How Many Own Cruisers?

[BlackoutATX]

We are considering adding some kind of cruiser to our lake house this spring. I’ve looked at a lot of brands. But I keep coming back to Sea Ray. There is an 05 340 near us that really has my eye. I’ve never owned or had much time around this style of boat. How many of you guy own or have owned one? Pros? Cons? Things to stay away from?


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[freeheel4life]

So I have never owned one but we have sold a few that we took in on trade and we have a handful that regularly service with us.
They are basically a floating camper and from what I've seen they all get optioned a little differently, as far as generator type and size, engine configurations etc.
With all that comes lots of extra systems and hence some more maintenance. I'm assuming you are looking at twin inboards as stern drives so there's the obvious doubled maintenance in oil changes and impellers, not to mention stern drive services, and if you end up needing to change gimbal bearings or transom seals it can really start costing you (assuming you aren't doing it all at home).
Also depending on you winterizing needs you will have a hot water heater to winterize, x2 engines etc.
Also if you are planning on using the head, does the lake your house sits on have services at a marina to empty your black tanks??
Those are just a few that jump right out at me. Just curious, since you have the house on the lake are you planning to overnight in the boat?? Are you just looking for some AC during the heat of the day??

[BlackoutATX]

So I have never owned one but we have sold a few that we took in on trade and we have a handful that regularly service with us.
They are basically a floating camper and from what I've seen they all get optioned a little differently, as far as generator type and size, engine configurations etc.
With all that comes lots of extra systems and hence some more maintenance. I'm assuming you are looking at twin inboards as stern drives so there's the obvious doubled maintenance in oil changes and impellers, not to mention stern drive services, and if you end up needing to change gimbal bearings or transom seals it can really start costing you (assuming you aren't doing it all at home).
Also depending on you winterizing needs you will have a hot water heater to winterize, x2 engines etc.
Also if you are planning on using the head, does the lake your house sits on have services at a marina to empty your black tanks??
Those are just a few that jump right out at me. Just curious, since you have the house on the lake are you planning to overnight in the boat?? Are you just looking for some AC during the heat of the day??

Thanks for the reply. I know I'm in for more maintenance with the extra systems and twin inboards. Down here in Austin it rarely gets below freezing. I'm assuming with it sitting in the water I would not need to winterize. But I have not checked on this. I also would assume there is some way to empty the black tanks. We're on Lake Travis, which is a very large lake with a ton of cruisers. As far as overnighting, we will definitely be using it for overnights. But rarely away from the dock, which has power.

Some things I'm wrestling with...
-Should I go for something smaller but newer?
-It is worth looking into a trailer for it? Our property has its own ramp. At this point I don't think we would trailer it to other lakes. But who knows. I'm more thinking about having the ability to pull it out of the water for storage or maintenance.

[bsreid]

Formula and regal seem to be the popular brands on lake okanagen, and sea ray and bayliner for the lakes. For the trailer aspect, do you have a marina/dealer that can take it out of the water and service it? That would be the only way I’d consider it.

This would be my dream
https://www.secamarine.com/default.a...=xNewInventory

This being a little more realistic
http://www.malibumarine.com/for-sale/view/410

[Germaine Marine]

Sea ray makes a fantastic boat.

[freeheel4life]

Awesome, our service manager came from Sail and Ski down there, so Ive only heard about Travis. Obviously going smaller would probably get your cost down as you can find 28' that aren't twins. Plus you will find more without onboard generator which it doesn't sound like you will be needing for what you are using it for. Take the $ you save on both and you could probably buy something newer or even something with a nicer trim package. The Regal 2800 Express sure looks like a nice boat. Only sold the 2800 in bowrider package at our dealership but was super impressed with it. Smashing 50 thru surf rollers and barely even noticing is sure an incredible feeling. \
Cant speak to your trailer needs. Whats a few more payments right

[Bakes5]

I think a cruiser style wake boat would be sweet. Something in the 28-30 foot range with great sleep aboard options. Slap a Cummins diesel with 800 foot pounds torque in that thing and give it a wake hull.

[chpthril]

I think a cruiser style wake boat would be sweet. Something in the 28-30 foot range with great sleep aboard options. Slap a Cummins diesel with 800 foot pounds torque in that thing and give it a wake hull.

So did mastercraft, but I guess not enough buyers did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oTnBoD2uf0

[freeheel4life]

This is more my style Saw a pontoon with an Airstream mounted on it that would be sweet, but too rich for my blood lol.

[bsreid]

The more red neck the better Notice the choice of engine
514EAF1A-40EA-46D6-99A3-BEE0D55BB921.jpg

[freeheel4life]

Hard to tell but by the black case Id guess Merc

[bsreid]

Hard to tell but by the black case Id guess Merc

Mainly just meaning a little 5hourse

[freeheel4life]

Heck ya. Whats the hurry with a "boat" like that. Is that your's or someone else on the islands??

[bsreid]

Heck ya. Whats the hurry with a "boat" like that. Is that your's or someone else on the islands??

it's the owners of where we keep our boat and rv. You can literally swim faster.

[jslayde1]

...You can literally swim faster.

That's funny...