express cruiser vs. flybridge

[Fireman431]

Re: express cruiser vs. flybridge

Just another point of view:

I have owned all types. Bowriders, fishing boats, express, and currently a flybridge. I/O's, O/B's, and now inboards. Outside of another CC fishing boat (with O/B), every boat I get from now on of any considerable size will have a flybridge!

Simply go on one and go for a ride. The view is totally different, the handling is different, docking is much easier, and navigation in unfamiliar water is so much better from that vantage point. Another poster said it as well...sometimes you're often left alone, which can be nice as well.

This also open up much more room in the general salon area for relaxation/recreation for others aboard without them getting in you way.

The only issue I have is when I go out alone. If it's windy or the current is really moving, I have to call the fuel dock on VHF prior to getting there to have someone meet me (they are all more than willing to do this). Getting from the bridge to the dock lines solo can be tough if you're in a hurry. However, in a bigger/heavier boat, you'll find that they are more stable in the water and tend not to get blown about as quickly by the wind as smaller boats do.

Trust me...go for a short trip in one of each and make up your own mind. That's the only way you'll know what's right for you.

 

[CaptainSkip]

Re: express cruiser vs. flybridge

I've got a 32' express cruiser with a fly bridge. 12ft beam It has twin 318's. It's double the fun with 2 motors and 2 helms. It's got a lot of cabin space. I had a 26' with an 8' beam, single 318 inboard. When backing up there's no rudder control. 1 helm with bimini top. The cabin was nice but you had no space for 2 people to pass. The wider beam makes a big difference.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: express cruiser vs. flybridge

Camaro, sea trial each type. See if sitting high off the water (in a fly bridge) is unnerving in the big, nasty waves on Lake Erie. If you don't feel stabile, I would not consider a flybridge. But that's just me, I am afraid of heights, and have felt uncomfortable on a flybridge in the Illinois River, which is NOTHING like Lake Erie.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: express cruiser vs. flybridge

lakegeorge, I will check my PMs. Thanks.

ChampionShip, Anything over 27'er, I tend to agree needs twins, but twin big blocks don't seem to be the norm. I can't recall very many sub 30' cruisers offered with twin big blocks. I know the 28' Cruisers Inc around my vintage had it as an option. I'm sure there are others, but up until the 32' range or so, your probably going to deal with twin 4, 6, or small blocks.

My boat is slow compared to most sterndrive express cruisers, but cruising in the low 20ks and topping out into the low 30ks isn't terrible. I actually think it would feel weird cruising at 35 mph in my particular boat.

I prefered the I/B vs the I/O simply because of the location of the motors, and the ease of the drive system. I have heard outdrive horrer stories, very very rarely do I hear I/B or Vdrive horrer stories.

I haven't heard that many horror stories about properly maintained I/O's, except maybe volvos and pre '86 OMC's. I have known some folks losing prop shafts, or with leaking stuffing boxes etc. I/O's are a lot more convenient in shallow waters and if you have to change props, you don't have to haul them out (or use scuba gear, lol)

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: express cruiser vs. flybridge

We left Express boats and went to Flybridge boats ( owned around 12 over 25 years) The main reason was the CANVAS, I can't stand unsnapping and snapping canvas for half the day then finding someplace to store it.

The view when cruising on a Bridge is second to none.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: express cruiser vs. flybridge

Flybridges are sweet, though I have seen many with a ton of canvass on them...

 

[blzrul]

Re: express cruiser vs. flybridge

We started out looking at express cruisers. We were avoiding anything with a flying bridge because we're short and felt like we were on top of a mountain on some of the boats we looked at. Plus those express cruisers had glorious cabins...woweee!!!

Then we decided we wanted to buy something for more long-range possibilities, so we got sidetracked into tugs (Ranger, Nordic) because they had no flying bridge.

We ended up with a trawler - it has all the amenities inside, a decent cockpit, and yes, it has a flying bridge. We have minimal canvas (just enough to keep the sun off the instruments so we can read them) and lots of room for sunning or a tender. We use our boat year round. The view from the flying bridge is great, although we dock and undock from the lower helm.

I really think it depends on how you want to use your boat. Even if you never pilot from the flying bridge, it's a great place to send people so you can have some peace and quiet at the helm

 

[MainShip36]

Re: express cruiser vs. flybridge

I have a 36 Express and have a ton of room below and out back.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: express cruiser vs. flybridge

Man I'm looking forward to the day I am having this same dilema!!! I think, for me, though, the choice will end up being the express cruiser because of trailerability. For now, though, I love my cuddy cabin. It's a blessing to have!!!
Good luck with your decision. Hope you get a great deal on whatever comes your way...


Safe and happy boating always!!!