Enjoy all the conveniences of home and all the freedom of the open seas with a water cruiser. Whether you're planning short day trips, or long boating outings, take advantage of the luxury and comfort only a cruiser can offer.
Boaters who prefer day trips or entertaining large groups may prefer express cruisers. These are typically built with large above-deck salons for gatherings. Some also offer plenty of comfortable top deck seating as well for fair weather outings. Most express cruisers offer seating designs that encourage conversation as well as plenty of open-air seating for passengers to enjoy a sunny day.
In contrast, extended-stay cruisers are usually designed for longer outings. These feature larger cabin areas and better-equipped galleys. Most include one or two smaller gathering areas for passengers, and limited open-air seating. Usually extended-stay cruisers also feature complete head compartments (known to landlubbers as bathrooms).
Like fishing charter boats, cruisers that concentrate on fishing amenities usually feature an open cockpit design as well as live wells, rod holders, and fish boxes. Most other cruisers offer very limited fishing areas to anglers; cruisers that are designed for fishers focus on providing plenty of room for casting a line.
After deciding on a style and deck plan, concentrate on choosing the right engine. Engine selection will determine maintenance demands, repair frequency, fuel choice, power, and even resale value. Usually, boats with more powerful engines have a higher resale value than boats with underpowered engines. This is caused by a variety of factors.
First, powerful engines are expensive; so many people believe they are saving money by buying a lower-powered engine. Unfortunately, however, underpowered cruisers typically use much more fuel than larger engines. The additional strain placed on an engine trying to get the boat on plane causes much more wear and tear on the engine as well.
Additionally, this lack of power causes decreased forward visibility until the ship gets on plane. This can be dangerous, particularly when heading out of the harbor, especially if numerous small watercrafts are also out sailing.
Usually, gas engines are less expensive than diesel engines, and are better suited to being used infrequently than diesel engines. Although diesel boats do offer more optimal fuel economy, diesel fuel can also be more expensive.
Gas engines usually require a maintenance schedule based on hours of use, while diesel engines require very regular maintenance schedules. Furthermore, diesel engines often develop problems when they are not being used regularly, so casual boaters will probably benefit more from cruisers with a gas engine instead.
Casual boaters often choose smaller cruisers with gas engines, while regular boaters planning to spend much of their time on the water usually prefer extended-stay cruisers with diesel engines. Storage can be a factor as well. Check with the local marina to determine the cost of storing express or extended-stay cruisers in dry-dock during the winter season, as well as mooring during boating season. Plan for these costs as well when deciding on a purchase.
Choose the style of boat that works best for your needs, and accommodates the numbers of passengers you are planning to regularly entertain. Shop around and test drive different styles with different engines before buying. Decide which cruiser is right for you; hopefully you'll be enjoying it for many years to come!