Conference vicki::boats

    When you find this info, please let us know what the source is.
    
    The BUC book is for "used boats only" last i knew, therefore finding
    1990 units there would make sense.
    
    I've never known of a source that list the dealer costs for
    a new boat.
    
    JIm.

    Becky;
    
    I don't have any of the info you want but I do want to tell you that my
    1989 Sea Ray 180 Bowrider has been bulletproof. You will find your
    185BR to be a wise investment. I would recommend that you not settle
    for less boat to save a few dollars. Enjoy your boat.
    
    Bob

    Becky,
    	I doubt if you'll find a reference source for current year models
    but that shouldn't be a problem for a new boat. Your best source is 
    comparison shopping with other dealers and a boat show is a great place
    to do that. 
    	The Blue Book or BUC can still be of value. You can compare resale
    value of boats similar to the one you want.
    	In my own experience, I used the boat shows to make my choice of 
    brand, model etc. and then found two or three dealers of that line and
    had them quote on an identical package. I ended up not going with the 
    "boat show special" but I think my case was the exception, usually the
    boat show deals are very good.
    	Don't forget it a buyers market right now and you could end up with
    a real bargain.
    Good Luck,
    Paul

Becky, 

Simply put if you are looking for an Edmunds-type guide for boat pricing similar to
those available for cars and trucks, it doesn't exist.

John

    There is a BUC New Boat Price Guide.  It's a seperate book
    from the (several) used price guides.  It's cheap -- under
    $20. I don't believe it has dealer cost.  I think that is
    known but to God.

Does anyone know of a Sea Ray dealer in the Lake Winni area?  I am interested
in looking at some in the flesh and I didn't see any at the boat show. :-(

Gregg

    
    Sure, Irwin Marina on Paugus Bay is one of the biggest and oldest
    dealers in the area.  They switched from selling Chris Craft to
    Sea Ray in recent years.
    
    Rick

    re .6
    
    Irwin Marina also has a dealer in, of all places, Hudson NH. Their
    Hudson NH dealership is located on Rt 102.
    
    							-mike-

    re .6
    
    Gregg,
    
    Does this mean you're finally going to do it or just seriously thinking
    of it.
    
    Gordon

    re: .7
    
    Right now I'm scouting out my options, but come spring I think it will
    be time to get serious.  I'm tired of borrowing off relatives.
    
    Have you got yours in the water yet? :-)
    
    Gregg

    re: .8
    Irwin Marina's Hudson NH office closed at the end of last season.
    A friend of mine was the salesman there.  The sign out front said
    "closed for the season" or something to that affect, but when they
    laid him off they told him they would not be re-opening this spring.
    
    I'm sure the economy has done nothing to make them reconsider
    that decision.  8^(
    
    Rick

Re. .6, Sea Ray was represented by a dealer at the boat show, but in hardly the 
numbers you'd expect given the size of the Sea Ray company. Only 2 of the larger
sport cruisers were there.

john

    Sorry it took me so long get back in here to read this. We still
    haven't gone to test drive a boat yet. It actually got COLD down here
    again...then it started raining like crazy....The boat show here is
    March 13-17, so we'll try to get prices there as well as drive out to
    the marinas to comparison shop. You are all right..we should be able to
    get a good deal. Read in the local paper a few weeks back that boat
    sales are down 30% and some deals are selling below cost, but not all.
    
    Thanks again for the feedback. I'll let you know what we decide.
    
    Becky

On the subject of slow sales: The Sea Ray dealer in Dedham Ma at the New England
Boat Show had a list of left over boats new boats that you could get really good
deals on. The list didn't inlcude just 1990, but 1989 boats too! Even better
deals on the those, one of which I'd normally be trying to get right now, but
like everyone else I'm the reason boat sales are slow. This isn't meant as a cut
against Sea Ray, as most dealers have of all brands have a similiar list, it was
simply that I took their list cause I want one of the boats that is on it!

jlg

    
    Just for reference sake the latest brochure
    from Irwins lists the following new:
    	1990	19'	190 closed bow	205	$23k
    	1991	18'	185 bow rider	175	$20k
    	1991	18'	180 bow rider O/B 135	$18k
    	1991	18'	180 closed bow O/B 135	$18k
    	1991	17'	170 bowrider	145	$18k
        1991	17'	170 bow rider ltd  125	$16k
    used they have 
    	1989	20' 	200 Cuddy	205	$15
    			Laguna w/trlr	175	$19
    	1986	19'	Seville w/trlr	170	$12*
    	1987	18'	180 CB w/trlr	165	$14*
    		* broker boats
    Those are listed prices, I assume they will "talk" on all of them.
    

re: .16

Wow, those prices seem pretty steep.  I have seen and advert in the last three
issues of Trailer Boats for a 17' bow rider for $11,995 which I expect is the
mfg list price for the boat.  I figured that the dealers would actually sell
this boat for less.  What would justify Irwins jacking up the price by $4,000?

Gregg

    I have no idea what equipment or power is standard/optional which
    could affect the price.  I also have no idea of cost etc on this 
    size boat.  I only listed what went out in their flyer to give to 
    base noter an idea of what I would consider a top price.  I would
    assume that Irwins, or any other dealer, would talk lower prices
    if you are there in the showroom.
    
    I would not expect prices in mag ads to necessarily be mfg. sugg. list.
    
    
    

Re. .18,"I would not expect prices in mag ads to necessarily be mfg. sugg. list."

The ad refered to in .17 is an official Sea Ray ad, not a classified or dealer
ad. The ad states that the price is "the manufacturer's suggested price in
effect at participating dealers. Actual price set by dealer."

It shows a 170 Ltd. Bow Rider on a trailer with $11,995 in bold print and a list
of all the features that come with the package. In the ad it states "Right down
to it's all inclusive price."  However there is no text about a power source in
this "all inclusive price." The photo does not show the boat from an angle that
you can tell whether it is I/O equiped or if it is ready to accept an outboard.
No outboard is pictured either. The boat could have an I/O, or might be an out-
board version without the motor. I.e., outboard optional. If the latter that may
explain how a $12,000 boat is listed for $16,000 by the dealer. Gotta have a 
motor. There is an 800 number in the ad (800-367-1596) I tried to call for more
information, but no one picked up.

john

re  <<< Note 795.19 by JLGVS::GUNNERSON "You got what you wanted and lost what you had" >>>
>                                  -< Ad info >-


> The ad refered to in .17 is an official Sea Ray ad, not a classified or dealer
> ad. The ad states that the price is "the manufacturer's suggested price in
> effect at participating dealers. Actual price set by dealer."

> It shows a 170 Ltd. Bow Rider on a trailer with $11,995 in bold print and a list
> of all the features that come with the package. In the ad it states "Right down
> to it's all inclusive price."  However there is no text about a power source in
> this "all inclusive price." The photo does not show the boat from an angle that
> you can tell whether it is I/O equiped or if it is ready to accept an outboard.

	I saw that ad too, made me wonder......

> No outboard is pictured either. The boat could have an I/O, or might be an out-
> board version without the motor. I.e., outboard optional. If the latter that may
> explain how a $12,000 boat is listed for $16,000 by the dealer. Gotta have a 
> motor. There is an 800 number in the ad (800-367-1596) I tried to call for more
> information, but no one picked up.

	Can I interest you in a very lightly used '87 version of this 
boat ?   My  "all inclusive price"  WOULD  include a power source, and 
I don't just mean the 12 volt battery or a little electric trolling 
motor either (-:, (-:

	Reg

    I recently visited my local SeaRay dealer with a friend who was looking
    into buying a new boat. The Ltd 170BR is an I/O. I felt that it was
    underpowered. I believe it was a 4 cylinder @130hp with a MERC
    outdrive. We didn't stop there long. It was a nice boat but to get the
    175hp motor adds several thousand skins to the price. You wont be
    pulling two skiers or a "large" slalom skier out of the hole with the
    basic power. 
    
    Regards;
    
    Bob