Cobalt versus Sea Ray

[Kyboater]

I met a friend of a friend on the water last year that had replaced his early 2000s Sea Ray 230 with a new 250 SlX. He had used it one season so far and was very disappointed in the quality. There were several fit and finish issues that he was having to address hoping to get repaired under warranty. Even if there weren’t any issues, the quality of the material used seemed very low. This was the first newer Sea Ray I had been on and was really surprised at how poorly built it was. This guy was loyal to Sea Ray but even he admitted the boat he sold was better than the one he bought.

Last year I had a few fellow boaters question why I bought a Cobalt R3 when I could have bought a much bigger Crownline or Chap or even Sea Ray for less money. I didn’t even bother trying to explain. But I know the guy I mentioned above knew why. He even said so.

[VintageRacer]

We had a Bryant that we sold this summer as we wanted an upgrade. I loved my Bryant-no wood in the boat, the quality was amazing..So I thought! I was looking for a used but newer Sea Ray, and almost pulled the trigger on one that I found. I knew about Sea Ray boats as a close friend had a 34 foot cruiser and we loved being on it. Somehow, I came across a Cobalt, and while it was not the one I wanted, it was clearly a class above everything else I had seen. The trim, unique features like the swim step, and care in it was pure class. From that point on, I searched only for a Cobalt. We even sat in a new Regal and had almost ordered that as well. I found my 2015- 220S in another state and when I saw her, I bought her on the spot and towed her home. I could not believe how much better the Cobalt, even with only the 4.5 Merc, took to the water and chop the first day of the 3 I had with her before I had to put her away!

[willyswagon]

I think the big thing most people miss is that it is a "Great Dealer " that make it a great boat experience. I've worked prepping and selling boats at shows for 14 seasons. All manufactures end up shipping boats that require work. Not one dealer shows up without gel coat repair materials, buffing supplies, and a bag full of tools to PDI and display the oats. Pillows and throw blankets to hide any problems with upholstery.

Proper PDI takes care of most of the fit and finish issues. I've been at shows where boats have been uncovered to reveal that the boot top stripe that comes up each side of the boat didn't meet at the bow(REGAL). It was 1" higher on the port side the full length of the boat! How does that get shipped?

If you have dealers that shake down the boats properly, deal with fit and finish issues before delivery, and continue to provide great service after the sale, brands grow in popularity. If you have dealers that just push the product through, the image of the brand falters.

Sea Rays imagine was taken down a notch when Brunswick bought them. Further hurt buying hooking up with Costco to offer "Member only deals". Who does that?

It's impossible to keep your brand held in high standing if you sell your product with a wholesale warehouse.

[tgrace98]

Very good point Willy. If you get on the Cobalt Facebook group you see quality issues left and right even with Cobalt. A lot of times it seems to me like a crappy dealer doing crappy pdi and not standing behind it.

[mdadgar]

Sea Rays imagine was taken down a notch when Brunswick bought them. Further hurt buying hooking up with Costco to offer "Member only deals". Who does that?

Half the auto manufacturers on the planet?

- Mark

[Big Block Power]

Sea Rays imagine was taken down a notch when Brunswick bought them. Further hurt buying hooking up with Costco to offer "Member only deals". Who does that?

Half the auto manufacturers on the planet?

- Mark

We as a dealer group did Costco but dropped them. They didn't help sell any and was a hassle. It's not really cosco selling them just offering a discount of that dealer decides to join in to it.

[willyswagon]

Sea Rays imagine was taken down a notch when Brunswick bought them. Further hurt buying hooking up with Costco to offer "Member only deals". Who does that?

Half the auto manufacturers on the planet?

- Mark

Poor communication on my behalf. My intent was to say, what company would spend 50 yrs building the brand so consumers recognize the emblems, style, and finish of it's high end products.

Then turn around and offer discounts if people are members of a no frills wholesale warehouse?

As we stood on the platforms behind the boats during the shows, we often heard people saying the "Sea Ray must be in trouble if they are hooking up with Costco to move inventory". When you hear customers talking like that, you know that the brands value is eroding.

[bruceb58]

I don't even have one bit of an issue with Costco selling boats. Costco sells BMW and Mercedes! Also the drive in the Cobalt, if its the Mercruiser, is the same company that is selling the Sea Ray.

[akorcovelos]

I was looking at Crowns, and Regal, and SeaRay before I bought a Cobalt. I sea trialed two SeaRay 280s, and they were nice boats. I'll even go to say I liked how open and spacious the layout was better than my Cobalt. The wins ended there though, the fit/finish was no comparison, the vinyl was cheaper to the touch, Seats weren't comfortable, glove box doors both rattled, and both were well optioned, but came powered with single 330hp 7.4s. They both felt like driving a bus, and top end was in the high 40s. If I'm not mistaken the SeaRays under 30' come off the same line as the equivalent Bayliners, which wasn't a surprise to hear after being on a couple.

[MnLakeBum]

My neighbor next door has a 29 foot Chaparral after owning a few Cobalts over they last 15 years and he says there is no comparison and his current boat is a big step down from Cobalt. I would put Sea Ray a notch below a Chaparral and well below the overall quality of a Cobalt.

[Snowman8]

My neighbor next door has a 29 foot Chaparral after owning a few Cobalts over they last 15 years and he says there is no comparison and his current boat is a big step down from Cobalt. I would put Sea Ray a notch below a Chaparral and well below the overall quality of a Cobalt.

Before we bought our R5 we looked at a Chap. They make a nice boat and its hard to say anything bad about them. We thought it was a much better boat than our previous SeaRay’s and really liked it! Then we looked at the R5... End of story!

[Tuscany]

Of course your friend will be proud of his boat.
Just lash up boats together this summer, and listen to what others floating by might say...

[Krob1114]

I sell Sea Rays....

I own a Cobalt.

Nuff said?

Love it. We considered Regal, Crownline, Chaparral and I looked at a Four Winns at TRL before deciding on Cobalt.

Two years in, no buyers remorse.

[Lee St.Clair]

When I went to buy a smaller boat for the lake here, I looked at several boats. Lots o Bayliners,. a couple of Sea Rays and a host of others. Knowing nothing about these smaller boats and no one to consult with it was quite the experience. I ended up with a 1996 Cobalt after looking for several months. The Sea Ray I looked at was 10 years younger than the Cobalt I bought. I could easily see the quality that was not in most of the boats I looked at. After actually buying the Cobalt, I now realize I certainly made the right decision. Folks here that have boats have seen this and all have guessed that it was at least 10 years newer than it actually is.

[ourlee]

I’m super pleased with my new to me 250. She’s gorgeous in every way.