Help me, I went to a boat show...

[skolbe]

I was leaning to Four Winns and Regal for awhile - but as it came time to actually buying - I went with S-R. I thought Four Winns was a very nice boat. Frankly a Sea Ray knock off. But there were some little things that caught my eye that I saw - that were not as nice. Carpet in some storage areas near the helm - that looked like they could get wet - some of the hardware on things seemed a bit lower grade. But overall the woodwork was nicer in the F-W's but I ended going back to S-R. The 358 is very similar to a 340 Dancer - size wise.

 

[Dave S]

A fully loaded 358 was at the Norwalk show for $224 (from it's MSRP of around $285). It's a lot of bang for the buck. I'm learning in my quest (that began with the certainty of a 340DA purchase after this season) that so much comes down to personal preference at this level (although I'm still researching build quality of the Four Winns - so far hearing good things and the fact that it is a C Raymond Hunt design/looks like a SR is a plus to me). I haven't been able to get past certain aspects of the 340's design/features that may work for some, but not for me. My 260 taught me I love the lifestyle a cruiser offers and wouldn't have done anything differently in my decision to own it, but I want to hang onto whatever I get next for a while. I can't imagine abandoning the brand-loyalty I have for Sea Ray but the list of "I wish it had this" is just growing too long and boy, is it frustrating!

Maybe you better wait another year. In all likelihood the 340DA design will be replaced in 2009 with something similar to the designs of the 310 and 330 Dancers. By then too our 260DAs will be probably be replaced by a new 270DA as well.:wow:

 

[Red Stripe]

Maybe you better wait another year. In all likelihood the 340DA design will be replaced in 2009 with something similar to the designs of the 310 and 330 Dancers. By then too our 260DAs will be probably be replaced by a new 270DA as well.:wow:

Not to completely highjack this thread, but OK - TT won't mind... I definitely considered waiting another year. Problem though, for those of us in the Northeast, our season is short and I've always felt - so is life. I definitely outgrew the 260 in its first season (but as I've said - have thoroughly LOVED it and will be sad to see her go - you did help me with the decision Dave - zero regrets!) If I was in the water year-round, I would already be making a switch. It's not a done deal for me, but it's a shame that SR was behind the curve on what have been standard features and design elements in other boats of this size that will obviously be a part of the redesign. And not to knock the 340 in anyway - I'm just of the mind that for something I love doing so much/spend so much $$ on, I should have everything I want with the fewest number of compromises. Damn that forward facing port-side seat (my 90lb pooch wouldn't stand for it)!

 

[jrcinnh]

I wen through the wait till next year thoughts. Next year my boat will be worth less and the new boat will cost more, so I write a bigger check.

On the boat side I've heard all kinds of rumors, but I'd expect a boat for 2009 between the 330 and the 380. I'm expecting 310/330 styling and a model number like 360. The current 340 is 37' LOA, and boat manufacturers are starting to move model numbers up again. The 3560 Regal is now 3760 and the 348 Four Winns is 358.