Great Cruiser Design (SR, TAKE NOTE!)

[Hampton]

I boarded a 2008 Marquis 40' last week at a local boat show. My wife and I absolutely love the concept of the interior design. It would be awesome if Sea Ray could come up with a low-40's cruiser with a similar concept. The exterior styling is way too Euro for us. There is no galley storage. The fridge/freezer are tiny. It is a no go for those reasons alone.

What we liked. The cabin of the boat is non-existant. When you go down the steps from the cockpit, you are met with 3 doors.

Port - Single head. Needs to be separated out like the forward head on 420. Otherwise, quite nicely appointed.

Stbd - Guest Stateroom. Two small bunks and a closet. I assume they can be connected into one.

Forward - Master Stateroom. Beautifully appointed. About the size of the 420's forward berth.

The main problem is that you have to expose yourself to the cockpit to get from the head to either stateroom - big design error.

So, what's in the cockpit? It's large, wide open, and includes aft cockpit seating similar to a Sea Ray. Forward of that is the Salon with luxurious bench seats facing eachother, recessed ceiling lighting... Forward of that to port is the galley! We love the salon and the galley in the cockpit. The ceiling opens up to aft with the flip of a switch. A shade covers the smoked glass roof as well, and is also electrically operated. These are incredible features. The back of the cockpit has smoked glass doors as well.

It is powered by 2 Volvo 600's with IPS (475 HP). The Engine Room is really nice. The back seat in the cockpit and swim platform can be actuated to slide aft - this opens up the aft cockpit and extends the swim platform toward the beach or dock.

So, the cockpit is in the salon or the salon is in the cockpit. Either way, it makes for a beautiful way to cruise, relax, prepare food... The only time you're "inside" is for sleeping or cleaning up. The cockpit can be made to wide open with incredible views above, to the back, and to the sides, or can be closed up in smoked glass with mood lighting and air conditioning/heat.

Available for about $675,000.

 

[rblatter]

Visited this boat a few months ago at the Toronto boat show. Llikewise did not go for the exterior design. But we did not like the interior cockpit area. Everything is there, but all too small. I am comparing with the Sea Ray 380 cockpit. Maybe it is our Northern life style, but I prefer to feel the wind and sunshine, too enclosed, probably great for the English Channel... But quality wise, all the Marquis are very well done.

R.Blatter
310 Sundancer 2001

 

[Hampton]

Visited this boat a few months ago at the Toronto boat show. Llikewise did not go for the exterior design. But we did not like the interior cockpit area. Everything is there, but all too small. I am comparing with the Sea Ray 380 cockpit. Maybe it is our Northern life style, but I prefer to feel the wind and sunshine, too enclosed, probably great for the English Channel... But quality wise, all the Marquis are very well done.

R.Blatter
310 Sundancer 2001

You must have had the top closed. With the top and back open, you are outside, almost completely. And, that's where everything boating takes place - cooking, relaxing... No wasted salon space.

 

[Big Al]

I like also that type of design. But maybe that the 60DA is the best of two worlds(I know, it is 20 feet more...):

http://www.searay.com/2009_sea_ray_yachts_60_sundancer.asp#

 

[Hampton]

I like also that type of design. But maybe that the 60DA is the best of two worlds(I know, it is 20 feet more...):

http://www.searay.com/2009_sea_ray_yachts_60_sundancer.asp#

That's kind of like it, but on the 60, the galley is in the main cabin (not the cockpit) and there is a salon down there too. Is that a halter top on the couch in the salon? That is one sweet boat. If you take the 50, put the galley and salon outside in the cockpit, and add the other features from the 60, you're there.