Pocket Cruiser Advice

[four winns 214]

I'm considering moving up to a used 25'-26' trailerable cruiser about 10 years old. I am aware of the limitations of these boats, but I WILL trailer it to various bodies of water so I'm not interested in a larger boat despite their amenities advantage.

It is a hybrid mission for the boat: It will be kept in a slip at a marina on the Ohio River. Many trips will be local day and evening cruises for dinner and such. A half-dozen nights will be spent on the hook per season, probably one night at time, maybe two. There will some water sports- tubing and water skiing so a tow eye is mandatory. With a buddy, I will take one long river cruise (300+ miles) per season. We've done three (one was 600 miles) in a 21' Sea Ray cuddy. On these trips, we have stayed in marinas at night for their facilities, but a boat of this type will allow spending the night away from a marina if we choose.

Here's what I want in the boat: A cockpit that allows good social interaction; air conditioning; water heater; a head with a usable toilet and basic shower capability that is tall enough for someone 6'1" to use without standing in a vertical fetal position.

I have looked extensively at two boats, a Crownline 242 and a Monterey 262. I liked the fit and finish of the Crownline, but it's overall just too small. I did like the ventilation in the forward cabin area. The port lights low on the sidewalls provided a nice cross breeze up to the hatch.

The Monterey is sized about exactly right, but lacks the cabin ventilation of the Crownline. It does have have port lights, but they're mounted too high for useful ventilation. The fans mounted near the port lights by the owner of the boat I looked at told that tale. The fit and finish is definitely a step below Crownline.

I'd like to hear from folks who own and use boats of this type. Why you picked your boat; your likes and dislikes.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

You ask very good questions and seem prepared for what it is you're trying to accomplish. Having said that, I will remark that you are expecting too many accommodations in a far too small package.

Just a few points: Cockpit socialization...good luck entertaining anymore than 5/6 adults comfortably on anything under a 30 footer. By comfortable, I mean folks not having to rub elbows or hips either sitting down or standing/moving from transom to cabin door. Isn't going to happen! Air conditioning...in the cabin maybe, and only on shore power; unless you are ready for the maintenance headaches and expense of an on-board marine generator. Forget about A/C in the cockpit, unless you are piloting a sedan, or want to be cooped up in a foggy camper enclosure all day/night. What do you mean by a "head with a usable toilet?" Any device that accepts your private business is usable. How expensive and flashy is up to you, but they all serve the same purpose, and none in the class of boat you are researching will ever be up to the standards of your residential bathroom. Same goes for the shower. The head on any vessel less than 40 feet long is intended for strictly utilitarian purposes. There is no luxury available in a space that small. I cannot speak with personal experience to the two craft you mention, but my experience aboard boats in the 30 to 34 foot range tell me that you will not be able to find anything that meets your criteria in anything less than a 13 foot beam and 37 feet LOA.

Boating is a series of inevitable compromises. NO ONE, no matter how much money they spend, can have everything they want in a single boat. It's impossible. Good luck in your search for the vessel that fits you and your family's needs!

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I do understand the limitations of these boats. I do not expect to socialize with more than 5/6 adults. I also understand that A/C is a dockside, interior cabin amenity only, hence my emphasis on worthwhile cabin ventilation. My current boats are both porta-potti equipped so just about any head improvement above that is an upgrade. I understand the limitations of the showers on these boats, but at least one can clean up to a certain degree. There DEFINITELY is a difference in the size of head compartments between these boats. I also understand that the head size is taken from some other space. But, also know that I have made multi-day trips in the hundreds of miles in a 21' cuddy. I understand limited amenities.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

As I thought, you were already schooled in the idea that space aboard a boat is at a premium, and the understanding that "less is more" goes a long way in staying comfortable on extended cruises. I would encourage you to look at the largest boat you can afford and tow. Two-foot-itis is a very real phenomenon. As I cannot speculate on your financial means, I don't know if you can even afford a larger vessel while staying in the ten year old range. But we are still in a buyers market, and if you are willing to buy an older model that has a good history, you can move up in length and beam and have more room to stretch out; albeit the cost of maintenance may go up exponentially with the number of engines and systems on board. It really is a calculated risk either way. More room equals greater enjoyment, but a smaller footprint on the water (and road) equals less headaches. I'm already looking forward to a 30-34 foot sedan bridge myself, and that is coming from a guy who boats on freshwater lakes with a bow rider. It's like having driven a Ford Escort through high school and college, then getting in your buddies' Ford Excursion for the first time and wondering, "Why didn't I get one of these before now!" Just take your time, do the research, look at LOTS of boats and ask as many questions as folks are willing to answer.

Not necessarily a suggestion, but more of an example of what is available to meet most of your criteria. (Price not withstanding)

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1999/Sea-Ray-310-Sundancer-2244418/Pasadena/MD/United-States

And yes, I know it's not trailerable, but you are going to be slipping, and taking a few extended voyages. Just some food for thought. Cheers!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

I have some first-hand experience in this area. In 4 years I moved from a 21' WA cuddy to a 24' express cruiser, to the 27' express cruiser in my sig. You might find a boat with the room you need in a 26'er, but your own physical size works against you. The biggest limiting factor in having a usable head in a trailerable boat, is the boat's beam, at 8.5'. My 1999 24' Chris*Craft express worked 'okay' for most things, but the so-called stand up head was impossible. I had to bend my body to fit the contour of the hull, and I'm only 5' 9". After 2 seasons of that I finally gave up towing for good and sprung for more beam. It made a huge difference in livability for my wife and I.

I don't pretend to know all the 25-26' boats out there, so I'd advise you to keep looking, but consider trailerable alternatives outside of the typical express cruiser class, all of which (including mine) sacrifice interior room for style. Go online and look at Bayliner Ciera 'Classic' (shorter than you want, but a good example of what I'm talking about), C-Dory and Arima boats and you'll see that a more 'square and upright' style translates to a lot more interior room. Good luck!

My .02

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

...the typical express cruiser class...sacrifice interior room for style....

This is a very astute observation I think. Many boats today look gorgeous in the slip but I wonder how anyone lives under those swoopy decks.

Back in 1988 my dad bought a 25 foot Chris Craft on which we had some terrific weekend cruises. Perfect for two, workable for two and a couple of kids or maybe three adults. Pic of the same model, although not our boat is below. Note its relatively boxy and rather unsexy superstructure. That shape, however, meant you didn't have the cabin curving in on you at every turn. Powered by a Merc 5.0 Alpha I/O it was an adequate mover, although we never tried any watersports. I have a feeling it would be rather cumbersome in that role but for 90 percent of the basic mission requriements you describe, probably near perfect.

I have no idea when they stopped making this model but I'll bet you might find a well-cared for late model around for far, far, less than the $55K my dad paid in '88.

 

[bullcity101]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

The Bayliner Ciera Classic is very simalar to the Chris Craft above. My uncle has the 2452f and just took a trip from Daytona Beach to Key West and back in the water. Stayed on the hook and marinas. Now this is with 2 adults. It does and a tow hook for water sports and the 5.7 has plety of power. Also very trailerable. Has dockside A/C, a pretty useable head. He took the hard top and extended back and had custom curtains built to enclose the whole cockpit for nasty weather. Something to ponder.
My uncle is a ex comercial aircraft mechanic and only buys the best. This style bayliner is very seaworthy. They made a 28' footer that had a generator option as well.

 

[rbh]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

When we bought our 270 sundancer, it was the biggest boat we could get that was 10 foot on the beam and still trailerable.
The one thing about the sundancer is the size of the cuddy including the aft state room (LOL), huge excelent for boat camping, mindya the rear deck/dance floor aint all that big, but you can have 5 people in deck chairs or the sundancer seats, seated comfortably and another 4-6 below playing cards or cooking ETC.
I just wished we would of held out till we found one with a built in generator.
Check out a 26 foot sundancer.

 

[Scorpion210]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

I have friends that have a Carver 260 Special Edition...I think they were 1997 & 1998. Not sure if they re-branded a similar design later. The couple who own this race about the headroom in the cabin...in particular in the head/shower. The head is located in the middle of the boat as you come down the stairs into the cabin to maximize height

Here are a couple of examples with photos
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1997/Carver-260-Special-Edition-2445425/Muskegon/MI/United-States

http://www.boats.com/boat-details/CARVER-YACHTS-260-Special-Edition/23058481

http://www.boatdealers.ca/usedboats...er-260midcabinexpress-used-boat-for-sale.aspx

Not sure whether air conditioning is a usual option on this boat

 

[pjitty]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

Regal Commodore 2465, largest 24' boat you can get. good quality, good hardware, good layout, good sea keeping ability, best bang for the buck. Overall good boat. Has an 8'6" beam so no permits required for towing...

Joe D

 

[JoLin]

Re: Pocket Cruiser Advice

This is a very astute observation I think. Many boats today look gorgeous in the slip but I wonder how anyone lives under those swoopy decks.

Back in 1988 my dad bought a 25 foot Chris Craft on which we had some terrific weekend cruises. Perfect for two, workable for two and a couple of kids or maybe three adults. Pic of the same model, although not our boat is below. Note its relatively boxy and rather unsexy superstructure. That shape, however, meant you didn't have the cabin curving in on you at every turn. Powered by a Merc 5.0 Alpha I/O it was an adequate mover, although we never tried any watersports. I have a feeling it would be rather cumbersome in that role but for 90 percent of the basic mission requriements you describe, probably near perfect.

I have no idea when they stopped making this model but I'll bet you might find a well-cared for late model around for far, far, less than the $55K my dad paid in '88.

That's the venerable 'Catalina', and they musta made a million of them over the years. I don't know when they ceased production, either, but your Dad's boat was near the end of the model run. Nice, simple boat. The old Trojan F25/F26 were very similar, and Bayliner continued the theme with that Ciera Classic. I've 'shopped' that Bayliner model and have been very impressed with their space utilization. My wife nixed the idea because she didn't want a hardtop, otherwise I'd probably own one.