sea ray vs four winns?

[xcurrent]

Hi all

new to the forum. I have basic boating experience in mid sized I/O bowriders, most of my life.

I am looking at a cruiser between 35 and 40 foot range and sea ray and four winns look pretty good to me.

But with little experience with a boat like this i would love to get some feedback on which brand is better and what a newbee should be looking for.

It would be used in salt water (florida) and hopefully move around a fair bit (2 adults 2 kids max) with stay-overs no longer than a week.

Any feedback would be wonderful and appreciated, even if another brand/type would be better.

Thanks....

[letsgetsailing3]

You really can't go wrong there. These are both great choices, of comparable quality, so get the one you want!

You'll have to look closely at the fit and finish and layout that you prefer, and I'm sure if you sit on one you'll have a preference.

[HappyMdRSailor]

I'm no expert, but I've had actual experience with both of those brands as well as about 30 other M/V's from 16' ski boats to 65' Hattari ... (Hatteras) and
NEITHER of these would be my 1st... 5th... or 10th... choice....

Don't get me wrong... They work just fine as boats... but there are SOOOOO Many other brands out there I think are superior...

Hatteras, Chris Craft, Bertram, Egg Harbor, Tiara, Carver, Grady White, Robalo, Wellcraft, Ocean, Mainship.... This is a 30 second list... TONS of others... Out of the two, the Ray isn't the worst...

Diesel is the only choice....

[xcurrent]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

I'm no expert, but I've had actual experience with both of those brands as well as about 30 other M/V's from 16' ski boats to 65' Hattari ... (Hatteras) and
NEITHER of these would be my 1st... 5th... or 10th... choice....

Don't get me wrong... They work just fine as boats... but there are SOOOOO Many other brands out there I think are superior...

Hatteras, Chris Craft, Bertram, Egg Harbor, Tiara, Carver, Grady White, Robalo, Wellcraft, Ocean, Mainship.... This is a 30 second list... TONS of others... Out of the two, the Ray isn't the worst...

Diesel is the only choice....

most of those brands do not make cruisers like these tough right? (can't afford a hatti)

As far as Carver do you mean like the new (i think) c37/40?.....Carver is better?

thanks for the feedback

[letsgetsailing3]

Oh, if money is no object, I'd go Chris Craft or Cobalt.

Sea Ray and Four Winns are good bets at a mid-level price point.

[OutOfControl]

xcurrent,
Sea Ray had some issues regarding balsa-cored hulls below the water line. You should have a surveyor that is competent in this area. They are not the only company that used balsa coring below the water line, but the quality of their workmanship and materials needs a thorough inspection.
A lot of boat for the money if you find a good one.
Tiara, as mentioned above deserves a look also.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by xcurrent

most of those brands do not make cruisers like these tough right? (can't afford a hatti)

As far as Carver do you mean like the new (i think) c37/40?.....Carver is better?

thanks for the feedback

Please tell me you're not buying these new... If you are, then yes... my mentioned brands are pretty spendy... Nothing wrong with the Ray

or Ahem... The Winns... Just not what I would do at all.... Maybe I'm biased, but experience with a 35' Four Loser 20 years ago... biggest piece of dog I ever set my butt behind the helm... Crap performance/stability/manuverability/... and.... Fit/finish.... Who knows??? Maybe they are great boats now???

Ray is OK, again... my experience was with an older mid 90's boat... 37' Normal IO problems and engine.... Most bad stuff goes away with an inboard diesel here....

Make up a fictional dollar amount.... I'll go to YW for you and pick my top 5...

[xcurrent]

Originally Posted by OutOfControl

xcurrent,
Sea Ray had some issues regarding balsa-cored hulls below the water line. You should have a surveyor that is competent in this area. They are not the only company that used balsa coring below the water line, but the quality of their workmanship and materials needs a thorough inspection.
A lot of boat for the money if you find a good one.
Tiara, as mentioned above deserves a look also.

i was hoping for new (we will see). So new they are comparable? but used i will get a survey....... thanks

If i go used i will prolly try to find a broker (i guess?)

[xcurrent]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Please tell me you're not buying these new... If you are, then yes... my mentioned brands are pretty spendy... Nothing wrong with the Ray

or Ahem... The Winns... Just not what I would do at all.... Maybe I'm biased, but experience with a 35' Four Loser 20 years ago... biggest piece of dog I ever set my butt behind the helm... Crap performance/stability/manuverability/... and.... Fit/finish.... Who knows??? Maybe they are great boats now???

Ray is OK, again... my experience was with an older mid 90's boat... 37' Normal IO problems and engine.... Most bad stuff goes away with an inboard diesel here....

Make up a fictional dollar amount.... I'll go to YW for you and pick my top 5...

350k.....(not sure yet but its a start)

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by xcurrent

i was hoping for new (we will see). So new they are comparable? but used i will get a survey....... thanks

If i go used i will prolly try to find a broker (i guess?)

Survey absolutely MANDATORY on anything that ever touched the water or sat more than a week outside....

PURCHASE BROKERS ARE FREEEEEEEE...... Do it!

Originally Posted by xcurrent

350k.....(not sure yet but its a start)

Jeezo... You could buy the moon with this number.... Usually you would look 30% over buying used, and find the right boat/owner combo that comes down to your budget... I'll stick with 350.... It's Christmas all over again Happy!

[OutOfControl]

Originally Posted by xcurrent

i was hoping for new (we will see). So new they are comparable? but used i will get a survey....... thanks

If i go used i will prolly try to find a broker (i guess?)

Tiara and some of the other brands mentioned by Happy above are in a whole different league.
And as Happy also pondered, buying used is a smart option and will save money allowing you to get something you otherwise may not be able to afford new.
It's a buyers market, lots of late model used boats with little use. Depending on the amount you plan on spending it might be advantageous for you to secure a "buyers broker".

[xcurrent]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Survey absolutely MANDATORY on anything that ever touched the water or sat more than a week outside....

PURCHASE BROKERS ARE FREEEEEEEE...... Do it!

survey/broker on a new boat? or just used?

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

.

PURCHASE BROKERS ARE FREEEEEEEE...... Do it!

I'm sorry, but no broker is ever free. They may sometimes pay for themselves if you rub them up against another broker, or if you're not the kind of person who likes to negotiate.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Here you go....

I didn't put any rays on here cause I think you've looked at 'em... Simply other options.... Ton's more...

Pick 'em apart and tell me what you hate....

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[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

I'm sorry, but no broker is ever free. They may sometimes pay for themselves if you rub them up against another broker, or if you're not the kind of person who likes to negotiate.

Your purchase broker should take some of the seller broker's cut....