Re: Marinette purchase advice
Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:22 am
I've owned both an Express M and a Flybridge M. There are benefits to both configurations.
Express / sedan :
- gives you fast access to the aft deck and gunnels (In case the first mate needs some help docking)
- It's a little more social; everyone is on the same level.
- Seeing the aft corners while docking is a little harder.
- It is easily trailerable.
Flybridge:
- Great visibility all around.
- More room for passengers and stowing gear.
- The bridge itself weighs a few hundred pounds. I don't believe it makes the boat top heavy.
- It is trailerable within reason. A good example: I'm having ours hauled out next month for a bottom paint job. The hauler has a drop axle trailer that will allow him to take it right to the shop without removing the bridge. It's only a few miles and there are no overpasses. Any farther, I would likely take the bridge off but could get away without doing so.
As for 28' or 32':
I've owned both sizes. In hindsight, I would skip the 28' and buy a 32'. Those four feet in length and two feet in beam buy a whole lot of breathing space and a large amount of spousal happiness.
Regardless of the choice, as others suggested, find a very thorough surveyor. Even if you have decades of boating experience, a good surveyor will keep you out of trouble and help make your boat safer in the future. I am having a condition and value survey done this week and the results are brutal. There are no major deficiencies but a ton of detail issues that could be problems later. I asked him to be tough and he complied.
As for odor removal, Starbrite Perfomacide is the bomb. I've used it on boats, cars, dog beds ...... anything with an odor. It works.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1
Express / sedan :
- gives you fast access to the aft deck and gunnels (In case the first mate needs some help docking)
- It's a little more social; everyone is on the same level.
- Seeing the aft corners while docking is a little harder.
- It is easily trailerable.
Flybridge:
- Great visibility all around.
- More room for passengers and stowing gear.
- The bridge itself weighs a few hundred pounds. I don't believe it makes the boat top heavy.
- It is trailerable within reason. A good example: I'm having ours hauled out next month for a bottom paint job. The hauler has a drop axle trailer that will allow him to take it right to the shop without removing the bridge. It's only a few miles and there are no overpasses. Any farther, I would likely take the bridge off but could get away without doing so.
As for 28' or 32':
I've owned both sizes. In hindsight, I would skip the 28' and buy a 32'. Those four feet in length and two feet in beam buy a whole lot of breathing space and a large amount of spousal happiness.
Regardless of the choice, as others suggested, find a very thorough surveyor. Even if you have decades of boating experience, a good surveyor will keep you out of trouble and help make your boat safer in the future. I am having a condition and value survey done this week and the results are brutal. There are no major deficiencies but a ton of detail issues that could be problems later. I asked him to be tough and he complied.
As for odor removal, Starbrite Perfomacide is the bomb. I've used it on boats, cars, dog beds ...... anything with an odor. It works.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1