The Boating Forum - New boat advice....

Good morning all. This is my first post and wanted to say this is a fantastic site. I've done a lot of searching and finally decided to post my specific situation. I've been boating for about 10 years on mainly fishing boats - aGrady White and now a Parker. Both have had 2stroke outboards which I've had very few problems with. I'm now in the market for a family cruiser I can use for some overnight trips as well as basic day tripping. The cruisers are very different types of boats and this will be my first experience with a V8 inboard. I'm concerned with multiple ads for used boats in the 2001-2004 range which say they have new engines or rebuilt drives/etc. Are these that much different than outboards or am I looking at lack of owner maintenance? I'd really hate to buy a late model cruiser and then start having to work on major components instead of having fun!

That said.... I'd really like the advice of the collective experience here on what I should be looking for. I'm looking for a 26ft cruiser with a V8 which has ~280hp and probably a Bravo 3 drive. I've heard great things about the Bravo3 drive but haven't actually been on a boat which had it. Am I on the right track here? Has any particular engine/drive combination been proven to be better or worse than others - I'll gladly take both viewpoints as I want to make an educated decision on something I plan to use alot and for a long time.

Thanks in advance for any information!!

Why not something like this?

http://ewboats.com/boats2006.cfm?boats_id=10

Sleeps four, full galley, enclosed head, abundant seating, much better build quality than the typical cruiser and you can still fish.

You've heard great things about Brovo III's? Have you heard about the corrosion problems they had?

Look at Volvo Penta's. I'm willing to bet $20 that if you asked 10 independent marine mechanics which one would they have on their boats, at least 7 will say Volvo.

I've actually looked at the Edgewater - that's a very nice looking boat. I'm actually going to be keeping the Parker for fishing duty - it's a 2110WA and is perfect for the fishing my family and I do around the Outer Banks. I'll rephrase my comment on the Bravo3 - instead of great substitute good. If I look at who I get the information from it's people who actually have B3 drives so you like what you have maybe....

tdappleman:

Forgive this, because it's not about the question you asked, but wouldn't it be better if you could do what you need with one boat instead of two? You could consider, for example, a 23-foot Parker WA or sportcabin; that boat has some more decent room for sleeping etc. and still fishes well; or even maybe go to 25 feet if you need to. You then still can use one or two outboards, modern DFI 2-strokes or modern 4-strokes; then you could fish and do some cruising with the same boat. Plenty of other brands as well. Just a thought...

Good luck.

FF

FF - very good point. The Parker is actually my father in law's boat and while I can use it anytime I want it's not costing me anything. My original thought was similar and I was looking at the Edgewater and the Scout Abaco's as a dual purpose boat. I'm now at the point that I want my own boat and am leaning towards the cruiser since I have the Parker at my disposal for any bluewater fishing.

Looking at the Volvo Penta site it looks like they offer the DuoProp - I've been told to go for the counter rotating configuration as it makes for a better handling & tracking boat. Any suggestions on if a 26ft cruiser needs it or is it just additional maintenance?

When I suggested the Volvo, I need to say, I don't have either. Not now or in years past. My comment is based on reading MANY postings on the subject on boating forums. Yes, there are many satisfied owners of Merc Bravo's. But, hands down, Volvo appears to be a much better designed and built unit, and when problems to occur, Volvo is much more likely to step up to the plate and do whatever is neccessary to satisfy the boat owner where Merc is more likely to point fingers and say it's someone's else's problem, not theirs.
From everything I've read, seems that the Bravo I or II is a pretty good unit. It's the III that has all the corrosion issues, and Merc corporate did everything they could to deny the problem. Eventually, they admitted SOME problems were there and came up with some fixes that helped. That only happened after a lot of people had to completely replace their III's after only a few years service.

I have had Bravos, other inboards and outboards many times, and in the future will buy twin 4 stroke outboards, no question.

This is a popular topic. Here is another, lengthy, thread on cruiser selection -

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=34012&start=1

Bullshipper - (love the name) - tell me more.... doesn't sound like you have had a positive experience.... Any details you want to share?

I've read the other posts mentioned - but they don't really guide me in a certain way. How about if I narrow it down this way:

If you were buying a 26 (or so) ft cruiser what engine/drive would you want in it? I consider myself above average with my mechanical abilities but really want to enjoy the boat vs. immediately having to start working on it. I know there are no guarantees but I certainly want to learn from other's experience - doesn't matter if it's positive or negative.

For maneuverability is one drive better than the other?

TD- would you consider a straight inboard or have you decided on an I/O only? reason I ask is that a straight inboard while giving up some manueverability (maybe) is much simpler than the I/O which should cut down some on maintenance. I liked our previous Shamrock 260 express which served as a small fishing/cruiser till we outgrew her.
Greg

If you want to know how Bravo 3's hold up in the Carolina coastal environment, then I'd suggest talking to somebody in the marine business who has some experience with them Try a call to Carlton Layton at Layton Boatworks in Edenton. He knows about them on Carolina Classic, etc. I think you will change your present thinking unless you plan to dry store the boat.

Mojo - I haven't actually considered a straight inboard, but mainly because I haven't seen a boat I liked in the size/price range I'm looking at. I do like the configuration on 30+ foot boats but I need a trailerable rig.

itwonder - I like your idea of talking to someone who's been dealing with them. I'm hoping to go to Edenton and other areas on the coast since they appear to have a good selection of used boats. I do plan to dry store the boat - on the trailer with a wash and flush after each trip.

I'm not getting the warm fuzzies about this whole idea - but then again, this is exactly the type of feedback I hoped to get. Keep it coming! I don't want to make a $40k mistake!

If you plan on keeping the boat on a trailer and flush each time, then the corrosion issue I brought up regarding Bravo III's is moot. I still think Volvo is the better outdrive, but the main thing is you're not keeping it in the water which I assumed you were.

tdappleman - 12/4/2006 5:12 PM

Bullshipper - (love the name) - tell me more.... doesn't sound like you have had a positive experience.... Any details you want to share?

I've read the other posts mentioned - but they don't really guide me in a certain way. How about if I narrow it down this way:

If you were buying a 26 (or so) ft cruiser what engine/drive would you want in it? I consider myself above average with my mechanical abilities but really want to enjoy the boat vs. immediately having to start working on it. I know there are no guarantees but I certainly want to learn from other's experience - doesn't matter if it's positive or negative.

For maneuverability is one drive better than the other?

2 drives= much more manuverability, one in forward the other in reverse makes you spin in one spot with no turning radius.

The 4 stroke outboards are lighter, get the same or better gas economy, have warranties up to 6 years, eliminate leaky boots and shaft packing glands, do not produce fumes and fire under decks, can be easily accessed for maintenance or change outs, do not require a high deck to fit twins under, to not spill oil and crud into a bilge that has to be cleaned while standing on your head in a hot location, do not have auxilliary fresh water cooling systems, do not have alignment issues with shafts, have 1/3 the corrosion problems, provide more manuverability, and will power anything up to 35' with twins.

If you only plan to spend $40k you can probably find a better newer used deal that will give you less problems as the outboard WA availability is so much greater too.

We used to run 4 stroke gas inboards to save on the gas that 2 stroke outboards used. 4 stoke outboards have changed the equation drastically, IMO.

Think diesel, not gas, if you are going with inboards, but think about that one real hard too.

Here are some specific used boat suggestions. I really am a CC guy and the other guys can probably guide you better than I but I would suggest you look for a 2001 or newer hull with twin outboards:

Worldcat 266 Cabin
Maycraft 2550
Seaswirl WA

The world cat will have the best ride and resale, and the other two are great values if you prefer a monohull cabin over the cat.
Good luck

"If you were buying a 26 (or so) ft cruiser what engine/drive would you want in it?"

In the CRUISER type OB motors are simply not an option. Of course there are similar size fishing boats that do have OB. Arguably more desirable boats, but will not have all the accommodations (especially seating) found in a cruiser. For a 26' cruiser I would want at least a 5.7L motor. Either Merc or Volvo, both work. Big block would be a bunch better. Dual prop drive is a plus, especially if the boat has no trim tabs. Single prop with tirm tabs is another option.

Since this is a used boat search (?) it's hard to give precise advice. List a few deals you have found and we can offer better comparisons.

KCook - 12/4/2006 8:32 PM

"If you were buying a 26 (or so) ft cruiser what engine/drive would you want in it?"

In the CRUISER type OB motors are simply not an option. Of course there are similar size fishing boats that do have OB. Arguably more desirable boats, but will not have all the accommodations (especially seating) found in a cruiser.

I'm interested, why can't I use a transom seat with outboards? Really, what are the other accomodations I will be missing?

Thanks guys - this is great information. I've been looking at Sea Ray, Maxum, Rinker and most recently Regal. Out of all of them the Regal 2660 Commodore seems to be the best fit for me - one that I found has a/c, hot water, etc - it also has twin Volvo 4.3 V6's - not sure about the drives on it. I was originally looking at twins - one for redundancy, the other for the maneuverability they offer as was mentioned before. Everything I've looked at has trim tabs no matter which engine/drive it had. Based on some of the posts here, I'm going to expand my search and see what type of fishing boat I can get with reasonable accommodations. I figure I have about 3-4 months to decide as I don't want to rush at all and want to look at a lot of boats before my final decision.

Here's the link to the Regal - the other's I've been looking at are very similar in style and price: https://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=1535675&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=24664&url=

I have owned over 20 boats--over 25 feet--mostly inboards--but two I/O--including a recent express cruiser with a Bravo III. There are the corrosion issues. You should not run the I/O tilted up position in shallow water (which you can do with an outboard)
I hit about a 1 1/2" stick with the duo props. It knocked off a tooth in the gears of the lower unit--this shortly lead to other gear tooths shearing off--and replaced lower leg cost a bundle! (think about the force on these gear teeth with the counter rotation props!). The B III is quite a complex piece of machinery. Much more so than an outboard...

The second issue with express cruisers is personal--but you have a boat with a transom door--which had the engine hatch just inside of this door. If a wave were to come over the stern--you will have water in the engine compartment. The engine compartments in boats of the size you described are crowded and makes it a bit tight to get to the components of the engine.
The express cruiser, has the cooking, lounging, sleeping etc accomidations below the deck--no way to see the world--unless you want to stay up topside--think bugs, heat, rain etc.

So I have gone back to 4 stroke outboards--which are more reliable than the I/O // "V 8" engine. (Suzis with 6 year warantee) Easier to service, will tilt up and have the advantages of dual counter rotating engines (since they are on a cat--they are widely spaced).

There are a number of boats which use outboards, which are good for daytripping and overnighting.

I owned an I/O for 11 years. 4.3 v6 It was either trailered or rack kept the entire time, if that is your case corrsion would not be a problem. I never had to replace a single zinc the entire time. As far as the IO's are concerned as long as you have yearly maintinace done on them you may never run into a problem. I had an Alhpa 1 for the entire 11 years not a single issue. I also am very handy but when it came to the outdrive I left that to the professionals.

I now own dual I/B and I love it. The two engines really helps a lot. I was looking in the 26/28 range but your options are very limited in that size. I decided to go bigger and get what I really wanted in the engines.

With all the Ethanol issues going on around here I am kinda glad I went with IB's. I have not heard a peep from the I/B I/O guys with any issues. (NO FLAME PLEASE)

I/O and I/B require less work and easier work then O/B.

Yeahhh and cows fly too...

Interesting reply, elcosito....do you have any actual information to share?

Thanks to all who've taken the time to supply real feedback here. I appreciate the honest answers and opinions. I'm going to go and start the search in person this weekend and see what I can find. It sounds like there are two definite camps here (at least on boats in the size I'm looking for) - one with outboards and the other with I/O. It sounds like I should find something which still has a warranty in place for the peace of mind.

I did post the link to the used Regal and have found a few since - at least by pictures it looks like they are a nice boat. Any opinions or ownership information about them?

tdappleman, I have been lurking around here at THT for a few months now and have come to the conclusion that while there is a tremendous amount of marine knowledge here, it is not the best place to seek advice on express cruisers and they are not held in high regard here.

I personally am searching for the same thing as you - 26' express cruiser with single I/O engine for family cruising and weekending. In fact we may be competing with each other because I live in Raleigh also. :) Send me a private message and maybe we can compare notes. I just opted out of a deal on a 26 footer located in little Washington (see my earlier post).

ethanol is plain bad for engines and accessories hoses ect carbs ect. the older the bigger the problems so be care full

Each of the cruiser brands has its fans. In addition to Regal I would also keep an eye out for Chaparral, Four Winns, and Monterey.