Cruiser recommendations??

[pwilletts]

Just selling my sailboat and thinking about a cruiser....need some suggestions
38-45'
good resale is important
to use in the Chesapeake and along the east coast
room to sleep 4 and some cooking facilities
speed not really important
nice design is nice
190-240K...or less
less than 12 yrs old

whats out there??

[Captain Mark]

If I was looking for a good "stink pot" I would definitely consider a Hatteras, however, the newer ones don't have that "classic old salt" look like the older ones. Here is one of many for sale up near the Chesapeake Bay. My buddy has one very similar to this one and we have spent more than a few days and nights having a great time on it! Good luck with your purchase! Sorry I couldn't be more of a help, I like the classic trawler look and feel.

[Sailmonkey]

I really like these, and their lookalikes

http://www.hinckleyyachts.com/models...icnic-boat-37/

[pwilletts]

Kind of pricey what are the clones?

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by pwilletts

Just selling my sailboat and thinking about a cruiser....need some suggestions
38-45'
good resale is important
to use in the Chesapeake and along the east coast
room to sleep 4 and some cooking facilities
speed not really important
nice design is nice
190-240K...or less
less than 12 yrs old

whats out there??

When you say "cruiser" do you mean a powerboat to cruise in, or a specific type of powerboat (e.g., express cruiser, etc.)?

IOW, do want a flying bridge or not, "trawler" or not, etc. And/or maybe name a boat that embodies what you're thinking about, and that'd make it easier to expand the list for you.

-Chris

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by pwilletts

Kind of pricey what are the clones?

Downeast style, True North and great Harbour also make some

[pwilletts]

After looking at what Cruiser means..seems I want more of a Trawler style boat....something with accommodations for 4 and able to perhaps do the Loop,,,,not in love with Hattaras...Hinkley too open....perhaps a IP motor sailor or PV......although it seems confined.....

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by pwilletts

After looking at what Cruiser means..seems I want more of a Trawler style boat....something with accommodations for 4 and able to perhaps do the Loop,,,,not in love with Hattaras...Hinkley too open....perhaps a IP motor sailor or PV......although it seems confined.....

Also see this site for good advice about boats for the Loop.

Excerpt:
"
1.) Your Great Loop boat "must" be able to clear a 19' 1" fixed bridge. This means, after taking off or taking down, any removable objects on your boat such as; Bimini, Masts, Antennas, Radar Arch, etc.

Your boat's super structure must be able to pass under a 19' 1" fixed bridge just south of Chicago on the Illinois River.

NOTE: There is no alternative waterway route around this bridge.

If your vessel won't make it under this bridge, your Great Loop becomes a Great U-Turn!

2.) Your boat "should" have a draft of 5 feet or less. In other words, all that part of your boat that extends below the water, should not be deeper than 5 feet. I can not stress enough, the shallower your draft the better! If your plans include cruising the (optional) Canadian Heritage Canals, your fully loaded draft must be 5 feet or less.

NOTE: There have been vessels in the past that have made this voyage with 6 feet drafts by passing the Canadian Canals. You can do it - it will however limit your route options.

3.) Beam - For pleasure boats in the USA, beam or width is never a problem. You must have a beam of 23 feet or less however, to
enjoy cruising the Trent-Severn & Canadian Heritage Canals.

4.) Fuel - your boat must have a minimum fuel range of 250 miles. This is the farthest distance between fuel stops if you take the Tennessee-Tombigbee route. So, unless you plan on carrying additional fuel in jerry cans, your boat's fuel tank(s) capacity must allow you a cruising range of at least 250 statute miles.

If you plan to cruise the full length of the Lower Mississippi River (optional route):

Your "diesel powered" boat must have a cruising range of 376 miles.

Your "gasoline powered" vessel must have a cruising range of 450 miles.

SOURCE: Your Great Loop boat requirements and restrictions

--------------

There are many "Trawler style" boats that will fit your budget and could do the Loop.

[sailnautilus]

For the OP:
We purchased a Packetcraft Express cruiser over a year ago and love it. We sail a 52' Kanter, but that is in Curacao, so wanted a power boat for the house in Florida.
The Packetcraft were made by Island Packet, Bob Johnson, and have an unbelievable quality of build.....very nice design. Has twin diesels and can cruise at 22 knots or loaf along at 7 knots. Every fitting on the boat is top notch quality and well designed. Private master stateroom and the saloon converts to queen berth, huge head and shower. Rides great and exceptionally seaworthy...even for a power boat. Smallish galley, but very functional for a 36' boat. Regular shaft drives, NOT jet drives like the Hinckleys.
Not common on the market but we paid 160k for ours in beautiful condition, loaded with electronics and low engine hours.
Only negative is that the gel coat on the top sides is that that yellowish island packet crappy color, but doesn't look too bad against dark blue hull.....look for one of these!!!

[flyingfin]

Buy a sportfish, Post, Hatteras, Viking or Bertram Solid boats, structurally sound and well-designed and they maintain great re-sale values

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by pwilletts

After looking at what Cruiser means..seems I want more of a Trawler style boat....something with accommodations for 4 and able to perhaps do the Loop,,,,not in love with Hattaras...Hinkley too open....perhaps a IP motor sailor or PV......although it seems confined.....

Might want to have a look at trawlerforum.com (sister site) to ask about many of the brands/styles available...

-Chris