Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

smokeonthewater

smokeonthewater

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

if you have 4x4 low range and as long as you are set up with plenty of tongue weight a normal ramp will not likely be a problem even for a boat way too big to haul on the highway....

I WILL say though that electric trailer brakes are REALLY nice addition as they are the only ones that work while backing down the ramp
 
marekli

marekli

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I'd like to trailer it up and down the West Coast line and then also use it on inland lakes, so it has to be a solution that works for towing long distance..26-27 foot may be the sweet spot for me...

smokeonthewater said:
if you have 4x4 low range and as long as you are set up with plenty of tongue weight a normal ramp will not likely be a problem even for a boat way too big to haul on the highway....

I WILL say though that electric trailer brakes are REALLY nice addition as they are the only ones that work while backing down the ramp
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Slip Away

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

FWIW. I have a friend that tows his 2002 Four Winns 268 Vista 1,000nds of miles per year. He has a Tundra and triple axle trailer. Tows just fine, stops just fine.
I owned a 268 Vista for 6 years. Best in class for it's size.
Four Winns 268 Vista
Length w/Platform.............. 28'2"
Hull Length......................... 25'8"
Beam..................................... 8'6"
Draft, Down........................... 3'3"
Weight............................. 6,470#

http://www.powerboatguide.com/Free_Access_files/Four Winns 268 Vista.pdf
 
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marekli

marekli

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

thanks, that looks like an interesting trailer option...however, only found 2 4winn 258s in a local CL search and they are pricier at around $45K...I'll keep looking though since the format looks intriguing...
 
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crabby captain john

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marekli

marekli

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

looks like a very nice boat but located bit far away from San Diego...I try to shop within a 2hour driving radius. There's just too much crap that get's hyped and you end up wasting a lot of time and money to go take a look...


crabby captain john said:
These have a better rep in my area. If all in VG condition this is the better buy too. I'd be a the fuel dock often due to the size of the tanks in both of these boats.
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buckhorn7

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I tow a 01 Bayliner 2452 with my 2010 Tundra TRD 4x4. Probably around 7,000# with trailer. I use a WD hitch for a better ride. The Tundra will sag down a lot without WD. For a lot of heavy hauling I would go with a bigger truck.IMAG0021.jpg
 
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Slip Away

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

marekli said:
looks like a very nice boat but located bit far away from San Diego...I try to shop within a 2hour driving radius. There's just too much crap that get's hyped and you end up wasting a lot of time and money to go take a look...
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Then you really don't want a cruiser that bad. Limiting your range to 2 hours will eliminate some prime candidates. Not a good plan IMO.
 
marekli

marekli

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I don't mind being patient, it's not good to be rushed anyway when it comes to boats...the cuddy cabin we have does a lot of what we need already so why drive 600mi just to find out that something is a lemon? There's a lot of marina's in SoCal within a 2 hour radius, that's Santa Monica to the MExican border where I live...I may venture further NOrth to Santa Barbara but that's it...I had a bunch of guys trying to get me to drive to Arizona...it's really not worth the frustration. I have looked at a lot of boats already and most of them fall through the cracks for any number of reasons anyway once you see them in day light with no Photoshop etc available...

Slip Away said:
Then you really don't want a cruiser that bad. Limiting your range to 2 hours will eliminate some prime candidates. Not a good plan IMO.
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Alwhite00

Alwhite00

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

Our 250 Sundancer works great for our family of four - pulls a tube fine but likes it;s fuel when towing. Great boat for the great lakes and we stay on it about 12 weekends durring the season.

LK
 
marekli

marekli

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Cptkid570

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

I don't know if a 242 would really be the upgrade that you are looking for. To really feel the step up from your 23, I think you'd need to go up to at least a 25'.

Why do you want to upgrade? Are you just looking for more room? Your 23' sounds perfect for what you use it for.
 
marekli

marekli

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

barring a boat in a slip we are somewhat confined by what my Tundra can tow...the limit there seems to be at around 26-27ft/6500lbs towable weight...it would be nice to have head/stove/shower for the longer trips...and a bit more liveable space under deck...I agree 24 ft would not really offer that much more...

Cptkid570 said:
I don't know if a 242 would really be the upgrade that you are looking for. To really feel the step up from your 23, I think you'd need to go up to at least a 25'.

Why do you want to upgrade? Are you just looking for more room? Your 23' sounds perfect for what you use it for.
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smokeonthewater

smokeonthewater

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

honestly you REALLY sound like you need to be in the 28' club... you don't sound at all like you are worried about towing a big boat....

I think you need to do some serious soul searching about trading in the Tundra on a bigger truck.... sounds like you may be headed that way anyhow after a brief attempt to make do with a boat that is limited to a little smaller than what you really want.
 
marekli

marekli

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

you are probably right, but there's a time for everything, with my level of experience it won't harm to hang on to a boat I know is sound (just repowered with Mercruiser 357, 275HP) and then shop around for a year or 2 before I step up. I also need to figure out whether we want to trade the trailer for a slip which would open up more room for a bigger boat at the expense of long distance traveling...those are the things I am thinking actively about...

smokeonthewater said:
honestly you REALLY sound like you need to be in the 28' club... you don't sound at all like you are worried about towing a big boat....

I think you need to do some serious soul searching about trading in the Tundra on a bigger truck.... sounds like you may be headed that way anyhow after a brief attempt to make do with a boat that is limited to a little smaller than what you really want.
Click to expand...
 
marekli

marekli

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Re: Cabin Cruiser Recommendations

BTW, one question that has come up for me...Searay vs Bayliner, there's a lot of Bayliners when you look around for one...but a buddy mentioned Searays were the better boats and that Bayliner cuts corners in manufacturing (hulls, gel coat etc..). What thoughts did folks here have on that? No need for heavy arguments just wondering what schools of thought existed here. I also liked the Vista 268 someone mentioned here and then also find Maxums and Chaparrals attractive cruisers...

marekli said:
you are probably right, but there's a time for everything, with my level of experience it won't harm to hang on to a boat I know is sound (just repowered with Mercruiser 357, 275HP) and then shop around for a year or 2 before I step up. I also need to figure out whether we want to trade the trailer for a slip which would open up more room for a bigger boat at the expense of long distance traveling...those are the things I am thinking actively about...
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