Which are good options instead of a larger Sea Ray yacht?

Canvas isn’t the best. But you can take it off. You can’t do that with completely enclosed cockpits. And in those boats you may as well be captaining from your living room. No thank you.

It was a huge decision for us to make, I had some of the same concerns as you. But it is nothing like that. Opening side windows, opening windshield, open the sliding glass doors or open the sunroof. Instead of canvas, you have glass and fiberglass. Noise and wind is very fatiguing on long trips, and being able to knock back that noise/wind has been spectacular. Climate control also reduces fatigue. I have owned Sundancer's for 30 years, but this has and will improve my boating experience, no doubt. I should have done it sooner. And the living space you gain is fantastic. And I still have a large cockpit for being outside. If you get a chance to ride on a coupe, by all means, you should. You may be surprised.
 
I get the convenience of the camper backs but just can’t get past the look.
IMHO:My current boat would look terrible with one.

I agree. They aren’t pretty. That’s why I take my canvas down when I run. I just don’t often run in the rain.
 
I get the convenience of the camper backs but just can’t get past the look.
IMHO:My current boat would look terrible with one.
I like the usability of the cockpit with camper canvas. I think if done right it can look good and be functional. I like what one of our members (boat name BOP) not sure if that is his screen name did. Looks really good in black... It's on the list... (Sorry to drive the thread off track and over the cliff...)

Larger yachts... Flemming followed by Marlow....Then.... That's all I got... If you want to spend more $$ Grand Banks Aleutian or Ocean Alexander.....
 
I agree. They aren’t pretty. That’s why I take my canvas down when I run. I just don’t often run in the rain.

If you and the canvas guy think outside of the box, it is possible to fit an aft emclosure to a Sundancer without it looking like the rear end of a 1968 Chevrolet Station Wagon. Look at my profile photo.........not perfect, but it keeps me out of the dermotologist's office and lets us use the boat 12 months a year.
 
I agree with Frank...I'm quite happy with my bimini and am also in the water 12 months a year.

I have the option of removing the side and rear curtain by slipping them out of the sailtrack and storing. Alternatively, it's a 2 minute job to roll them up and velcro them in place with the velcro straps I had fitted. My sig pic shows them velcro'd up into place. In this way you can drop a single curtain for sunblock or a windbreak if needed.
 
Last edited:
Australian boats include Riviera and Maritimo and have already been discussed. However, I also like the aussie made Palm Beach boats. Hull design is based around a narrow/fine entry and shallow deadrise to cut through the chop, combined with speed and efficiency.
0_3.jpg

0_4.jpg

Palm%20Beach%20Featured.jpg
 
Last edited:
There is lot of wisdom and truth in Franks post. I agree.


... Our goal was to be nomads, no dock box, but long periods (8-20 days) on the boat year around. We are in the Chesapeake right now, will head south back to FL in the next couple of months. Not sure yet where we will go in FL. We found what works for us. Doesn't mean it works for anyone else.

Would have loved a 650 Fly - but not willing to spend that amount of $.

Mark
Where in the Chesapeake? We could have a beer. It sounds like the transition the Admiral and I may have in the future... a fly bridge and more storage, and seasonal SC/Florida time.
 
Where in the Chesapeake? We could have a beer. It sounds like the transition the Admiral and I may have in the future... a fly bridge and more storage, and seasonal SC/Florida time.

Home marina in Chesapeake is Mears point. Leaving later his morning to go to inner harbor, then st Michaels.
 
Home marina in Chesapeake is Mears point. Leaving later his morning to go to inner harbor, then st Michaels.
Safe travels. We're across the bay in Back Creek. But no weekend plans. Have deliveries for the McCain funeral today.
 
Home marina in Chesapeake is Mears point. Leaving later his morning to go to inner harbor, then st Michaels.

Give a toot as you pass the Statue of Liberty at Lighthouse Pt (Just inside Ft McHenry on the other side). That’s where I am.
 
Next time we are going bigger, I will first look at Sunseekers. They are really nice.
 
Docked across from a cruisers 520 ... Nice boat.

Moving from a mid 40's dancer, that might be the boat.

I think they will get a lot of the sea ray upgrade crowd.
 
The older you get the less patience you have with canvas and the more you appreciate being able to avoid sun exposure. Too much sun catches up with you after 40 plus years of boating. Hard tops, wide walk arounds, helm a/c and in cockpit shore power hookups are also must have features as you get older.

All good points. I don't do well being exposed to full sun (causes migraines) so a hard top is a very desirable feature. It seems like the longer you boat, there are certain features that you just can't do without.
 
Marlow used to be high on list, but has fallen to the bottom.

I'm curious why the change in view on the Marlow's? My wife and I love the new 66ECB.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,948
Messages
1,422,821
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top