Mer-Sea Monster
New Member
- May 30, 2019
- 14
- Boat Info
- 390 EC 1988, Garmin 1042xsv, xHD radar
- Engines
- Caterpiller 3208 x2
Hi ya'll. We brought our '88 390 EC down from Rhode Island last October through Long Island sound. We hired a licensed captain to get us from RI to New Jersey through the sound. Ran 3'-5', sometimes 6' seas, windy, overcast, some rain, and ran 17 - 20 knots. She took a decent pounding but never hiccupped or complained. The captain said he was really impressed with how well the boat handled and held up under those conditions. She is wide, 14', and nobody got sick. Love the boat.I read tons of SR bashing on the other fishing forum...that site is mostly for fishing boats in salt with outboard motors. But if you look further you can see name brand so called high quality build boats and their new fangled 4-stroke-fly-by-wire outboards with all kinds of problems....just like any other boat.
There is a video being circulated on that forum of boats of all sizes and type exiting the Haulover inlet in Ft. Lauderdale. An inlet I've been going through since I was a kid on a 17ft Mako openfish. Well, it is hilarious to see all kinds of "superior quality" and "100% wood-free", "composite blah blah blah" pin their bows going through that inlet on an outgoing tide with easterly winds, the swells look 8-10 but low to moderate wind, 1-3 second durations.
BUT....there was one boat with its bow high in the air. Virtually no spray over the bow. Handled it without any problem. Mind you there were sportfisherman yachts, 30ft center console boats, big luxury yachts, etc, all got man handled. One guy was up on the flybridge and he almost got tossed.
The Sea Ray that went through there didn't even seem to notice the conditions. He went right through. Looked like 30-something footer.
I recall when I had my 1980 250 cuddy cabin. That boat was all wood. Had a 454 BI, and it plowed. Those new age composite open fisherman boats would line up behind me going through 2-4 chop as I cruised at 25mph not pounding.
These SR's are far better boats than many snobs give them credit.
Rant over.
I'll swear by it. Solid boat.