Moving up choices

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Julian04

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2008
RO Number
29380
Messages
46
We have a 04 32 Dancer now. We also have 3 little ones. Ages 8 , 4 and 18months. Were going to move up soon... I like the express boats and my wife is thinking of a Sedan bridge. Any thoughts on either the 42 or 44 Sundancer vs the 42 or 44 Sedan bridge.
Thanks again for your help
 
Once you have a bridge boat you wont go back to an express. Alot more room for the family plus you will enjoy driving up high. IMO
 
We went from an '03 320 Sundancer to an '06 40 Sundancer to an '07 44 Sedan Bridge. My kids are quite a bit older than yours so keeping an eye on them underway was never a real issue for us, but it could be for you on a Sedan Bridge. At the same time, if you're at the helm alone while your wife is down below on the DA with the kids anyway, the Sedan Bridge is a much more comfortable place for them to be while underway. The Sedan Bridge, even when compared to a Sundancer of the same size, is a much more livable boat and even more so with young kids. We're very happy having made the jump to the Sedan Bridge and I think it would be very difficult to go back to a Sundancer....unless it was the 55 or 60. Good luck.
 
I know I have a Carver, but I have an opinion on this. I work in a marina where we store alot of different brands of boats, and I think that the 42 thru 44 Sundancers will give you more appreciable room inside than the same size sedan bridge. The 42/44 Sedan Bridge just seems so small inside and out when compared to other brands of boats. The may look better/sleeker, but I think that's subjective. If you truely want a sedan, look at others before you make your decision.
 
I have had express, motoryacht and flybridge boats. I just recently went to an express boat again because you are always away from your guests by being on the bridge. With small kids I would suggest staying with a express. It is a safety issue when kids are on the bridge and wanting to move around all of the time. Also, You are not part of what is happening down below and can not help if issues arise.

When my daughter was very small we were anchored and she actually fell head first off of the bridge onto the back deck. Her life jacket saved her. At least with an express boat your spouse can watch the kids down below and you can pay them some attention while at the helm.

If you have a full camper the back deck of the express gives you that extra room that you dont get on a bridge boat. Canvas can make a world of difference, while keeping the kids in your vision.
 
If you live where it is hot, a flybridge is the way to go. We have a hard top express and it
gets hot as hell when going slow and the winds are not in your favor.
Same with anchoring and not much wind. I had to add 12 vdc fans under the hard top and also
install a big hatch to direct the breeze under the hard top.
Also, when rafting up with others, we suffer with the heat if we have bridge boats on both
sides of us.
The breeze and the overall view is a lot better on a flybridge boat.
The nice thing about an express is the ease of docking. You can go from the helm to the
cockpit in just a few steps.
 
The motoryacht series seems to me to be the best of both worlds.
 
I like the lines of the Sundancer series... sexy boat. I also like being at water level when the kids are in the water...
 
With children that young I think the express is the better choice of the two.My choice would be an aft cabin motor yacht. All the room needed for a growing family. They are not as sporty,just more functional.
 
Although there are several very good points being made this is a personal decision that you have to live with. I can add this, I have always loved express type boat and my wife always wanted a motor yacht. I even made a couple of offers on a caver M/Y but after shopping with my wife and looking at many different boats she agreed that a larger express is a great design. I didn't want to be the captain that drives the boat while everyone else is having fun out of sight. That being said I have seen a few sedan bridge models that just might be the best of both worlds but the young kids may be a factor as safety is a concern. What ever you decide do you homework and look at all you options sit on them a consider how it would be used. This can be the best part it a lot of fun shopping for a boat it's a great feeling, just don't stress out over it live is too short. Good luck and enjoy.
 
Seems as if were moving towards a newer 44 dancer. We may even wait till next fall and try to get a better deal. Zuese or however you spell it may be worth waiting for
 
quote:
Originally posted by RamSport47

I know I have a Carver, but I have an opinion on this. I work in a marina where we store alot of different brands of boats, and I think that the 42 thru 44 Sundancers will give you more appreciable room inside than the same size sedan bridge. The 42/44 Sedan Bridge just seems so small inside and out when compared to other brands of boats. The may look better/sleeker, but I think that's subjective. If you truely want a sedan, look at others before you make your decision.

Click to expand...


Ok, let me say what Ram really wanted to say, the 42/44 Searay sucks, not on a quality issue, nor not that it is a bad boat. IMHO, it is a good boat and looks great. and those that own them I would think love them. So why do I say it "sucks" ?
Look at other flybridge boats, they have much more to offer, at a price that is less than a SeaRay.
I happeen to love SaaRay as a company, but they really dropped the ball on there sedan bridges.

IMHO
Walter
 
You are not the only one to state that Walter. A few folks I know wanting to step to the 42/44 bridge have passed or gone to other brands for the reasons you mention.

If you are going to a boat that size, you may want to look at the Carver 42 aft cabin, the Chris 48 or if that is too large, the Chris 38 Catalina is huge in side and very affordable.
 
sea rays add marketing length with a very pointy bow. that adds to selling bragging rights but does nothing for interior volume, living space, which is what you use with a family of five. Look elsewhere as well and you might just be surprised that other design ideas may better fit your needs.
 
"The nice thing about an express is the ease of docking. You can go from the helm to the
cockpit in just a few steps."

Isn't the Helm on an Express usually located in the Cockpit?
If not...please tell me where they put it now so I'll be able to distinquish Express Boats from others I may see.
 
When docking an express, it is usually very easy to get to the stern cleats.
However, you also usually have to climb up to the front deck to get to the
spring and bow cleats.
You just have to figure out what is best for your style of boating.
There are advantages to all boats, but at the same time, there are disadvantages
to all boats too.
What I like about bridge boats is the view and the breeze that you don't always
get with express boats. And you have the extra seating up on the bridge.
There are also issues with different types of drives.
It's all about what you like and what is best for you.
 
quote:
The 42/44 Sedan Bridge just seems so small inside and out when compared to other brands of boats. The may look better/sleeker, but I think that's subjective. If you truely want a sedan, look at others before you make your decision.

Click to expand...

Meridian has always gotten a bad wrap as a Bayliner with a different badge. I do not believe that is the case at all any longer (if it ever was). I spent a lot of time on Meridian's 441 at the NY Boat Show and was very impressed. Its use of space is impressive and the bridge blows the 42/44 Dancer's bridges away IMHO. Anyone looking in this segment of the market owes it to themselves to at least add this boat to their list. And the mid-cabin is spectacular for this class. I would make it the master.
 
We have a friend who just bought a 46 ft. Meridian. He said it was told to him that Meridian
used some Carver designers who left Carver and went to Meridian.
 
It seems most are still trying to sell Julian the idea that a bridge is the way to go. I am hearing him say that an express is what he is being pulled to. If that is the case you would want to compare the 420 cruisers, Regal 4460, Four winns 40', Doral and Monterey boats. All are comparible to the 44 Dancer. That will give him a comparison to what he likes. Carver and Meridian do not have that style of an Express. He needs to figure out what style he wants then look at all of the manufacturers who sell that style. All of those sell either the IPS or Zeuse.
Just my .02.
 
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