Cabin is used to store stuff mostly. Float toys take up a bunch of space and we keep some of them inflated for easy use while doing the sandbar thing.
The Formula CBR’s are on my short list, but the cabin space on those is tight. The Cruisers 328/338 is about the same layout, but they do better on cabin space, because they have the bow seating pathway all the way to the port side.
I’ll be buying used, unless a lottery win comes through, and I pay cash for my boats, as a rule and a habit.
Looking at a short list that is not as short as it could be, but . . .
Cruisers 328/338
Formula 370 Super Sport (cabin)
Formula 350 Crossover Bowrider
Formula 330 Crossover Bowrider
Regal 3550 Cuddy
Chris-Craft 36 Corsair (cabin)
Chaparral 337 SSX (crossover)
Monterey 328 Super Sport (marginal crossover)
Sea Ray 350 SLX (not sure it is a crossover)
Key factors are:
Deep V hull - handle choppy seas well ( my F-300 is OK, not great, has a 20 degree hull)
Seating for 12-14 peeps
Draft around 24-26” with drives up
Some cabin - Sleeps 2 - for occasional overnights
Stand up head / enclosed
Good storage & cooler space
We looked at a Formula 350 Sun Sport last year and thought our current boat ( Formula 330 SS ) had better cockpit space utilization.
We saw a Cruisers 338 at a boat show and thought it was perfect, but out of our price range, and not much on the used market since they are a relatively new model.
Budget is probably going to be $100k +/- (used). The Admiral wants me to sell my current boat first, then buy another boat afterwards. I tend to agree.
One thing that I am pondering is how much effort to put into the current boat, vs. focusing on a new(er) boat. . .
As we are nearing the end of the season in the northeast (USA) I am noticing some of the vinyl seating starting to crack, canvas needs some attention, engines are running well though :thumb:
Any thoughts or recommendations welcome.
