Moving on from Supra

[mjb929rr]

I would like to thank everyone on this forum for all the help and support general knowledge that IÂ’ve learned here. We are currently on our 3rd new Supra since 2020. Our current boat; 2024 se550 has been problematic and a lemon at best. In 130 hours itÂ’s had its share of issues. Currently in the shop getting another transmission and drive installed. Our first one went out July of this year, after getting it back in August the next one lasted 3 days and same issues again.

We have had the thrusters replaced under warranty last year as well.
Numerous gel coat issues and the new tower is not very rigid and I have quite a few gel coat cracks from where it mounts.

We really liked the wave on this boat and several other things. Realistically it is not worth the money when compared to our first new Supra which was a 2020 sl450. Imo the new tower and stereo is a miss, the lighting and jl audio was night and day better on our 2020 and 2022.

The other issue IÂ’ve had is with the boat mate trailer. For whatever reason they went to a greased bearing hub vs the oil bath. Every time we Would tow the caps would come off and sling grease all over the boat. After numerous attempts by the dealer, I ended up wadding up a microfiber cloth and wedging it btw the wheel cap and hub. They have stayed on but on last inspection they were all full of water.

My wife and I have came to the point where we donÂ’t trust the reliability of the boat to warrant keeping it. Between my dealer and skiers choice we have gotten several phone calls, not seeming to want to address the problem, it more seemed like they were interested in making sure we wouldnÂ’t write a review etc.

Long story short we just placed an order for a 2025 centurion ri245. While there are certain things I prefer on the Supra, they donÂ’t justify ordering another one. We did demo one this summer for a day. Wave was definitely better than the Supra even when I had lead in it. The real selling point was we got 8gph vs 17-18gph in the Supra. Lighting and stereo is night and day better as well.

I really hate to leave the Supra family but there just hasnÂ’t been enough change in the last few years and this last boat has soured me on Supra and our local dealer.
Thanks again for all your help

[996scott]

Sorry to hear you have had so many problems with the new boat. It definately sounds like you have a lemmon for sure. My brother bought a new Malibu 3-4 yrs ago and it spent so much time back at the dealer getting repaired they walked away from it after just over a year. You'll have to let us know how the new boat compares once you've spent some time with it. Good luck going forward.

[larry_arizona]

Having a lemon would kill the boating experience no doubt. Certainly don't blame you from moving on if dealer and SC couldn't quickly make things right.

Good luck with the new ride and at minimum stick around and share your experience with it.


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[MJHSupra]

Wow, that is a rough time with that 2024 SE550. All that down time would stress anyone out. Sucks to have a lemon from any boat maker.

Best of luck on the new Centurion ri245. I've been on a few of them, rides nice and puts out a great wave when you have that extra weight.

[larry_arizona]

What failed on thrusters? I know liquid propulsion is a very responsive supplier.

What didn't you like about the DSD sound system?


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[mjb929rr]

The thrusters would pulse non stop and quit after about 5 seconds. They were supposed to be the new high output ones for 2024. They ended up having issues with these so they installed the previous version in place of it.

As for the stereo, I think it sounded just as good as the previous Jl audio. It really came down to the way they’ve integrated it into the boat. All of the interior speakers are flush mount to the interior. Therefore you essentially sit against them with your back. Also none of the speakers have any lights in them. They essentially installed a few small led strips on the tower enclosures and added a few single leds by the cup holders. It is very underwhelming if you go out at night. I had forgot how much better the previous setup was until we spent the last few weekends on our friends 2021 sl450 that he had just picked up.

I Just don’t see the value in some of the new upgrades, my 2020 sl was 145k otd. This se was 250k otd and honestly the wave is prob 10% better but everything else is a lateral move or downgrade. I dont see the value in upgrading if you have a 2020 or newer boat.
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[mgswake]

I had a few relatively smaller issues on my boat. 2023 SL400. It did require the dealer to take it in for a couple months, but luckily it was in the offseason. I was able to squeak by for the first couple months August to October after delivery in 2022. Luckily, all of 2023 and 2024 have been hassle free so I think most of the bugs were worked out. Sorry to hear yours did not get worked out. Best of luck in the Centurion! There is one at the marina across the street from my house and it looks really nice. I walked down to the dock and looked in at it a couple times.

I Just don’t see the value in some of the new upgrades, my 2020 sl was 145k otd. This se was 250k otd and honestly the wave is prob 10% better but everything else is a lateral move or downgrade. I dont see the value in upgrading if you have a 2020 or newer boat.
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I looked to upgrade and it would cost 70-90k for me to move into a 2024 at the time I priced. I cant imagine what it would cost now. For that kind of money I would look at used G's or paragons.

It seems the big brands are really starting to try and market as luxury boats for higher incomes and the lower brands are the boats marketed to everyone else. Unless you want a 20 year loan and a lot of people probably cant afford that monthly payment.

[mjb929rr]

As much as I like the nautiques the surf wave isn’t that great. It can be made big or small but no adjustability with the gate system. The Supra and centurion will be a much better wave. Crazy part is the new centurions and Supra’s are same money as a G!

[mgswake]

We are 95% wakeboard so I love the G wake. The Paragon wake empty was the same size as my SL with 50% ballast. I don't really care about the surf wave. But it is good to know about the surf wave if I ever decide to surf more. But, at the current prices and interest rates, I'll likely hold on to my boat for quite a few more years.

[MJHSupra]

I Just don’t see the value in some of the new upgrades, my 2020 sl was 145k otd. This se was 250k otd and honestly the wave is prob 10% better but everything else is a lateral move or downgrade. I dont see the value in upgrading if you have a 2020 or newer boat.
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I've had this conservation with quite a few Supra owners. If you are just looking at the monthly payment, it's driven about that monthly number and having the new boat thing.

Other boat friends are saying: if I sell my current boat (which they are happy with the newer styles), because of the price increases and not upgrading every year, what am I getting for let's say an extra 100K? How much better is the boating experience, new systems, wave, wake, creature comforts, for that 100k? Yes, the current boat will depreciate more and more each year and parts will be harder to find, but that same person also has the limit on what they WANT to spend on boat.

Puts the pressure back on the boat builder to "create value" on these add-ons - whatever that is defined as.