Express Cruisers
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Sportfishing Yachts (35ft+)
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Dick Simon, Owner & Broker
Dianne Simon, Partner
Marty Slater, Sales
Kathy Wheelock Office Manager
Felicia Martinez, Charter Manager
James Jewell, Sales
Tim Horgan, Broker
Colton Minor, Sales
Jeff West, Sales
Pete Coyle, SalesBoat Reviews/Brochures
Here's a small collection of third-party boat reviews to enhance your boating knowledge before you purchase, or as you shop!
A tug with a little panache... Whatever big waters boaters have faced, Nordic Tug has been providing sturdy and reliable vessels to take on the challenge for more than 25 years. The Nordic Tug 37 is no exception. This tug can eat up anything Canada’s coastlines or Great Lakes want to dish out. Just like its siblings, the 37 offers both practicality and style, while utilizing all the power and brawn of a traditional tug boat. On the smaller side of Nordic Tugs models, which range in size from 32 to 52 feet, the 37 boasts all the qualities upon which the company has built its reputation: performance, safety and reliability.
Tired of walkarounds with limited accommodations? On most fishboats less than 26' with walkarounds, the cabins seem like an afterthought. But that's not the case with Century's new 2400 Walkaround. Its upscale decor should make your family feel more at home.
Civility meets ability... Crash pumps, straight-shaft diesel inboards, and surge tubes on the exhausts are just some of the features that make the Silverton 45C at home a hundred miles from shore- just like any good convertible fishboat. Yet its large swim platform, relatively low horsepower engines, and opulent three-stateroom, two-bead accommodations make its cruising mission as large and clear as its expansive cabin windshield. Oh, this boat will hunt, but it's also happy romping around a field.
When you have bigger fish to fry. Going to the bow on many convertibles means stubbing your toe on rail stanchions, tripping over cleats, and worst of all, clinging to the side of the cabin while hoping you don't end up in the drink. No such worries with the new Jannace 430C Sportfish. When I went up the side decks, I discovered well-placed grabrails, a 2’-wide walkway, and a 3" toe kick that kept my tootsies inboard. Plus, elevated cleats and stanchions are where they can do no damage - every sportfish should have sidedecks like these.
The first boat in the U.S. specifically designed for IPS... Tiara took a revolutionary step by equipping the 4300 Sovran with Volvo Penta's Inboard Performance System. This model was the first American boat to be designed from the keel up specifically for IPS drives. IPS is the innovative drive system that puts the horse before the cart, so to speak, by placing the propellers in front of the drive housing. The idea is to put the props in clean water, unaffected by turbulence from anything hanging off the bottom of the hull.
Fishing off America's southernmost tip in a family's brand-new CAVILEER 44 "THE FlSHlNG'S BEEN AWESOME," ANNOUNCES Jack Thomas as he greets me from the cockpit of his new Caviler 44 at Conch Harbor Marina in Key West. “Tyson got 1,000 pounds of kingfish yesterday.”
Boston Whaler’s new 235 Conquest rides as rock-solid and true as any other boat in the builder’s unsinkable fleet... It only took a few stacked rollers to judge the mettle of this walkaround fishboat. As Dean Kuti, Boston Whaler’s own fish guru, manned the wheel, I kept my eyes peeled for cobia cruising off Cape Canaveral beach. Inclement weather the day before had churned the ocean into a washboard of waves, yet the company’s latest cabin boat rode as rock-solid and true as any other Whaler I’ve been on. Some things never change.
For many sailors, the Island Packet 440 will fill the bill as a rugged, long-legged passagemaker Brand loyalty, an accountant will tell you, is an intangible asset, but around an Island Packet display at a boat show, it's palpable: a living, breathing demonstration of how it can boost a company's balance sheet by contributing to the value of "goodwill." Among owners of Island Packets, brand loyalty verges on the cultish. Island Packet Owners identify with the company and each other, most visibly at the well-attended regional rendezvous, notorious for their extravagant raft-ups.
Silverton's 45 Convertible can troll for bluefish or blue marlin, but it also draws heavily on the builder's motoryacht expertise. You've heard of the gentleman's runabout - a boat with some speed, but whose emphasis is on soft leather and hard wood. Well, Silverton has produced a family "fishboat" - a boat with some fishability, but one that draws heavily on the firm's cruiser and motoryacht expertise.
Rinker raises the bar for accommodations in a sterndrive cruiser on its new 390. When you descend the five steps from the helm deck into the main cabin of the new Rinker 390 Express Cruiser, you may forget that you're in a boat. The squared-off corners, the generous headroom, high counters and the tall door to the forward master stateroom all contribute to a sense of spaciousness. The cherry cabinetry and the teak-and-holly sole are nautical chic. This squared-off salon is just one of the ways Rinker has achieved a decidedly big-boat feel in a sterndrive express boat model.
Regal packs a surprising amount of living space into a trailerable cruiser, the 2565 Window Express. I remember my first circus, especially one act that left me dumbfounded: A dozen tall clowns emerged from a tiny car that looked as if it could scarcely hold two of them. Regal could replicate this confounding feat by having two dozen people ascend the cabin steps and debark from the company's new 2565 Window Express, which replaces the 2465. Never has a 25-footer provided such comfortable accommodations for so many as does this breakthrough pocket cruiser. What's visible from the outside - even though there are windows - belies what's available inside.
Tiara Yachts returns to the convertible market with its tough 3900. The 3900 is an excellent handling, well-built boat, that performs. She will be equally at home cruising the Great Lakes or running to the Bahamas. Her fishability and cruising amenities, serve a dual role and defines a true convertible.
The Four Winns 318 Vista proves that a serious cruising boat begins somewhere near 30 feet. How big must a boat be before you can call it a true cruiser? Ask someone who's squeezing his family into an express boat with one overworked sterndrive and a legally trailerable beam and he'll probably say real cruising begins at 30 feet, for two good reasons: twin engines and accommodations for four. There's a variety of boats in this category, a number of which are well-built, good-looking and offer excellent value. The new Four Winns 318 Vista is among them.
When the wild gets wooly. The 33 Express has an excellent fishing platform. The tower supports half a dozen rocket launchers plus four on the sides, and there are four gunwale-mounted rodholders. The integrated fishbox in the deck is big enough for a 150-pound tuna, and it's a lift-out version with a macerator.
All dressed up and every place to go. When it comes to express cruisers, there's no better known or more popular boat than Sea Ray's Sundancer. So when a new Sundancer hits the water, you can bet it gets our fullest attention and scrutiny here at BOATING. After finishing the test of the new 38 Sundancer, I removed the test gear, closed my notebook, and stood back on the dock to take one good long look. This much was clear: Here is one beautiful cruiser - dressed to the nines. No, make that tens.
Membership has its privileges. Quickly transitioning from idle to plane marks the 3900 Convertible. Throttle up. This boat surges - with twin 575-bhp Volvo Penta D9 diesels, it tops out at 39.2 mph. At 30 pmh, the D9s burned only 34 gph. Economy? Just under 1 mpg. Range? Nearly 400 miles.
Meridian 341: A roomy and maneuverable sedan bridge that the whole crew will love... *TWIN 320-HP GASOLINE MERCRUISER HORIZON MX 6.2L MPI INBOARDS FOR TEST. TO VIEW SEA TRIAL FOR TWIN 240HP CUMMINS 4B-250 DIESEL INBOARDS , CLICK HERE* It's the smallest model in the builder's line of nine boats, but like its larger siblings, the all-new Meridian 341 was designed for this mission: To make cruising more enjoyable with areas that are more livable. Functional spaces. More comfort. These are the qualities you'll find on the latest sedan bridge from this popular American boat builder.
Newest in the Mainship trawler line is its midsized 34, a boat I predict is going to be as popular as the 900 34-foot cruisers Mainship built between 1978 and 1988. For many couples, the earlier Mainship 34 (a version of which was called the Nantucket) was the epitome of a no-frills cruising classic, capable of doing just about any adventure most owners might undertake, economically and safely. The new Mainship 34 is a hugely updated version of that classic. Let’s face it, most couples can do more with less, and in the case of the new Mainship, that means an easy-to-handle boat that offers not a floating hotel, but a terrific value in a trawler designed for a couple. Available with various engine packages to satisfy a range of performance desires, the Mainship 34 is about ideal for that low-maintenance summer home. The basic boat has lots of neat features, and it is refreshing to talk about a boat that puts simplicity ahead of other elements. Let’s go aboard…
The Island Packet 445 delivers the solid comfort and ease of use that have become the hallmark of designs by Bob Johnson DISCUSSING THE ISLAND PACKET 445 during the 2005 Boat of the Year contest, judge Alvah Simon noted that designer Bob Joh nson has created an "almost cult like following" among buyers of his boats, who love his approach to creating solid, well-equipped cruising craft. No small reason for the company's success is Island Packet's exclusive stem-to-stern three-year limited warranty. Also, new boats are covered by 10-year limited warranties on the hand-laminated solid-fiberglass hull and the PolyCored deck.
We sea-trial the new Cruisers 385 Motor Yacht on a run up the coast from Ft. Lauderdale to Wilmington, N.C. Somewhere north of Daytona Beach, mangrove gave way to mallow along the banks of the ICW and we saw the beginnings of the great spartina marshes that stretch northward into Georgia and the Carolinas. It was the second day of our journey from Ft.Lauderdale to Wilmington, N.C., to deliver the new Cruisers 385 Motor Yacht to the facility where it will be made.
The West Bay 50/54 blends the builder's custom yacht expertise in a midsize raised pilothouse that's just right for a couple... West Bay Sonship Yachts is a family business. Ben Vermeulen founded the company in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1967 and ran it for many years with the help of his wife, Leidy. Today, their children-sons Wes and Bas, daughter Rochelle and their respective families- manage the operation. At West Bay, family comes first, and that philosophy extends to the way this company builds its boats, including its newest model, the 50/54 Raised Pilothouse.
Fishability meets civility... Contender boats are noted for showing up high in the standings in the big-money kingfish tournaments- and for good reason. They're light, fast, and tough. What they're not known for, however, is being family friendly. With the new 36 Fish Around, that could be changing. The interior of the boat looks a bit like a cross between a walkaround and a center console, but the sidedecks and foredecks are much deeper and broader than the norm. And unlike most walkarounds, this boat is eye candy, with sleek fairing on the cabin and console and a low-slung smoked Plexiglas windscreen. The design is functional, too. By bringing the sides of the console area well aft, a spray-proof mini-enclosure is created. There's still plenty of air circulating, but you're not going to get wet.
The shape of things to come? I tested Tiara's Sovran 4300 powered by Volvo Penta's new Inboard Propulsion System (IPS). I've read in other magazines that IPS is "revolutionary;' "innovative;' and in the ad-kissing pronouncement I like best, "will stand the inboard boat industry on its ear." Get a grip. IPS is remarkable. IPS is noteworthy. IPS has advantages. But in concept, it isn't even new. BOATING reviewed a progenitor, the Yachting Level Drive, in our August 1963 issue, and ships have used Z-drives with the props mounted forward for years. So let's get down to what IPS is-and isn't-and give the Sovran 4300 a thorough review at the same time.
I could produce over a hundred reviews of Chuck Paine designs. A 40-footer that's being finished up for the Cabo Rico company is design number 112! Among all those rolls of blueprints, virtually every one is intriguing enough to warrant publication.
Ocean Yachts launches a new and improved 46 Super Sport for anglers and cruisers alike. It looks as if Ocean has another winning 46 in its lineup, only this second-generation Super Sport is sleeker and more seaworthy than ever.
From Down Under, a turnkey convertible that rides as dry as the outback. Although Florida's Boga Ciega Bay was calm during the sea trial, we jumped through confused boat wakes like a free-range kangaroo. We also stayed as dry as the outback at the flybridge helm. The Volvo electronic controls and hydraulic steering made maneuvering a snap and allowed me to spin the boat quickly and easily. Because of its rugged construction and design, the 33 is extremely quiet and leaves a beautiful wake for trolling.
This distinctive Italian design is a standout among midsize cruising yachts. The Apreamare is going to be a standout wherever it goes, both for its world-class quality and unique style, which is as distinctive in the Med as it is in New England.
The new Top Gun Unlimited is updated for faster speed and nimbler handling. So, exactly how fast is fast? With six passengers on board and a full load of fuel, the 39 ran an impressive 80 mph. Then, with just two passengers, it blistered Biscayne Bay near Miami at 86.9 mph. That's a couple mph faster than the 38.
What does sexy look like? The Pershing 62. This latest performance cruiser in the Pershing line is a family-friendly version, but that does not mean you have to give up on performance. The new 62 handles like a thoroughbred, and because it's built in one of the most modern boatyards in Europe using the latest construction techniques, it's a cutting-edge model, too.
Rinker's Fiesta Vee 360 maximizes every inch of space to offer all the cruising comforts. The 360 performed as crisp as any express cruiser powered by straight or V-shafted engines. The Rinker produced a healthy top-end speed of 47.4 mph during sea trials.
Sea Ray adds the latest trends in yacht design to its popular line of express cruisers and fashions a real stunner- the new 48 Sundancer. Most people I know wouldn't wait in line for an hour to take a short, out-and-back spin on a boat, particularly in 50-degree temperatures. Yet that's what dozens of guests did when Sea Ray opened up the new 48 Sundancer for test rides at its two-day, invitation-only Yacht Expo in November. Despite the fact that the line to board the 48 snaked around the docks at the builder's Merritt Island, Florida facility, the curious were determined to get a close look at this new luxury express yacht.
Always ready. Always steady. We were the only boat heading out of Port Everglades inlet-all the others were turning back. I didn't blame them. The horizon was lumpier than Kirstie Alley's midsection, which meant we were in for big waves. So much for my dream of a pleasant day of cruising. The only other vessel I saw in the Atlantic was a freighter, and it was bobbing. In 6-to-8-foot seas with 10-footers thrown in and 35-mph wind gusts, the Azimut 68S proved to be damned impressive. Even as we ran straight into the steep waves and spray covered the windshield, the boat never pitched much. It stayed amazingly well balanced. My inclinometer never measured more than 3 degrees.
Grady-White pulls out all the stops with its largest model yet, the Express 360. "At the risk of sounding immodest, I honestly believe the boat has the potential to set a whole new trend in our industry. Its performance in rough water, the amenities on board, the fishing capabilities, etc., historically have only been found in inboard boats costing many hundreds of thousands of dollars more. In my opinion, this boat will outperform them in every category and probably will lead the way [as four-stroke technology continues to improve annually] to many more boats being outboard-powered in the future..."
Built explicitly for Volvo Penta's revolutionary new IPS propulsion system, the Tiara Sovran 4300 is in a league of its own... I was psyched! I've probably tested a dozen new Tiara yachts over the years, but never with the degree of anticipation I felt as I arrived at Galati Yacht Sales in Destin, Florida, with Dave Walsh, Tiara's marketing director, to sea-trial the new Tiara Sovran 4300. My curiosity was intense because this boat had been built entirely around Volvo Penta's radically new Inboard Performance System (IPS)- a diesel propulsion package whose drives mount beneath the boat, rather than on its transom, and whose four Duoprop propellers face forward rather than aft (See Motorboating, January). The concept is revolutionary, I was about to witness the application.
BOAT TEST 2349: On the lighter side... Ever been belowdecks on a boat and felt as if you were entombed? So often, this area is dark and foreboding, which was one of the few complaints customers had with Sea Ray’s 460 Sundancer. An upgrade was in order, and when Sea Ray’s designers set out to make the 48 Sundancer, one of their priorities was to lighten up the cabin.
Fountain's 38 Sportfish Tournament Edition lets you pursue your quarry by day and return home in short order. As we headed out toward poen water on the Gulf of Mexico, lead test driver Bob Teague slalomed the Fountain 38 Sportfish center-console through a series of left and right turns. "Fountains always handle nicely," he said, almost under his breath. He was right. The 10-foot, 6-inch beam center-console transitioned from side to side just as it should, with no grabbiness on entry or bobbles on exit, all the while still 'on the bubble' and freed up from the water's surface. It felt just right, the way a boat should."
Two very different Azimut 116s prove this Italian yard’s ability to tailor a yacht to match nearly any customer’s tastes. The first Azimut 116 is actually two boats. There is the one that Azimut built and delivered to her young Mexican owners earlier this year. And there is the one that Azimut probably wished it had built but which existed only in its imagination. To present a true impression of Azimut’s vision for this sleek new flagship motoryacht, with her stylish yet traditional cherrywood interior designed by Carlo Galeazzi, the boatbuilder had to wait several months for boat number two to be completed. For the interior of the first 116 is so very different in feel, flavor, and finish from any of the original concept renderings, that the Azimut staff privately admit to thinking of her as a “preproduction” example—a custom, one-off yacht that could easily have emerged from Azimut’s sister company, the custom shipyard of Benetti, located next to where the 116 was built in Viareggio, Italy.
Show the marlin who's boss. Equal but different: Sticking your finger into an electrical outlet, and firewalling the throttles on a new Cabo 40 Flybridge Sportster. Both give you one hell of a charge, and both leave your hair standing on end. Test this boat, and you’ll walk away feeling as if you’ve been wired during an electrical storm.
Make yourself at home... Launching a kayak or wetting a line from the aft deck of many motoryachts—even those with a standard swim platform—can be clumsy. But a sedan, like Meridian’s 411, offers good interior accommodations plus the convenience of a cockpit. It’s a balanced design for boaters who spend lots of time aboard, cruise with a big crew, and want to get to the water with minimal hassle.
A true-born son of the sea. Step aboard McKinna’s 58 Pilothouse Motor Yacht and you feel as if you've entered something much bigger than its LOA would lead you to believe. Start in the engine compartment where the twin 800-bhp 3406s are lashed to the bearers with full-length steel channels that through-bolt to the boat’s structure. If you need to move hundreds of gallons of water out of the area quickly, there are crash pumps.