A new Sport Cruiser with Outboards?

K

Ken Wolkens

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May 22, 2014
154
Melbourne, FL.
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It looks like SR might have tooled up a new sport cruiser with outboards.

I drove by the Sykes Creek facility this morning and it was sitting outside all shiny and new with twin 300 Verados.

Looks to be in the 30'ish foot range with a beam of 10'-11'.

Sorry for the lousy pic. The security guard chased me off before I could get a better shot.

2a83yf8.jpg
 
Looks pretty cool, be interesting to see if it works. The 37 Venture did not do well.
 
I'm sure I'll see it out on the Indian River for testing. I'll try to get better shots then.

I think the Venture was a bit ahead of it's time and the whole enclosed engines idea was a design exercise that just wasn't accepted.

Hopeful it does well since my next boat will be outboards. I'm getting tired of crawling around in the bilge for engine maintenance.
 
I think the venture was/is an awesome boat, but the price point was way off. I think the 30ish range is a way better segment to get the idea off the ground and if they can price it competitively with the inboard/io models of the same size they'll find a lot of people will be all in.
 
I loved the concept of the venture. Looks like there is room on the transom in the pic for a 3rd motor.


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Yes. The transom is flat in between so another OB should fit there. If I had triples I'd call them Larry, Moe , and Curly. :)

Definitely lower labor and material costs this way as opposed to the covered hatches on the Venture. Easier to service this way too.
 
I have the venture and love it so far. Not sure I would like having the OBs exposed though like the pic.


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I would go that route in a heartbeat, especially if Yamaha or suzukis are involved. Have not had experience with verado, but 14 years with a Yamaha 200 with 0 breakdowns, and 4 breakdowns after 1 year with inboards (some were fixed on the water, so not all that bad). My brother has a 10 year old Suzuki, 0 issues, low maintenance. I want to enjoy my boat, not repair it.


Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive
 
Yep. I'm definitely going outboards next time. After the first time servicing the sea water pumps on my twin 454's I made the decision.

The only way to get to the starboard pump was to lay on top of the engine and reach between the gap. No visual at all. Totally done by feel. Covered with cuts on hand and arm and bruises all over my torso when done.

We're already looking at outboard boats that will meet our specs. So far the pickins are pretty slim but it looks like more manufacturers are getting the idea.
 
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SR was fueling that boat same time as I at Harbor Town Marina Monday. We talked about how they liked the outboard configuration and handling. They were very upbeat and thumbs up on the configuration, it's power, and handling. I've got to say it's a good looking setup.
 
Sweet. Wish I could have seen it. I keep my boat at Harbor Town so maybe I will get lucky this weekend if they decide to run it some more.
 
Regal has already brought these to market.....really ideal, the speed and economy in a cruiser that was only possible with stern drives before......and without the maintenance and corrosion worries.....
 
Ididntdoit said:
Regal has already brought these to market.....really ideal, the speed and economy in a cruiser that was only possible with stern drives before......and without the maintenance and corrosion worries.....
Click to expand...

I saw both the venture, and Cruisers outboard cruisers at the boat show the year they were introduce. The aft cabin was really an aft cabin and not an act walk in closet. Way beyond what was available on stern and vee drive 36-37's.

Not so fast on the praises for outboards. All you have to do is mention the word Ficht in big outboard engine circles and you will probably get a reaction similar to Honda generators here. I do agree, but there have been some notable OB dogs, like the Johnson Fichts that were a disaster with faulty power heads and engine relays. I have a buddy who had a 30' CC with twin 275hp Fichts. Johnson replace two of his power heads on warranty, he had to buy a third and the darn things also ate engine relays.

Henry


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i know there have been some problematic outboards......but the current gen motors from all makers seem pretty solid....i kept my 300 da wet slipped year round in new england, i kept up on the maintenance and never had any problems......but i would never attempt more than a couple months in south florida.....and that where these outboard boats shine
 
This could be awesome. I think a lot of people have been waiting a long time for this. The Venture was a good idea, but it seems without owning one, that the small props on an outboard and a (beamy) boat that weighs 15k plus were the weak point. A third motor or the 350s with the bigger gearcase and props (maybe 4 bladed) would have helped. Either way I hope this trend continues. Outboards and a hardtop / full windshield are #1 & 2 on my wishlist.
 
Dug through my phone and found another pic that confirms that a third engine is possible. You can see the transom has been predrilled for the one in the middle.

b8ti6q.jpg
 
"I saw both the venture, and Cruisers outboard cruisers at the boat show the year they were introduce." You must have meant the SR Venture and the Pursuit 365i.

Sea Ray has two of these O/B cruisers in the works as of now. Tiara (S2) also has 3 boats O/B cruiser/sport coupe's quite similar in the works. They are already testing the first one.
 
nduck88 said:
This could be awesome. I think a lot of people have been waiting a long time for this. The Venture was a good idea, but it seems without owning one, that the small props on an outboard and a (beamy) boat that weighs 15k plus were the weak point. A third motor or the 350s with the bigger gearcase and props (maybe 4 bladed) would have helped. Either way I hope this trend continues. Outboards and a hardtop / full windshield are #1 & 2 on my wishlist.
Click to expand...

I had a couple months with the venture now and I don't think I would want a 3rd engine. Surprisingly and I had the same concerns but this boat has no issue getting and going with 10 adults on board. It will still run 41,42 mph at full throttle but cruises at around 32-34mph at 5200 rpms. I think for more power-hungry folks, the 350s would be enough.


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TheBigb said:
I had a couple months with the venture now and I don't think I would want a 3rd engine. Surprisingly and I had the same concerns but this boat has no issue getting and going with 10 adults on board. It will still run 41,42 mph at full throttle but cruises at around 32-34mph at 5200 rpms. I think for more power-hungry folks, the 350s would be enough.


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Click to expand...

Sounds like a great boat. SeaRay must have been ahead of their time. I read the magazine articles on the Venture and they gave it good reviews. Love the speed and efficiency. Plus the Venture's Transom/Platform would get the approval from my wife.

Does yours have a bow thruster?
 
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