Sedan Bridge vs. Cruiser , 40-50 footer discussion

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MrsRobinson

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Can someone refer me to a good discussion on this subject, the proscons, why chose one over the other kind of thing? I know there must be one in here but I cannot find it.

I am happy to start a new discussion off this thread but if it's been beating already please pass a link along to me.

Thanks,
 
you didn't utilize the search feature here??!! :D

Having owned a 33' express and now our silverton sport bridge, I can tell you that I'd not willingly go back to an express. We loved our express and had some good times but you can't beat the livability of a sedan over the express. You can entertain more people on a sedan and the weather is not much of a factor anymore. Rainy days are fun as you can sit in the saloon with the shades open and still look all around you, whereas in an express you are down in a cave. We do have to run our genset a little more than we did in the express due to increased interior volume and exposed glass but it's not too bad. We have a shade that blocks out sunlight across the front large windows and then shades that close off the side windows if it gets really hot.
I'd start touring through some sedans and unless your desire is for super fast speed, you won't be able to beat the space of a sedan.
Regardless of all that...my favorite feature of our sedan is kicking back on the bridge while slowing cruising to an anchorage...you just cannot beat the view and relaxation!!!
 
Search only ONE forum at a time. Should work fine then.
 
You have to get out and get onto both types of boats - the only one who can answer this question is you - ultimately, it's what YOU prefer and what works for YOUR boating lifestyle.
 
You left out flybridge convertible, not the same as a sedan.

I will never ever go back to the dungeon agian, give me a roomy salon and a nive high bridge any day of the week!!!

Jonathan
 
in another thread, i think you mentioned that you want to spend more time on the boat and overnighgts. if so, don't get an express, you're going to regret it.

back in 98 i almost got a maxum 41 but thought it was too big and got the 37 express instead. I really regretted the decision as time went by and we started spending more time aboard, mostly because of the cave effect.

in addition to a view and more light in the cabin, you also get a flybrdidge with a great view.

Unless you need higher speeds, have to deal with bridges, or are too old to go up and down the stairs, go for the sedan or convertible, it will really change your boating experience if you spend a lot of time on the boat.

OR... if you want a compromise, look into the
"cross overs"... lobster boat inspired design with a one level cockpit/helm/saloon and just the stateroom down below. Not many choices and most are more $$$ but a great alternative to the sedan... you loose the flybridge and its view but you gain the view/light in the the saloon.
 
Yup, the crusier feels crampy and dark to me. I do like the single level floor plan a cruiser offers though.
 
I went through this decision process last year. Although the express keeps you closer to the action in the cockpit, a flybridge gives you better views and opens up a salon for you to escape to without getting the cave effect. I went for a convertible style, primarily because I wanted a fishing boat in addition to a boat that works for cruising with my wife and friends. I was concerned about being away from the action in the cockpit, but after one season I've decided that it's not an issue for me.
 
My wife and I went from a 25' SunRay express to a Mainship 40 Sedan Bridge. What a huge difference we will never go back. Since its just the 2 of us we have loads of room and all the comforts of home, Direct TV, internet we each have our own laptop, telephones, my wife loves listening to the CG calls on the VHF and learning the use of the radar in her spare time. I even have a small ham radio station to keep in touch with friends. In a true Sedan Bridge the salon has tons of room because the engines are back below the cockpit, it keeps the generator noise down as well. We are now in the process of adding an insulated hardtop and air conditioning to the flybridge to make more comfortable use of that space as well. We are also adding solar panels to the hardtop. The boat has a watermaker, MSD type 1 and will soon be able to recharge batteries if and when we stop playing with all the electronic toys on the boat with 2-200 watt solar panels.
Regards Bill & Jan
 
Could someone please explain the difference between a convertible and a sedan. Don't they both have a flybridge?

Thanks,
 
typically speaking, a sedan is used for just cruising and the flybridge usually covers all or most of the cockpit area below. A convertable has a smaller flybridge that typically won't extend over the cockpit below- leaving it fully open for fishing, etc. but at the same time leaving you open to the sun, rain, etc.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

My wife and I went from a 25' SunRay express to a Mainship 40 Sedan Bridge. What a huge difference we will never go back. Since its just the 2 of us we have loads of room and all the comforts of home, Direct TV, internet we each have our own laptop, telephones, my wife loves listening to the CG calls on the VHF and learning the use of the radar in her spare time. I even have a small ham radio station to keep in touch with friends. In a true Sedan Bridge the salon has tons of room because the engines are back below the cockpit, it keeps the generator noise down as well. We are now in the process of adding an insulated hardtop and air conditioning to the flybridge to make more comfortable use of that space as well. We are also adding solar panels to the hardtop. The boat has a watermaker, MSD type 1 and will soon be able to recharge batteries if and when we stop playing with all the electronic toys on the boat with 2-200 watt solar panels.
Regards Bill & Jan

Click to expand...


Wow, Bill. I really like the Mainship 40 Sedan but I gotta think going from 25ft to 40ft anything is going to be a huge improvement.

That being said, my wife and I are contemplating the same question as the poster. We have an express and would like to move way up in size, perhaps 35-40ft. The Sedan-Convertible layout is very attractive for the lack of "cave" which has been mentioned earlier. Lots of light and windows in the Saloon make that favorable to an express. It also seems to lend it's self to people being in the cabin while underway. Something my family would never do in our current boat.

We are hitting the Newport Boat Show tomorrow. My wife and I are hoping to get a good feel for the differnent layout then since we have not really spent much time on either.

One thing I am curious about is ride feel. Sedan-Cruisers have a much higher center of gravity and you ride much higher off the water. I wonder how much "getting use to" this will require coming from an express.
 
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Forgive me Greg if I am about to sin.

I know Greg and Amy and without his permission, I shall elaborate a bit. They are river boaters as am I and right now, the express is great as max time out is a 4 day weekend with friends or with the club. Mostly day trips to a local cove not more than an hour away. Their long term goal is to move from the from the river location (~20 miles south of Richmond, VA) closer to the bay/ocean (Hampton Roads, VA, ~80 miles from Richmond, VA) and use the boat as a weekend retreat and vacation getaway.

Avid tennis players and all around great people to go boating with. If you know of a place in the HR area that would have the amemities they desire, I'm sure they would like to know that as well. Personally, I'm not a tennis player. So while you are looking, consider that at this particular marina I want a swimming pool with a bar near or in it, a private cabana, as well as a gym with a sauna and jacuzzi. Oh, Greg....did I tell you your American Express Card fell out of your shirt pocket on to the dock last week.
 
Personally, I love being up high above the water. In my express the engines were right behind you and despite being in the bilge, they were loud when going on plane. On our silverton, I can cruise slowly and don't even really hear the engines (underwater exhaust). What you DO get is an awesome view, great visibility, and the sound of water. Kind of like on a ship...you don't hear the motors much...just hear the sound of the boat going through the waves and the sound of the waves behind you. We don't own a ship but that's the best analogy I can think of. It's great. Kicking back at 7-8 knots with my feet propped up, cold beverage in hand, and heading into the sunset...well...doesn't get much better than that!

As others mentioned, I think a lot of it depends on the type of boating you do, where you boat, how you want to boat, etc. If the primary issue is livability, an express simply is going to stand up to a sedan, convertable, aft cabin, etc.
 
KiDa, good thing I do not have an American Express card!

Woodsong, keep talking, I plan to show the Mrs this thread later today or tomorrow.
 
Cave dweller here.

We like the express style as we're always all together in the cockpit, outside enjoying the experience, rather than the helm being disconnect from where all the action is.

It makes for easier docking/tying up.

One thing especially that concerned us was the increased windage with a sedan or convertible creating significant rolling effect when at rest.

With a 13' beam our cave is not an unreasonable size, however it's all we know.

We'd like to hear more from others.

RWS
 
I guess a lot of it has to do with what do you want to do when you get there. Your current situation warrents the current boat. I for one like the idea of being high up and "Overboard" or "Morning Glory" are nice to me. I don't know if you have ever been on "Miss Morgan". That thing is HUGE inside with about 7 feet of headroom.

This one is kind of nice.

http://tinyurl.com/2ben57
 
Miss Morgain is a Mainship if I recall and she is huge and beautiful inside but she rolls like a sailboat even on the calmest days.
 
A true Sedan Bridge has V drives, at least that is what I have been told. It obviously has a bridge to drive the boat from and the views are fantastic and it makes handling the boat easier than an express because your field of view better. As far as cross wind handling I haven't had any problems making the transition from the single screw 25 Express to the 40 twin screws Sedan Bridge. In fact because I now have twin screws as well as electronic shifts/throttles docking is way easier. I don't even have a bow thruster and I am not planning on adding one either, and I like gadgets! One negative is you do have to wait for small bridges to open, but I'm generally not in a hurry when I pilot the boat. My boat is very stable and doesn't rock or roll as I have been told boats with bridge's do, perhaps it's all the fuel, water and my large house battery bank that adds ballast so the boat is stable? As far as docking I can single hand the boat if I have to but it is easy with my wife's help my boat has steps not a ladder another feature we like. Like Woodsong my motors are very quiet and when on the bridge it's hard to tell that they are even running. Good luck with your search and if you wanted to see my boat and were in the area you are welcome anytime. Take care. Bill & Jan
 
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