Hi folks,

I am a long time forum lurker, and had a user account under a different handle (old age-- I can't remember my previous user name ). I am looking for some advice/suggestions on cruisers. My wife and I want to move to a cruiser from our bowrider. There are some specific criteria as far as length and beam due to existing slip lease (I lease a slip from the state DNR for under $500 per season vs. $2500 and up for a lease at a private marina). The size specifics I need to stay within are max under 29 feet total length and less than 9ft beam. The boat would be used as a weekend getaway destination with overnights by my wife and me, and once in a while with our two teenage daughters. I know from looking at several boats that many cruisers in this size range are tight quarters for the rear berth or front area or both. Are there any recommendations for a cruiser that may fit the size restriction (28 feet) and not feel too small inside or up on deck? Are there any cruisers these sizes that offer an onboard generator, or will I better off forgetting this as a criteria and looking into a portable Honda? I know the questions I asked are broad, and that there are lots of boats to consider. I am looking for advice from those of you who may have had experiences with this size cruiser in order to cut the list down to the realistic good candidate boats to look for. Oh, and I am probably looking to buy used as well.

Thanks!

Glenn

Welcome aboard (or back?).

Is it 28 or 29 feet?

Do they allow an extended platform to extend beyond the fingers of the slip (or do they need to know)?

What body of water are you boating on?

I'm thinking an express cruiser would be what you might be looking for.

weclome to the forum (again). most 28 ft express cruisers will have an 8 ft 6 inch beam, because that's the maximum width for trailering purposes without special permits. for you and the wife for a weekend it will be ok but even if the aft sleeping area is wide open, 4 sleeping on that size boat will be pretty comfy, especially when you consider clothes, food, etc. that 4 people will need to bring along. a honda portable generator will be MUCH cheaper than a marine unit, but what is you're planing on needing the genny for? if it's normal stuff like lights, radio, tv, fridge, you may get by with a nice house battery setup. if it's to drive an air conditioner, then you'll need a genny.

Thanks for the welcome back and reply.

I was told the length of the boat (as registered) is max 28 feet. I hope this would not include a swim platform, but I am waiting to hear back from the DNR for confirmation. As far as extending beyond the slip fingers, there are several sail boats and cruisers there now that do extend beyond the ends. The slip fingers are relatively short (our 19 ft runabout extends past the ends!).

The lake is Monroe resivor, Indiana. It is a fairly good sized body of water but never gets to rough (except on the weekends when lots of boats are churning it up).

Thanks! We will not need to trailer the boat, as we do all our boating at the lake. As far as the generator, my main reason for needing it is to run the electronics as well as AC because the state marina does not provide shore power. Water and pump out, but no electric.

So what price range are you looking in? That would help narrow down the selection. I looked at a 35' 'dancer before I got this boat. Just looking but not in the buying mode at all. I really liked that boat and the aft berth but it was way out of my league or need for what I do. Of course if going to that level, I'd difinitelly look around and start to compare before deciding on the brand.

Looking to buy used, and want to stay under $60,000. I just can't see buying new again with all the used boats available.

Some boats do include the swim platform in their length on the state registration.

When I had a FW 268 Vista, it was I think, 25ft 9", but the registration was 28ft, 2" if I recall, as the registration included the bolt-on swim platform.

I talked to the state (MI) license bureau, and they told me that a bolt-on swim platform is not part of the length.

They also told me that if I would actually measure it, and provide a drawing, they would change the length. The important reason for doing so was that a lake nearby was restricted so that boats 26ft and over was a no-wake zone. Boats under 26ft could run at planing speed. But I got rid of that boat and got my 32ft boat (35ft if you add the bowsprit), so it didn't matter.

So, check with your state's DNR and see if anything like this is true. It could make a heck of a difference if you are looking at between a true 26ft vs. 28ft boat.

Besides mid-cabin express cruisers, there are also a few tug style trawlers just under 30'.

http://www.nordictugs.com/26.cfm?showNav=models

Kelly

Glenn, welcome back.

If you're looking for a used boat with a genset already installed, why not consider the 260 & 270 Sundancers.

They're easily trailerable if you should decide to do that, and are available with a single or twin engines and with or without a genset. I did a search on YachtWorld for Sea Ray boats in a 26'-28' length with a price under %60K and got 247 hits in your area.

If I were ever going to downsize, a 270 'dancer with twin 4.3L's would be on the short list. There's lots of room, they're well built, easy to get repaired if something goes haywire, and they handle very well.

There's plenty of room on a 270 to sleep 4 though it would be a pinch for 6. Pretty much the same with the 260's. Four people would work, 6 wouldn't.

One thing in your favor, with that many boats around the Great Lakes areas is you can make sellers be price competitive. Let us know how you do.

What years are you finding under $60k?

That one that I spied was maybe 4 times that new.

Well maybe two to three times?

Make sure you know what the LOA (length overall) is for a given boat. Manufacturers of Cabin Cruiser model numbers commonly give a model name/number that may not be reflective of the LOA. For example, Rinker's 260 Express Cruiser is actually 28'10"

If you are limited to 28' or less, you will find that most of the cruisers in this class have 8'6" beams. Some may slight exceed 9' but this tends to be the exception. Also, most LOA measurements include the swim platform and bow pulpits if molded into the hull

The two things you'll find that most 25-28' cruisers have in common is a single engine and no onboard generator. There are some exceptions but generally a rare find.

I know you mentioned that you are getting a reasonable deal on your slip but with a cruiser, having shore power allows you to take full advantage of all the systems when you are not using the boat i.e onboard battery charger, refrigerator. Be sure to factor in the cost of the portable generator in the overall scheme as well as the inconvenience of having to run, storage etc. The savings with the basic slip may not be as beneficial as it seems. Also, will the marina allow you to run a portable generator? If so, how would your slip neighbors feel about listening to this all night? Food for thought.

As for a brand that provides good roominess, well . . . . trailerable cabin cruisers are not always designed with spaciousness in mind. Some brands do a better job of headroom than others but generally most newer 25-28' cruisers have near identical interior cabin dimensions and layouts. When our kids were small, we could easily overnight but now that they are teenaged, four adults is quite cramped in our 26' Crownline.

Among the various brands, there is more variance in deck layouts and which is best depends upon your preference. For me, I wanted clear and unobstructed access to the cabin while preserving good forward bow access. Many cruisers designed the forward bow access into the cabin door. Seating layout also varies widely. I would imagine with two teenage daughters, lounging in the sun will be a priority for them. Perhaps a deck layout that includes a generous lounge seating arrangement.

Also a priority when your crew is mostly of the female persuasion is the bathroom. You can count on a small bathroom area in most 26-28' but one with a hatch or sidelight can greatly improve the natural light making it seem more roomy. Forget using the shower, most owners will use the marina facilities rather than subject themselves to the limited space.

One feature that tends to be popular now is a sink on the deck. Personally, I find these to be redundant and robbing of valuable deck real estate.

Putting brand aside, think about your typical day on the boat and how you'll use the boat. Do you beach frequently? If so, how do you intend on disembarking? Not always an easy feat from a cabin cruiser.

Lastly dont forget about engine performance. IMO - buy the largest amount of horsepower your budget allows. Not so much for top end but for the best low end, planing capabilities. You'll get lots of opinions on this but I would personally shy away from any boat with a small block i.e 5.0 or 5.7L

Unless there's two small blocks.

For reference, I believe 1991 was the last year Sea Ray made a 9'0" beam 270DA with available twin engines. Anything newer than that only offers a single engine . My neighbor has a 1996 270 DA with a single 5.7L,8'6" beam, it is a nice boat. In 1998 they offered a 270 with 9'0" beam and a single engine.