Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

[KCook]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

I have not looked closely at a Four Winns 214 so I will not comment on it. But here is another thread with a 214 owner -<br /><br /> Trailer Boats Boards » ... » Deck boat <br /><br />Kelly

 

[J230SX454MAG]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Is the salesman telling you the whole hull on the Four Winns is using Armorcote gelcoats? There's another builder that uses Armorcote and typically these builders only use it in the hull band colors. Check that out. How was the SeaRay and FourWinns actually put together and what superior materials did one have over the other? Hardware, lay-up, fastening, etc.. You really did not expect the Stingray to be finished off as nice at close to 8K - 10K cheaper did you? <br />Any Warrenty also needs to be read thourghly as a lifetime hull warrenty does not neccessaily mean a lifetime warrenty as the salesman will lead you to believe. Look and see what's not covered. You may be supprised.

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

well just all in all, the feel, look and everything of the FourWinns and SeaRays were leaps and bounds above the Stingray I thought.<br /><br />But.. I might buy the 180RX stingray for myself as another toy. That boat is CHEAP.. what do you think of that?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

well, you've done your homework and looked at the boats. if the four winns is the winner, go for it. i'm sure you will enjoy it.<br /><br />as for wood in boats, not a bad thing. many smaller boats are going to all fiberglass to avoid the rot thing. but just something to understand- all large boats have wood. 6 million dollar boats have wood. it's stronger, provides less flex, and deadens sound. no wood does not equal better in any way.<br /><br />as for the lifetime hull warranty, never met someone that actually used it. plenty of other things will go wrong with any boat you buy before the hull goes bad. just seems to me another thing for the salesmen to use to sway an inexperienced buyer.<br /><br />like i said before, you asked good questions and you're doing your homework. good luck and enjoy the new boat-

 

[J230SX454MAG]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Really I just don't see the huge difference in actual construction between none of the boats you've looked at other then cosmetic things. I haven't checked out the entry level Stingray enough to have much of a opinion.<br />That said,I'd take the money you'd spend on two boats and just buy one bigger one.

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Well would you get this... after all that research and boat shows and stuff... the other people that are in on buying the boat are saying now they don't want to spend that type of money. So now they just went over to another marina and saw the TRACKER deck boat (http://www.suntrackerboats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.boat&nav=17&boat=1147)<br /><br />I don't even know what to tell them about this boat.. I am sure it is a PIECE OF *&@#*... what do you guys think? <br /><br />Compare this tracker boat to the StringRay, Four Winns, and SeaRay's.. so I have some points to bring up to them of why not to buy this boat..

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

I couldn't help but get a good chuckle out of that. So happens that one of the boats I owned was a Tracker. To Sea Ray owners I expect a Tracker would look like a POS. The aluminum boat market is quite different from the fiberglass market. Such an aluminum deckboat would be great for a quiet lake. Can't recall ever seeing a quiet bay though. Methinks your crew should stop shopping and start renting boats to see what the water is really like. And if they can't even agree on a boat to rent .... well ....<br /><br />Kelly

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

My opinion, for what it's worth, is get the boat you are really comfortable with, or you will never be truly happy with it. If the Four Winns meets your needs and has the room, ride, amenities and power you want, I would not concern myself with the overall integrity of the structure. These boats are built to last, as most are, weather they use fiberglass or wood stringers should be of no concern. It is not going to fall apart on you in the middle of the lake. By the time the wood stringers would rot(If they ever do), you will probably no longer be the owner of the boat(Unless you take it with you to the next life). Buy what fits your needs and budget and be happy with it....

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Nothing wrong with Sun Tracker quality. Good boat for the money. Just stay on the quiet end of the lake and out of the rough stuff. Not meant for the open water...