're on the subject, may I ask some SR Sedan Bridge owners how much worst or how much less quality Meridian brings in comparison to SR DB models while they (Meridian) cost almost twice less? For example, '08-'09 44DB was in $700K-$800K while Meridian 411 '08-'09 was $500K. Even in the used market, I'm sure the difference would maintain the same. I ws able to find few very nice Meridians in $200K+ range, which is a lot of boat for the money.

I loved the new 43 Sundancer with Zeus drives, but $900K price tag had ruined it for me.

Thanks,
Alex.
Click to expand...

Alex, from boat manufacturer to boat manufacturer, they usually have many many things in common. Engines and drives are usually identical. The differences are usually hull construction and fit and finish. It's a total compromise what works for the buyer. The problem is that you must do your own due dilligence when searching for a boat. Of course asking about a Meridian isn't going to elicit great responses on a Sea Ray forum. That said, I've been on some Meridians and they were decent boats. Definitely a lot of boat for your money.

If I could own any boat, I've seen many Viking, Hatteras, Luhrs Convertibles that look spectacular!

48CESSP.jpg
 
mrsrobinson said:
At the Annapollis boat show this year we were told Meridian is a combination of Maxum and Bayliner and SR was not going to be making ACs or MYs anymore, Meridian would.

The Meridians we boarded were beautiful, but felt "thin" to us.
Click to expand...

The Meridian is essentially the Bayliner "MotorYachts" rebranded. There are definitely some design changes and updates from the previous Bayliner lines. For an economic Larger cruiser they're not bad. We have boating friends that joined us on the Rendezvous this summer with a 381 Meridian.

Hey, it's much better and more spacious than my boat, and had a spacious layout. I never took a ride in it, so I'm not sure how it rides.
It was nice to have the space for all 8 of us adults to sit up top and have a conversation.

I believe Brunswick quit making the larger Maxum and Bayliner Yachts and created the Meridian.
They're made in My Backyard of Arlington, WA, where the Old Bayliner factory was.
After spending some time aboard the 381 Meridian then recently being invited aboard Mad Dog's 480DB I saw the difference of quality. I know the it's 10' of difference, but the appointments also stood out.

If I were to go to a Sedan Bridge, I'd still hold out for a SeaRay 580DB. <Insert Supertramp's Dreamer here>
The familiarity of the SeaRay line is valuable to me and knowing what they put in or don't is a comfort. Of course every brand has it's weaknesses unless your spending "Custom MegaYacht $$$" and perfection is expected; but for "Production line" manufacturing I'll stick with SeaRay (except for the Air scooping MotorYacht Line- to me they are ugly).

To answer the original Topic.....I also seem to be drawn to some Chapparals, but think I'd go to a classic looking Chris Craft.
Roamer40_Girlon-0405_20366.jpg

I just haven't done enough research to see if any of these are "really" quality boats.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,162
Messages
1,427,562
Members
61,070
Latest member
Justrite
Back
Top