Considering a new boat

[copb8tx]

I have to say, that is a ton of beautiful interior space for a Sea Ray 4 Sundancer.

But I REALLY like that 09 Riviera. Great looking, great layout, good quality reputation and reasonably priced.

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2009-riviera-4400-sport-yacht-8443594/

 

[Carver370]

We are in a very similar situation with the addition that we also want a three stateroom layout. Sea Ray is limited if you don't want a bridge which we don't. I have been looking very hard at the Riviera 4700. It checks every box you mentioned and is equipped with straight shaft cat c-12's. I have been on several Riviera's and the fit and finish is top notch.

If this boat was located in proximity to the Great Lakes I dare say we would own it.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2009-riviera-4700-sport-yacht-8302729/

I have been on that boat when the prior owner had it. Very nice!

 

[Strecker25]

I'm half way there on the all-glass cockpits. The convenience of locking the door and going is great but in the case of the Tiara or similar I would probably still have upholstery covers to put on so that takes a little time.

I've always thought the 48DA was a really cool in-between. Full glass front but with the aft curtain. Won't hold heat/cold as well as a glass slider but also pretty easy to put the curtain up at the end of the day and not have to climb on the bow to snap isinglass down. I do leave our front glass up most of the time for that reason

I try not to search for bigger boats though, I feel like ours will know I'm looking, get mad at us, and break....

 

[sbw1]

Really not a fan of that 400 Coupe above. In general, don't like the highly raked front windows of the coupe style.

I am, however, a huge fan of the full glass cockpit and the way it simplifies my boating. Instead of struggling with the canvas, I just lower the shades and lock the door. Easy. Meanwhile my inlaws 2 slips over in their 270 DA are cursing that their canvas shrunk and another zipper broke.

Yes, with the full glass you don't get the "wind in your face" boating experience. But if you're doing a lot of distance boating it may be an excellent trade off. You get real wipers, weather protection, and that close up and go convenience. I almost always have my side window open so I still get the airflow. On a really hot day I run my AC units, and the solid pilothouse holds in the cooler air better.

All these things you mention is why I went to a different brand. I've got most of what you listed in my Back Cove 37, but with a single engine. It handles very well at the dock with the bow and stern thrusters. The second stateroom is a bit on the small side, and it has a single head. To get 2 heads and a bigger 2nd stateroom you could look at at Back Cove 41. I have a friend that operates his BC 41 from Juneau Alaska, and goes all over the place up there. He regularly has guests and spends multiple days traveling on his boat.

Enclosed cockpits significantly reduce fatigue when cruising too. We routinely ran our Tiara 200 miles with just a brief fuel stop if necessary. I was never able to do that with our canvas covered boats. The wind noise, variable temperatures, misting and water coming through the holes in the canvas for wipers were fatiguing. Autopilot and AC also help make things more car like in terms of comfort.

 

[b_arrington]

Enclosed cockpits significantly reduce fatigue when cruising too. We routinely ran our Tiara 200 miles with just a brief fuel stop if necessary. I was never able to do that with our canvas covered boats. The wind noise, variable temperatures, misting and water coming through the holes in the canvas for wipers were fatiguing. Autopilot and AC also help make things more car like in terms of comfort.

100% agree.

 

[Tripsdad]

I don't need a POD powered boat for docking purposes and the savings on fuel doesn't offset their extra cost to purchase, maintain, or repair when they breakdown, which is more often than a boat with v-drives.

Also, Cummins/Mercury no longer make them, which says a lot.

Understood.
Thanks.