Which of these two boats should I you choose?

[Morgueman]

Hi Everyone,

For the same price, I could get either of these. Which should I choose, and why?
1. 2005 SeaRay 240 Sundeck with 320 hp Mercruiser
2. 2007 Regal 2400 with 320 hp Volvo

We're new to boating, live in Southern CA, and plan to trailer the boat around. I imagine we'll mostly use it in lakes & coastal bays; however, we may venture out to Catalina and want to have a smoother ride as the wife is somewhat sensitive to rough rides.

Please feel free to share any thoughts...

Eric (Morgueman)

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

I'm a fellow SoCal guy so the first thing to recommend is that you really want to get a professional hull survey and mechanical inspection done before purchase. That will cost a little bit but can save you significantly more. Lots of surveyors in our area.

Next, either boat will get you to Catalina but it IS way rougher in the afternoon in our waters; even going from the Queen Mary back to Huntington Harbor in the afternoon can beat you up; plan on getting a little wet.

Both are decent boats so what your (with wife have a higher percentage) own preference is, condition and the results of the surveys will help you decided.

Will you work on it yourself mostly or take to a shop? Lots of shops in our area, may be a few more Merc guys than Volvo but both are reliable if taken care of.

Good luck.

Mark

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

Sort of a toss-up in my mind between the 2 boats. The actual condition of the boats should be a big determining factor, since there is no real difference in brand preference (IMHO).

It I do like the stepped hull of the Regal, but no major advantage there. Which one do you like the best?

Catalina may be a stretch for that sort of boat.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

Get the Regal. It's a true V-hull with a full stepped bottom. The Sundeck is a deck boat with a modified V-hull. The Regal will ride much smoother in rougher conditions than the deckboat.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

Condition, care, and maintenance would be the 1st consideration. If similar the Regal would top my list although the Merc is preferred.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

I'd take the regal (assuming everything else is the same). With that said, if one had fuel injection and the other didn't I'd lean heavily towords FI.

 

[Morgueman]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

Thank you for your input. Why do you prefer the Merc?

 

[Morgueman]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

Aside from the better hull on the 2007 Regal 2400, are there any other build-quality or performance characteristics that I should be aware that distinguish this boat from the 2005 SeaRay Sundeck 240?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

The Regal will probably be faster, ride smoother, build quality is the same or just a bit better, it will handle better in turns, get up on plane quicker and have as good or better resale value when you sell it over the Sea Ray deck boat.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

I think its the used BMW vs the used Mercedes. Which one is in better condition and which one do you like more.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

The Regal will probably be faster, ride smoother, build quality is the same or just a bit better, it will handle better in turns, get up on plane quicker and have as good or better resale value when you sell it over the Sea Ray deck boat.

I am just wondering what exactly qualifies the above statement? Did you read this some place or do you know people that have both?

 

[OllieC]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

They both both "look" the same to me, "without looking" at the specs.

I was from the area as well and my Sea Ray is from S.CAL. We used to make runs from Huntington Harbor to Catalina, Long Beach to restaurant hop, or fish the Kelp and Flats. We looked at the 240 Sundeck, which is a nice boat but decided to go with a cuddy and deeper V.

Ask yourself where you will spend most of the time on it - if it's the Ocean then look at the one that is set up more for that use.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

Great choice as a deck boat in big water or where large wakes are present makes no sense at all.

They both both "look" the same to me, "without looking" at the specs.

I was from the area as well and my Sea Ray is from S.CAL. We used to make runs from Huntington Harbor to Catalina, Long Beach to restaurant hop, or fish the Kelp and Flats. We looked at the 240 Sundeck, which is a nice boat but decided to go with a cuddy and deeper V.

Ask yourself where you will spend most of the time on it - if it's the Ocean then look at the one that is set up more for that use.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

I am just wondering what exactly qualifies the above statement? Did you read this some place or do you know people that have both?

Not sure why I have to qualify anything , but so be it. I have been on both boats. I have two close friends that are boat salesman. One sells Sea Ray, one sells Regal. The information I provided comes from 8 years as a boating industry professional, personal experience with both boats, and candid advice from knowledgeable and trusted boat dealers of both brands. Okay ?

 

[agallant80]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

Makes sense. I am just always skeptical of some guy on the internet's opinion vs some guys qualified opinion. I am always weary until someone can site experience or point to actual data.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

A quick comparison of the V on both these boats. Which looks like it would be better in rougher conditions.
A:

Or B:

Really not the best pictures, but best I could find on a quick search. Both are very good boats, it's just that the Sea Ray is really
more a lake boat than the Regal. depending on what type of boating the OP does most, either one might work for him. If it was me , I would choose the Regal, despite the Volvo power.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

I've always like Sea Ray's, still have the '87 we bought in 1999- That said, I've always thought the Sundecks were overpriced. Assuming the 2 boats are essentially equal in condition and options, the fact the 2-year older Sea Ray is priced the same tells me the same thing. And THAT said, before we bought our Chaparral we looked as several deckboats online, and I was invariably warned about "the ride" of deckboats in general. But I've never ridden in one, so take that for what it's worth...

 

[Morgueman]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

Thanks for all of the great input! Turns out that the 2007 Regal was sold before I had a chance to even see it. So I bought the 2005 SunDeck 240 after negotiating to a few thousand dollars less than NADA, and the engine only has 97 hours, and it just had a full service (in August 2013), including two new batteries installed. I feel good about the purchase.

Now don't look at my other posts about having scraped the skeg, because I forgot to trim the stern up when driving. At least I learned something new from the incident...that there are things called skeg guards.

Eric

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

Love those sundecks. Thanks for keeping us posted on what you bought.

Now don't look at my other posts about having scraped the skeg, because I forgot to trim the stern up when driving.

I may or may not have scraped one backing into my driveway. I also may have done it a second time.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Which of these two boats should I you choose?

You always do things like that. For some reason I forgot to put the plug in two weeks ago, Did not take it off the trailer yet but the high water alarm went off.....