Cruiser Questions

[Grant Brown]

I'm in the market for a 22-24 foot cruiser with a command bridge. I'm seeing lots of them for sale locally in my price range and can pick and choose.
What are key things to look for particular to this style of boat?
I like the idea of a single small block GM, Merc or Volvo (no OMC thanks). I see a few with 305's but most have 350's.
Is clearance around the engine an issue? I do all my own maintenance.
Upper and lower controls, any way to test how well they work?
Anything other than typical boat things like rot, leaky manifolds etc?
Thanks,
Grant

 

[JoLin]

Re: Cruiser Questions

Who makes one?

That's a small boat for a flybridge. It's going to be tender in a breeze, and a handful at docking speeds. Beam seas will roll you a lot due to the light keel weight and tall profile.

Penn Yan used to make them, and between the short length, tall profile, single screw and 'tunnel drive' configuration, they were tough to maneuver at low speed.

Everything else is the same as with any other inboard or I/O boat. Acessibility depends on the manufacturer. Operation of dual station controls will be apparent in a sea trial. Surveys are usually necessary to find structural flaws.

What boats are you looking at?

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Cruiser Questions

A 350 GM with either a Merc or Volvo will get the job done in that size range, and parts are widely available for both. They're also easy to work on and maintain provided you have enough room to maneuver in the engine compartment.

I think you'd be far better off with an Express or Sport Cruiser, though. Dual helms on a boat that size are a waste of precious space IMO. A good camper-style top to cover the cockpit will set you up nicely for running in inclement weather.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Cruiser Questions

My father had a 24' Sea Ray with a flybridge. Although it was a bit top heavy, it was fairly roomy and the bridge does give you that advantage of being up high. I believe his was powered by a Mercruiser 350 and ran very well.

Bayliner, Penn Yan, Sea Ray,Winner, Thompson, SeaBird and others made these smaller flybridge boats.

 

[rbh]

Re: Cruiser Questions

You will see lots of used stuff through out the lower mainland and Vancouver island, use craigslist for boats in Wash/oregon states, as boats are cheaper and the canuck buck is very good right now and it is super easy to bring it up.
(Tolly craft makes a nice boat and beware the dreaded 470 merc)

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Cruiser Questions

I have a 27.5' Bayliner Victoria. It is powered by a Chris-Craft outdrive but it is actually a Volvo hooked to a GM 350. My boat is heavy when all the tanks are full and is a bear to get up on plane with two people aboard. When everything is empty (except gas with only 1/4 tank) the boat will get up on plane with 2 people. It is under powered. Others who have owned the same model have said that theirs were the same way with the same power.

I do know that what I know now, I would have waited and got a boat with at least a 10' beam. When you get 4 adults up on the flybridge, the boat becomes very top heavy. Especially at low speeds, turning can be a chore to keep it from leaning over.

One night we was out trolling around with 6 adults on top and two on the rear deck. I made a sharp turn and the boat leaned so far over, the outdrive was dang near out of the water. Things slid to one side which made it worse. From that experience alone, I've been very cautious on how many are on the bridge while under way.

Maybe a shorter length with a 8' beam maybe a better combo, but I doubt it. All I can say is that I wish I got a boat with a 10' beam. It would be a lot more stable with the bridge.

Presently I'm planning on repowering to a big block to add weight to the bottom which will help with the top heaviness and to allow to go cruising with all my amenities on board.

Good luck in your research for knowledge to make the right choice on your purchase.............SS

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Cruiser Questions

I understand the flybridge being a benefit on a 28+ft cruiser, but not ona 22-24ft boat. I think it would be more trouble than it's worth, and a waste of space like previously mentioned. A single helm would be sufficient on a boat of that length. If you move up to a 30' cruiser, maybe the second helm would prove useful when operating in inclement weather. The enclosed camper option would eliminate most of the need for a second control station in addition to creating more usable space on deck when weather is bad.

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: Cruiser Questions

Thanks for all the input. I'm still looking, now I think I'm going to try out a couple of different styles/sizes to make sure its right for us.
Wife and two kids on board makes me leery of anything that would make us capsize!
Grant

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Cruiser Questions

whatever you choose.... pick a size that seems so big that it's silly for you and add 10% to that size..... SBS (shrinking boat syndrome) is highly contagious and all cruisers have it....many years ago I thought my 20'er was big when I got it... I laughed at myself when I got the 26 and thought "why in the world would I need something so big" now I have a twin screw 28' project... It seems to be shrinking faster than I can put it together... I was looking at a 32' st tropez but I think I'm just gonna skip it and look for a 37' sundancer


FWIW the lower controls in my carver are pretty much useless to me but the flying bridge is GREAT makes for ALOT more interior space and great visibility but it's a pain in front of the bar'n'grill docking alone if there's any wind.... come along side dock, climb down ladder miss cleat climb up ladder motor back to dock, climb down..... etc

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: Cruiser Questions

OK So I'm still not done with the idea of a small cruiser. 24 - 26 foot seems about right for me and my family.
Most that I've seen advertised have a GM 350/Volvo for power. A few have 305/Volvo and a few more have 454/Bravo.
The guys with the 350 say they get the best fuel economy. The guys with the 305's say they get the best economy because of the smaller displacement. The guys with the 454's say they get the best because the motor isn't working as hard...
I know opinions are like bellybuttons but who knows for sure which setup makes more sense?

 

[ewenm]

Re: Cruiser Questions

what ever you buy make an efi motor a priority that way you will be getting the best economy possible in what ever you buy

 

[JoLin]

Re: Cruiser Questions

what ever you buy make an efi motor a priority that way you will be getting the best economy possible in what ever you buy

+1

Mine's a 350 Volvo with TBI and duoprop drive. FANTASTIC combination in a 24-26' cruising boat, IMO. I can top 40 mph easily, and use 8-9 gph at cruise (3200 rpm/25 mph) with a full load.

I can't imagine ever going back to a 'single screw' configuration unless the boat also had dual motors.

My .02

 

[bcons]

Re: Cruiser Questions

I guess it's all personal experience.
Myself I have an 89 24' Penn Yan Avenger with a bridge. I love it. It provides MORE room. I comfortably seat 7 below & 2 up top. I have 4 kids, plus friends etc.
Yes it's a bit harder to dock or load when windy, but also there a trade there. I keep mine on a verticle lift, I can drive on eaisly from up top because I can see better. Does it pitch more? Well it seems to if you're up top, but not when on the main deck. I've got the 305, it does the job can pull tubers & skiers.
I've had my whole family out on the Lake Ontairo & came back in 4-6 very choppy not long rollers, handles fine.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Cruiser Questions

OK So I'm still not done with the idea of a small cruiser. 24 - 26 foot seems about right for me and my family.
Most that I've seen advertised have a GM 350/Volvo for power. A few have 305/Volvo and a few more have 454/Bravo.
The guys with the 350 say they get the best fuel economy. The guys with the 305's say they get the best economy because of the smaller displacement. The guys with the 454's say they get the best because the motor isn't working as hard...
I know opinions are like bellybuttons but who knows for sure which setup makes more sense?

I think it's a lot of hair-splitting. Economy depends on many, many factors beyond just the engine size. It's impossible to make apples-to-apples comparisons because of the hundreds of variables like weight, hull design, prop(s), trim, operating speed, water density, etc, etc, etc.

Totally agree, the biggest factor to improve economy is to absolutely buy a EFI motor. Now that I have my Wellcraft with a 5.7 EFI MC, I wouldn't even consider going back to a carbed engine. Smooth starts, good economy, never kills or falters.

I think the biggest improvements in economy come with finding the best cruise speed, knowing how to properly trim up the boat, and in selecting the best prop for economy.

Personally, in the class you're looking at, I'd look at Bayliner's newer 26 foot cruiser with a single engine. I know I just said the "B" word, but a lot has changed with Bayliner in the 2000s and I really like the idea of a 26 footer with the economy and lower maintainance burden of a single engine.

Grouse

 

[QC]

Re: Cruiser Questions

Budget?

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: Cruiser Questions

Budget is under $15,000.
I've been seeing some decent +- 1995ish Bayliners in the price range. When did they start using fuel injection on mercruiaser and volvo?
Grant

 

[QC]

Re: Cruiser Questions

For any real availability EFI started in '95 at Merc. There are exceptions, but pretty much then. I don;t think you'll find a lot of them earlier than 2000 in Cruisers, but there are exceptions for sure.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: Cruiser Questions

are you still thinking of the flybridge or are you leaning towards an express?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Cruiser Questions

Grant you probably pulled the trigger on something by now seeing the date of your post. Like SS Mayfloat I had a 27.5 Bayliner Flybridge. Two things - First do not get anything anywhere near this size with less than a 350. My experience was the same as SS Mayfloat. In my opinion a big block is necessary or twins. Second if you even think about trailering the thing - think long and hard. Mine sat on a triple axle trailer with brakes and it scared the shi# out of me pulling it down the road. As to ease of access for maintence you have plenty.