small sport boat vs cruiser

[dbass100]

Hi, I recently sold a 18 ft runabout becuase it was too small for the water I live on (Lake Erie) and am lookng to upgrade. I was thinking somehing like a 22 or 23 ft baja, formula, or something else sporty until I came accross a 27 ft cruiser that caught my interest. Just wondering how others who went from a sport boat or runabout to a cruiser have felt about the switch. Also, I know some of the sportboats can be pretty thisty on fuel, would a cruiser suck as much fuel as the sport boat that you'd tend to run a bit quiker. Any experiences you'd like to share are appreciated (budget = $10,000)

Dean

 

[arks]

Re: small sport boat vs cruiser

I had a Wellcraft 23 Nova XL for 18 years before selling it and going BIG (Silverton 34 convertible) in 2004. We really enjoy the extra comfort and extended cruising capabilities, but do miss the speed and relative economy of the sportboat (single I/O).

I know some of the sportboats can be pretty thisty on fuel, would a cruiser suck as much fuel as the sport boat that you'd tend to run a bit quiker. Any experiences you'd like to share are appreciated. Dean

Cruisers are a lot heavier and will typically run slower and burn more fuel than a similar sized sportboat- assuming the sportboat has stock power.
It sounds like you're comparing single engine boats but here's a short story: I have a friend who owns a 38' Formula sportboat and he likes to tell people that even with twin 600HP engines, he gets 1 MPG at 60 MPH. No cruiser can do that.
But......the downside is that at 60 MPH he's burning 60 GPH.
Most twin-engine cruisers run about 25-35 MPH at 20-30 GPH. Still expensive, but more comfortable.

It all boils down in the type of boating you're most interested in- comfortable cruising or high performance. Unless you've got VERY deep pockets you can't have both!

 

[dave11]

Re: small sport boat vs cruiser

That is kind of like comparing apples and oranges. You need to decide how you are going to use the new boat. Then you will know which style to concentrate on buying.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: small sport boat vs cruiser

My brother-in-law has a CC, it's nice. My wife or father-in-law would not get on the CC cause you can't "escape" if ya wanted to.

I just got a 220 Sundancer as my first boat and would never go to a sport/cc/br/etc... When I see the rain coming, I setup the camper in about 10 minutes and stay dry. Staying dry on the way to dinner on the water with the wife is a plus. If I want to cool off, I hit the cabin, and turn the A/C on. If the wife/kids who ever want to take a nap, in the cabin they go. I don't have a TV yet, but that is a future upgrade my wife would love me for.

We like comfort, but my deck still has plenty of room for fishing. Not bad for my first boat. I'm already thinking of upgrading to a trailerable larger cruiser when we get the bigger house and cc bills are paid down.

P.S. Having a fridge, pump out head, hot water, and shower just puts it over the top for us. Oh, it will probably be more comfy to cross the pond to the Bahamas in a cruiser too. I let you know when we do.