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We recently sold our express cruiser and are beginning to look at new boats. I was wondering if anyone who's had both an express and a convertible would be willing to share thier insights. We have three children, ages 8, 5 and newborn. We cruise in Lake St. Clair Michigan. We do some extended cruises, but mostly we stay around the lake and overnight or weekend at the marina. We like to fish, but it's not the main purpose of the boat. My wife's concerns are the ladder to the bridge and keeping an eye on the kids. I am leaning towards a convertible, but would like to hear what others may have to say on the subject before deciding. Thanks!
Convertible for sure...lots more living space. I personally think expresses or a lot of wasted space. You can't fish OR live in that whole express helm area so I think it is basically useless. You have the same amount of fishing space and more living space on the convertible...so it is a no brainer...especially if you are buying for the family. Tie a rope around the little ones when they are on the way up to the bridge! Good luck
I have had one convertible - 35' Viking and 3 expresses - 29' Topaz, 32' Blackfin, and our current 43' Tiara (in order Topaz, Viking, Blackfin & Tiara); which may make me biased. The convertible's two main advantages were bigger cabin in the same size boat and better visability from the helm. The express' advantages - no running up and down ladders, captain get's to interact with the guests, if your fishing, the captain can fish too, no worry about the kids hurting themselves on the ladder; also I can run and dock an express (even the 43') alone; while with the convertible, because the control station is up the ladder, your really can't. I really hated the convertible, which I only had for 1 season and doubt I'd ever buy another; on the other hand the 43' express, we have had for 5 seasons and it is perfect - sleeps 4 comfortably, tons of room in and out and when we take longer cruises or offshore fishing I don't feel like a castaway. Although the 43' does everything we need, I wouldn't mind having a 52' Viking express.
I don't think it's a no-brainer...
No idea what your budget is or how large a boat you're looking for; since you've got three young 'uns, maybe gettting the most interior space is your priority. If you're looking in the 30'- 35' range, maybe the convertible is the best bet since you may not get the interior room you're looking for in an express that size.
For me, my 39' express provides a great deal of interior room (14' beam)- sleeps six w/ two staterooms. I fish- including a lot of trolling and bottom drifting- so a convertible was not the best fit.
Do a search on this- been discussed a few times with a lot of good information on both "sides".
I have had one convertible - 35' Viking and 3 expresses - 29' Topaz, 32' Blackfin, and our current 43' Tiara (in order Topaz, Viking, Blackfin & Tiara); which may make me biased. The convertible's two main advantages were bigger cabin in the same size boat and better visability from the helm. The express' advantages - no running up and down ladders, captain get's to interact with the guests, if your fishing, the captain can fish too, no worry about the kids hurting themselves on the ladder; also I can run and dock an express (even the 43') alone; while with the convertible, because the control station is up the ladder, your really can't. I really hated the convertible, which I only had for 1 season and doubt I'd ever buy another; on the other hand the 43' express, we have had for 5 seasons and it is perfect - sleeps 4 comfortably, tons of room in and out and when we take longer cruises or offshore fishing I don't feel like a castaway. Although the 43' does everything we need, I wouldn't mind having a 52' Viking express.
I agree with these comments. I couldn't run my 42' by myself, so I traded down to a 28' express, which I loved, but the noise factor on this and most every other express chased me into the CC world with outboards. You just can't beat the convienence and weather protection of an express configuration, and if you get one big enough, you can get more than ample room belowdecks for staterooms etc.
I'm following this Ritchie Howell express build (54') as it has the new IPS drives, hence, the engines are no longer under the helm deck, and a person might have a chance to have a conversation without yelling or maybe even hear the VHF at cruise.
I had a convertible, and really liked the add'l cabin room, and visibility from the helm. But the express probably makes more sense for your family. I think it's only a matter of time before one of your little ones takes a fall, and gets seriously hurt. With kids that little, I'd avoid the potential problems. Sorry.
__________________ Capt Will, 2002 G/W 282 Sailfish, F225's
USCG Master, 50 Ton; Towing endorsement
Indian River, De
I have owned both express and convertible boats while having young children. I much preferred the convertible and so did the admiral and the kids. The cabin on an express gets very small when you are down there for any length of time with little children. Our kids got antsy in there because they could not see out and we all sort of felt as if we were in a cave.
The kids did not like being on the helm deck of the express when underway as the engine noise was very fatiguing and made it difficult for them to hear, and of course they had to have their life jackets on. They were much happier in the salon of the convertible as they could see what was going on outside while at the same time eating, watching videos, playing games etc. We felt safer with them inside.
At night on the convertible, we could put the kids to sleep down below and still watch TV, entertain friends, etc. in the salon. On the express, our alternative was either to all turn in at the same time or go sit outside.
When the kids were very young they preferred to be in the convertible’s salon when underway rather than up on the bridge. Nonetheless, I had extra horizontal tubes welded to the lower part of the fly bridge railing and had a hatch cover made to cover the ladder opening in the fly bridge deck to keep the kids from falling off.
I don’t know how long you plan to keep the boat but consider also that the kids won’t be little for long.
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"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill
So far my research says the convertible is better in almost every category. The only down side is as other mention - docking alone - getting down from the top. The reality is - in this size vessel - chances are you will not be boating alone. So most of the time you should have a helping hand.
I would vote convertible. I have a 22 month old and an 8 month old. The 22 month old is quick as heck and has made boating a chore for the time being. With that I think the convertible is much better because of the living space down below. Close and lock the salon door and you don't have to worry about the little one going over gunnel. As for the stairs it is only done with a grown up and you do have to watch them close as they want to try and climb to the bridge while at the dock. Under way I keep all kids in front of the helm on the bridge at the bench seat. Very calming to have them right in front of you so you can relax and enjoy the run. I also keep the rear canvas in place on the bridge for safety and just roll up the rear window. The biggest reason I would not get an express is visibility. With the debris we have in the water there is no way I could see everything with the poor visibility on the express. If you run from the tower then the kids are really out of luck. I think local climate is also a big factor. In the PNW the Convertible is ideal for a 50/50 fishing and cruising platform. Captain does get hosed a bit when fishing but you can just rotate. It is all a compromise.
The one huge drawback to a convertible was mentioned above - the captain usually cant fish.
If you are looking to drift fish for bass and blues, troll for tuna, or any type of fishing that requires you to be near the controls, you wont be fishing with a convertible.
If fishing is second to living space and comfort, then the convertible is the way to go.
I like my express boat - but fishing is the main purpose - living comforts are second.
I have a 41 Hatteras Convert. and a 38 Special Bertram Express. I see a lot of support for the convertables, but, you can trick out an express too.
I took the galley space in the Bertram and deleted the freezer. I then added a 24K btu self contained a.c. system, venting it straight up into the helm area. Then we enclosed the helm in Stratoglass, making sure all was tightly sealed. Instead of a zippered opening, I had a lightweight pre-hung door fabricated to eneter the cockpit, starboard bottom half/ plexi window.
Now, we can travel in air conditioned space and, at the marina, two can sleep in the helm area and keep cool. The Bertram is a much better fishing platform, the tower gives visability and the air conditioned helm makes it versatile too.
Shark I would love to see some pictures of the Bertram after that conversion. If you have any already and don't mind posting em up that would be great.
WOW!! Thank you for all of the information. I hadn't even considered the fact of taking the boat out alone (which I like to do when no one else wants to go). I think if we go with an convertible, I'll need one with a lower helm station, something I'd previously decided against to make more living space. I've fished both express and convertible boats and even when I had my express, I usually ended doing most of the driving as I didn't like turning the boat over to others. Having had an express, I have noticed many of the down sides already mentioned here. Not having owned an convertible, I an learning alot. Thanks to all of you for the insights.
Great info in this post for sure. I've always leaned towards an express for my next boat as fishing will always remain priority 1 and my kids will be old enough to deal with the ladder without worry. Fishing/boating solo is also something I don't want to give up. Good feedback on the convertibles however.
I'll throw my two cents in here too... I like having a convertible for the added comfort and better overall view from the FB. I fish alot as well, and cruising is a distant second. That being said, the guy in the FB certainly is the bus driver. As far as docking with one person, it comes down to how good you are and the currents at your dock. I have a relatively slack area that I dock in, and I have docked it twice alone.. Not easy, but it can be done in a pinch... You will have a tough time finding a newer convertible with a lower helm station, as these are rather passe`. The best you will find in a late model convertible will be cockpit controls, but you have no forward line of sight there. It sounds to me like you will have to spend some time at a boat show and get a feel for the two styles.. It really comes down to your preference. I chose the convertible because this layout has the same fishing space as the express, with the added comfort of the salon and roomier interior overall. I have to say, its nice to be out fishing, and take a break on the couch with a DVD if things are slow, and be 3 steps from the cockpit. I have gotten lazy since I moved up!
Ryan
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Lets have a Sexy Party! 38 Henriques FB 2000 ~ 17 Montauk 1978
I spent most of 2007 making that decision, and decided to go with the convertible.
I ruled out the diesel inboard express boats due to the noise, vibration, and overall fatigue factor on the helm deck. Even if that hadn't been a show stopper, I prefer the convertible because the cabin is above the water line with in our case almost 360 degree visibility. The cabin in the express, even if the square footage is the same, has limited visibility to the outside – I call that the cave factor. Engine and systems access is generally better on the convertible, and the view from the bridge is great.
As far as being able to dock on your own, I got a second set of controls on a 25’ tether that plugs into an outlet in the cockpit. Docking is even easier than with an express, since I can walk around the cockpit to pick up lines and always remain in control. Glendinning makes them for the Cummins engines I have. They can also be used to back down, and it is rare on a serious fishing trip that I don’t have another experienced hand to either troll or manage the second controls while I can fish. It breaks up the monotony to take turns. I never have a problem looking for some of the crew or passengers to spend time with me on the bridge, either underway or while fishing
I looked at the large outboard express boats, (GW 360, Pursuit 375), and this would have been my second choice, but in the end we wanted more space.
Do you guys with the expresses not feel like the whole area around the helm is a complete waste of space? You can't fish, live, or really sleep comfortably in it. On a convertible that whole area is a nice living room/kitchen with couches etc. If I were spending that kind of money on a boat to be able to sleep and fish on I would want to maximize every square inch....and I don't think you get that with the express models. The convertibles offer more living space and the same amount of fishing space. I have fished a 40 cabo express and a 43 cabo convert....the living space on the 43 was just so much nicer and abundant. Like others have said...the inside of the express is like being down in a cave and the living space is always pretty limited. I guess your only drawback would be docking the boat by yourself...but from how you are talking I really think the convertible is the direction you want to head. Good luck
The cockpit controls are the answer. You most likely will have a mate or two along, they can be your eyes forward, as well as man the lines. But I'll take a convertable any day over an express, for all the reasons mentioned above.
Convertible vs Express 
