Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

[Philster]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

Generally, I agree with the bow stuffing: It's rare. I don't think only fools stuff their bows.

It's just safer to close the bow.

Love the boat though. Would consider it for sure.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

Mid Cabin Open bows are very popular where I boat. Here are some typical examples, and there are more from Hallett, Commander, Nordic (see 45s post) Genesis, Domn8er . . . list goes on. Your pricing example is not that far off either. Most have 454s, 496s and 502s.

Eliminator:

Howard:

Cobra:

how does one sleep in that cabin ??

 

[seabob4]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

Go with the Mariah with a 502MAG...

 

[QC]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

how does one sleep in that cabin ??

You don't . . . They're basically stupid. Popular, but stupid.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

You don't . . . They're basically stupid. Popular, but stupid.

At least there is a place for a head. But large bowriders have them too, so I don't really see the point either.

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

I've seen a lot that the seats fold down and combine to make a bed. Nothing fancy but I never sleep on the boat anyways. I boat at a couple lakes near by that are only 15k-20k acres. I like having a open bow but also like being able to get away to a cabin if I wish. Not sure why you consider them stupid?

 

[QC]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

Sorry, did not mean to infer that you were stupid for liking them :redface: Might be good where you boat. I have about three or four problems with them, although I might own one.

1) One thing I love about an open bow is the ability to quickly get to the bow. Docking, anchoring, retrieving, dropping people at a dock. All easy with quick access. A mid cuddy slows that down.

2) We are normally in 100 - 115 degree ambient. I am not hanging down there for nuttin'

3) I think it really ends up as wasted space. Whatever you stow down there is visible in most of them. Most walk thrus have stowage there, and
it is out of sight.

4) Some of them don't look like they would drain to the bilge properly. The carpet is always wet down there . . .

Pros:

1) Can make the hull more rigid.

2) Looks cool

3) With a snap in bow cover it should be warmer in the cockpit in cool weather and of ocuirse trhe cabin otself woudl be cozy in that situation.

4) Could be great with a a baby if it is not too hot.

One of my favorite boats (Sleek Heritage) happens to be a mid cuddy. BTW, sometimes we call them a walk under vs. a walk thru. Again VERY popular at the Colorado River Lakes . . .

 

[smokintoad]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

QC,

Thanks for clarifying; I have to admit I originally took offense to you comment. As far as boats or anything in life for that matter? to each their own. If there were a perfect boat for everybody, there would be only 1 type of boat. Fortunately the world does not work that way. There would be no debate over Whaler vs. Grady, or Ginger vs. Maryanne. We would all be Maryanne guys.

Seriously though,

I have had the boat for 4 seasons,

1. Getting from the helm to the bow takes about 5 seconds. I could time it this weekend but I am in the ballpark.

2. It does not get to 100-115 degrees in the Northeast but over the past 3 weeks the temperature here has been in the mid 90s with very high humidity. My mid cabin has air conditioning so it has not been a problem.

3. I have two beds/couches in the mid cabin, a microwave, TV/DVD, fridge, stereo and a porta potty as well as my computer. It works pretty well for us.

4. In 4 years the floor in the mid-cabin was wet once, my 5 year old dumped a half gallon of Kool-Aid on the floor.

Is the boat perfect? Of course not, no such animal out their. Everything has its pros and cons. My first boat was a 21 foot early 90s Four Winns with an OMC drive soft floors and a faded red hull that some would say?.was almost pink.

Yep, still love that boat and miss it.

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

That is sweet! Is ac a factory option or something that you added? The heat down there is my only concern. What size is your boat? Also I'll ask but you don't have to answer. What year is yours and what does something like that run?

 

[smokintoad]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

Thanks,

The A/C is a 12V factory setup. The boat is a 06 - 26? (not including the extended swim platform).

I got it new in 2006 but it seems like they are getting mid 40s loaded with the 8.1, around 30K for the standard model.

If you get one make sure its less than five years old. They have a lifetime warranty that covers the hull, transom, and stringers but it is only transferable during the first 5 years.

There are many mid-cabins out there that are excellent. It just depends on what you want. Some have really big seating areas in the bow and small cabins. Others have big cabins and small seating areas. It all depends upon what is important to you.

Just make sure when you purchase any boat, you don?t settle for less than you want/need. You can?t add another 2 feet after the fact. Ok well maybe you can, the guys over there in the restoration threads are amazing.

 

[Kracken]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

There are a few Ebbtide Bow rider/Cuddi-cabins on my lake. They look really huge, they stand high in the water kinda like a Sea Ray Express Cruiser on steroids. The bow angle looks a little like a Fountain.

I would not want to tow anything like that.

 

[QC]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

Thanks for clarifying; I have to admit I originally took offense to you comment.

Sorry about that . . . I was responding to Stachi's question which referenced the pics I posted. With low freeboard the headroom is quite a bit lower and there are no doors, so the heat is extreme, and there is no way anybody is really going to hang down there. Some of them have molded floors and decent drainage, but others were an afterthought and the carpet stays wet and water collects.

Your boat is much different and I love the hatches and also the AC.

We would all be Maryanne guys.

If we aren't we should be . . .

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

There are a few Ebbtide Bow rider/Cuddi-cabins on my lake. They look really huge, they stand high in the water kinda like a Sea Ray Express Cruiser on steroids. The bow angle looks a little like a Fountain.

I would not want to tow anything like that.

I have pulled some trailers that most people wouldn't touch. I own a car dealer ship and probably put 100k miles/yr pulling my car haulers. Pulling one of those would be a cake walk with the right truck. I get a new diesel every couple weeks and would have no worries with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton. If I hooked one up to one of my duallies you wouldn't even know it's behind ya.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

There is a guy I met on the lake that purchased a 52' Outerlimits prototype last year. Twin 1100hps. He is not happy with the new speed limit.

But why? Not everyone gets a new law passed in their honor


Yeah, thats gotta suk.

 

[JJohn68]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

I just joined today, and I have been addicted reading all of these posts and different forums. I've been bitten by the boating bug and have been researching boats for the last couple months. I've learned 50X more reading in the last 6 hours. Thanks to all the seasoned boaters for passing on all your experience and knowledge.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Looking For A Nice Mid Cabin Open Bow... Suggestion?

I just joined today, and I have been addicted reading all of these posts and different forums. I've been bitten by the boating bug and have been researching boats for the last couple months. I've learned 50X more reading in the last 6 hours. Thanks to all the seasoned boaters for passing on all your experience and knowledge.

Hi, JJohn- welcome to iboats. As a matter of policy, digging up old threads for re-post is discouraged. Why not start a new thread of your own, introduce yourself and tell us what you're planning in terms of boating? We LOVE to spend other people's money!