JoLin
Vice Admiral
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2007
- Messages
- 5,146
I was working when I bought the Four Winns 4 years ago and comfortable having marinas take care of everything. I had the income to support it. So much for my 'plan.' Within a year and a half I'd gotten very sick, had to stop working (4 years earlier than planned) and was suddenly living off my retirement IRA and Disability. Ouch.
The other day I had to tell Linda that Escapade is living on borrowed time and we have to start window shopping for a replacement. I can afford one more season before we settle on a boat that I can store at home during the off season, and (mostly) work on myself. That means either an outboard; or a single engine inboard or I/O with GREAT engine access.
The replacement boat will be 10-15 years old and I'm struggling with the need for mechanical access/simplicity vs the amenities we like (and we actually use) on Escapade. Flush head with holding tank, 2 separate sleeping areas and a dinette that we DON'T need to break down for sleeping. Much as I'd love to buy an outboard powered walk-around cuddy (my first boat was a 21' ProLine) I won't find anything like that in less than about 26 feet. Those boats are expensive and almost always have twin engines.
It's likely that I'll wind up with another express cruiser. There are things about them I don't like, but for the type of boating we do they're a reasonably good fit. They're very popular around here and there's no shortage in the used market. A 26 ft Bayliner Ciera from the early 2000's has a wide beam, lots of cabin room, a single engine and great access to it. I'm using that as my basis for comparison going forward. I don't have an issue with Bayliners. I've had occasion to get up close and personal with several over the last few years, and the newer ones aren't bad by a long shot. Bayliner is very creative in the way they use available space.
Short of starting a Bayliner debate (let's avoid that, okay?), whadda you guys think? Any examples of other brands/types that haven't occurred to me?
The other day I had to tell Linda that Escapade is living on borrowed time and we have to start window shopping for a replacement. I can afford one more season before we settle on a boat that I can store at home during the off season, and (mostly) work on myself. That means either an outboard; or a single engine inboard or I/O with GREAT engine access.
The replacement boat will be 10-15 years old and I'm struggling with the need for mechanical access/simplicity vs the amenities we like (and we actually use) on Escapade. Flush head with holding tank, 2 separate sleeping areas and a dinette that we DON'T need to break down for sleeping. Much as I'd love to buy an outboard powered walk-around cuddy (my first boat was a 21' ProLine) I won't find anything like that in less than about 26 feet. Those boats are expensive and almost always have twin engines.
It's likely that I'll wind up with another express cruiser. There are things about them I don't like, but for the type of boating we do they're a reasonably good fit. They're very popular around here and there's no shortage in the used market. A 26 ft Bayliner Ciera from the early 2000's has a wide beam, lots of cabin room, a single engine and great access to it. I'm using that as my basis for comparison going forward. I don't have an issue with Bayliners. I've had occasion to get up close and personal with several over the last few years, and the newer ones aren't bad by a long shot. Bayliner is very creative in the way they use available space.
Short of starting a Bayliner debate (let's avoid that, okay?), whadda you guys think? Any examples of other brands/types that haven't occurred to me?
