Stingray launches new deck boat models
Stingray Boats unveiled three new outboard-powered deck boats at its 2016 model-year dealer meeting, held on July 12 and 13 at the company’s Hartsville, North Carolina facility.
The company welcomed representatives from more than 40 Stingray dealerships plus some new dealer prospects, some traveling from as far as Russia, Germany and Chile. Stingray president Al Fink presented an overview of the company’s business plans for the coming year, along with an overview of the 2016 model lineup.
New models introduced at the event include a pair of new deck boats with full windshields – the 19-foot, two-inch long 191 DC and 20-foot, one-inch 201 DC – plus the 19-foot, two-inch 182 SC side-console deck boat. The windshield boats were particularly well received by dealers in attendance. All three were available for on-site in-water evaluations.
“The response from the dealer network was, quite frankly, overwhelming,” says Fink. “There was a lot of excitement around our new 191 DC and 201 DC models in particular, along with the new 182 SC. These are new boats that have the amenities people want, while still hitting the right price points.”
Dealers also responded positively to Stingray’s 234 LR bowrider, newly refreshed for 2016 with a forward-arcing, all-aluminum wakeboard tower complete with Stingray motif. The tower, which will be offered on additional Stingray models, can be collapsed at the push of a button for improved bridge clearance. The 234 LR available for in-water testing was rigged with a Suzuki 300 four-stroke, while a Suzuki 140 four-stroke powered the new Stingray 201 DC deck boat.
“Suzuki came to us this year with a full line of product and we’ve been impressed with how it’s been working on our boats,” said Fink. “The engines run well, and seem to work very well with our boats. We feel there’s a good fit, and the hope is that we can grow our businesses together.”