The elusive 2014 Sea Ray 510 is spotted

Cap'n Rusty, the voice of reason yet again!

Spent some time on the Riviera and Maritimo websites, looking at pictures and semantics. Riviera's slogan is "Australia's International Pleasurecraft boat builder." They make enclosed bridge, open bridge, sport yachts (like the FLY) and SUVs, which are basically decapitated bridge boats. The helms on the bridge boats are pushed forward and there is very little bridge overhang in the cockpit - matter of fact, they show a 2-3' canvas dodger (removable) aft of the bridge.

Over at Maritimo, they make a "motoryacht," which is a flare-bowed, forward helmed, hugely overhung bridge (covering most of the cockpit) boat. They make a convertible, which features zero overhang and a aft positioned helm on the bridge. They also make Cabriolet, Mustang and Sport Yachts, which are all variations of the decapitated bridge boat.

I have no idea how these owners use their boats, but bow flare, helm positioned aft on the bridge and short overhung bridgedeck are must-haves for fishermen. Any of these boats can pull double duty, buy my point in a earlier post was that these "cruising" boats evolved from the sportfish design that has been around forever. Sea Ray has scuttled their offerings in this class and have put all their eggs in the FLY basket, for now. I think they were truly innovative when they created the DB, borrowing from the sportfish but creating a larger bridge with comfortable seating in addition to the helmsman and co-pilot seat. If they didn't pioneer the raised dinette with second stateroom beneath, they were certainly in on the ground floor with that one.

It does seem that in our small sampling, most guys here prefer that DB design and would like to stay with it, or, move up to it. The Sea Ray loyalists will have to shop used, and the rest will change brands.
 
Everybody calm down.

What Rusty said: It's not for everyone but it is for sure for someone.

I come down in the camp of thinking that it looks like everything else on the market today. And I find that disappointing coming off an era when one could tell a Sea Ray of any size (DA, DB or even MY) from miles away due to distinct yet functional and very attractive design cues that were carried throughout the line. I think in this homogenous market there is an opportunity for someone to take the lead and build a boat that isn't like all the others while still taking advantage of modern elements like pods and full beam masters. But that is not this boat… that doesn't make it a bad boat.

Something tells me that the narrative may be that Sea Ray has out executed the competition they are chasing and that they are building a better mousetrap. Let's hope, because it's a lot more expensive than say a Prestige (which LOOKS very similar).

I'm not trying to be negative, this is just the way I see it.
 
Captain Rusty will make note that I have had the honor of shaking hands, as we spoke eye to eye, with no less than 16 different authors listed on this thread. And to upgrade, most of you have broken bread with our VP's and our President Mr. Tim Scheik, or for sure their predecessors. We did all these cool things as a group of owners with a common bond, and a high-class marina full of exclusive different Sea Ray models from then to today. Look at Ken's (HUMP) photos of The SRBCNC Cirlcle Cruise, more than 20 different models tied in a huge circle, not even a marina!! Can you name them all?

who is the president of Maritimo, Riviera, Marquis boat companies?...... What do their CLUB gatherings look like?? What does their forum's look like (bet Jim's beats'um) and how useful is it? Got Customer Service folks with a mean of around 30 years SR employment, answering the phones? Can you access archived parts manuals and request engineering drawings from the overseas builders?

Do they have a crusted old Captain who most of you have direct access to for just about anything, including sharing an adult beverage and story telling???? If you answered no to any of the above questions, think about it.... your opinions do drive decision making processes and searaycorporate is telling you to keep the suggestions coming. In his role as a VP of Marketing, Matt can voice your inputs up against the global market demands presented by others.......that's right a VP who has posted on this thread, is asking for your direct input. Who again is the go-to organization, department, title or employee at those other companies that you have direct access to?

see ya on our dock,

Capt. R
 
First, no disrespect to the bridge owners in this thread at all with what I am about to say. I think Sea Ray hit the mark perfectly for all of you and me. We clearly love our boats and keep them for a long time before replacing them. That said, how many of you have $1.5 million to cough up on a new depreciating asset? I'm going to guess none, me included. There, we are no longer Sea Ray's market for new boats. Sure, Sea Ray has used a lot of what we have offered in feedback over the years in designing new boats, but their goal is to push hulls out the door. If we're buying in numbers, they would have a slow evolution of the models of 5+ years ago. The people who are buying these new boats are a different crowd. There is a growing market of the hyper wealthy, a shrinking middle class, and a growing population dependent on entitlements. If you are a multinational company selling big ticket items, who would you target? That market wants the flashiest product at the boat show in Miami for their impulse buy. They are not thinking about the dirt that will collect on the open bridge, the lack of AC up there, and timelessness of interior design. They are thinking of immediate gratification today. Their style mimics luxury European, Middle Eastern, and Asian hotels. That's their market.
 
Last edited:
Rusty I agree with what you say....but, why then discontinue popular lines and build boats that divide it's loyal customer base...to appeal to Europeans tastes?
The newest boat that appeals to me is a 2007! That's 7 years old. Oh well, I'll keep waiting for a boat company to start building American styling that appeals to me, and I can afford.
 
Still don't know why there are so many dinettes on the boat with barely a galley to feed all the dinetters.
 
JV II hit the nail on the head. This is not the group that will purchase the 510 Fly right out of the factory but as Rusty said, we are loyal to the brand and Sea Ray Corporate is listening for intelligent feedback.

Maybe there's one more boat in the future left for me to purchase and it might be a 510DA, previously enjoyed, with V-drives (you know it Rusty), but I will wait a few years. However after moving a foot of new snow off the driveway this morning I have booked flights to Miami in February. Hopefully we'll get to see the 510 Fly and make some re-acquaintances.
 
JV, no argument from me on your points. I've made peace with the fact that SR is going in a different direction wrt my personal preferences and as I said previously, wish them luck doing so. And, as you mention, I won't be the one dropping the big dime on a new 50-60' boat when half that amount will buy you showroom new due to the pre-owned market being what it is and the quality of well-known builders being so good these days.

Boatguy, you asked about "mission" and communicated some confusion as to how some use their boats. Let me tell you how I use mine and what/why its important. Aside from last winters trip to Florida, we boat in the Midwest, generally from March to November. March and April can be pretty chilly. July and August, pretty smothering. Also see a lot of thunderstorm action in the spring. My boating "family" includes express styles and 2 open bridge boats. Whenever the weather isn't ideal, people are on my bridge. dinner, watching a big game, cocktails, music or just taking a snooze, the bridge extends the living area without having to go into the salon. and, it extends that living area with great "open-ness" and visibility due to the "upstairs" location. for us, plainly put, it extends our boating season and adds to the enjoyment of spending time with people we like to hang out with. Secondly, most bridge owners I know have had express style boats, 3 dancers and 1 express cruiser for me personally. all fine boats, all were my favorite boat at the time. But, I again think most bridge boat owners wouldn't go back an express style because of the function and preferences each individual have become accustomed to. for me, I like the commanding view from the helm on a bridge, in addition to the aforementioned climate controlled space. Conversely, Frank likes to back his dancer conveniently up to a beach and spend the time in the larger cockpit area. a bridge wouldn't make as much sense for him. Now that I've mentioned a couple of how and what examples, here's a 'why' bridge design is important to me. i've also had a 400 sedan which is another fantastic SR design. Good bridge layout but open from the standpoint that it doesn't have a hardtop. in my area, having an open bridge (no bimini or glass up) isn't practical. It would be hard to keep things as clean as I like them and we'd have to be belowdecks a lot more due to weather. so, aesthetics aside, I just think a well-designed hardtop is a feature we can't do without. I need to see more details on the 510s hardtop option but a reliable source mentioned it wasn't being designed as the rest of the boat was being designed. as I mentioned earlier, it just looks like an afterthought to me at this stage.

One thing I'd like to hear more opinion on is how open bridge owners would deal with salt spray. I don't have the problem where I'm at but when I spent the winter in FL I didn't take one trip were I didn't take spray on the glass and hard top. I guess SOP is to just hose down the bridge if and when you do take spray on an open bridge? that seems like a pain to me.

btw, I think this is a great thread. much better than the where's scooter mess that garnered 4 zillion views...
 
Last edited:
searay40dad said:
One thing I'd like to hear more opinion on is how open bridge owners would deal with salt spray. I don't have the problem where I'm at but when I spent the winter in FL I didn't take one trip were I didn't take spray on the glass and hard top. I guess SOP is to just hose down the bridge if and when you do take spray on an open bridge? that seems like a pain to me....
Click to expand...

I have a friend/dockmate who has a 58 Fairline Squadron (beautiful boat btw) who, as you state, hoses down and washes the entire open bridge area. He doesn't wash it every weekend but he does remove and/or cover all of the cushions on Sunday at the end of the day.
 
bmac said:
I'd be very happy to discuss further in person at the Sea Ray display or aboard the 510 or 650 at the Miami Boat Show.....

QUOTE=SeaRayCorporate;719766]I'm still here, usually multiple times per day. Just listening, mostly. We're certainly watching this thread and we appreciate all the feedback', both positive and negative; I especially appreciate BMAC's well-articulated critique. And believe it or not, we are making some adjustments on the fly (see what I did there?) in response.
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]

Brian,

I (and the team) would welcome your comments. While I'll be back and forth a little between the Collins Ave and Convention Center displays, I'll be around all day Thurs, Fri and Saturday and our sales team will be there for the duration. Maybe we can set a time to meet up. - Matt
 
Brian,

I (and the team) would welcome your comments. While I'll be back and forth a little between the Collins Ave and Convention Center displays, I'll be around all day Thurs, Fri and Saturday and our sales team will be there for the duration. Maybe we can set a time to meet up. - Matt[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Matt. I land in Miami Friday afternoon and plan on being at both locations on Saturday. As we get closer I'll PM you with my cell and we can set a time to meet. BTW, will you be at the NY show in January? I plan on attending.
 
Room.....

I guess that's probably the best single word to use describing her.

Honestly, I had to reread some of the posts here to fully understand the concerns. That said, I had an opportunity to see her first hand and form some opinions. While she might not serve every mission, I can tell you, in my opinion, this boat seems a lot bigger than a 50'.....

Nice stately roomy area to entertain below in the cabin....a great deal of room to have company if you are piloting from the bridge. There are even cushions and seating in front of the helm. Aft, there is room for sunbathing or dining...in other words, there is no reason to be alone on the bridge....

"Room" is fitting in the master stateroom that extends the full beam of the boat and has great visibility through wide windows on both the port and starboard sides....

....and if you have any interest in the bilge, there is a great deal of room there too. The day hatch makes it easy to get into and once there you have access to all the systems pretty easily.

Here are a few shots....
510fly-master.jpg
510fly-interior.jpg
 
I really like this boat, including the interior styling. I also love(d) the 44db, 52DB & 58DB. But for me the full beam master with large hull windows is a HUGE draw and I can see that being the case for many new boat buyers.

If I had this boat where I boat now I'd want to skip the lower station. We just don't have far to go. If I had it on the ocean and traveled more I think I'd like having it. Even if it was so that I could hang with all my peeps while underway and not just be banished to the bridge while everyone partied downstairs. Many of my friends with bridge boats complain about being isolated from the group.

The hardtop does not look very stylish at all. And I don't just mean because it looks Euro-slick. It just looks like an afterthought. I also don't think it reaches far enough forward, especially considering it's height, to offer any real shade to the helmsman or the front settee passengers. But I guess I'd need to sit on it to know for sure. Rusty, was the one you took across Florida a hardtop?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,218
Messages
1,428,821
Members
61,115
Latest member
Gardnersf
Back
Top