Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

[marekli]

looking for 25-28 ft cabin cruiser that might double up for water sports and some occasional fishing. I am currently looking at a 1996 Seaswirl 250 Express Cruiser/550 hours with aft cabin that comes with a Volvo-Penta 5.0 with Cobra SX drive. NADA priced at about $10-11K. I may go up to $15-18K but probably not more than that. We spend about 1-2 weekends on the water a month...either cruising with the wife or water sports with my sons. I realize water sports may not work with that size cruiser so I may just keep the current Maxum23sc that has just been outfitted with a remanufactured 5.0L Mercruiser, 275HP. Your recommendations and thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Didn't you ask this question recently or was it on another site?

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

yep, that was more tangential though when my engine soured on me under the engine forum...hoping to get more and better input with a better header and correct placement...

Didn't you ask this question recently or was it on another site?

 

[dan t.]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Check out the Bayliner 2452s. I have had mine for 10 years, great cruiser with all the amenities, large open cockpit for fishing, never tried any watersports but it tows the dingy just fine. These boats need a 350 for power, a 305 just wont cut it, good luck in your search.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Post up the links to the boats you are interested in. We can help you much better that way.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

looking for 25-28 ft cabin cruiser that might double up for water sports and some occasional fishing.

What is your definition of watersports? If it is slalom skiing or wakeboarding, you can forget doing that with a cruiser unless you have twin big blocks and limitless funds for gas. If you want to pull kids on a tube...yeah that is fine, but remember there's a reason it's called a cruiser. They are slow to get up to speed, are not meant to go fast, and cannot turn on a dime. I believe you are indeed best served by having multiple boats for differing purposes.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

There's also a huge difference in a 25 footer and a 28 footer. Beam width and everything can be a factor in the different lengths. Definitely depends on what he considers a cruiser. My boat jumps out on plane and could be used for water sports but would cost me in fuel for sure. But then again, I don't consider mine a cruiser though its registered as such.

What is your definition of watersports? If it is slalom skiing or wakeboarding, you can forget doing that with a cruiser unless you have twin big blocks and limitless funds for gas. If you want to pull kids on a tube...yeah that is fine, but remember there's a reason it's called a cruiser. They are slow to get up to speed, are not meant to go fast, and cannot turn on a dime. I believe you are indeed best served by having multiple boats for differing purposes.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I agree, a 25 and a 28 could be much different boats. I had a 29 that measured 28'8" without the pulpit and platform. Twin inboards, 10'8" beam, 9500 lbs dry. I pulled a tuber once but it was just not the right boat for it. Used to pull tubes on a 24' small express and it was much better suited.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Check out stingray 240cs. They try to do a cruiser/water sports boat.

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I found a 2001 Bayliner 2855 Mercury 7.4 bravo 3 with just 240 hours and dual prop that's priced at about NADA value $24K. It looks like new on the pics but I have not seen it myself yet so will do that the weekend and then maybe take it for a seatrial. With then end of the boating season and an engine mechanical check we could probably get a lower price. At this size we are out of the trailering zone and definitely out of the watersports/skiing zone...so we may just decide to keep 2 boats...still thinking about various options...

I am also wondering what kind of budget I need for this significantly bigger boat. Slips range $350-$400 for this price in SD County...but then there's gas that I cannot purchase any longer at the gas station and then probably a lot more cost for engine maintenance and repairs too..

Post up the links to the boats you are interested in. We can help you much better that way.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

What is your definition of watersports? If it is slalom skiing or wakeboarding, you can forget doing that with a cruiser unless you have twin big blocks and limitless funds for gas. If you want to pull kids on a tube...yeah that is fine, but remember there's a reason it's called a cruiser. They are slow to get up to speed, are not meant to go fast, and cannot turn on a dime. I believe you are indeed best served by having multiple boats for differing purposes.

My 28'er would have no problem towing pretty much anything... it jumps on plane and tops out in the high 40's and will carve a corner like you wouldn't believe.... I CERTAINLY wouldn't want to be on a tube behind it with someone trying to throw me! The fuel is the only real issue.... nobody in their right mind would fill the 115 gallon tank every 2 hours to do a bunch of water sports.

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

the general feedback from 98% has been that moving up from what I already have and expecting it to function well as a water sports boat is not realistic, so we are more toying with having 2 boats..

My 28'er would have no problem towing pretty much anything... it jumps on plane and tops out in the high 40's and will carve a corner like you wouldn't believe.... I CERTAINLY wouldn't want to be on a tube behind it with someone trying to throw me! The fuel is the only real issue.... nobody in their right mind would fill the 115 gallon tank every 2 hours to do a bunch of water sports.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

hence the last line above......

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

be also nice to hear other folks experience with the Bayliner 2855 as a cruiser for a couple...

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

be also nice to hear other folks experience with the Bayliner 2855 as a cruiser for a couple...

You will get realistic answers if you ask the same question on BOC.

Bayliner Owners Club - BOC Forum - Category Index

 

[captain zac]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I had a 1995 2855 7.4 Bravo 2
small enough that you could still pull out and take it to the intercoastal
large cabin for a 28 footer
I took the aft cabin foam out and bought an air mattress and put it into the cover made for a real nice bed
put a windlass on it
I was very happy with the boat

Harry

 

[marekli]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

folks that already own one probably know the boats inside out but then an owners club may have a bit of a bias...but I'll think about it...

You will get realistic answers if you ask the same question on BOC.

Bayliner Owners Club - BOC Forum - Category Index

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

That is a surprise,,, only a 115 gallon tank. My 21'er has a 90 and the 150 sips less.

My 28'er would have no problem towing pretty much anything... it jumps on plane and tops out in the high 40's and will carve a corner like you wouldn't believe.... I CERTAINLY wouldn't want to be on a tube behind it with someone trying to throw me! The fuel is the only real issue.... nobody in their right mind would fill the 115 gallon tank every 2 hours to do a bunch of water sports.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

folks that already own one probably know the boats inside out but then an owners club may have a bit of a bias...but I'll think about it...

Your call, but if I was considering any Bayliner, biased or not, I would want to know all I could from owners with actual experience in that particular boat. That is exactly what brand specific forums are for.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

That is a surprise,,, only a 115 gallon tank. My 21'er has a 90 and the 150 sips less.

CC's and WA's are designed for long fishing trips and offshore use. Capacity is an important selling point (and safety feature). Under 30' express cruisers are a completely different animal and don't usually stray that far from home. Mine holds 110 gallons. Those in the 26' and under class typically hold 80 gallons or less.

OP, I'm shopping for a single-engine cruiser and crawled around a 2000 Bayliner 2855 a couple days ago. I liked it. Huge engine bay and great accommodations. Very similar to my current Four Winns, but a bit more room everywhere.

Careful, tho- some come with a 5.7 (about 300 horse and Bravo III). It'll get out of its own way, but not by much. I was told by my marina owner (who's selling it) that it cruises at 25 and tops out at 32 mph. That would actually be fast enough for me, but it tells me that there's nothing in reserve if I filled the fuel and water tanks and carried passengers. It'd be a slug.

You might also look at a 2000+ 2655 or 265. It's got a 9' 1" beam and (consequently) tons of room for its size. Check the pics on Yachtworld. Note that prior to 2000, that model was the same as everybody else's- 8' 6" beam and dinette that needs to be broken down to make up the v-berth.