Next Boat after '95 270DA

[Just Right]

We would like some suggestions on a newer boat that would be meet our needs. We've enjoyed our mid-90's 270DA, but would like to step up, or sideways, to boat with a better lay-out and other features. Plus the 3 kids are getting a little bigger...

We do day trips, a weekender or two each month, and an annual week-long cruise on our local reserviors, bay-delta and also some coastal harbors. A typical day could focus on sightseeing, tubing, and salt or fresh water fishing. When sleeping aboard, wife & I are in the V, the daughter is in the mid, and the boys are on the deck in the aft cockpit. Most of our time is spent up top, almost all of our cooking is done on the magma grill and a coleman stove on a magma tableWe trailer it and store it at home (max trailer length is 32.5')

Here's what we see as cons "-" on the current boat and pros "+" we'd lilke on the next boat:
-poor access to foredeck for anchoring, getting to the fenders for docking; we like to lounge there, too. + walk-thru windshield with steps, wider side decks. Don't really want a windlass.

-pulpit is a waste of LOA and always hangs up on the trailer winch stand when launching/retrieving. + no pulpit.

- Helm seat too low. + want that flip down bolster thingy so I can sit higher.

- poor above deck storage, must move people from seats to access. + transom or quick access locker or lazerette to hold stern anchor and 2-4 fenders.

- needs more seating, the port lounge seat is only useful when we're not moving. + a forward facing seat with back rest in the main cockpit. More open floor space in the rear cockpit area.

- swim step could extend a bit more.

The next boat must have, or will also have added
+ good foredeck access
+ a big V berth (I'm 6'4", wife is 5'10")
+ longer, more open cockpit and/or wider beam (cockpit is becoming a little small for the 6' and growing 14 y.o.)
+ a wakeboard arch that also mounts a radome and some launchers.
+ a gray water syste
+ closed cooling system

Suggestions? The '99+ versions of the 270 has some of these features. Should I look at the 280 DA or an Amberjack? I would like to keep it under $40K. Your insights would be welcome.

Thanks!

 

[JohnEGraham]

I know the height thing is a Pain. I am 6 ft and I cant stand up fully, down in the cabin and The bathroom is even tighter. But hey I am getting to be a good shoot from outside the bathroom leaning in But the price was right. We are empty nesters so it sleeps 2 fine plus with 2 kids in private college it was the responsible thing to keep the cost low to start with our first boat.
Good luck on your search. JG.

 

[Ka1oxd]

I moved from an 81 260 DA to a 88 340 DA because of the 3 kids, 17-16-10 and a yellow lab age 2. the bigger the better. My days of putting the boat on a trailer ended about 7 years ago. I like the fact that I walk on the boat while it is in the water. Never get wet.

 

[Just Right]

There are certainly advantages to keeping it in the water and that size would be a better fit for our 5 bodies and lab, but I do like making passages on the asphalt sloughs at 55 mph.