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Random Quote: Capt. of the Exxon-Valdez to first mate,"NOOOO, I said Chevis on the rocks!"
I am in the market for a 30'. I have looked at Whaler 305 Conquest, Pursuit 3000 Express, Wellcraft 290 Coastal. I have narrowed it down to the 305 Conquest and the 3070 Express. Mainly because I am not familiar with inboards. The 3070 Express has outboards and in fact I have found one with 250 Verados (my preference).
Does anyone have a 3070 with outboards? I would love to hear comments......thanks!
__________________ "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."
There are quite a few people on here with Pursuit 3070 Offshore CCs. The 3070 Offshore CC is a walk around with an interesting helm deck layout. I have Yamaha F250s on mine and it's the same hull as the 3070 Express.
The outboard 3070's yield a lot more get up and go and the Verados are much more fuel efficient than the 350 IB's.........I've been on both and to me the OB's win hands down on that boat.
I have the 3000 express with inboards and think its fantastic. This is my first boat with inboards and after you get used to not having 30+ cruise and 50 WOT it's a great design for cruising and fishing. Would be glad to give you all the particulars if your interested but won't waste your time if your looking at outboards only. Good luck!
As you can see I'm an inboard kind of guy. One seldom mentioned advantage of inboards is the ride improvement you'll notice by moving nearly three quarters of a ton of weight from hanging off the back of your boat to amidships. There are many advantages to outboards, however. You can run is less deep water, re power is easier, you gain an aft berth [or storage area] depending on how you use it. It really comes down to how and where you boat, it's truly a matter of personal preference. There's no right or wrong answer.
I was really impressed with the fit and finish on the 3000 express. The crusaders were immaculate. My problem is I dont know how to value an offer on inboards since I have no experience with them. The one I looked at yesterday is a 2003 with crusaders. Also, I noticed there was no generator on the 3000 but there is one on the 3070....something I think I want.
__________________ "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."
I do miss having a generator but I don't usally overnight away from a dock. The generator would be nice but it takes up a lot of the access to the engine compartment - at least for me! I have the Mercruisers and have been very happy with them - no real mechanical issue than replacing a coil on each engine. You can debate gas/diesel all day but, again - personal preference and how much you want to spend. We spend 40% fishing, 30% cruising and 30% letting the kids play off the back/tubing. It's a great set up and looks fantastic. The inboards are a big hit with the wife and kids since there's no cowling to climb around. The ride is also great. I would like to have the mid cabin berth afforded by outboards though.
Generators are really a matter of how you'll use the boat, too. I really thought I needed a generator but I haven't put 100 hours on it in 4 years. Most of those hours were running it just to keep it lubed and the impeller from setting. I would have been better off with an 8D battery and an inverter to operate the TV and microwave occasionally. The few times I've anchored out overnight I didn't need to run the AC. Your needs may vary.
CG, what year is yours? I would say I spend more time cruising and playing and some time fishing. My preferences are mainly cosmetic hence my desire to own a Whaler, Pursuit, or the like. I do want a generator though....
__________________ "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."
I have the express version of the 30 pursuit (3070 offshore express). the boats are well made and I have been happy with the outboard approach. they are quieter and more efficient as well as faster than the inboard versions. plus you get an aft cabin. twin 250s is a good match for the boat. good luck
I have a 1999 Express. Fuel effeciency is average from what I can tell from reports of other boats. Easy cruise in the low 20s and a top end in the low to mid thirties but it's sucking a lot of gas at top end. Easily sleeps 4 and with small kids we've done 5. I have 4 kids and they can go out all day and not get tired of the boat - the T-Top and cabin provide the shade for the little ones, my teenage daughters sunbathe on the bow if were trolling or drifting and my son and I can fish in peace all day. You can tube behind it easily - it puts out a pretty good wake so you need a little more line but its definately as safe as tubing can be. Fishing is easy off the stern or casting off the bow and the tackle center, live well, and fish box are all pretty convenient. Draws about 2' 10" of water and I've slowly taken it in to some shallow islands to anchor and go ashore with no problems. This type boat is perfect for a family that likes to fish and be on the water - unfortunately it still doesnt answer your inboard vs outboard dilemma. All I can tell you is that I do miss the look and speed of the big outboards but functionally there's really little difference.
I had my first 4 strokes last year on a 25' whaler and fell in love with the absolute quiet. It really amazed me. Thats why I think I will stick with outboards. I am going to hunt right now for used 3070 express with 250's. There is one in NY near me so maybe I can hop over to Long Island to take a peek. By the way, the AFT cabin appears to be like a little squirrel hole not really a cabin by any stretch. Maybe I am mistaken.....
__________________ "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."
the AFT cabin appears to be like a little squirrel hole....
It's good for storage (on my boat) or maybe for a child to nap. And possibly a small adult who's not claustrophobic! Does the express version have the storage area under the helm deck?
I thought I would need a generator but found a good price on a boat with no generator and have found that I am fine without one. you can add one to a boat like the pursuit if you find that you really would use it as the boat was designed with the generator as an option. PSW put an inverter and some heavy duty batteries on his pursuit to run the heater or microwave at times and I believe he was happy with this solution for him. good luck
Our 3070 had had the generator removed and replaced with an inverter/battery bank before we bought it. We use the inverter to run the microwave (and compact freezer on Abacos trips). 95% of the time we use the boat as a day boat so we really don't miss having a generator.
I have an 01 Express 3000 with Mercruiser IB 350's. I put in a full sine wave 2KW inverter that will run the microwave fast or the air for several hours, more if you are trolling with both 65Amp alternators helping. I added another series 27 battery for the house bank. Then engine room is very cramped and I can't imagine a generator in there too. As for me the Honda 2000ei inverter pocket generator is a perfect match, plus you can buy it for less than $1K. Best put it on the swim platform, otherwise the top to be sure you get no fumes.
I like the easy maintenance of the 350's for me, the backyard mechanic. Otherwise, I wish is was a little quieter under the top at cruise.
Dry
__________________
Knot for Profit
01 Pursuit Express 3000
I really hate you guys. I fell in love with the 3000 Express and continue to look at them. Went and saw CGaviator's boat, very nice. But I'm stuck in the same dilemma... the outboards are so familiar and the efficiency is hard to pass. Looking at the 30' walks w/ F225s, you can cruise at 25 knts and get around 1.6 to 1.7 mpg compared to 1 mpg. That's a lot of fuel and money over a season. But the clean transom and swim platform are very appealing. So again, I'm stuck with what I want to do.
Pursuit 3070 Express v 3000 Express 
