Meridian?

Russ Calasant

Russ Calasant

Active Member
Dec 9, 2009
2,128
East Greenwich, RI
Boat Info
2001 480 DB
Engines
CAT 3196
Did i miss somethin? I received an email from a SR employee and his email signature said Meridian - "Sea Ray Sport Yachts and Yachts - Meridian Yachts"
When did that happen? I knew they were part of Brunswick but didnt know they were part of the SR group.:huh:
 
With the down sizing of Brunswick Corp,
They now build Bayliner's & Meridian's at the Sea Ray plants.
It happen last year.
 
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One of two things is going to happen, either Sea Rays quality is going down (which I dont see likely) or Bayliner/Meridians quality will increase which I do see happening.
 
Bayliner/Meridians quality will increase which I do see happening.
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Its about time they bring that junk up to Sea Ray's standards. :grin: .... :smt043

PS I'm just kidding !!!. I've owned 3 Bayliner's and they were good boats. :thumbsup:
 
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Carver370 said:
One of two things is going to happen, either Sea Rays quality is going down (which I dont see likely) or Bayliner/Meridians quality will increase which I do see happening.
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Everything is going down. Costs out weigh quality right now. This is similar to the eighties when the car manufactures started putting out crap. SeaRay and everybody else will be producing low cost product trying to make a buck. THANKS FOR THE CHANGE!:smt013
 
Bayliner, now Meridian, has a unique way of building their bigger boats where they drop in something like a liner. The drop-in is glued to the hull and is structural. Don't remember the details because I only skimmed the article. I wasn't planning on buying a bayliner. Which is consistent as I never owned a chevette.
 
The increased cost is offset by the increased price of entry. That strategy may work, but most likely will not. I have not seen evidence of decreased quality yet, but the Bayliner/Meridian factor will either cheapen the Sea Ray brand or drive it upmarket in a lower volume. It all depends on the direction corporate takes. They can either take the deep discount/lower quality route and cheapen the brand or they can hold the line on pricing, reduce volume, and maintain the image of quality/luxury. I hope they do the latter. At this point, I see this strategy. Meridian and Bayliner are known as the value brands. Brunswick will probably decrease the quality of these brands and increase discounts to drive sales. That would be the smart path to take.
 
You guys need to think of small boats (Bayliner) seperate from larger (Meridian). The larger boats had a strong following on the left coast for value and that is why they changed the name. Think of Meridian as a spec built house versus Sea Ray as a semi custom. Both maybe okay depending on your needs. Meridian hulls did have a 10 year warranty versus Sea Ray 5. I would take my Sea Ray over any Meridian but each boater has their own opinion.
 
Daryl said:
You guys need to think of small boats (Bayliner) seperate from larger (Meridian). The larger boats had a strong following on the left coast for value and that is why they changed the name. Think of Meridian as a spec built house versus Sea Ray as a semi custom. Both maybe okay depending on your needs. Meridian hulls did have a 10 year warranty versus Sea Ray 5. I would take my Sea Ray over any Meridian but each boater has their own opinion.
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X2

The Meridian boats of today share NOTHING from Bayliner either. They are absolutely, totally different.

Doug
 
Meridian boats have been improved greatly from 2003 and if you haven't been on a new one lately I think you'll find quite a few similarities with their Sea Ray cousins. That coupled with them now being built in a Sea Ray factory, and reporting to the Sea Ray Boat Group, and the Miami launch of the new 541 with a boat show price of 1.3mil, have me scratching my head a bit as to what Brunswick's plan is.
 
There's a 341 right opposite me on my dock. It's a beautiful boat and it makes the 370DA next to it look small. Lot's of room if that's what you need.
 
Re: Meridian 441 v drive?

In regards to this blog, I did go to the Boattest site and viewed a video review of an 09 meridian 441 and they mentioned it had v drives ; I have a 36 searay sedan bridge and I have straight drive ( no v drive) cummins QSB's. Why would they have v drives in a sedan bridge boat?
 
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