We have a member her who is now on his second Bryant - and he purchased his 1st one sight unseen from 1/2 way around the world.

MedSeaAPC's Bryant

Andy sold his 1st one and now has a new 246, which he says even with the same engine/drive/propset out performs the smaller 219 he had.

BTW Andy combined a US vacation with the family with a trip the Bryant Factory and Bryant Boatowners Get-To-Gether in June.

The 270BR looks to be out of production already, so perhaps you were not the only one not impressed.

Dock, you pessimistic SOB, where ya been?

Bones - This place just wasn't any fun without you, so I went on a seabaticle.

(nice "tie-in". You should be a radio DJ. Not kidding either. I've MET you. Ya got the face for it! )

and you could be his co-host!!!

A boat builder plant that I have been in that had a "no chopper gun" mind set.

Some builders believe spraying a very thin layer with the chopper gun adherese better to the gelcoat and causes less pattern blead-through. They then hand-lay the rest of the boat for better strength.

I have no clue as to whether one method is better than the other.

A few years back, a (new to them) dealer had them on display at a sport-fishing show (not the right venue for Bryants) due to the dealer not being able to get into the real boat show.

I liked what I saw as far as construction goes, but they just were all too small for my needs (24' +). They were pretty much at the price level of the Cobalt's.

I've heard nothing but good comments when the brand is brought up.

They must be looking for dealers, because they constantly are advertising in the industry rags for dealer inquiries.

The local dealer that had them on display no longer carries them.

Ha!

And then you had Bayliner during the 80's that put one layer of woven roving on top of the gelcoat layer which was then followed up with choppergun to give their hulls the appearance of being "hand-laid".

Their salesmen actually pointed out the bleed-through and said, "see, Bayliner hand-lays their hulls".

Anyone that looked inside the hull would quickly learn different...

Smore recent Bryant links - and newer models

233 - 246 Bryants

I'm on my second one and don't even waste my time going to boat shows any more. I have found safe harbor with Bryant. First boat was a 4 Winns. Flashy tin cans now compared to Bryants. Cobalts are over priced ego boosters. Tested one last fall, entire family said why the hype.Totally unimpressed but each to his own, it's only money.

Well said Capn, but I will add that Cobalt and Bryant often come up 1,2 in bowrider quality here.
And when you mix in Formula - the price/quality/build argument gets more convoluted in the top 3.

From Bryant testimony on this site... I really hope to see one myself sometime.
Fair to say they are a "limited production" operation - focused on quality and customer satisfaction?
That sounds like an ad line – but just my take after seeing posts on this site.

Kelly, thanks for the old link.
Nice to see the owner of a company check in

I would be big fun to see Bryant's idea of a 30' cruiser, but I ain't holding my breath ....

I am a happy Bryant owner, 1999 214 Limited. The boat being almost 10 years old and has a scratchy past, the boat is in great shape. Everyone that goes out on her comments on how good she looks, and are really taken back when i tell them the age. Definitely good materials go into these boats.

The biggest complaint i have heard of Bryant in comparison to other boat manufacturers is the styling cues. A few years ago, Cobalt was far above. I think Bryant has come about and is making a nice looking boat, some better than the newer Cobalts, IMO.

I looked at the 270 as well when it first came out, i wasn't impressed by the build quality. i looked again this past year and there was a definite difference. it think you will find the 270 is now the 296. The 240 is now the 265, and I think the 219 is now the 239. i am not a big fan of renumbering like this, but to each his own. My next boat will most likely be the 240/265, but that is a few years away. Nothing wrong with my 214. I was considering finding a used Cobalt 240 as I really liked them, but the layout of the Bryant would just suit us better.