wrote in message
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Bryan wrote:
wrote in message
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Nute wrote:
Sorry for the double post - My fault.

Now I know that everyone will have their personal bias, and I don't
want
to
start another flame war here, but I'd wonder if there is some loose
consensus on what the pecking order is quality-wise of boat brands.

I'm new to looking at boats, and just got back from the boat show. I
was
pretty overwhelmed by everything I saw there, and would like to get
some
opinions on how the following rank, with regard to quality and price:

Sea Ray
Larson
Regal
Glastron
Four Winns
Ebbtide
Rinker
Stingray
Bayliner

The order I listed them is about what my impression is at this time.
I
have
been trying to find a benchmark boat on all of their websites to use
to
compare prices, but can't seem to find a common config that lets me
compare
apples to apples.

Thanks
Nute


You're missing the 3 C's: Cobalt, Crownline, and Chapparal. These boats
probably belong at or near the top of your list, depending upon what's
important to you.

Personally have never heard of an Ebbtide.


Chuck,
I climbed around on a Chapparal when I was trying to find a less
expensive
boat and it had a cheap feel to it. I don't know nothin' 'bout buildin'
no
boats, but I didn't like it because of it's aesthetics and it's feel on
the
lot. The Crownline and Cobalt were nice, but out of my boating price
range.
Why do you include the Chapparal?


Chapparal is highly regarded by some folks I know who are pretty savvy
about smaller boats. Based entirely on their recommendations I would
personally put that brand on any short list, but I would also be
prepared to take it off the list if it didn't measure up to my personal
standards.

My personally favorite runabout size boat among brands I could discuss
at some length is probably Crownline, with Cobalt, Larson, and Sea Ray
scoring very highly as well. There are, (IMO) no boats in this class
that so obviously blow all other good boats away that they are *must*
buys- so personal taste and preferances as well as convenience of a
dealership for service, etc etc etc often become the elements around
which a final decision is formed.


Thanks, Chuck. I had already looked at the Sea Ray, but was trying to find
a less expensive first unused boat; so I checked out other boats including
the Chapparal. Looking at it confirmed my Sea Ray choice. Looking at
MasterCraft, Crownline, etc. convinced me my Sea Ray wasn't that expensive.
Real happy with my choice, except for two things: now I want a shorter
winter and a bigger boat for overnighting.