@Nick Hughes , welcome aboard. Pricing discounts from msrp are purely a regional supply/demand thing. Your best avenue is to quote as many dealers as you can. I bought my boat from a dealership that is an hour further away than my local dealer, and in doing so, I saved about 10%. You're more likely to get a better deal from the dealer who has "your" boat on hand versus one who has to order/transfer one in.
Regarding your initial post of Yamaha vs. SeaRay, I've owned props and I currently own a 24' Yamaha. I would add the following to what has already been said:
1. Lake Erie water can often be too rough for you to enjoy your day in a 24 foot Yamaha, and a 26 foot Sundeck. They are both wave slappers. A V-hull is a smoother ride, but doesn't have as much useable space and is heavier to tow.
2. The I/O drive on the SeaRay has the ability to adjust trim so that you can trim your bow up in rough water, resulting in a safer and dryer voyage.
3. Two engines on the Yamaha add a significant amount of safety in the event of mechanical problems.
4. If there are a lot of weeds/debris close to the surface where you plan on boating, I think that the prop is a better way to go. It's much easier to put the boat into slow reverse to unwind tangled weeds.
5. The Yamaha is light and easy to tow.
6. The 2015 or newer Yamaha will outhandle the Sundeck. At 52 mph, I can yank my steering full starboard or full port and the Yamaha turns like it's on rails without any cavitation. It feels like a sports car.
7. As a first boat, I think that the Yamaha is a more idiot-proof setup. Chances are that you'll be rebuilding your lower unit and replacing a prop or two within the first five years of owning an I/O.
Good luck.
