Sea Ray L650 Fly stay away or good value?

MT0331 · May 26, 2024

Looking for some guidance on this one. Looking for a 60 -70 foot fly bridge with 4 state rooms (I could live with 3 but 4 is ideal). I currently own a 500 Sundancer which has been a great boat. I’ve heard all the issues with the L class and how it almost put Sea Ray out of business. I’ve also heard about the stringer issue and de-lamination problems. The thing is my wife and I love the layout, we love that it has straight shafts, CATs, hydronic thrusters, 4 staterooms w crew etc. you get a lot for the money. Anyone have anything good or bad to say about these things? A few are on the market with 1000 hours on the CATS does that concern anyone or no? The problem is we really dont love anything else in our price range. We like the Galeon 64 fly but the 64 is only a 3 state room and all the movable pieces (side fold outs, front windscreen and forward bow areas) on that boat scared me, they WILL eventually break. In the sub $1.5m zone (Ideally closer to $1m) I cant find anything else I like more than the L650 Fly but I know they have had their issues should I stay away??

ranger58sb · May 27, 2024

Don't know anything about the boat, but 1000 hours on decent Cats wouldn't make me worry much.

I'd still do some research on the specific engine models, though, just in case there were known flaws... and then I'd be expecting to do a mechanical (engine) survey by a Cat specialist if I were serious about proceeding.

Stringer issues and delamination might be something a marine surveyor could find, if present.

Do you mean hydraulic thrusters?

-Chris

YachtForums · May 27, 2024

Check our Searay forum; several discussions on the L series…

https://www.yachtforums.com/superyacht/sea-ray-yacht.59/

MT0331 · May 27, 2024

ranger58sb said: ↑

Don't know anything about the boat, but 1000 hours on decent Cats wouldn't make me worry much.

I'd still do some research on the specific engine models, though, just in case there were known flaws... and then I'd be expecting to do a mechanical (engine) survey by a Cat specialist if I were serious about proceeding.

Stringer issues and delamination might be something a marine surveyor could find, if present.

Do you mean hydraulic thrusters?

-Chris
Click to expand...

Yes I meant Hydraulic sorry typo thank you for the feedback..

gr8trn · May 27, 2024

Have you looked at Sunseeker Sport Yacht 68 or Manhattan 65? I have not been on either, just current market with your requirements leaves only a few contenders. I would get into Prestige or Azimut but lots of that around to see for yourself. These two have a trick up their sleeves. Pretty good use of space and layout with less attention to fit/finish and quality installation of lower end gear and components.

4 berths/staterooms is a tough nut to crack in this range too, it seems.

There is a big Dancer 610 I see in FL on the market if you just want a bigger boat than what you have and you know what you are getting into.

EShipp · May 27, 2024

One consideration is resale.
In my past I’ve put an Azimut and the Sunseeker on the market and sold both easily. The resale market for these brands is pretty good.

Today, the SeaRay L’s have a poor reputation as you mentioned. That’s not going to get better as they age, and as SeaRay support ends (they’ll stop factory support after 10 years).

If you don’t envision ever wanting or needed to sell the SeaRay, then get one. It’s sure to be cheaper than an Azimut Fly or a Sunseeker Manhattan of similar size. The Cat engines are good and reliable if maintained.

MT0331 · May 27, 2024

gr8trn said: ↑

Have you looked at Sunseeker Sport Yacht 68 or Manhattan 65? I have not been on either, just current market with your requirements leaves only a few contenders. I would get into Prestige or Azimut but lots of that around to see for yourself. These two have a trick up their sleeves. Pretty good use of space and layout with less attention to fit/finish and quality installation of lower end gear and components.

4 berths/staterooms is a tough nut to crack in this range too, it seems.

There is a big Dancer 610 I see in FL on the market if you just want a bigger boat than what you have and you know what you are getting into.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the feedback. Will check out!

MT0331 · May 27, 2024

EShipp said: ↑

One consideration is resale.
In my past I’ve put an Azimut and the Sunseeker on the market and sold both easily. The resale market for these brands is pretty good.

Today, the SeaRay L’s have a poor reputation as you mentioned. That’s not going to get better as they age, and as SeaRay support ends (they’ll stop factory support after 10 years).

If you don’t envision ever wanting or needed to sell the SeaRay, then get one. It’s sure to be cheaper than an Azimut Fly or a Sunseeker Manhattan of similar size. The Cat engines are good and reliable if maintained.
Click to expand...

Thank you. That’s a great point. I have friends with Azimuts and a buddy with an Absolute. The other thing for me that I didn’t mention is i live in Rhode Island and service is an issue. Many more people can work on a sea ray than an Azimut or Absolute. Great point about resale something to consider for sure.

Capt Ralph · May 27, 2024

Seems some of us have been updating an old thread. Please check the new post here;
https://www.yachtforums.com/threads/searay-l650-bridge.33260/page-3

MT0331 · May 27, 2024

Capt Ralph said: ↑

Seems some of us have been updating an old thread. Please check the new post here;
https://www.yachtforums.com/threads/searay-l650-bridge.33260/page-3
Click to expand...

Thank you

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Sea Ray L650 Fly stay away or good value?

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