Deciding between aft cabin and express

K

Keeb75

New Member
Feb 24, 2019
9
Boat Info
boatless
Engines
boatless
have a potential opportunity to buy 199 370AC with 700 hours, gas engines. Upside is plenty of room for a full crew including my three daughters and their friends. Deciding if it’s too much boat vs an express cruiser. We definitely like the idea of weekends at the marina but not sure if it the convenience of an express makes more sense.
 
dtfeld said:
No such thing as too much boat. EVER!
Click to expand...
What he said if your pocket book can stand it but remember just like a house your can become boat poor I have seen it at my dock. Boat sits because they don’t want to put $500.00;in the tank to go on a boat trip. They just come down to the boat club and sit on their boat.
 
I've had both; a 340 Sundancer and a 52' Cockpit Motor Yacht. We had the Sundancer first and it was our first "big boat." But after 5 years my wife wanted out of the "hole." I would have been happy with a bigger Sundancer or Express.

The Motor Yacht was a large aft cabin boat and while roomy, the salon was pretty far off the water and the only real outdoor space was on the aft deck and the bridge, which on a 52 footer was pretty large.

The aft cabin boat will give you more space and a view out of the windows but it will be slower and use more fuel. But the flybridge typically offers a different perspective (higher) while piloting. All that said I don't think I will buy another aft cabin boat. The next will be an Express/Sundancer, a Sedan Bridge or a pilothouse.

Whatever you decide, be sure and do a sea trial and get a survey.
Shawn
 
Two things that made up my mind. 1) The view from the flybridge, and 2) the view from the salon. The windows in the salon made up our mind. Our first boat was a Sundancer and like being “up above, rather than down below...”. It is a personal preference thing....The aft cabins are a close 2nd, but was not up for the steps.

Bennett
 
Another thing to consider is your boat handling comfort level/competency and the capability of your crew. A gas 370AC can be a handful in situations where a 370DA is relatively easy. Consider windage, and the distance from the helm area of each boat to a stern cleat for example...

The AC's on my pier have more comfortable occupants, but the express boats tend to travel more.
 
I always wondered how an aft cabin boat would be when it comes time to dock. On our 380DA, we have easy access to all areas of the boat for fending off or grabbing a line. When we looked at some aft cabin boats, I wondered how I would get access to certain points of the boat during docking. Maybe some AC owners can share their experiences giving you some first-hand info to consider.

Exciting times when looking to get a new boat. We all wish you the best of luck. Find the best marine surveyor you can and take your time with every little detail. There are plenty of boats for sale if this one does not meet your standards.

Vince
 
I'd rather have a 410 Sundancer than a 370AC. Most are diesel but for limited cruising and ease of maintenance nothing wrong with gassers. You don't mention where and how you intend to use the boat. Most AC boaters do struggle with docking so that's probably why they tend to be dock queens.
 
hottoddie said:
I'd rather have a 410 Sundancer than a 370AC. Most are diesel but for limited cruising and ease of maintenance nothing wrong with gassers. You don't mention where and how you intend to use the boat. Most AC boaters do struggle with docking so that's probably why they tend to be dock queens.
Click to expand...

we're going to be using it in the chesapeake bay area. Not in any rush to get there, looking for a good family platform to be comfortable for the whole bunch. will probably take the dog too and i'm sure the first few years all the friends will want to come. looking to anchor out a few times as well. looking at the gas, assumed might be easier to maintain but less torque and high fuel bills. not many diesels around that i've found without a major jump in price.
may take it through the ICW to NC or up to MD for a week long trip.
 
For casual pleasure boat use it will cost you less to own a gasser. Between the lower initial purchase price and the lower maintenance cost there is a substantial difference. Yes gas boats are not as safe do to the fumes and the may not cruise as fast and as far but everything is a trade off. I cringe at the thought of having to pay for a major repair or the 1000 hour inspections on a diesel. I can fix anything myself on my 454s.

For the way you plan on using the boat the AC would be better IMO as long as you have confidence in you crew around the dock.
 
hottoddie said:
For casual pleasure boat use it will cost you less to own a gasser. Between the lower initial purchase price and the lower maintenance cost there is a substantial difference. Yes gas boats are not as safe do to the fumes and the may not cruise as fast and as far but everything is a trade off. I cringe at the thought of having to pay for a major repair or the 1000 hour inspections on a diesel. I can fix anything myself on my 454s.

For the way you plan on using the boat the AC would be better IMO as long as you have confidence in you crew around the dock.
Click to expand...

I haven’t docked anything that large before but will have to learn. Take my time, practice on fair weather days etc. have a friend who can help show Me the ropes. Great point on the gas engines, kind of where my head is at too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,118
Messages
1,426,465
Members
61,034
Latest member
Lukerney
Back
Top