Why do we feel... We must have the Best?

Good thread Robert, thanks.

I guess I'm a bit (or quite a bit) different from many people. I buy the best I can afford. I have no illusions about wanting to buy the best there is. Were that the case I would own an Ocean Alexander, Nordhavn or Marlow, etc. Sea Ray builds a helluva stout boat. The designs of the older boats appeal to me much more than SR's newer designs so if I COULD afford one of the newer boats (510 Flybridge, for example) I would not buy one. I just don't like the euro designs and the interiors look like they came from the local Home Depot. They are fugly, IMO.

I tend to keep things for many years if they continue to perform well. I do like quality items, and that's why my wife drives an Infiniti and I drive a BMW. Neither is new, but that's not important to me. As long as both keep running and not giving us problems I'll keep driving them.

I typically do not upgrade things like stereo systems and other electronics. That being said, in the past year I've replaced two stereo units on the boat because the old ones finally died, and I just had a new radar/gps/plotter/compass system put in. It started with a new radar and MFD because of a lightening strike nearby the boat. Then we found the new radar wouldn't talk to the old MFD so that needed to go. Then, to make sure the MFD always knew what direction the boat was pointed when we were stopped, I added an electronic compass.

I guess, for me, it's not so much "keeping up with the Joneses" as it is wanting to be proud of what I own. Sure, I like getting compliments from others on our boat, but that's a matter of pride in ownership, not about being a showoff. When people ask what kind of boat I have I just mention that it's a "Sea Ray cabin cruiser." That usually satisfies their curiosity. If they press me for info on how bit it is I'll share that, but then most people can't relate "550 Sedan Bridge" to what the boat really looks like, so they still really don't know how bit it is.

This is my fourth power boat and third SR. Our next boat will be downsized significantly, probably down to a ~28' express cruiser that we can trailer. Will it be a SR again? Likely, but I'm not going to limit my search to SR boats.
 
Because VCR tapes are like 8 tracks now! Why not go DVD with flat screen? My used radar is 10 years newer than my boat. My depthfinder gave out years ago so the Garmin GPS took over. New refrig cost more than any upgrade so far but I got a better one! My new head and galley sink facets are nicer than some homes I've been in. You have to upgrade a bit to enjoy the classics, Mike.
 
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dvx216 said:
Is there such a thing as a quality product with out being top of the line?
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I say yes...
the difference between top of the line and good quality or value is the same as the difference between the "I wants" and "I needs"

Yes I did a flatscreen on my 340...she didn't have a TV
the stereo upgrade is for my enjoyment only ..not someone 5 coves away.

I am more a utilitarian type...good quality function rather than brand new fancy overdoing.
New 8.2mags would be nice but 50 grand+ to gain 100hp and a couple mph...I like my Crusaders :wink:
 
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That's why I bought 2003 480 sedan bridge in 2011. Huge boat 1/3 the new price , Does Not make since to buy new, made that mistake withy 06 320 dancer...... If we ever move up might be a USED 580 with MANS because I can't even begin to afford New.
I to built up my own Bridge sound system for my own enjoyment and all my TVS still work fine.... For now .
 
boltman said:
24 JLAudio speakers on the bridge, instead of the original 6???
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ok, I've seen you post this before but I thought it was a mistake. 24, really? geez, I can't imagine this. Even if you're using JL components (tweeters & woofer/midranges) vs. coaxials and counting them separately, that's still 10 or 11 speaker "sets" depending on how many subs you're running. I'm a huge fan of JL Audio but knowing a little about the bridge of a 480 (hard uneven surfaces and very little sound absorbing material) how do you not have a listening space that's not just one giant standing wave? seems like you would have so many reflections cancelling here and combining there it would cause a lot of distortion. are certain channels dedicated to projecting sound to the front deck or cockpit?

I have 4 M770s (components) for bridge listening and one set of Bose 151's on separate channels for outside sound projection only. That's 10 if you count the 770 components separately plus 1 sub to make a paltry 11 speakers. 24, holy cow. did you have to run separate 12v power up to the bridge?

You shouldn't ever need the bridge heat as all those amps should keep things pretty toasty! I was on the front row for TWO Van Halen concerts (btw I about had my arm broke when I handed David Lee Roth a pint of Jack Daniels) in my younger years...but you might very well have them beat.
 
boltman said:
That's why I bought 2003 480 sedan bridge in 2011. Huge boat 1/3 the new price , Does Not make since to buy new, made that mistake withy 06 320 dancer...... If we ever move up might be a USED 580 with MANS because I can't even begin to afford New.
I to built up my own Bridge sound system for my own enjoyment and all my TVS still work fine.... For now .
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Hey Boltman, I see in your details you list the 480 Sedan Bridge as the best boat ever....sooooo I guess it's time to up grade.:huh: We love our 320 but I have a half of eye open looking for bigger boat with flybridge, let me know when you decide to pull the trigger on that 580! If spring/summer ever decides to come I'd love to take a closer look at your boat, we are in Grand Haven.
Thanks,
Jeff
 
When I was in sales I dealt with the Euro countries quite a bit. Mostly, France at that time. They really don't understand Americans. When I ordered a specific option to be installed as a standard the manufacturer went crazy. You don’t need that they said yet 85% of all small machines sold in the NA have it no matter if needed or not.

The attachment cost 1200USD and was added on to the machine price of 70-80K.
I told the manufacturer that in NA it’s not about need it’s about want and we can pay for it. The option is now standard for NA and sells with 80-85% of total machine sells.

We in NA want things and can pay for them. Is it practical? I guess you need to ask the millions we employ to make the products both here and worldwide.

Next time you upgrade and feel guilty about installing that new radar just remember all the folks who built, shipped, sold, installed and maintained the equipment.

The only time I feel bad is when folks go out of their budget to get what they can’t afford. Now that is truly tragic.
 
I will pay for a quality product that will give advertized performance, and last. I'm not extravegant, but I also think the great quality that Sea Ray put into their boats allows folks like me to be able to buy an older model, and still be able to renovate it and have a really nice boat, as opposed to the new boats which are for the same model completely out of reach cost wise ( not to mention I like the looks of the older SR's). I like to use the best parts when available to maintain the overall quality of the vessel, and when it comes to safety items, I want the best!
 
I too, like owning the best....but for me the best I can afford will have to do. I do a lot of shopping for items for the boat and I often find really good deals....on quality items. Our boat is 29 years old but it was one of the best built boats that size that I could find. The PO spent $30k on the electronics a year before he sold the boat. It is a full, 2-station RayMarine networked package with every bell and whistle available. Good for me, bad for him.

We plan to sell the house and move on board in 3 years. And then we have a 5-year cruise itinerary that will take us from here to the NW, back down the coast, to the East Coast, the Bahamas and the Great Loop. For me, buying the best now means that I don't have to worry about something critical taking a dump at the worst possible moment. Shopping for the best deal on something makes perfect sense as we ready the boat for this trip.

Sometimes owning the best can make a difference in safety and comfort as well.
 
I had a tag line on my business card for years

Quality costs less in the end


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I dont upgrade to impress anyone. I upgrade to the best because I'm proud of my gear, my ability to buy it, my abilities to use it and my abilities to open up new possibilities to share it with my family and friends. However, I think I'm speaking for boaters everywhere when I say boating is a shared experience, but it is also a private refuge for the boat owner. Many times I'm at work day dreaming about my boat, my cockpit, my instruments, my underwater lights. Love it! Can't wait to get back to my boat!
 
boltman said:
God I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who fantasizes about his boat, cockpit and the soft feel of that fake wood steering wheel !!!!!!!!
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You bought FAKE wood


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Yeah know I'm not sure it even has fake wood on it at al hahha I'm thinking it's padded hahaha and right now I'm not sure I care it's so freakin cold outside !!!!!!
 
boltman said:
Yeah know I'm not sure it even has fake wood on it at al hahha I'm thinking it's padded hahaha and right now I'm not sure I care it's so freakin cold outside !!!!!!
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I'm sitting here at 1.30pm under our back verandah. I've just done the gardens, I need a shower, but I'm sitting here with a nice cold Corona, it's around 80F with 58% humidity...

Oh yeah, that's another part to this thread I guess. I don't know what your bottle shop selection is over there...
But here we can buy the cheaper beer around $25 -$30 per carton, but with Corona, Becks, Hienekin, boutique beers etc around $40-$50 per carton... I buy around the level.
I don't buy scotch under 12yo
I keep a wine fridge with good red and whites
And my wife has just decided if she is to drink champagne it should be French




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I upgrade when I want to really. Our first year with AMFM was basically out of necessity. New cockpit carpet and canvas as the stuff that came with the boat when we bought it was original and in sorry shape. Then we replaced one of the 3 bow cushions as one was missing. So, I added a Sunbrella cover for the cushions because it looks better.

Last season son I added DECKadence to the swim platforms and then 3 flat screens thoughout the boat with coordinated BluRays. It was a fun project and one of those upgrades for the family only because we could do it.

I'm an insomniac so I dream projects up all the time to try to get to sleep. But fantasizing I'm at the helm with that fake wood wheel in my hand still works best to get me to sleep!

Mark
 
But fantasizing I'm at the helm with that wood in my hand still works best to get me to sleep!

Mark[/QUOTE]

You guys have got a problem!


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IanBat said:
But fantasizing I'm at the helm with that wood in my hand still works best to get me to sleep!

Mark
Click to expand...

You guys have got a problem!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD[/QUOTE]

lol...nice editing. "Fake wood wheel" as referred in previous posts. But creative just the same!

Mark
 
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