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

My parents late '70s Sea Ray 18' Bowrider that hooked me on boating in the first place (other than just skiing prior).

Then their mid 90's 330DA, which expanded my horizons to overnight boating on the hook w/ the comforts of home.

A friends late 90's 400 Express that exposed me to a wider beam, larger cockpit, and open salon.

My 2000 410DA that taught me the value of diesels (handling & efficiency) and a 2nd head when boating with 3 girls (wife & two small daughters at the time).

My '04 550DA w/ large cockpit, straight drives, hard top, a mid-ship master and the lines are just striking.
Each was the bomb diggity at that time (still loving the 550DA, especially w/ the MAN's).

Started with nothing. Worked hard, dreamed big, and closed a few deals along the way. "Man, one day I'm gonna get me one of those...". Thankful for the opportunity to progress through the vast Sea Ray product line that has something for everyone.

I still can't believe how lucky I have been to get the opportunity to enjoy all these fine rides.
 
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I posted my view of the which is best a while ago in another thread, bu
The one I wish they would make would be the 370EC with a 16 ft beam, stretched out to about 48 ft, with a Carolina flare, Hardtop that extends over 1/2 of the cockpit, a raised bridge deck with a stainless steel framed sliding glass door so the helm, No isinglass, but all glass windows (like a 610 DA) and a drop curtain to protect the upholstery from the sun when in the slip, and front passenger area are completely air conditioned/heated. Walk in bilge with a 2'X3' day hatch, and a full width swim platform that is at least 6 feet wide. I'd prefer 1100 hp C-18 Cats but the legal beagles at Brunswick would probably limit them to c-12's.
t after running a few of the newer boat, some adjustment my be in order

Although above would be Fabulous!

My vote would have to be 1977 30 Weekender, we have had ours for over 33 years and it is hardly a Sea Ray any more but does attest to the build quality of the time. This model was there flagship and really put them on the map.
 
Good to see you Brett!...and yes, I can attest to your 550 being a cool one...been on it myself! That boat looks like an ocean liner on the lake! In lieu of being an ocean going yacht, your Sea Ray is the mobile mega party unit for Lanier!!

R
 
I used to have my boat on D dock (D25) until a month ago. We went to the port and now are inside on a rack at Bluepoints.

I remember a 400 DA on the west side of E dock.

The 52 sounds like something I need to see. A warning though I may not leave. :)

Like Rusty says, the answer to this thread is the best Sea Ray built is one that is owned by someone else but I still get to hang out on it! LOL!
That was my 400; It has a home with some great people and they keep it down by Sebastian. The 52 is down on the end of E dock now; you are welcome any time to visit!
 
Good to see you Brett!...and yes, I can attest to your 550 being a cool one...been on it myself! That boat looks like an ocean liner on the lake! In lieu of being an ocean going yacht, your Sea Ray is the mobile mega party unit for Lanier!!

R

What's up Capt.? Thanks for the compliments Rusty. We are hoping to take it to big water in the next few years... time will tell. It was good to see you again at the Palm Beach show last year, hopefully Kimberly and I will make it back again this year.

There have been a lot of upgrades since you saw it in 2013 at the Dealer Meeting. I had just purchased it at that point. Check out the upgrades on the cockpit and helm (below). These areas are part of what sold me on this model.

This is the era when Sea Ray (and the entire marine industry) really started figuring everything out. From creature comforts to electronics. Rock solid construction. Not cutting corners. Before the crash, when they unfortunately had to let go of too many of their true craftsmen. Really would have liked to see Merritt Island Yacht Plant back then.


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Soooo.....having owned Sea Ray Sundancers and Sedan Bridges, I am partial to the DB's as Sea Ray's best boats. Unlike many on here, I am not a fan of the pre-2003/4/5 iterations of either DA's or DB's, regardless of size. To me they always looked overly square with dated interiors, even when some of them were fairly new in the mid to late 2000's. Just my personal preference. I am particularly fond of what is by now the just previous generation of Sea Rays, 2004ish to 2012ish. I think the looks, quality, performance and value of that generation is by far the best overall packages produced by Sea Ray. In that era, I would say the 58DB was the best boat Sea Ray built (I may have a bias there), but cost of ownership is high. It's big, it's comfortable, it entertains a crowd and it's fast. Same thing for the 60DA, just a different style. But, when taking cost of ownership into account I think the 52DB is the better boat than either of those two (I think Frank Webster once referred to it as a 48DB on steroids). So, putting aside cost of ownership, go with the 2005-2012 58DB or 60DA. Of course, if money is really no object then I'd say the L650FLY is Sea Ray's best boat ever...it's got it all for those that cruise their boats over any distance. I can't think of any flaws in that boat.
 
Sea Ray’s Sundancers were beautiful. I loved the ones from the late 80’s, wasn’t a fan of the early and mid 90’s, but for me they got beautiful again in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, particularly after the white cabinetry went away.
The generation right after mine (mid 2000 390/420/440) with the hardtops are my favorite.
Not a fan of the current Euro styling at all.
 
For those of us who live inland, you can't give away a cruiser. The big open bows, like the 240 Sundeck, are hugely popular.
 
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I have the Cherry Wood interior in mine.. I'm replacing the carpeting in the cabin with Teal and Holly Lonseal.
 
West32, nice boat and love the teak holly floors. We are on dock w8, Racine.

Cale
 
It is. She was in tough shape, but I new I could make it nice for the right price.... I rebuilt the port motor and the boat runs great now! Over the winter, I put in a new cabin sole and new electronics. Should be ready for the 2018 season

Why do you ask?

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I am partial to my 240SD. It is large enough to go cruising on, small enough to maneuver easily. It also tows well. A good party boat.:)
 
This question is sort of like a similar one I learned...

What is the best wine to drink with xxx (steak, chicken, fish).

Answer : The one you like to drink.

What’s the best Sea Ray boat? The one you own or Captain!
 
I had my favorites over the years but if you're buying the drinks, then yours is by far the best one we ever built !!

Capt. R

Sage advice from a wise man!!

I had two 96 330's and loved both of them. They were fast, easy and fun to drive and economical for a boat that size (I had the 350's).

There is a LOT to like about the 550 that I now have. Tons of room for entertaining, quiet, planes nicely and a very comfortable boat to own. I'm sure this will be my last boat and I'm enjoying the heck out of her.
 
It is. She was in tough shape, but I new I could make it nice for the right price.... I rebuilt the port motor and the boat runs great now! Over the winter, I put in a new cabin sole and new electronics. Should be ready for the 2018 season

Why do you ask?
Sorry, I just asked you again and now I see you'd already answered. We were really interested in this boat but were leery about the hours and would have had to remove all the fishing gear as we don't fish. I like what you've done with the boat. Ended up with a pretty nice 97 from original owner though, but without hardtop or maple or cherry interior (can't remember which one it had)
 
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We settled on the Express cruiser layout years ago after trial and error. The SR 37 Express took that design to a very nice level in the late 90s. When we were unable to find a new or used one when we were ready to replace our 300 WEr we bought a new 3200 Open from Tiara. It is essentially a 37 SR wide-body with some refinements.
 
Having owned 230 BR, 240DA, 260 DA, 280DA and now a 320DA as others have stated the 1998 to 2012 run was a pretty good one for Sea Ray.
 

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