Boat recomendations

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king5899

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As we spend more and more overnights on the boat combined with our kids continually growing, we see the need to look into options for a larger boat. Storage space and just the overall ease to live aboard for multiple days without constantly making beds, digging through packed drawers and closets would be essential. I'm looking for suggestions of models to look at that would meet all or many of the following requirements. I am partial towards the Cruisers 4270 but it is only a 2 bedroom layout. The only obvious choice is the same model several others on this board have (Audrey II, Hogan, and Starry night), but I was wondering if there were other manufacturers that have similar layouts. Budget would be sub $150k, and the more SUB the better.

1) 40-46 Foot with 14' + beam
2) Diesel engines
3) Diesel Generator
4) 3 Bedrooms w/ doors not curtains
5) Large size refrigerator (s)
6) Large swim platform
7) Lots of storage areas
8) Express Cruiser design is preferred. Flybridge models would need enough outdoor gathering space for a good sized crew.

I appreciate the feedback and options anyone comes up with. Just tossing around a few options, but if I can narrow my search it would be ideal.

Thanks,
MJK
 
How bout an Older Chris Craft Commander, 47'? Had one, 2 salons (including upper), 3 cabins, 2 heads, flybridge, 15' beam, solid fiberglass, diesel powered. Con, slow about 11 knts. YW has some on their site but a bit pricey for the economy. You probably could pick up one 70K or less now that has updates. Maybe not power, but the rest of the boat. Some have been repowered with Cummins or Yanmars and do indeed get up on plane and cruise high teens.
Lanbuilder on BE has one. Maybe he will chime in.
 
3 staterooms in a low-mid 40's express is a fairly tall order! The Trojan 440 is one of the few I can think of, and IMO "stateroom" is bit of a stretch when describing that cubbyhole/bed area...

The Cruisers 4450 Express fits your wishlist, but not your budget, and it's actually just an aft-cabin motoryacht with an open layout on the bridge/aft deck...

There's also the SeaRay 450 Express Bridge, but that could be a budget stretcher too.
 
The chris craft's look a bit to old for me. I have nightmares about replacing wooden floors, and replacing alot of wiring. The Cruisers 4450 is nice, I was on one last year, but I find it is more of a condo on the water. I definitley like the open layout of the express cruisers.

Sorry jmeirhofer about forgetting about you as another 440 owner. I've been on Audrey II and it is very roomy but only the 2 "stateroom" (Sorry for using bedroom) I think Hogan and Starry Night have the 3 stateroom version that actually have a 3rd stateroom vs. a cubbyhole.

MJK
 
Most of the 40-46 ft. express boats are 2 stateroom only but have 2 heads. You could look at Searay, cruisers, regal, maxum, formula, etc. All but formula have about the same beam rb2@gr5t 14'. You may have to use your dinette table as an extra bed.

It should be fairly easy to find a diesel boat for under 150k. But you may have to put a few more dollars into it to bring it up to your standards. And it may be around a 2000-2003 model yr. Lots of options out there.
 
You should check out our boat model, the Bayliner 4550 or the newer Bayliner 4788. Both are essentially the same boat with some minor differences. 4788 has improved construction but the 45 has more teak and a more nautical feel to me unless you a get a 1995-1996 4788 that still has the teak. 3 staterooms, closing doors for all, twin diesels, generator, huge galley and fridge, dual helms with awesome pilothouse. large bridge for entertaining, easy access to that bridge from the pilothouse, nice wide decks, and good lines. All under $150k and a very strong market following. The trojan 44 is the only express off the top of my head with 3 staterooms. If you are spending a lot of time aboard though we love having lots of different rooms and spaces to relax, have quiet time, room to entertain, etc.
If you go motor yacht or trawler there are other good options....Californian 48, hatteras 48, Albin 49, Chris Craft 47 (love that boat!), etc. Also, sea ray made a 370/380 aft cabin that is a nice beamy boat with a good layout. It was configured as either a 2 stateroom and huge pantry/utility room or as as 3 stateroom boat. Good layout and you can find them sub $150k with diesels circa late 1990's model or early 2000's.
Bang for the buck though I don't think you can beat the bayliner 45 or 47. Very good cruising and entertaining boat, well built, and heck of a lot of boat for the money. We just spent the last month living aboard ours- love it! Work required me coming back to Atlanta yesterday though so here I am in my office. :(
 
I vote for the Bayliners. Nice views from those boats.
Bill
 
The Trojan is a real sweet boat on so many levels. If John is correct and the boat falls in your price range I would look there. Tony's post about the Bayliner is also a direction to look, me, I would look at all he posted, Tony sells boats so he is in the know about what you are asking for for the price range. Three real staterooms is a tough order for the size range you are looking at, now if it is a flybridge boat, your options are better.

I have a 2007 45C Silverton, it has three spacious staterooms, big cockpit, ok size salon and a huge bridge. Unfortunately the price is more than 150k for this boat.
 
Mike I really like having the extra room in the salon I rarely need a third bed but when I do I made a filler cushion for the couch works for me.
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I'm extremely happy with my boat on every level but the truth is the wife is getting the itch to move up I told her you will have to win loto if she before I start shopping.
 
Dave,
You need to move up to a flybridge boat and get out of the basement. Huge world of difference between a cruiser or a flybridge boat.

PS
Cop friend of mine is taking control of the guns, once that happens and all is legal I will be in touch

Walter
 
quote:
Originally posted by walterv

Dave,
You need to move up to a flybridge boat and get out of the basement. Huge world of difference between a cruiser or a flybridge boat.

Walter

Click to expand...


Have you ever been on a Trojan? There is so much room in this boat you don't feel like you are in a basement! The huge cockpit is great for entertaining everyone always ends up on our boat to hang out. Most flybridge boats don't have the room I have this said I have to say the only way to move up from what I have would be a flybridge I like the 48 SeaRay sedan bridge but I'm in no rush nor do I need a bigger boat to burn even more fuel.
 
I like express boats but I could never convince my wife to go back to one.
She loves the sliding glass door and I have to agree with Walter, it is a huge difference.
Forget the room factor, when you go into an express boat its like crawling into a tent.
Visibility is gone, the sense of being outdoors is gone, you really are in a secluded room in the basement so to speak.
I admit the cockpit of expresses is nice though and offsets that, but then you deal with more canvas, which is a pain that goes up and down.

Flybridge is the way to go for room, visibility and that uncramped feeling.

I think 3 staterooms is a waste of room that can be better used in the salon. Can always sleep someone in the salon.
 
The 47 CC commanders have no wood fllors. The hull and deck are fiberglass and all frames are fiberglass top hat shape. They are bulletproof. I have had mine over 5 years and the only maintenance has been bottom painting, zincs,oil changes and impellers. I did replace two of the original air conditioners just after I bought the boat.
Iwash aand wax the hull once a year and clean and oil the teak when needed.
My maintenance costs have been a lot less than most of the owners of newer boats that docked around me.
My engines have about 2000 hours and should be good for another 8000 before replacement is needed. Engines start on first push of the staarter every year after winter.
You can find details of the commanders and some for sale at the Commander web site.
http://www.commanderclub.com/
You get a lot of boat for the money with the CC Commanders.
 
I have been in Mike's Trojan while I was very impressed with the boat it still gave me the feeling of being in a cave. Even though it's not fair to compare my boat to a Trojan but it's a reason I prefer the Bayliner large side windows. I really don't like the porthole limited view from the salon in the Trojans I have been in. My wife and I really enjoy the air conditioning but having a full view of our surroundings without having to stand on our toes. Our Mainship gives us this. While you are looking you might want to look at the 47 Mainship 1999 through 2004 Aft cabin's. These have large CAT turbo engines, 3 state rooms, 2 full heads heads one with a bathtub a stand up ER, with a workbench and a washer dryer. Some have 2 generators a day and night as well as 4 air conditioning units. These boats in good condition can be had for $150 to $200k. Maybe less in this economy. They have a hardtop on the aft deck with a true wet bar and many had a hardtop over the spacious bridge as well. These are one he&l of a boat. The interiors are Cherabuni European modern design.
Bill
 
One nice thing about express cruisers....when it is 110 degrees out and burning hot sun and you are sun baked- it can be nice indeed to go down below, shut the door, turn on the hvac and be still on the cool and dark! :) Many boats with lots of glass spend the summer months covering up all that glass to reduce sun induced heat. Saying that, I still prefer a flybridge boat with full salon but that is just me. it also depends on how you use the boat and how long/often you are aboard. If just weekends with friends and family an express is a great option- fast, sporty, fun, etc. We spend a lot of time on our boat (just home this week now after a month aboard) so we like the openness of windows and sliding doors.
Bill- I forgot about the mainship 47 MY having 3 staterooms.
I also have to agree with Mike regarding the 47 Chris Craft Commanders. Those boats are solid as a tank and very often cost less to maintain than newer boats. You can never go wrong with their timeless classic lines either. the more classic looking your boat is the easier and faster it will sell and the better it will hold value (did I just say a boat will hold value?? What's wrong with me??!!).
ANd heck- quite a few Hatteras 53's can be had for under $150k and multiple available under $100k. If you can find a good one they are obviously awesome boats.

So far original poster has not replied though but that is ok- fun to talk boat model features. :)
 
I understand the home on the water concept Tony! We spent the last 25 days out of 31 on our boat so I like the sliding full sized rear doors and large windows our 40SB has. Keeping the boat cool in 100 plus degrees air temps and 85 to 89 degree water temps has its challenges but I have found that using a good insulated curtain for the rear double glass slider and accordian style blinds (they trap air) work well to minimize the sun heating all the glass surface areas. The Mainship 47MY also has an inside set of winding stairs to the bridge. They did have problems with some of the CAT3126's in them but most if not all were repaired under warranty by CAT. I know I like classic Pilothouse boats like yours but your right the Hatt 53 LRC is also a great boat and in this economy are a great value. I think they are a bit on the slow side some won't even plane. However going fast is not high on my priority list. Another favorite of mine is the CHB 45 Pilothouse.
Bill
 
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