gonna buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

[hillsideshortleg]

We decided to buy a older cabin cruiser or cuddy cabin and didnt know weather we should go for the newest we can afford and go smaller OR go for something a little older and get a bigger one. I started looking at boats in the 90's or newer around 24'. I am now liking the idea of a little older if needed and a little larger like up to 28 or 29 feet. I have a 1ton dully van to pull it with and only have around 10 to 15 k to spend. We would leave it at the lake during the summer and drag it home in the fall. We are also in the process if making a lean to off our shop to store a boat in. I am kind of holding off to see if we get something wider than 8'6". We currently have a 1983 16' Sea Swirl we have owned for 5 years. The Sea Swirl has brought a new meaning to our life besides WORK. Any tips would be appreciated

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

To be honest, you will be limited in your search with a budget of 10 to 15k. How old of a boat are you considering?

It can be done though, my boat for example has a total of about 17k invested. It is a 1990 chris craft walk around. I bought it for 5k w/trailer, but then invested about 12k in her to make it what I wanted. I can say she is better than new now, but I also did all the upgrades myself,so no boat yard fees other than the motor.

Cabin cruisers and walk arounds are also completely different animals. If your just looking for a cruiser type boat for family outings I would be looking for a cruiser not a walkaround. The cruisers will have more room inside for family use. The walk arounds are more of a fishing type boat with access around the front that cuts down on interior space.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

We are just wanting a cruiser. It's just my wife and I mainly.we dont fish and have found we like to have a few drinks out on the lake and not drive home or find a place to stay near the lake. I was looking at a 1992 or 3 24' Sea Ray that I really liked but didnt have the money at the time, it was around $12,000 with a new motor. The only thing I didnt like is the porta potty was not built into the boat but it did have a basement as I call it. Aft cabin. I could go for an older boat as I kind of like how open some are but I am worried about the wood inside the fiberglass being rotten.

 

[Sprky]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

The market is really soft right now. 15K will buy a lot of boat. Try and find something from the great lakes region. The stuff up there gets used very little and is quite often stored indoors during the winter. I purchased a 92 model 28 bayliner some 9 years ago from ohio. I had a trailer built and hauled it home. I had 18k total after the trailer (5k). The boat was a cream puff, we used it for a year sold it and made money. Stick to your guns and be discriminating. You will find what you want.

Good luck.

 

[lkbum]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Where are you located, the one below is in atlanta, a little small, but a nice boat at the price you are looking for.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/2607935744.html

 

[Sprky]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Here is one that is local. These boats have a lot of room for what they are. I know they will move on the price.

http://www.fivestarmarine.net/Pages.asp?PrId=31

Edit: That didn't work. Look at the Carver 2767 Santego

 

[oops!]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

just a few things here........

you are dancing around several dividing lines of boats......

first......any cuddy over 24 feet should have a big block in it........

second......any cuddy (crusier class) over 27 should have twins......small block is ok if they have dual props on the drives.

so....the prices will jump all around in these type of boats......

you are looking for either merc or volvo setups......NOT OMC.

ig you can get one with a genset.....wahoo....

you really have to think of what you want......for example......if you want a tv and airconditioning...then you will need an inverter and more than likely a genny.
these things make big differences in the price.....

if you are willing to do a little work to the boat......then you will save more.

for example...,....we got a 30 foot regal (05) for 2500 bux from an insurance deal......we spent an additonal 30k on parts.....(2 new bravo 3 drives and transom set ups) as well as rebuilding the motors.......now we have a 100k boat.....but this boat has everything....including a 52 flat screen and a theatre stereo system that can be controlled from 3 different places on the boat.

in a mid 90's craft....you could get most of what you want for your budget. without the worry of rotted wood

you can do it for substancially less....

 

[oops!]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

by the way.....rotted wood is less of an issue in the larger cruisers.....as the stringers are fibreglass incased without not foam any where near them....and they are pretty much open to the air where they can dry.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

The power plant(s) will be the issue. In the 24-28' range, you will find single/dual small blocks, single big blocks, or dual outboards. Don't be afraid of a single big block, if the engine/outdrive combo is done right. My brother's 30' Rinker is a single 8.1L with VP duoprop and runs 52MPH. Personally, I think dual small blocks or outboards would be the ticket. You don't need dual big blocks for a 27-28' boat.

Go with the largest boat you can handle and avoid "2-foot-itis" for a while. Try to find one with A/C, cause if you're spending the night, mugginess will make you hate the boat, especially if you're closed in due to rain.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Go for the biggest crusier you can afford.Next thing will be 2ft itus if you don't. What you really want is something with the widest beam you can find. That is where you will enjoy it the most.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Where are you located? For your budget the market is flooded with 25-30' cruisers. I'm actually looking to sell mine now for under what your looking to spend.

I also agree, the beam will make a huge difference. My last boat was 27' x 8.5', my current boat is 29' x 10.6'. The difference in room is HUGE, not even comparable.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

We are in the North West! Spokane Washington. I dont have the time or money to make long distance runs to pick up a boat but thanks for the links. The Craigslist Sea Ray looks a lot like the 24'ter I have had my eyes on. We looked at it again last night and it seemed like it would be very crowded in the back of the boat it there was 4 people on it. We didnt know if there is better floor plans or thats what you get for 24'. What does "2-foot-itis" mean? We are actualy thinking 20-6or8 foot boat would be better. We are both 50 and are thinking this will be what we have for a long time and would like to do it right the first time. We will leave the boat in Idaho on the Pend Oreille. We work in that area some times and are wondering if there are tax advantages for certain boats. EDIT: Thanks for all your valuable comments. It is very helpful and is really helping us decide the kind of boat we will get.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

What does "2-foot-itis" mean. It means that in a year or two when you say this boat isn't quite big enough and what you do is go out and buy another one 2 foot longer. I think every one has done this one time or another and realized had they gone big in the beginning they would have saved alot of money.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

24' is tight for a cruiser. I have been on a 24' Cabin Cruiser with groups of 2-6+ people, and it's doable but tight. If everyone is seated it works out alright, but when people get up and walk around, need to dry off with their towels after swimming, etc... it cramps up fast. The cabin on a 24'er is similar, tight but usable. Small head, vberth/dinette combo, small galley and a cave or aft cabin better suited for kids. If you step up into a 26-28 footer, the room grows throughout. Here is where a 2footitis might come into play. A year of having a 24'er and now you want a bit more beam, and a seperate dinette and forward berth.

It's a gamble of what you want and what you may want in a few years. Climb aboard some boats of different sizes and go from there.

I type this as I'm looking to sell a 29' boat and move into a 34-36'er.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

ALSO layout is EVERYTHING... I HATE my layout..... don't get me wrong, it is really nice but it's also annoying....I have a built in dinette.... I NEVER use it.... a lounge with a table that could be set up would be WAY better.... I have an aft cabin with a lounge that makes a bed.. I can't sit on it because the ceiling is shoulder high and I don't sleep there... in an attempt at making it a lounge the engineers raised the cockpit floor under the driver.... when I try to stand at the helm my head is in the canvas. Better for me would be an area with a low ceiling that I would just use for storage. My forward deck is low and sleek and makes the boat look good but the ceiling in the cabin is too low for me to stand at the galley. I have a built in coffee maker and microwave. the micro is cool but I don't drink coffee and could use some more storage. My helm has a two person seat and is fairly decent... It has storage underneath and a fold out seat behind facing rear for two more..... seemed great at first but the fold out is very awkward as it forces you to lean forward toward the stern which is downhill from you when underway and nobody sits there. A flipflop with a cooler under would be better and a bench across the rear with storage under for passengers to face forward.

These are a few of the things I notice after two years of ownership...... My comments when looking at it the first day were more like WOW, I LOVE IT, COOL, AWESOME....
When you are shopping multiply any negative feeling by 100.... ie "this dinette feels a little awkward" will later become "I HATE THIS %#@* TABLE" "what on earth were the designers thinking?"

My preference would be a very plain interior... lots of big storage and open space.... The major shortcoming of my boat in my opinion was that the designers tried very hard to cram WAY too many niceties in for the space available.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Any tips on boats with GOOD floor plans
Thanks again
Hillside

 

[25thmustang]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

My boat is very similar to smokeonthewater's boat, it's a 29 foot express cruiser. As far as layout goes, it is probably similar. Mine had a galley to port, a dinette and head to starboard and a stateroom foward, with a small aft cabin under the helm. The aft cabin is a bit small, but it's actually where we sleep (her choice, not mine). The forward stateroom is an actual room, not just a bed, which I like. I can close the door if/when people are there should I want some provacy. Not a lot of standing room with the door shut, but no horrible. The main cabin, between the galley, dinette and head is actually roomy. I have had folding chairs with people sitting in them and 4 people at the dinette and it was roomy enough. This is one of the things I liked most. A lot of boats your stuck with a 2' wide "hallway" down the center for walking room. My boats layout actually allows for a couple of people to be walking in the area and not trip over eachother.

I actually find the head to be roomy as well (lots of headroom), and when we fold the dinette down into a bed and stack the pollows behind us, we use it as a lounge/couch to watch movies and TV set up on the galley. The galley is also very very large, my guess would be a good 6.5' long. Lots of counter space, and storage.

I think a true couch over the dinette might be better, but find we use the dinette to eat, play cards and hang out at.

One big plus for me, was the seperate dinette and forward berth. It just works better and you need to be into a 25-26'er minimum to get thi set up.

 

[Solittle]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Any tips on boats with GOOD floor plans
Thanks again
Hillside

Years back I had a 27 1/2' Bayliner Victoria Command bridge. Huge for a trailerable boat. It does need a big block or twins. Do a Google.

 

[wa_ssv197]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

30' wellcraft monaco

Hope this is allowed.
I work near this boat and took a look at it the other day. Might be right up your alley.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

Re: gona buy a cabin cruiser need some advice

MAN do I wish my boat had that seating arrangement...... All that tho and the head room is still only 6'2" .... also with the size of that aft cabin I suspect that the floor at the helm is pretty high


My last boat was a carver 2667 santa cruz..... it was a 26' flybridge boat and had a nice layout for it's size

a 28' carver flybridge might be really great