Guys - Looking to upgrade from my current 280DA to a 38 or so express cruiser. The 2005 390 is actually my number one choice but I've come across the Rinker 390 Express recently. There is one for sale with Volvo Diesel I/Os. A - I didn't know boats this big came in a sterndrive option and B - I didn't know you could get a diesel sterndrive.
Set aside please your thoughts on Rinker and please provide me your insights into a (diesel) sterndrive boat of this size.
The obvious (to me) downsides of sterndrive are manoeverability at low speeds/around the dock and of course, the corrosion issue with the outdrives being in the water. Are there other downsides? This boat has a bow thruster and we're freshwater boaters so I don't see those downsides as being that significant.
Upsides are:
Fuel efficiency that seems about 40%? better or so than the equivalent IB set up
Top speed about 25% higher than the equivalent IB set up
Much more mid cabin space - presumably because the engines are set back?
Ability to draft less water with outdrives raised.
Guys - what am I missing here? There must be more drawbacks than I'm aware of.
Set aside please your thoughts on Rinker and please provide me your insights into a (diesel) sterndrive boat of this size.
The obvious (to me) downsides of sterndrive are manoeverability at low speeds/around the dock and of course, the corrosion issue with the outdrives being in the water. Are there other downsides? This boat has a bow thruster and we're freshwater boaters so I don't see those downsides as being that significant.
Upsides are:
Fuel efficiency that seems about 40%? better or so than the equivalent IB set up
Top speed about 25% higher than the equivalent IB set up
Much more mid cabin space - presumably because the engines are set back?
Ability to draft less water with outdrives raised.
Guys - what am I missing here? There must be more drawbacks than I'm aware of.