Dilemma.....Bayliner v Sea Ray

[aquaholic]

I have had some fantastic help here with regards to information about the bayliner 2255, thought i had made up my mind for my next move up the boating ladder, until..................I saw a sea ray 220 at the weekend......what do you think??? the bayliner still looks good vaue?

 

[capnjack]

Aren't they two different boats, the Sea Ray being a bowrider sportsboat and the Bayliner a sports weekender?

 

[DazedConfused]

Both, you can get a 220 sun sport which is a cuddy or a 220 select which is a bowrider. Think Sea Ray now also do a 215 and 225 weekender which is far more equiped than the 220 sun sport.

 

[Chas25]

I have no experience of bayliners other than seeing them at boat show's, but from what's been said before and from the reputation bayliner have I wonder if you would notice a difference in quality when compared to the Searay??

As another option you may not have considered, the Monterey 218 is deffinately worth a look!!

 

[DazedConfused]

Aren't Bayliner and Sea Ray now made by the same people?? Think i was told this a while back and was shocked as Bayliner is the entry level to boating where as Sea Ray are nearer the top end.
Will you be buying new???

 

[adey]

[ QUOTE ]
Aren't Bayliner and Sea Ray now made by the same people??

[/ QUOTE ]
It's true that the Brunswick Group owns both brands but similarly VW owns Lamborghini and Skoda!
The Sea Ray should be better built but since both are quite old I would sooner own a cherished Bayliner than a hanging Sea Ray.

 

[DazedConfused]

Not sure i'd purchase an old Bayliner simply due to it being a Bayliner. My perception is that many older US boats are not as well 'lasting' than that of the British made. I have a 1990 Falcon 23 which is built extremely well and also have a 1999 Sea Ray bowrider (trailered). I cant see the Sea Ray being in the same condition as the Falcon at the 15 year mark. All IMHO of course... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[capnjack]

Yep, as Adey says, both are now owned by the mighty Brunswick Corp, who also own most of the American boats that are sold under their original manufacturers names, as well as now owning Mercury Marine.

I also agree with him about finding an older boat which has been cherished, rather than choosing between them first.

If you were buying new, there is very little to choose apart from personal requirements.

Sea Ray went through a period of building with a balsa core's, which on some boats rotted. The idea was a good one, but in practice, holes could be found where they shouldn't have been etc. and screws were not sealed properly letting water penetrate through and with nowhere to go rot set in.

I expect you'll get a survey, so hopefully it will cover that sort of issue.

 

[mirage]

[ QUOTE ]
Yep, as Adey says, both are now owned by the mighty Brunswick Corp, who also own most of the American boats that are sold under their original manufacturers names, as well as now owning Mercury Marine.


[/ QUOTE ]

And Sealine, much to my surprise.
Brunswick Corp

 

[jhr]

Fetch a pinch of salt, because I'm a Sea Ray owner.

To an extent, it depends what you want. Sea Rays have a higher value perceived brand identity than Bayliners, which is partly down to clever marketing and partly down to the fact that construction and finish is generally of a higher quality. Hull-wise, Sea Rays are normally deep v, therefore slower, but more seakindly than an equivalent boat with a variable deadrise hull (as sported by a Bayliner) - this is a bit academic, because I can still crack 35 knots in my 215, and the number of days per year that you can do this, in comfort, on the Solent can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Fittings on, and finish quality of Bayliners are noticeably inferior to Sea Rays - something that even my wife, who knows nothing about boats, picked up on - and this is reflected in their respective prices and depreciation as well as the brand differentiation noted above. In the end, it comes down to what you want. Both marques are fine and, in the real world, the differences in quality won't make much difference. The Sea Ray will keep going faster, and for longer, in a nasty chop but would you really want to be out in those conditions anyway?

I prefer the Sea Ray but Bayliners are great value and good little boats. The construction problems that led to the "Binliner" tag are now history and I wouldn't worry about them unless the boat you're looking at is more than ten years old. In any event, ask your surveyor.

If it's the new 220 you're considering, it looks well cool, and that would swing the balance for me............ ;-)

 

[itsonlymoney]

As previously stated Bayliners stigma re build quality goes back 10 yrs plus. Post 90s boats have no more problems than any other marque. New B'liners are fantastic value, Aquatics currently have some superb deals on certain models and may be worth a call. 26' cruisers fully loaded (well nearly) less than 50 K 28' less than 60 K and small cuddys less than 20 K come on now you know it makes sense. And don't fall for this second hand value or lack of it noncense. I am on my third B'liner and made a profit of 1 K on the first a loss of 2 K on the second (which incidentally was purchased brand new) and I reckon my current boat is worth at least 2 K more than I paid, having spent 1 K on a new canopy. You do the sums.......
Ian

 

[enterprise]

Bayliner v Sea Ray,
Always comes down to same answer, Sea Ray better build, Bayliner beter value for money.

Seen good & bad of both, keep an open mind & look at both, try & get to a boat supermarket, like Essex boatyards, then compare real boats that have been used, any weaknesses with build will show up at these kinds of places.

All boats look glossy at boat shows, better to compare side by side at a yard.
Agree with previous comment on cherished v barely maintained boat.

If buying on a limmited budget small parts are easy & cheep to replace & give instant satisfaction & pride with your investment, if you don't mind replacing these then buy Bayliner why pay possibly hundreds more for the the equivelent sea ray.

Don't be fooled into thinking all boats built by Sea Ray are going to be better quality, just depends on how the previous owners treated it.

You will instantly know when you find the right one for you, buy the boat that suits you which ever it is.

 

[ArthurWood]

I'm biased as I live in 'Sea Rayland', but I agree wholeheartedly with jhr. Not many older Bayliners around here. SRay much better quality.

 

[damon]

There's also Rinker, US built, not Brunswick Corp owned.
There's UK distribution, good seakeeping design, beter finish than Bayliner. Questionable interior fabric choice these days though...
Fiesta Vee, Captiva worth a look.

 

[Kevin]

Hi

I have to say that Im a fan of Bayliners they look good built well enough, no more problems than any other brand really.

Sea Ray has perceived quality but this is as much down to marketing as actual better quality.

Sea ray is a good quality boat but you do pay more for them than I think their actual quality difference means you should and thats down to the marketing, much the same as say BMW, Merc etc. With Bayliner I think you pay closer to their actual quality and true value. I basically feel Sea ray are a tad expensive for what you get.

At the business end of their construction the techniques dont differ much between them, Sea ray spend more time on fit and finish which does give a better initial impression but doesnt neccesarily improve the boat as usable item

I personally would say if both boats suit you then find a good example of either and go with that, they both make great boats
IMHO

Kevin

 

[aquaholic]

Thanks for all the advice, I do get the feeling the Sea Ray's are a little over priced, but will wait and see whats available when I am ready to purchase.
Thanks Again

 

[ValleyForge]

I have owed a cuddy cabin Sea Ray 220 for a few years, all I would suggest you add from standard is trim tabs if you intend to do any long runs, no bother for skiing etc. Like all deep vees they can list a bit in a strong cross wind. Great boat, highly recommended.
Cheers