21' cuddys (for athiker)

[KCook]

This is a response to a post by athiker on another thread on another topic. Thought this subject deserved its own thread. Here is a copy of some of the questions by athiker -<br /><br />

The Chap 215 seemed to be one of the few cuddys of that size to squeeze in ample guest seating and at least has the appearance of good quality. What really has me concerned is if it is a widespread prob with that model and the apparent lack of responsivenies. <br /><br />Regal does has a similar one we didn't like quite as much, the 2250...any thoughts on those? Four Winns has a nice Sundowner 205 (from pics only) but they seem even pricier than Chap...others have very limited seating.<br />

I happen to live in a blast furnace where you can't give away small cuddys. So I don't pay close attention to them. But I can see where they would be attractive in a cool climate.<br /><br />The Chap 215 is one of my favorite designs in this size. But I fully understand your concerns about their quality and customer service. As I hinted before, depends big time on your particular dealer.<br /><br />The new Regal designs are really slick. They are step hulls. Which may or may not fit your situation. Here is another thread on step hulls -<br /><br /> stepped hull ? marketing or truth ? <br /><br />The Four Winns is also attractive. But if the price is much above Chap then you have a greedy Four Winns dealer!!! Here is another thread on both Four Winns and boating on Lake Michigan -<br /><br /> New boat advice <br /><br />For cuddys this size my short list would also include Monterey - 218LSC web page <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[djweber]

Re: 21' cuddys (for athiker)

Thanks Kelly...correct on the weather difference. The Cuddy will hopefully extend our season a bit and give the kids a place to stay warm on the eve. run back in.<br /><br />I have only seen the Four Winns online...the dealer is not near the others I've visited. The Chap 215 is also in the SS line not the SSi so that may be a reason it appears cheaper in price to the Four Winns? I just compared list to list, maybe Four Winns will discount more. Chap deal was in excess of 10%...left exact #s at home.<br /><br />Visited Monetery, but only had the bowriders and larger cabin cruisers. Bowrider quality seemed good and nice looking from outside, but wife and I agreed something about the interiors/layouts we just didn't like. Bolster seats difficult to work and both front seats seemed far from dash even after adjusting forward (I'm 6 foot even). The big boats were nice tho!...will check out the new '04 Cuddy when arrives.<br /><br />Also saw some Kayot BR there, but no w/t transom or cuddys and the way the cushion stuck up over the rear sunpad...would get trashed fairly quick I believe (espec with big lab...goes everywhere with us).<br /><br />Saw from other thread u referred me to that you like the Regal...I do to and will check them out again. There is kind of a pit in front of the hatch door that both my kids tripped over when we looked at it the first time.<br /><br />*Question of the day...just checked out Campion Boats online. What's their story/rep? Many models and varieties w/in each. They offer BR, 'Sport Cabin' and 'Closed Cabin'...not sure what the diff is between the last two.<br /><br />So far we have visited in person...Sea Ray, Chaparral, Regal, Kayot, Hurricane, Stingray, Monterey, Crownline and Caravelle. Tough to get a test ride out here and wanna buy at the mid-Jan boatshow in Chicago. Liked the Chap the best so far...but need to check on this 215 Cuddy 'list' issue.<br /><br />So...wud appreciate any input on Cuddys out there.

 

[djweber]

Re: 21' cuddys (for athiker)

Campion 'Allante' series just to clarify.

 

[jmoerner]

Re: 21' cuddys (for athiker)

My wife and I purchased a Crownline 240 this spring. It's built in Illinois so you might have a good chance at a test ride. It came down to that and Four Winds for us. Problem for us was finding a dealer we liked. We ended up buying out of state and getting a much better deal. When looking at the boat show, you can in some cases order what you want and still get the deal. We did that and SOP is for a water test before the final signing. If Suds would have done that, he could have avoided the link that has enamored us all.<br />Just a thought,<br />John

 

[KCook]

Re: 21' cuddys (for athiker)

Dunno why the Four Winns price is so high. I like the Chap SS just as well, if not better. IMHO Four Winns doesn't come up to the Chap SSi.<br /><br />I like the bigger Regals very much .... as a sport boat (I happen to have a lead foot). But as a family boat for big waves I'm not sure more conventional designs aren't more persuasive.<br /><br />No Campions where I am. But their reputation is pretty good. Here is another thread - Campion allante 535 o/b . Their sport cabin is a normal cuddy with furniture. The closed deck (not closed cabin) has a crawl-in bow for storage only. The closed deck is basically a sport model, not a liveaboard.<br /><br />If you want a low price Bayliner and Stingray also give a lot of bang-for-the-buck.<br /><br />Everybody has a 21' (or so) bowrider. Not nearly so many cuddys to pick from though. You could widen your selection a little by including fishing WalkAround models. Such as this Seaswirl. However these WalkArounds will not have as much seating in the cockpit and they are usually a little more expensive.<br /><br />Kelly