What are the best boats Sea Ray has built and Why?

I would have to go with a 2001-2009 240SD, but I reserve the right to change that as soon as I find my next Sea Ray.:thumbsup:

and that would be the 2000 290SS, correct?

Clearly. . it don't get better than that.
 
x2 on the 280DA... Lol

I would tend to agree with the comments on the 2001-2009 280DA. Obviously I am a little biased but unless I am mistaken, (and I am almost sure I am not on this one), this hull design had the longest production run of any other Sport Cruiser in the 2000s (with same hull and only cosmetic changes year to year). I believe that says alot.

Maybe even the longest model run SR has ever had of a Single hull. Not positive of that though, don't know enough about pre-2000 Sea Rays to be sure.

If I could have any Sport Cruiser though it would be the 03and 1/2-08 340DA, hands down. I plan to own one some day.

Now if I could have any Sport Yacht, hard choice........
 
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Hands down the 1998-2002 330/370 EC's/Amberjacks. Those beauties had a fat ass and plenty of muscle behind tem with the Diesels.
 
The 450 da of course !!!!

As biased as you..:grin: I know, but I believe that the 390EC has one clean design that is the best expression of the classic SRs of the eighties. Its lay out is just perfect.
Great use of the space available with the convertible guest stateroom that becomes a part of the salon. (the 400EC lay out was wrong, in my opinion, because the convertible cabin was on the same side of the salon sofa) and having double bunks makes easier to host friends that do not want to share the same bed.

A more modern SR I love, is the 52DA.
 
680SS/705 the biggest SeaRay ever made.
Best regards.
Melida
 
680SS/705 the biggest SeaRay ever made.
Best regards.
Melida

I bet this girl, the circa 1992 650 Cockpit Motoryacht, would rival the 680 in size, particularly since she was made during the peak of SeaRay's conservative nomenclature: (over 72' loa)
229_16.jpg


As far as quality/best goes, I have no idea. The only one I've ever seen was a 30" model in a showcase at a SeaRay dealer.

She was a little stubby at the stern imo, and probably would've benefitted from another 3-5' in length, but otherwise a good-looking motoryacht.
 
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What year and model is it?
 
680SS/705 produced between 2001-2006
Best regards.
Melida
 
Oops - should've mentioned the model of the boat I posted. That's a 650 Cockpit Motoryacht. Production began in '92. Apparently only a dozen of them were produced.
 
IMO, some of the best build SR's ranged from the late 70's to early 80's 260's.

My father had a 79' 260 SRV with a yellow hull. I mean the boat was nice, at the time it really must have bean a piece of ass boat. Small block with an 8' beam it really was a go everywhere boat.

I don't know how others feel but I grew up on these boats and own one now. I love all SR's like like I love my kids. I love them for all that they are the good and the bad.

Like you love America, your home town, or your favorite breed of dog. It's hard to describe.

Man the winter sucks...I miss my boat!
 
Hate to say it, but your not going to get many straight answers on this. Everyone will side with their own boat. After all, thats why they bought it, right? I was partial to my AJ before going to a sedan bridge. And I will tell you that those are the best they ever made. I know I am wrong, but will tell you that anyway.......

Best all-around may have to be the older 268 though. best comprimise for size, engine and weight. The newer 290/310 are in there as well. Of course we all knwo that the best ever made is the 1983 340 Sedan Bridge though.... ;-)

And that seems to be how the thread is running...

I think what the OP was getting at is can't everyone get or afford a '59 Caddy but the majority agree and respect it for one of the best ever built. Granted the '59 had lines and quality to covet but wouldn't be very practical today for everyday use. Same goes for the lifestyle of most boaters, although older models can be refitted with electronics and repowers.

So when was the pinnacle of Sea Ray's prestige as a boat to be respected and revered? And of that era (or eras), what model within?
 
i would have to say the late 80's 390 express cruiser. i am biased because i own one, but i do have reasons for my choice: it can sleep 6 adults, it has a seperate stand up shower, lots of room inside and out, it only drafts a little over 3 feet, a 14' beam makes it ride nice and smooth....its the perfect choice for a day on the lake or a serious trip for an extended period of time
but like they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder
that being said i was a owner of a 85 250 sundancer for 10 years and it will definitley not get my vote!!!!!! 5 lbs of crap in a 2 lb sack, too many atempted ammenities for such a small boat, under under under (did i mention under) Powered!!!!!
 
Best all-around may have to be the older 268 though. best comprimise for size, engine and weight. The newer 290/310 are in there as well. Of course we all knwo that the best ever made is the 1983 340 Sedan Bridge though.... ;-)

The 268 is deffinatley something special! One of the only boats Sea Ray made with an odd ball number :grin:
 
i would have to say the late 80's 390 express cruiser. i am biased because i own one, but i do have reasons for my choice: it can sleep 6 adults, it has a seperate stand up shower, lots of room inside and out, it only drafts a little over 3 feet, a 14' beam makes it ride nice and smooth....its the perfect choice for a day on the lake or a serious trip for an extended period of time
but like they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder
that being said i was a owner of a 85 250 sundancer for 10 years and it will definitley not get my vote!!!!!! 5 lbs of crap in a 2 lb sack, too many atempted ammenities for such a small boat, under under under (did i mention under) Powered!!!!!

Interesting, I own a 400EC and a 1988 270 Sundancer. The 270 was my first boat, bought it in 2001. Lost both engines the next year and another two years later as a result of a bad mechanic. But I love my 270. Twin 4.3L engines. Only 350 horse. Wish it had the 260 instead of the 175 horse. But the boat rides nice. Looks good. Loves to get up and run. Sleeps 6. Has a 10ft 3inch beam. Great lines. Now with the new canvas and the engines running tremendously good - I buy the 400EC. But the 270 is a great boat. :smt038
 
the 268 and 270da 1983 untill 1988 as well as the 340's da @ ec 1984 untill 1988 are the boats that made sea ray what they are now
 
I'm purchasing a 2002 34 with 8.1L engines. I've read countless articles on water ingestion, so it's clear I need to have a good survey, mechanics check -up, and detailed maintenance records. Any further insight regarding this model/year...boat characteristics?

Thanks
 
I'm purchasing a 2002 34 with 8.1L engines. I've read countless articles on water ingestion, so it's clear I need to have a good survey, mechanics check -up, and detailed maintenance records. Any further insight regarding this model/year...boat characteristics?

Thanks

Marcus, welcome to the forum. Just a tip- It is considered bad forum etiquitte to post the same question in multiple threads, especially when you end up "hijacking" existing threads that have nothing to do with the queston you asked.

Part of the theme here is we *try* the best we can to keep topics within a thread so it is easier for people to see the information later on when looking up the same issue. Multiple threads will spread your prospective answers all over the place and you might miss some good info. The thread you started in the Gas Engine section should do the trick.

Happy New Year!
 

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