Express Cruiser comparison

Yes, opinions are like belly buttons, we all, well most, have them,,, LOL

My biggest gripe about the Express Cruisers is the apparent lack of visibility forward when underway, ESPECIALLY if you boat in a sunny area and will normally have the top up.

Now, to use MikeH's term, IM still HO, if you're on lakes and rivers, the Maxums, Rinkers , Cruisers and 4Winns are all very durable and suited for the purpose. And as noted before, I'd rather spend my money USING my boat than paying for it.

Fred
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"My biggest gripe about the Express Cruisers is the apparent lack of visibility forward when underway, " ????????

Please explain. The forward visibility in my express style boat (Pursuit 3000 Express) is excellent, either underway or still.

G
 
if i was going for an express, doral would be up on that list for me. The regal 4260 is a nice boat too and one we looked hard at prior to buying our current boat. What size express are looking for?
 
In the 40' express category, I'd stick with Doral for a good combination of great speed, ride, and luxurious details. But the Mediterra IPS hardtop has only been around for a year so no used ones yet. My second favorite is the Regal 4060 closely followed by the new 40' Monterey express. In that size though, you can't go wrong with other players like Sea Ray or Four Winns. I think all the boats are similar quality-wise at the end of the day. Just look hard and pick the one you like better!

You have to think hard about what you value... For me it was all about performance and the details that make the boat unique, but not at the expense of functionality.

For me, at that size, I just think I'd just forget about the express boats and go for a Tiara Sovran 3900 (or 4300 if you want the two staterooms), and get the protected helm/cockpit w/o the hassle of the canvas... Plus real top-notch quality.
 
quote:
Originally posted by gcolton

"My biggest gripe about the Express Cruisers is the apparent lack of visibility forward when underway, " ????????

Please explain. The forward visibility in my express style boat (Pursuit 3000 Express) is excellent, either underway or still.

G

Click to expand...
G
I think he is refering to the fact that alot(but not all)of express style boats are A$$ dragers and have alot of bow rise because of their engines mounted at the very stern of the boat and the builder just did not get it right enough - I had 5 express style boats- 2 with outdrives (SeaRay & Chap)that trimed the boat level - 2 with stright drives (Cruisers & Forumla) they just ran level- and one (SeaRay)with A$$ mounted V-drives that ran very bow high and you needed the tabs all the time
 
It's interesting that no one has mentioned HULL DESIGN.

Depending on the waters and conditions where you will be using the vessel, her HULL DESIGN could be the most important issue.

Are you looking for a DOCK QUEEN, condo on the water, or a vessel that can handle rough seas while delivering a dry, comfortable ride with good sea handling characteristics?

While he is best taken with a grain of salt or two, David Pascoe's book is easily worth the investment and will provide you with additional background information to make a better choice for the kind of boating you will be doing. I have lent mine to a couple of friends and it definitely educated and influenced their buying decisions.
.......RWS

www.yachtsurvey.com/
 
Picking out a boat that suits you is a personal choice. I wouldn't recommend one brand over another because there are way too many variables.

I won't hesitate though to mention a few other things to consider before making your choice. Make sure the dealer you are buying from is dependable and reputable and his service department has a good track record. All new boats have problems and you want them addressed and fixed promptly. Choosing a boat you like with a servicing dealer that leaves a lot to be desired might make you wish you had made another choice of boats. Look at postings on the many boating boards to see how manufacturers step up to the plate when big issues need to be dealt with thru the factory. Without naming names, there is at least one company in the list of popular brands that has been mentioned that has had a lot of negative feedback on the boating boards insofar as getting the factory people to address and fix problems............so do your homework on that one. Also visit the various owner forums to see what kinds of likes and dislikes owners have with their boats. Look at resale values as well because eventually you will trade or sell your boat. Some boats seems to hold resale value better than others.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Yes sir, our comments related to a lot of express cruisers being a$$ draggers unless at 80% throttle. Friends with 3 of the aforementioned brands cannot maintain minimum planing speed without having to stand up to look over the bow. Not all, but some. A lake test run would seem to be prudent.
Another note about resale, the geography of the country has 10 - 20% impact on the brands' resale.

Fred
 
Having owns a 32' Express and a 38' Convertible I can atest to the "visibility" issue on an express. If you've only owned an express you are probably satisfied with the visibility forward from the helm at all times, except perhaps, during the bowrise at throttle up. We never really had an issue with it but when we moved into the flybridge boat we could immediately "see" what we were missing. So we gave up the speed of the express for the comfort of a flybridge and we were happy with the change.

We all know lots of folks that are happy with their Bayliners, SRs, Formulas, Silvertons, Carvers....... and on, and on.....Its all about what you want, what fits your needs and what the wallet can endure.
 
about expresses running bow high unless above 80% throttle...

any boat will not run level unless fully on plane so if are on a heavily loaded, underpowered, dirty bottom boat, that's going to happen.

Trim tabs are also important on Vee drives to help keep the bow down. I think a lot of the boats you see dragging their stern in the water are run by inexperienced guys who havent' figured out that at 14kts they are burning as much fuel as they would at 20kts...

some boats may have visibility issues, but not because they are Vee drives expresses but simply because the builder did a lousy job with the helm. My old (98) maxum 37 had great visibility from the helm even while accelerating.

i agree with RWS with hull shape... deadrise and weight are also important. to me, more important than getting an extra 5 kts top speed. that smoother ride will allow you to use the boat on days where your passengers would be bitching about how rough it is...
 
On this Bow Rise issue, so many boats have this same problem? You wonder why they just don't design the Helm a bit more forward or a little higher to remove this issue?
 
From a Sea Ray cruiser owner, we love ours. We love other boats too though. At the Annapolis Boat Show our favorite 40+ cruiser was the Tiara and the Cobalt. I was looking forward to seeing the Formula from all the articles I had read. I was not impressed, too narrow IMHO.

Personally I think they all use the same 'stuff' under the covers (engines, drives, etc) and it's a matter of hull/layout design and trim packages. We can all talk all day about how Formula is better than Sea Ray is better than Regal. It's personal preference. Same with cars.
 
Do you want good engine access, wide gunnels, welded stainless railings all wherever you need them, Rhode locker, AC, Genny and great looks, Look at 35'/36' LUHRS. Owned mine since 93 and would go with Luhrs again.(36 is beatiful)
Fished and crossed the Stream many times, calm or rough seas.
 
"It seems that for whatever reason, there is a lot of negative sentiment on this board toward SeaRay."

There is alot of negative sentiment on this board period. Not brand specific here at all.
 
Another poster mentioned Rinker, I must second that ... I recently ordered a Rinker after carefully considering many of the previously mentioned brands. All 2007+ Rinkers have a lifetime hull warranty, not sure how many other manufacturers offer that. The fit and finish was very comparable to any of the competition and the list of standard options is very hard to beat. But finally, when the similarly optioned Rinker cost 30-40K less than the competition, that was the icing on the cake for me.
 
Chris, even if the Rinker was hands down a better boat at a better price when it comes time to sell you'll see what I mean when I say you'll wish it was a SeaRay. Tell most boat shoppers you have a Rinker & they say what's that? They have no idea if it's a good boat or a bad boat? Indicision is no decision. Tell them you have a SeaRay & enough said on to survey or condition. It's just an easier name to move. Check depreciation on rhe Rinker as a percent of the selling price & do the same with a like model SeaRay. The SeaRay may be cheaper?
 
Rinker is pretty popular in our area.

I suggest that you buy the boat that best meets your lifestyle. Do you want more cockpit for outdoor stuff or do you want more cabin for overnighting? Space needs to be divided the way you want it. I had a slightly overpowered express when I had one and I suspect that's why I never had the planing issues so many people speak of. Also be sure to lay in the beds. We had to search a while for one long enough to be comfortable to me.

Not meaning to change the subject but why not look at slightly older boats that have already taken the depreciation hit [which is more like a nuclear strike]. There are some gggggrrrrreeeeeeeaaaaaaatttt bargains out there now. Boats haven't been harder to sell in a long long time.
 
art,

i keep hearing about better resale but when i sold my 98 maxum 37 back in 2005, i compared the depreciation of my boat with the same vintage SR i had looked at in 98. sure, the SRs were listed for 10 to 20% higher than the maxums but they were selling for 20% new.

i really woudn't buy a boat based on what resale mught be in the future but on what my needs and criteria are.
 
Pascal, my point is that most people don't consider the depreciation in the buying equasion? If you like a boat then the heck with everything & buy the boat. If you're still kicking tires then there is another item to consider?
Actually, most people end up buying what they like even if they know they should buy another. We buy what we want not what we need. Few of us ever really need a boat?
 
Yes, name brand does go a long way ... Although, Rinker has made major strides within the past few years and is more recognized now than in the past ... Before purchasing this boat, I had no idea about Rinker, but Google was my friend; I did a ton of reading and research and I quickly educated myself. I went to the boat show as an educated consumer, did my own physical comparisons and at the end of the day made an educated choice that suited my family's needs.
 
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