Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

[BruinSG17]

I'm looking to purchase my first boat, I don't fish so it would be for hanging out with family and friends. I just want to get on the water and will probably end up selling in 5-7 years to upgrade into something bigger as the family expands.

I got quoted really great pricing on the Stingray 195LS and 195CS.

So while I like the boat a couple things worry me:

1 - is 135hp underpowered? I think many here will say yes. Upgrading the LS to a 190hp would cost me about $4,000. The dealer does not have a better engine available for the CS. Price is also a pretty key so if it's not a necessity I'm leaning towards saving money.

2 - is the zplane hull going to make for a good ride? Boattest says the zplane improves both speed and comfort. I live on cape cod so I'll be in the ocean and ideally would like a boat to get to Marthas Vineyard for a couple days a summer. I know deep v hulls are best for the ocean but they seem to be at a price point of about $40k and seem to be geared more towards fishing opposed to just lounging with family.

Would really appreciate the feedback as spending $20-25k is a huge investment for me to make.

Thank you.

 

[BamaCharlie]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

The 135hp will work and should be really good on fuel unless you have a really heavy load.
The Zplane hull is great for calm water but it will beat you up in rough water.
I love Stingrays and think that you need to look at the 205 or even the 225.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

My Stingray is a SVB190SS, but its not much different than the later model 195. I also have the 3.0 liter engine.

I didn't know it was underpowered till I started reading this forum. Of course, I have a double cupped SS prop that was custom pitched to meet my requirements. A friend of mine has twin 454's and he's not satisfied with that, so it all depends on how fast you want or need to go and whether you need to impress somebody or not.

I boat in Lake Erie, which can get pretty rough at times, but I've only been off Cape Cod once in my life so I really can't compare.

All I can say is that we've had our Stingray for 27 years now, so that in itself is a measure of our satisfaction. Our son bought one a few years ago as well. His has the 4.3 V-6 and its a 225 Model. I like my 195 better!. I've been so happy with my 4 banger that I could not imagine wanting to ever upgrade.

 

[BruinSG17]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

Would the ZPlane be any rougher than other bowriders/small Cuddys? Ideally I'd go DC but they are just way to out of my price range.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

Would the ZPlane be any rougher than other bowriders/small Cuddys?

From what I understand, yes. That's why a Stingray typically does better with the little 3.0 than other hulls, but you sacrifice ride quality. They are light, fast, and a little rough.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

From what I understand, yes. That's why a Stingray typically does better with the little 3.0 than other hulls, but you sacrifice ride quality. They are light, fast, and a little rough.

Ride quality / roughness is a little subjective. I personally feel that the weight of the boat has more bearing on it than the hull itself. Of course, that's comparing a Deep V with a Deep V, not throwing a TriHull or something like that in the equation. Also, the higher the deadrise, the better the ride at equal weight.

I've personally ridden in a 19ish foot Stingray, a 4Winns, a SeaRay and a Celebrity. I would rate them all about the same. An Imp with an OMC drive was substantially better, and a 21' Starcraft aluminum (lighter) was much worse.

 

[josemcolon]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

i love my 195 ls i even had six foot waves over my head i love it 2006 stingray.if you want better ride buy a 60.000 doolar boat thats the only way buy mine for 9500

 

[The Revenge]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

I owned a 195LS. It was a great boat. I would get the 4.3L however. It's just a better motor for the boat regarding loads, performance, skiing, tubing, etc... Your resale with the V6 will be better also. In terms of ride: it's not to be considered a rough water boat. It will give you a fine ride in inland waters. I've had mine in the ocean in 4'-5' seas and it will do it but that's not the place to be in that boat.
Another family member just bought a 2010 225LR. It is a fantastic boat. It has all the things I wished my 195 had. Bow anchor storage, bow boarding ladder, huge storage compartments under both helm seats, more coolers, stainless pop up cleats, two glove boxes, and quite a few other things.
best of luck

 

[gtochris]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

LR is the "deck boat" style right? Seems everyone is going that way...

Our 190RS rides rough, 2200lbs is not much for a 19ft boat, I think other deep V's of similar length ride much better but it is very efficient and quite fast boat when running with a light load on flat water. I'd buy another stingray again as I feel it is a good value.

Jim, I didnt know you could get a 4.3L in a 225, I know near everyone else would put a V8 in that. how does it perform? (is it a Merc? MPI version?)

 

[JimS123]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

LR is the "deck boat" style right? Seems everyone is going that way...

Our 190RS rides rough, 2200lbs is not much for a 19ft boat, I think other deep V's of similar length ride much better but it is very efficient and quite fast boat when running with a light load on flat water. I'd buy another stingray again as I feel it is a good value.

Jim, I didnt know you could get a 4.3L in a 225, I know near everyone else would put a V8 in that. how does it perform? (is it a Merc? MPI version?)

Its a 2007 model and it has the carbed Merc 4.3. Straight from the factory is had a poor hole shot, and rode poorly with more than 5 people aboard. With a prop upgrade and a DoelFin, all the problems were solved Now, fuel economy is good, and performance is excellent. It does all he ever wanted it to do. Tubing and skiing with 4 or 5 aboard is effortless. I never checked speed, but based on a head to head with my boat, I would guess its top end is mid 40's. Where we boat, we cruise at 30 most of the time anyway.

 

[BruinSG17]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

From the responses here, it sounds like this may be the right boat. There are a few thumbs down on the cruising in rough open ocean and the engine is a little small but at nearly 25% off MSRP, the value may outweigh the negatives.

I need to figure out the financing situation which seems to be a daunting task with boats.

 

[jkust]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

You hit on the only boat I'd own with a 4 cylinder being a Stingray. I'd actually like one as a third or fourth boat for calm days. That said, because you can get 60mph out of just a carbed v6 on a Stingray for not much more $, I don't think I could pass up the prospect of that much speed out of that little engine for that little money. Is it underpowered, for a Stingray, no it is not. If it was on my 18 foot sig boat the answer would be yes it is. If I were in your shoes, I would seek out another boat more apt for ocean cruising that I'm sure you could find in your price range. Even a heavier brand bowrider that is a little slower given your intended purposes. Even on our larger inland lakes here in MN nowhere near the size of your water, the SR owners get tossed around a good bit. Where as I don't mind getting tossed around, my wife certainly does.

 

[BruinSG17]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

I can't find anything in my range that is more of an "ocean boat". Even Sea Fox which I've been told is a low end dual console boat is in the low $30ks after all discounts I could get out of the dealer.

Monterey also has a deep V hull on their bowriders but they are also well over $30k for anything above 20'.

If I were to rank the top features I want it would be:

1 - Handles the ocean well
2 - Seating is spacious, comfortable (typical bowrider seating)
3 - Outboard
4 - MSRP under $28k, want to pay as close to $20k as possible

Meeting these requirements I've found DCs by:
Seaswirl is $40k+, Nauticstar $40k+, Sailfish $50k+
Too rich for my blood.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

I need to figure out the financing situation which seems to be a daunting task with boats.

A Credit Union is the only way to go. Low interest, only pay on the unpaid balance, and pay off any time with no penalty.

 

[The Revenge]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

Your in the 20-25K price range? What waters will you boat on mostly.
If your dead set on a "rough water" boat JMO you need to change your search. Stingrays are great boats for what there designed to do. The hulls are designed to go fast, efficiently on less horsepower than similar boats.
Boat hulls are USUALLY always a trade off: fast hull/less stable rough water, rough water hull/ less speed.
My step son just got a zero hour brand new 225LR 4.3FI for in the mid 20's.
There are some good deals on boats out there.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

Stingray makes a lot of boat for the money. I looked pretty closely at them several years ago when I was in the market for an 18-20' runabout. They're fast and fun, but I'm not sure that's what you really want for your intended use.

It isn't so much the style of boat but how the cockpit is configured. To run comfortably in rough conditions you need to be standing. When you're sitting, your spine takes a beating....doesn't much matter so much what type of boat, it's going to beat you up if you're sitting down. Standing, your knees and legs take the shock and that makes it MUCH more comfortable for you and your passengers. We have some boating friends that have a 24' boat that's very similar in design to our 26', except it's a sit down boat and we can stand in ours. The difference in ride comfort in rough water is like night and day.

Whatever boat you wind up with, I'd strongly suggest staying away from a "sit down" boat. Center console boats are very popular in coastal areas for numerous reasons. That's what I'd be looking at, and some are configured more as pleasure boats than fishing boats. If you can't find anything new that fits your budget then look for something a few years old (but not TOO old or you take a chance on getting a money pit). As has been mentioned, there are some great deals out there.

Sorry if I'm further confusing the issue, but would hate for your first boat to not be everything you wanted. Obviously we all have a budget, but if you're shopping primarily on price you're not likely to be happy with your purchase for long.

Good luck in your search!

 

[bnicov]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

I would go for the v6. It's a big boat for only a 4 banger. If you plan on dooing any tubing or skiing, you are going to regret the 4cyl. Yes it may perform fairly well but once there is a few extra people on board, you will be wishing for the bigger engine. In the long run, it's cheaper to go for the 6. Why?? Because in a couple of years, you will be trading it in for something more powerful.

 

[V153]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

My brother bought a 19 footer w/4.3 new in '01. Proven to be a great boat for he & his family. He's pretty anal about maintenence & keeping it clean so it's still in excellent condition. The ZPlane hull design is surprizingly fast. That thing'll do well over 50 with a boat load of people + gear. I don't think it rides much rougher than any comparable V?

As others have said it's speed is still respectable but it's marginally powered with the 4 banger. I'd spend a lil extra for the V6. You'll never regret it.

Check out Glastron vs Stingray @ "Uzicanvas" on Youtube.

 

[BruinSG17]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

Scout ranked high on JDPower and has a dual console that is in the mid-30's. 20% of sticker seems to be where dealers quote me so I wonder if I could drop that into the high 20's. I would definitely take the Scout if I could close the gap between the Stingray and Scout to under $5k.

...or I could try a fix up the uncovered 1989 Cobalt that has been sitting in a family members yard for three years. The weeds growing out of the floor tell me it could be costly.

 

[BruinSG17]

Re: Opinions on Stingray ZPlane Hull

Checked out the Stingray 208 LR today. Seemed like a solid boat, 220HP over only 135 on the 195 LR I looked at. Would cost about $10k more but seemed substantially better looking at the two. Even though it's only 1-2" longer, it looked twice the size.

The bow looked like a deckboat inside but had the normal zplane hull. Will the bigger boat give me a better ride in the chop or is the zplane just going to be poor no matter how long I go?

The dealer also told me that the boat was self Bailing but I didn't see this listed on the boat specs...does anyone know anything about this?

At $30k the boat is too much but I think they'd be willing to go down in price. Someone mentioned on here that they got $18k off a $50k Cobalt of similar size. Have to image thatcloser to $25k is the price I'd need to get to, to bite on this deal, if and only if that hull can withstand the ocean (inlets and bays, nothing crazy).