When did Sea Ray drop the fishing boat line

[Halfhitch]

I was just wondering when Searay gave up on the fishing designs. If I knew the approximate year it would help in my search.

 

[Skybolt]

I was just wondering when Searay gave up on the fishing designs. If I knew the approximate year it would help in my search.

Assuming your talking about the Amberjack, way before they decided not to make over 40's anymore. But I think 2010 or so.

 

[Halfhitch]

I really like the quality and good handling features of the Searays but to find a model with a livewell, fish box, rod holders, rocket launchers and an open cockpit for fishing seems hard to find.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

For reference, my 1996 450 DA came equipped with exactly one rod holder.

We use it for the flag

BEST !

RWS

 

[Jus Cruisin]

1997 was it for the Laguna. That was a true fishing boat. I had a 24 footer. A great boat for its time. Now many are way better.

 

[Halfhitch]

Yes, I had a 1988 23 Laguna CC. I liked the boat except for the segmented deck and tough access to the bilge equipment. I had hopes that the designers had stayed with the fishing focus up into the 21st century.

 

[b_arrington]

Sea Ray's most recent "fishing" boats used the Amberjack nameplate. They were not true fishing boats, but more existing Sundancer or EC models that were adapted to have some fishing features. Kind of like a hybrid cruiser/utility boat.

The 340 Amberjack was made from 2001-2003. It had much in common with the 33EC models.

The most recent 270 Amberjack was made from 2005-2009. (different than the 270 AJ from the 80's)

The 290 Amberjack was made from 2000-2010. It got a refresh in 2008.

 

[Halfhitch]

The most recent 270 Amberjack was made from 2005-2009. (different than the 270 AJ from the 80's)

Thanks, I will look into that model. It's a little on the big side, I had set my focus on 24-26 ft, but worth a look.

 

[Skybolt]

I really like the quality and good handling features of the Searays but to find a model with a livewell, fish box, rod holders, rocket launchers and an open cockpit for fishing seems hard to find.

Sea Rays have never really been fishing boats, the Amberjack was the closest hybrid in that arena, but still not what you describe.

 

[Pirate Lady]

As a follow up to Sky, as we know SR was always an upscale boat. Fish guys want barebones no upholstery fishing boats. SR and fishing was an oxymoron.
Go over to THT and ask what SR model they preferred for fishing.

 

[Lazy Daze]

As mentioned above, the Laguna was a really nice boat. But rather than trying to gain market share in the fishing world with the Laguna, Brunswick simply bought Boston Whaler in the mid-90's... which, if you read Tim's post above pretty much says it all.

 

[b_arrington]

Sea Rays have never really been fishing boats, the Amberjack was the closest hybrid in that arena, but still not what you describe.

The 270 and 290 Amberjacks had those features. Or at least could be spec'd with them. The default for the 270 was the single captain's chair, then added the optional fishing package: tubular arch, rocket launchers, 26-gallon live baitwell, prep station, cockpit toe rail, seawater washdown, and (4) four cockpit rod holders. A transom fishbox and cockpit rod storage was standard. The cockpit was pretty open when the aft bench was folded away. We could fit a double-size blow-up bed in there for overnighting.

My 270 was one of the few that had back-to-back loungers on both sides and no fishing package. I had rod holders added and that was enough since I didn't use live bait. When we would go fishing the cockpit carpet would get stowed and the bench folded, and we were set.

The 290 was a bit more dedicated to fishing since the livewell and bait prep station were standard.

Are either one "fishing machines" for the hardcore set? Nope, not at all. But you got a nice blend of boat that served both the family and the fisherman. Although the aft bunk of the 290 was REALLY short.

 

[b_arrington]

As a follow up to Sky, as we know SR was always an upscale boat. Fish guys want barebones no upholstery fishing boats. SR and fishing was an oxymoron.
Go over to THT and ask what SR model they preferred for fishing.
View attachment 160689

THT guys have a very different take. They seem to hate Sea Ray just on principle. Most of them seem to want to get away from family to go fishing, not bring them along. The SR Amberjack models were a nice way to combine both for someone not a hard-core fisherman. I can tell you bringing a fish onboard with a stern drive was pretty easy since there were no outboards to block the transom.

 

[b_arrington]

Thanks, I will look into that model. It's a little on the big side, I had set my focus on 24-26 ft, but worth a look.

It's not a huge boat. 8.5' beam. It's based on the hull of the 260 Sundancer. The lower cabin layout is the same as the 260 DA. The difference is the deck layout. There were complaints that the hull was very tippy. If you didn't use your trim tabs properly (or they failed) it would tend to tilt to one side. But once you got the hang of the handling the 270 AJ was a great boat. I had one for 12 years. We sold it to get more overnight space.

 

[Halfhitch]

I looked at some 27 Amberjacks and they are nice. The ones set up with the livewell , fishbox and fold-down stern seat would work but then I looked at the specs. They weigh over 7000lbs dry, so by the time you add fuel, water, all your junk and a trailer, the weight is gonna be North of 10,000 lbs. I don't want a boat that heavy.