Summary:
The 501 Sedan is a significant addition to Meridian’s Yacht segment (&#8805; 50 ft). It will boast a variety of features and upgrades that differentiate it from the Sport Yacht category (< 50 ft). It will be the first Meridian with Zeus pod-drives standard, for effortless, state-of-the-art 360-degree control.

The 501 will offer a three stateroom layout, featuring a full-beam master suite. A forward, raised salon offers excellent visibility, and an open concept floor plan connects the salon, galley and dinette. The cockpit features generous lounge seating and twin stools at a solid surface bar. An electric window drops down into the bar for easy interaction between the cockpit and galley. A striking cockpit-to-bridge staircase is eye-catching at dockside and allows even more light into the salon. Granite counter top interior, under-counter drawer-style refrigerators and freezers. Finally, the 501 offers crew quarters for two (which can be configured as an additional storage room if desired).

Meridian will work with dealers to begin taking deposits on production slots in October this year, with production to begin in March, 2009. Estimated base retail price is approx. $1.1M, with an estimated MSRP of $1.3M for a fully-loaded model.

In other words, it's a sales pitch. If the buyers put down deposits, they'll build it, if not, they won't.

Meridian with stern drive style Pods? Wow!

Of course it's a sales pitch but they have been adamant in the past that there dealers stock the full line and I wouldn't expect that to change.

What really surprises me is the lack of a new pilot house. The 490 is DQed which leaves the 580, which is long over due for a redesign. I suspect they are on the way at some point because I was told this morning that all Meridian yachts 50 ft and over will be built in Navassa, NC.

I am personally not fond of the styling... I'm more of a modern traditionalist, but it will probably grow on me.

Not true for our local dealer. He has 3 models in stock, one left over from 2006 and two 2007 models that never sold. Not a real popular boat line in this part of the state.

Ok, maybe it was my local dealer then? I guess that commitment is what help keep Marine Max out of the Meridian business on the Chesapeake

i'm sure it's beautiful inside but it looks real top heavy to me.

Wow, I bet J.Oren Edson would have never thought that a Bayliner would sell for over a million bucks!

And I agree, there sure looks like a lot of fiberglass (heavy) superstructure above the waterline.

But I am sure that they have thoroughly and properly designed it for its intended use.

As far as the deposits go, I'm not a fan of putting money down on a boat that I can't see/touch/demo first.

Even if it is "refundable"...

Of the few boats that I have purchased that haven't been in stock, I either took a trip to the factory, or demo'd a local sold boat.

I hope they sell a bunch!

I am not fond of that styling! Ok it's ridicules. Looks Over designed.
Yours Wrkalot? Now that is what I like! And your previous boat! Love them both!

I "DON'T" work a lot. Must be the reason we'll never own a boat/ship.

I like the looks of YOLO, but I don't think I could ever grow to like that new one. Looks like something out of a Transformers movie. I'm too much of a traditionalist to ever buy something that looks like that.

Kinda like the Carver Mariner line, which I have heard described as a Clorox bottle on its side.

No thanks.

I think it's interesting that Sea Ray has started to reverse their swoopy styles to a more traditional look and Meridian is doing the opposite.

Looks a little on the light side at less than 36,000# for a 54' LOA and 15'5" beam

By comparison, a Carver 52 Voyager with an LOA of 53'9", 15'4" beam sits at 42,000 dry. 6000# difference - that's a lot of substance.

Looks like boat mating season :