Chaparral Or Searay

[ACHALAT]

I'M ABOUT TO BUY A SMALL SPORT BOAT AND I'M THINKING
OF A CHAPARRAL 190 SSi OR A SEARAY 185 SPORT.
CAN ANYONE ASSIST ME WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
PURCHASE PRICE THE SAME.
INTEND TO USE IT IN SALT WATER.

[Renegade]

Hello
I am not an authority on boats, but it is the general opinion of more experienced boaters that Chaparral is one knotch higher that Searay.
-Ren

[KCook]

The Chaparral SSi has somewhat nicer appointments than the Sea Ray Sport. But otherwise there is not much difference. Sea Ray comes only with MerCruiser motor. Some Volvo fans claim their Volvo is a little better with saltwater than Merc. Chaparral lets you choose either Merc or Volvo.

Ideally outboard motors are better for saltwater than these I/O designs.

What other U.S. brands can you get besides Chap and Sea Ray?

Here is a thread on another site that goes into the Sea Ray -

Trailer Boats Boards » ... » Sea Ray - 185 Sport

Kelly Cook

[Renegade]

Hi Kelly
Thank You for the quick response, and helpful info.
-Ren

[KCook]

Odd thing is, I couldn't find any really good threads discussing the Chap 190. Even though it is a fairly popular boat. Somehow Sea Ray gets all the thunder.

Kelly

[mackid068]

What about a fishing boat with a bow-rider style seating? That way you can get a nice outboard boat. Sea Hunt perhaps?