Not the whole moving from a Cruiser to a Sedan discussion again

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
Nope, I do not want to have that whole discussion again. I do however want to hear from the folks who moved from a Cruiser to a Sedan Bridge or an Aft Cabin.

If you did not make that move please do not reply with sarcasm ;-)

Was it what you thought? Do you miss the Cruiser style?

We want the cabin space and bridge a Sedan offers but are having a tough time giving up the outdoor space "close to the dock". We like the added cabin space an aft cabin offers but do not like the idea of climbing stairs all the time and not being close to the dock when outside. We prefer a one level boat, which an Aft Cabin does not offer and with a cruiser it's staris up/down to the cabin. My knees feel it on Monday mornings. .

Is their a compromise boat we are not aware of? We love the look of a Sedan Bridge (like the 400DB) but the outdoor space feels small and rather boring (no seating really).
 
I moved from a 380 DA to a 480 DB and I'm still pissed about the dinette being on the port side... Not sure what to even use it for.

Have to get back to gluing this helm kit in my Mercury inflatable dinghy.
 
I should add how we use a boat. We spend a lot of time hanging out at the slip, socializing with our boating buds. We also spend time on the hook, usually rafting with other boaters. And, we do 2-3 trips a year to other marina/destinations. We use a boat year round.

It's odd, a 2000 Carver 396 Aft Cabin we looked at in January was very appealing to us then. We looked at it again in May and it was not as appealing. My guess is the weather, it was cold the first time we looked at it so we were looking at it as a boat we could spend a lot of comfortable indoor time on. Once warm though it's outdoor space is not as appealing as a cruisers is.
 
Ever thought of a Carver 380 Santego? Or for that matter a larger 44/450 Express Bridge Sea Ray?
 
Owned a 01' SR 310 Dancer, then a, 03' SR 400 Bridge, now have a SR 50/52 Bridge. Won't go back to a Dancer. Don't like to live in a Cave. I like to be above the water line with lots of windows. Also, like mid-engines and engine room access. My boat is an 05' blue hull, thought it would be a major headache but the gel coat has really held up well. It does like to show water spots.
 
Last edited:
Carver370 said:
Ever thought of a Carver 380 Santego? Or for that matter a larger 44/450 Express Bridge Sea Ray?
Click to expand...

We looked at the 450 Express Bridge last month. 3 staterooms, which we do not need, it felt crampy, could not pass each other while walking around in the cabin
 
Greg, you may have dismissed the 440EB too soon. It came in a 2 stateroom layout. I don't think it offers a whole lot more floor space, but other ways, it's exactly the boat you're looking for.
 
We went from a 280WE to a flybridge convertible (brand x).

A few observations:

1) We love the bridge. Incredible visibility, view the same as driving my 767 around on the ground. Really great for seeing other boats and things at night.
2) We decided to go with the convertible vs. aft cabin after looking at several boats. Frankly, we got tired of climbing over all the aft cabins just to get into the boats. Our cockpit floor is even with the dock, which makes it very easy for boarding people and supplies.
3) With the old boat and everything on one level, I could jump across the cockpit and hook a cleat in the wind. It's a little harder to scramble down from the bridge, so on windy days another crewmember is almost a necessity for docking.
4) We love the space that the flybridge creates for the salon interior. Hard to match the interior space with an express cruiser of the same lenght.
5) We love that we have salon windows on all sides to see out of, vs. a cave interior.
6) We like having mid-mounted engines. Just seems right, and doesn't ride heavy in the aft.
7) One thing we miss is having everybody on the same level when entertaining on a short ride out. No big deal, however. It's also harder to keep an eye on the little kids, so they usually hang on the bridge if mom is up there so we can see them.
 
Greg,

Just my opinion here but hear me out....

Every boat is going to have advantages/disadvantages. Fuel burn will be higher on one vs. the next, while one has more room vs. the next. It's the nature of the beast. Make a list of what's important to you and put an 'A, B, C, or D' by them. 'A' is the most important, while 'D' is the least important. Prioritize them in order from A's thru D's. Now go find the boat that fits that bill. Seriously though, what are you waiting for? I know it's a big purchase, but whatever you end up with, you're going to thoroughly enjoy. It seems like you're going through post-purchase doubt and you haven't even purchased yet. If you buy a boat and you're not happy with something, there will be a work around or fix for the situation. Just buy the boat that YOU and YOUR WIFE like!

All my love,

Doug
 
Time to make some more popcorn. This time with extra butter mmmmm butter.
 
Greg, Greg, Greg...

Can you name ONE person you have come across that made the express-to-bridge evolution who has regretted it?

Surely now that I asked, one will materialize, but he/she will be counterbalanced by 20 or so others who would never go back.

Most bridge bashers have never owned one. I don't mean been-on-a-ride in one, but actually owned one. And don't even give me "performance" as an excuse, I just made the trip from Wildwood, NJ to Rock Hall in under five hours. I even had a 52 Sedan Bridge in my wake for good measure.

Pull the trigger man!
 
This is what I've noticed -

I boat in a club where we normally have anywhere from six to sixteen boats raft up at a time. Even through there are a few big boats with aft cabins (46' Bertram, 46' Pacemaker, 36' Crusiers) and several large sedans 57' Viking, 56' Sea Ray SB, etc... the most comfortable place everyone ends up drinking at night is on one of the 40-45ft. crusers.

There is something great about the rear seating areas in the crusers when socializing.

But when the weather turns bad, NOBODY goes to the Crusers - they all go to the Sedan Bridges and Aft Cabins to carry the party on inside. Or, if we want to watch the storm the Sedan Bridges are where everyone ends up.

I also notice alot of the guys in the crusers stand up while driving to get better visability - not a problem in the Sedan Bridges.

Hope this point of view helps.
 
The 2009 55ft Sundancer has two staterooms and a huge cockpit area. One stateroom is in the mid-cabin, but it's like an aft cabin with full head/shower. Heck, there is even a 2-person dining table in there. There is a round table in the cockpit area for at least 6-8 people. Air conditioned cockpit. I am buying this one in 2029 when I can afford it. The cruiser look with the aft cabin layout.

Greg, I know this isn't any help to you, but i just saw it at a boat show. The admiral even gave the OK........in 2029.
 
Dude... You need a houseboat. Why the hell you need a V-hull up there by Jordan Point?

houseboat%20246.jpg


There... a bridge... party deck... ceiling fans... no dinette... not much draft... and they are CHEAP! it's got it all!!!!!
 
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