Fly bridge vs express

[michael bembas]

We currently have a 400 Express Cruiser. I am looking at a 40 foot Sea Ray Fly Bridge. However, the wife is worried about the boat rocking when we are on the bridge. Is there really alot of difference in the ride of the flybridge?

 

[Presentation]

I would think she would be more accepting of rocking the boat from the flybridge vs the cockpit of the express cruiser. It’s more private up there.

Dang, I love it when she lets me rock the boat; I don’t care where we rock it from.

 

[wetpaint]

Generally the rocking comes from the forward stateroom on my boat......I have had a 41 dancer and my current boat.......the bridge certainly will rock a bit more on a beam sea, but the view while underway is priceless

 

[Jackie J V]

Michael,
If you do a search, you'll find a number of threads on flybridges vs. express boats. Most start with the pros and cons and then rapidly degrade into "you slow flybridge boaters are old" and "you express boaters live in caves"...:smt021


I am on my fifth boat - a flybridge. Each of my previous boats was an express cruiser. I never thought I would go to a bridge boat - now I don't think I would ever go back. My die-hard express cruiser friends, who would never have considered a flybridge before, say that they would now have to look at flybridges when they consider their next boat.

One of the many concerns that I had with bridge boats was "rocking" or a pendulum effect from being further from the water. I have not had any problem associated with this over the past year and a bit since I got the boat. I think every boat will be different, and maybe it gets more pronounced on a smaller bridge boat. However, one of the things I didn't factor into my consideration was engine placement. Most express cruisers have the engines located in the very aft. My engines are located almost dead centre. That location adds to the stability of the boat (at least stem-to-stern).

I'm sure that if I was taking big rollers on the side for a while, I'd be rocking and if I were rocking, I'd be rocking more... but like I said, hasn't been a problem so far.

Paul

 

[searay40dad]

I've owned both, the 400EC and 400DB, and they both were great boats. honestly, I've never noticed any rocking to speak of. The boat is 25,000 lbs wet with a 14'3 beam, and pretty stable in my opinion. there are definitely differences between the styles, pros and cons to both. now, if you're on a hook somewhere in a sea state 3, thats probably a different story.

for what its worth, the 400DB was our favorite by a large margin. doesnt get any better than sitting on the bridge in the captains chairs when the sun is setting, a nice breeze...

 

[jmunro123]

We had a 340 Dancer and it was a great boat and just upgraded to a Bridge style. Not sure if our boat would be a clear bridge boat I think if it more as cross over. Anyways - rocking is not an issue the engines midship along with the weight really helps. I can imagine going back to an express at this point. We love the room.

we did look for a 400SB but decided on the MY for a number of reasons.

 

[tobnpr]

With identical hulls, a FBSF/Sedan will roll more in a beam sea than its express counterpart. Higher COG, it's pure physics...

But there's no way to compare when the hulls are different. Variations in beam, and hull design make for an apples and oranges comparison.

That's the reason for sea trials.

 

[Gofirstclass]

A big part of what makes/allows a boat to rock in a beam sea is the beam of the boat. Like tobnpr said, if the hulls were identical the rocking motion of the flybridge boat would be more if you were on the flybridge. If you were in the salon of the flybridge boat I doubt you would notice the difference.

My last boat was a 330 Dancer and we loved it, but like everyone has mentioned, we felt as though we were living in a cave. Every time a boat went past we found ourselves sticking our heads out the cabin door to see if we knew who it was. With a flybridge boat you're most likely either in a cabin with lots of windows or on the bridge where there is nothing to block the view.

You should take your Admiral for a ride in a flybridge boat to allay her fears.

 

[Vince_nj1]

You should take your Admiral for a ride in a flybridge boat to allay her fears.

My wife came for a ride on a friends Silverton flybridge and was very impressed. She joked that she was getting robbed all these years. She totally enjoyed the view. The trip was inland on a calm day, her opinion might not have been the same in 3 to 5 foot seas, but she wouldn’t enjoy a trip like that on any boat.

One nice thing about my friends Silverton is that the guest seating was in front of the helm (similar to a 480) The 420 and 360 Sea Ray have guest seating behind the helm. I like have the guests in front.

 

[royal flush]

I had a 320 da and now have a 2008 sedan bridge-The 320 was like being in a space capsule with no room to move around..In the winter it was dark , in the summer it was dark. The sedan bridge is a different world..Alot of light, tons more room. I can go up on the bridge and relax ( Views are incredible) while the wife stays in the salon . It is almost like a two story condo that moves.. I have friends that have 480 da's and even though they are bigger, they all have the same "cave" effect.. When you are on the bridge and water is rough you do have more rocking but because the boat is heavier it is much more stable . Also, because you are up higher your visability is much greater and you can see things that you want to avoid.