Choosing The Right Power Cruiser
Statistics have shown that most powerboat owners keep their boat for less than three years before they sell it to buy another one. This fairly rapid turnover suggests that 1) a boater’s needs are constantly changing, 2) the right choice wasn’t made to begin with or 3) there is no resisting that newer, bigger model.
While it can be a lot of fun to buy a new boat every three years or so, it can also be an expensive, time consuming process. To help prevent making the wrong choice, you need to clearly identify your present needs, consider how they might change, and understand the pros and cons of the different kinds of boats that are available. Here are some guidelines for finding the right powerboat for family cruising.
Where And How Are You Going To Use Your Boat?
First, carefully consider how you want to use this boat and where you plan to go with it. Otherwise, you could wind up with a boat that’s not right for you, even though it’s a great boat.
Ask yourself what kinds of waterways you’ll be boating on. Will you mostly be on protected rivers or lakes? Large bays or wide-open lakes? Will you be cruising up and down the coast and occasionally venture out into the ocean? Or do you plan on running far offshore and even crossing an ocean? Be realistic. There’s no sense in owning a boat designed to cross an ocean if you’re going to be in mostly protected waters. At the same time, you don’t want to face areas like The Great Lakes or The Gulf of Maine in a boat designed for marina hopping in protected waters.
Next think of how you’re going to use your boat. How many overnights are you and your family realistically going to spend on your boat? Do you want to have room for overnight guests? And what level of amenities do you want? If you plan to spend weeks or months onboard and want all the comforts of home, you will literally need a floating home – and that usually means buying a big, expensive boat.
Or, do you see yourself doing an occasional overnighter and maybe a one or two-week vacation on your boat? If so, you can be comfortable with a lot less. And if you start to feel a bit confined after a night or two, you can always take a break and get a room at a waterfront inn or hotel and treat yourself to a nice dinner.
Size Really Matters
How big of a boat to buy is the subject of many debates. It seems there are as many boaters looking to downsize to a smaller boat as there are those wanting to upgrade to a larger one. So picking the right size boat for you is an important consideration and should be given a lot of thought.
Some people argue that it’s best to buy the biggest boat they can afford, because they’ll soon be sorry they bought a smaller boat. But I’ve seen many boats sitting in their slips every weekend because they’re simply too much trouble to take out. If you own a big, beautiful yacht but just want to go out for an evening cruise or a short weekend, you might soon discover it’s easier, and a lot cheaper, to stay tied up at the marina. Again, be realistic in defining how you’re going to use your boat. Don’t overbuy.
Others argue that it’s better to buy a higher quality, smaller boat than a lower quality, larger one for the same price. When you find yourself in some nasty, deteriorating weather conditions, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your boat is going to hold together. Always go for quality. Your safety, maybe even your life, depends on it. Also, when it comes time to trade up, the higher quality brands hold their value much more than ones of lesser quality. And during the time of ownership, you’ll spend less time and money fixing things.
As boats increase in linear length, they increase exponentially in overall volume and complexity. A 46-foot trawler is a lot more boat than its 42-foot sibling. And as overall volume increases, so do the boat’s mechanical systems. A mere 4-feet can mean an extra head, additional heating and air conditioning equipment, larger engines, a bigger generator, more battery banks with higher capacity alternators, heavier ground tackle, more complex electrical panels and on and on. Yes, big boats are wonderfully comfortable and often luxurious, but beware of what you’re getting into as you go up in size.
Pick A Style That Fits Your Cruising Plans
Form and function are very much related in the world of boat design. If a boat looks a certain way, there’s probably a good reason for it, and it will act and behave accordingly. For family cruising, the most popular powerboats include
express cruisers, sport fish convertibles, motoryachts, trawlers, down east lobster boats, houseboats and power cats.
The ubiquitous express cruiser typically features a large raked windshield just forward of a steering station protected by either a canvas soft top or a permanent hard top. This bridge deck area often includes a small dinette table with built-in seating that flows into a cockpit with additional seating. Down below are the galley, head and sleeping quarters. Ranging in size from about 25 to 50-feet, the express cruiser fits the needs of those wanting a fast boat for relatively short cruises where much of the time onboard is spent outside on the bridge deck. Single and twin gas engines are typical of the smaller models, but the larger boats are powered with diesels. SeaRay, Tiara and Formula are among the most popular brands of express cruisers.
Sport fish convertibles are the cruising versions of serious sport fishing boats and are recognizable by their large cockpits, flared bows and all-business flying bridges. These boats are designed to run fast, usually between 20 and 40 knots, in rough seas, and they require lots of horsepower. Accommodations range from the very basic to the luxurious, and the typical layout features a saloon and galley on the main level with sleeping quarters and heads below. Running the boat is done from the flying bridge, as most modern versions eliminate forward windows and inside steering stations. For those with enough money to keep the fuel tanks full, the convertible is a fast, sporty way to take your family cruising. Ocean, Viking and Cabo are among the top convertibles available today.
For the ultimate in liveaboard accommodations, the motoryacht provides an abundance of interior cabin space and is characterized by a large aft cabin and sundeck, which is often enclosed with canvas and outfitted with comfortable furniture. Motoryachts are usually driven by powerful diesel engines and are designed to run up to 20 knots or so. Ranging in size from about 40-feet to well over 100-feet, motoryachts truly offer all the comforts of home. Accordingly, their size and complexity require a serious commitment in both time and money. Hatteras, Carver and Meridian are popular brands.
The term “trawler” has been loosely applied to a wide variety of boats that are salty looking, seaworthy and designed for long range cruising. Many are powered with single, fuel-efficient, diesel engines, and most are designed to run at relatively slow, displacement speeds. They are often the choice of those moving from sail to power, as they appeal to the traditionalist, deliver excellent fuel efficiency and in some cases are capable of crossing oceans. From 26 to 80-feet or more, trawlers have become the boat of choice for serious cruisers with ambitious travel plans. A sub-category of “fast trawlers” has developed which feature semi-displacement hull designs and more powerful, twin engines delivering speeds in the upper teens or even higher. Grand Banks, Nordhavn and Nordic Tug are three of today’s top trawler brands.
During the past several years there has been an increasing popularity of “Down Easters” or “lobster yachts.” Inspired by the seaworthy New England workboat, the “Down Easter” is a traditional looking, practical cruising boat capable of running in the teens to over 30-knots even with a single engine. Featuring a cockpit for lounging and/or fishing and a main saloon with an inside steering station and settee area, the “Down Easter” is a good balance between comfort and performance. Like the trawler, it is also a favorite of those switching from sail to power. Among the top brands are Eastbay, Hinckley, Sabreline and Mainship.
If you’re planning on cruising only on protected inland waters and want all the comforts of home, nothing can compare with the livability of a houseboat. These flat bottom boats are usually powered by twin gas engines (although more and more are offering diesels) and can cruise in the upper teens or higher. With spacious living rooms, galleys that rival gourmet kitchens and sleeping quarters that are like luxury hotel rooms, they truly are floating homes. While most are in the 35 to 50-foot range, more and more larger ones are being built. Favorite houseboat brands include Gibson, Starlite and Sumerset.
Power catamarans, or multi-hulls, have been gaining acceptance because of their roominess, shallow draft and initial stability. The centerline bridge deck area usually contains the main saloon and galley, and each of the two hulls provide good separation of space for private staterooms and heads. Because their hulls are easily driven, fuel efficiency is excellent, and many boats are able to cruise at 20 knots or more. Because of its extra-wide beam, finding a slip for a power cat can be difficult, and most are berthed on outside T-docks. Popular brands include PDQ, Lagoon and Manta.
New or Used?
A high quality fiberglass boat will last for years and years if it is properly maintained. A thorough marine survey will determine if there are any structural issues that need to be addressed. Mechanical systems and electronics are another matter, and they need to be carefully evaluated by respective experts. If properly cared for, diesel engines can run for 10,000 or more hours without a major overhaul. Typically that translates into about 50 years or service. Whether gas or diesel, be sure to get an engine survey and ask for all service records. Electronics are usually replaced every 5 to 10 years.
Used boats are obviously more affordable than new ones, and if you stick with the top quality brands and order a thorough survey, you can get a lot more boat for your money than if you bought a new one. But you need to be realistic in estimating how much work it will take or how much money you will need to get the boat shipshape. And if you are dealing with a broker, be sure you’re comfortable with him. If you get the feeling he’s trying to make a quick sale and not listening to your needs, move on.
Buying a new boat can be wonderfully exciting and gratifying. But don’t be surprised or disappointed to experience problems. Boats are simply more complex than cars, partly because so many different manufacturers are used in each boat. A highly reputable builder and dealer are essential to making your experience a positive one. Be prepared for a shakedown period of a couple months to find and eliminate all the “new boat bugs.”
Either way, do as much research on the brand, model and dealer as possible. Read the JD Power & Associates consumer satisfaction surveys and find out what owners of similar boats think. Talk to others who own similar boats, and if possible, rent or charter different boats before you buy. Above all, keep in mind the main reason why you want to own a boat in the first place, which is to get out on the water with family and friends and enjoy the great outdoors.