Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

[myers368]

I am looking at buying a 30-35 ft cruiser, roughly 2000 - 2006. Any suggestions for which boats/models have the best seating layout. I really like the Chapparal 330 Signature layout. Any other suggestions? I am just looking for something that maximizes seating area, both outside and in the hull.

Thanks!

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

Six of one, half dozen of the other. Most seating in express cruisers are very similar. You either get U-shaped seating, or seats facing fore and aft. There is no "best" seating layout. It is more dependent on what you prefer. Try a Four Winns 348/358 Vista, Monterey 320Sy or 350SY in your search.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

Pretty much what he said.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

As far as cabin seating (not "hull" seating) goes, same scenario. You can get a settee (couch) to one side, galley to the other, or dinette to one side and galley to the other. That is just about all that has ever been offered in an express cruiser.

 

[Natesms]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

All the seating is very similar.

One thing to keep in mind in addition to seating is bow access/lounging. A walk through windshield is highly recommended. My chris craft 33 crowne doesn't have a walk through windshield, and the sides are narrow which makes getting up there tough for me in rough water and impossible for others. The bow is also not flat but has a curve so its difficult lay on it. It's my biggest complaint about the whole boat when out for the day.

Flip side, I have more cabin headroom than most boats of this size. Very easy to get in and out of the cabin and it's comfortable for even 6' + people to walk around inside.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

Lol, that's a loaded question. Like everyone mentioned, it's really personal preference and there's not a whole lot of variation for the most part. Me personally? I prefer the u-shaped seating on the port side, with the walk-thru on the starboard transom, simply because it makes it quicker to get to the swim platform from the helm if need be. I also prefer a lounge seat on the port side as well, to allow a person or two to sit up near the helm with me. Walk-thru windshield is also very handy. The underside-layout is really a toss up, but I usually like the curved sofa that converts to a dining table as opposed to the dinette set, just because it's a bit more versatile in terms of space.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

So how is the seating in the 2004 320 sig you are considering ? Better than a 330Sig ?

 

[myers368]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

So how is the seating in the 2004 320 sig you are considering ? Better than a 330Sig ?

I ended up pulling the trigger on a 2003 320 Sig. I think it has the best layout of anything out there. The 320 was renamed the 330 in 2006 I believe. Maybe a year or two earlier. So they are the same and have the same layout. However, the layout was changed back to a standard U in the past year or two. I don't like it as much as it used to be. With the older 320/330 layout, there is seating on both sides of the boat and down in the cabin, there is wrap-around seating from the port side up and around the bow. There is no permanent bed which I like.

 

[Natesms]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

Congratulations on the new boat! As everyone says around here, it didn't really happen unless we see pictures. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, those Chaps are nice!

 

[myers368]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

Congratulations on the new boat! As everyone says around here, it didn't really happen unless we see pictures. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, those Chaps are nice!

Thanks! I drive down to Mississippi today from St. Louis to see her in person and check her out and then sign the paperwork. It's the first boat I've ever owned and I can't wait for the season to get her and take her out. I'll get some pics up.

 

[Natesms]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

Thanks! I drive down to Mississippi today from St. Louis to see her in person and check her out and then sign the paperwork. It's the first boat I've ever owned and I can't wait for the season to get her and take her out. I'll get some pics up.

Where are you going to be boating at? I have a 33' express down at Lake of the Ozarks.

One suggestion - find a buddy to help show you the ropes on driving the boat.

Last year was my first summer with my big boat. To help me learn docking I had a guy on the boat with me with experience and then I gave the neighbors a few beers to stand on the sides of the slip while I practiced docking from different directions. My "teacher" would also put the boat into bad spots (perpendicular to the dock and way to close) and made me recover from them. It really helped a lot with my stress levels and confidence.

Honestly, at first the bigger boat was sort of stressful (I've had 20' ers my entire life). However, I enjoyed the boat a lot more by the end of the summer after I got more experience. By August I had not problems with just my girlfriend and I heading to any place on the lake. Dock slow and you'll be fine. People seem to get all worked up they have to dock quickly and it takes 4 times longer.

Oh and get the biggest fenders you can store on the boat. They aren't cheap but they are worth every penny, especially if you are at The Lake. Even the guys with 20+ years experience have the biggest fenders they can fit on the boat. So rough down there sometimes it's the only way to keep her off the dock.

Most importantly have fun. You'll love that boat. For me, this size range is perfect. Big enough to comfortably fit everyone and handle whatever the lake throws at me, yet I can still park everywhere. Plus all the amenities down below.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

Congratulations on the new boat! As everyone says around here, it didn't really happen unless we see pictures.

:noidea:

 

[KnotConnected]

Re: Which 30-35ft cruiser has best seating layout

Beautiful! I really like that settee in the cockpit (proper terminology?) I find myself spending a *ton* of time up topside when we're on the sand bars and at the slip, so it's nice to have a seating setup that's conducive to social interaction, rather than just a bunch of seats facing forward.

Also, +1 to NateSMS on the walk-through windsheald. My '94 Cabrio doesn't have one and its an absolute PITA. People end up grabbing the canvas to help them step over which makes me cringe every time :wacko: