Best 31 ft Cruiser?

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

30' Chris Craft Constellation?

 

[Seevee]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

30' Chris Craft Constellation?

F14,

Did a search and came up empty. Did a search without Constellation and found only old boats 02 or earlier. Too old for me, unless I'm missing something. However, thx.

 

[partskenn]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

I bought a Maxum 3000 this year with twin 5.0s, Bravo 2 drives. I was worried about it being underpowered (11,000lbs). It goes 42 mph, jumps up on plane, has more power than I will ever need. We wanted a user friendly walk thru windshield for easy bow access which it has. Also has an open layout down below, swim platform is pretty small though. The company is out of business, but parts seem to be readily available.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

Airdvr,

Yea, looked at them, don't like the layout, excepting the 330 Sport Yacht, which is a bit big for my mission.

What exactly about the layout did you not like? Did you look at used 290SCR, 282CR and 300 SCR ? All 3 have different layouts.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

I bought a Maxum 3000 this year with twin 5.0s, Bravo 2 drives. I was worried about it being underpowered (11,000lbs). It goes 42 mph, jumps up on plane, has more power than I will ever need. We wanted a user friendly walk thru windshield for easy bow access which it has. Also has an open layout down below, swim platform is pretty small though. The company is out of business, but parts seem to be readily available.

Maxum was a Brunswick Marine product. They discontinued the line

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

What exactly about the layout did you not like? Did you look at used 290SCR, 282CR and 300 SCR ? All 3 have different layouts.

I was hoping to get the OP's answer to my question, but Thalasso must have scared him away.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

The OP seems to be looking for a Four Winns 318 now.

 

[QC]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

I am sure I'll get beat up for this, but the Bayliner 320 is a superb boat (2008+), and a great value. Loved it with twin 300 MPIs and Bravo 3s. Very honest 45 MPH boat. Nothing you don't need, and everything you do. I liked the 300 and 340 as well.

Decent review here: 2009 Bayliner 320 SOLD - YouTube

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

Good luck with the V318 search. Popular boat for short term ownership.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

F14,

Did a search and came up empty. Did a search without Constellation and found only old boats 02 or earlier. Too old for me, unless I'm missing something. However, thx.

There actually was a 25 or 26' Constellation but I had the classics in mind...while I feel they have the best craftsmanship of any boat produced I was not suggesting them to make a serious suggestion in this thread

 

[seaclusion3300]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

Have you thought about a 310 Rinker? Good friends of mine have a 2003, it is a great boat!! Has everything you are looking for. Genny, lounge seat. Twin 5.7L with bravo III, A/C.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

Have you thought about a 310 Rinker? Good friends of mine have a 2003, it is a great boat!! Has everything you are looking for. Genny, lounge seat. Twin 5.7L with bravo III, A/C.

It was suggested to him on another forum, but ignored. He appears to now be on track of a 328 Vista. Lowest price is driving the search.

 

[Seevee]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

What exactly about the layout did you not like? Did you look at used 290SCR, 282CR and 300 SCR ? All 3 have different layouts.

Slip,

A lot of the Monterey's did not have the port lounge. The 302 Cruiser Express and the 330 Sport Yacht did, and both looked nice, but have no info on these. Need to do more homework.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

Got it. Port lounger is a must for you. That rules out the 3 boats I suggested. Then you are left with The 330SY,350SY (too big for your lift) and the classic 302. Check out the 2005 302 in Tampa .

 

[QC]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

The 2008 320 Bayliner has the biggest port lounge I've ever seen:

Just sayin' . . .

 

[QC]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

I need to come clean . . . one of the reasons I am pushing the 320 was I was invited to a test by US Marine in late '07. I ran the 300, 320 and 340 as well as the Maxxum 2700 and 2900. Here's my write up:

http://forums.iboats.com/bayliner-boats/all-new-2008-bayliner-320-review-223503.html

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

The 2008 320 Bayliner has the biggest port lounge I've ever seen:

Just sayin' . . .

With the possible exception of the Rinker 310EC


It should be remembered that Bayliner cruisers will no longer be sold in the United States after 12/31/12. Brunswick will
move production to Brazil, and the cruisers will only be sold outside the US. I imagine Bayliner dealers will still service the
boats that have been sold here, but it may be slightly more of a challenge to get warranty work and factory support ging
forward.

 

[QC]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

Not sure what warranty would be of concern on 4 year old boats, and the pieces that matter are all Merc anyway. What is there to get service on that is not generic? A breaker panel? Cushions? Canvas? Not coming up with anything here Fact is that he will probably look beyond Bayliner, I get that. But I for one, would seriously consider one. Most of the reasons not to buy one will only cause lower resale as opposed to any real problems. That seems like a good thing for a used boat buyer

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

Ayuh,
Warranty concerns on 4 year old boats would be:
1. Gelcoat problems
2. Hull problems (structural,blistering, etc)
These issues can crop up on a B-Liner, or any other brand. Dealer support is important to get these
type issues resolved.
And because anybody can buy a boat, these things can happen in just 4 years or less.

But the fact remains, the OP is not interested in a B-liner, and appears to have moved on to other brands.

 

[QC]

Re: Best 31 ft Cruiser?

Did you just say Ayuh?

Yeah I figured same on both your points.