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

"Nute" wrote in message
news
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


I do not give it a whole lot of weight, but here is what JD Power and
Associates had to say:

http://www.jdpower.com/news/releases...asp?ID=2005018

With a small runabout I don't think you will go wrong with any of those
brands you listed, although I don't know about the Ebbtide brand. You may
want to throw Maxum in the mix also if you are shopping.

BTW: SeaRay, IMO, does not belong at the top of the list, nor does Bayliner
belong on the bottom.

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.

wrote:
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.

Neighbor had an Ebbtide before he got his new Alumacraft. It was a nice
boat.
http://www.ebbtideboats.com/

wrote:

Ebbtide
Rinker
Stingray
Bayliner

The order I listed them is about what my impression is at this time.

Personally have never heard of an Ebbtide.

Noun: ebbtide

1- ex Bayliner bashing (their "proof" went poof)
2- The tide while water is flowing out

--
Skipper

On 24 Jan 2006 13:35:29 -0800, wrote:

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.

I agree. You might want to add Tiara to that list also since they
make some very nice boats, as well as Albemarle.

Some of the smaller speedboats like the Baja 26 are interesting also
if you just want a fast runabout. Be sure to get one with "Silent
Choice" if you live near me.

wrote in message
oups.com...

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?

Bryan wrote:

Sea Ray
Larson
Regal
Glastron
Four Winns
Ebbtide
Rinker
Stingray
Bayliner

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?

And let's not forget the insightful thoughts from Tom Fournier:

The Bayliner bashing is a form of entertainment by a minority of rec.boats
subscribers. There have been rebuttals by respected members of the industry
only to be flamed by people who choose to remain ignorant. Bayliner is
mentioned in this newsgroup probably 20-1 vs. other brands so the flamers
are actually indirectly promoting the product. Many Bayliner owners have
thoughtfully responded with facts regarding their boats so people who may
not have considered buying a Bayliner may actually reconsider after having
read real life testimonials.

FACT: Bayliners retain a higher percentage of their purchase price than do
most other brands who compete in their size/price range.

FACT: Bayliner offers a high value for the money when compared to competing
brands.

FACT: Bayliner is backed by U.S. Marine, the largest and most profitable of
the over 4000 US boat manufacturers.

FACT: Bayliners are not overbuilt but are purpose built and should not be
confused with boats that offer higher quality lamination schedules, vinyls,
hardware, trim, gauges etc. at higher prices.

FACT: Bayliners are not the best built boats but do offer many thousands of
people the ability to afford to enjoy one of our greatest past times.

Tom Fournier
ABOS Marine Blue Book Editor

--
Skipper

On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:04:34 -0600, Skipper wrote:

FACT: Bayliners retain a higher percentage of their purchase price than do
most other brands who compete in their size/price range.

Frankly I don't believe that, unless we are talking about some really
narrow age range like less than 2 years old.

FACT: Bayliner offers a high value for the money when compared to competing
brands.

That's a matter of perception, and understanding what you are NOT
getting.

FACT: Bayliner is backed by U.S. Marine, the largest and most profitable of
the over 4000 US boat manufacturers.

Possibly true but so what?

FACT: Bayliners are not overbuilt but are purpose built and should not be
confused with boats that offer higher quality lamination schedules, vinyls,
hardware, trim, gauges etc. at higher prices.

And that is an understatement.

FACT: Bayliners are not the best built boats but do offer many thousands of
people the ability to afford to enjoy one of our greatest past times.

Unquestionably true.

Bryan wrote:

wrote in message
oups.com...

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?



One thing to consider is looking around at the used market for the
higher end Boats. I picked up a very nice and clean 2000 Crownline 225
last fall for less then half the msrp of a new one.

Currently selling a 210 cuddy Crownline that I don't think I will have
any trouble unloading. I have one interested party that is going to look
it over even though he said he really wnats a bowrider - Because of the
respect of the nameplate.

Happy hunting - looking is one of the funnest parts of buying. :-)

Capt Jack R..