Choosing Between a Sport Cruiser or Sport Bridge

“Do I need a Sport Cruiser or a Sport Bridge?”

Over the past 30 years in boat sales, I been asked this question many times, and the answer is definitely different for everyone.  The best boat for you really depends on several determining factors.  So, to start, you’ll need to answer a few questions for yourself:

1. How do I plan to use the boat: day cruising and an occasional evening, or extended cruising in my “floating condo”?
2. What is more important: comfort or speed?
3. How much do I want to invest in a new or used boat?

How do I plan to use the boat?  In many cases, how far you live from your boat will make a difference in which style you choose.

Living close to your marina may mean a spur-of-the-moment boat ride downriver in the evening, or a longer boat trip to a nearby river town to spend a night.  In this case, a sport cruiser may be your best option since you will not be sleeping on the boat as much.

But, the opposite would hold true also – if you live a few hours away from your marina, you’ll probably spend a couple of nights in the marina and take boat rides during the day.   Or, regardless of how near or far you live from your boat, you may want to head out for a week-long trip to explore waterfront locations.  A sport bridge boat will give you more comfortable living space.

Which is more important, comfort or speed?  For day cruising, speed is typically the more crucial factor, and as a result, most people lean towards a sport cruiser.  Sport cruisers perform better, and will get you from point A to point B in a shorter amount of time, leaving more time to enjoy the sun and the water.

However, what a sport cruiser gains in speed, normally they will lack in comfort.  They will have a smaller cabin, smaller beds and sometimes fewer creature comforts such as air conditioning and heat.  While sport bridge boats take a little longer to get where you are going, I think this is where the phrase “Getting there is half the fun” came from.  Sport bridge boats will feature a larger cabin space and bed, along with the comforts of home.

How much do I want to invest in a new boat?  I often get asked, “How much do I have to invest in a new boat?”  My answer is always that it’s better to get what you want even if you have to spend a little more now, rather than sticking to a set amount and getting a boat that isn’t quite what you wanted.

What I mean is, if you invest in a boat and it doesn’t go fast enough, isn’t big enough, isn’t reliable, or just plain not what you wanted, it is going to cost you more to trade it in and get what you want than it would have cost you to get the boat you wanted to begin with.   You want your time on the water to be relaxing, and not a constant source of frustration.

Boat financing is a lot more flexible than other types of financing, and financing a boat is NOT a problem.  For most of the boats we finance, the banks are flexible and not asking an exorbitant down payment, but that’s a different post altogether.

When purchasing a new boat, the dealer you choose can make a lot of difference in how much you enjoy the boat you choose.  If you find a boat dealer you are comfortable with, that has a good reputation and has been in the marine business for many years, you’ll most likely find sales people who are interested in building a relationship with you.  As a result, they will work with you to find your perfect boat, instead of just selling you a boat.

Think spring, and we’ll see you on the water!

Choosing a Pontoon

So, you’ve decided you want to purchase a pontoon. Great!

Ok…now what?

One of your neighbors has a Brand X pontoon.  Someone at church has Brand Y.  Someone at the office has Brand Z. They all want to give you advice.
Get this!
Don’t get that.
Stay away from this!  Etc…
Some of this information will almost assuredly be contradictory. Who do you listen to? Where do you look for pontoons? 2-toon? Tri-toon? Big motor? Small motor? Fishing configuration? Cruising configuration? Questions, questions and more questions!!!

Let’s slow down and start over.  So, you’ve decided to purchase a pontoon. Great!

Ok… now what?

There are a few basic questions that will help you and your salesperson narrow down the style, and size of pontoon that will fit your needs and budget.  Try to be prepared with answers to these 5 questions.

1.)    At a MAXIMUM, how many people do you want to have on the boat? The more people, the bigger the pontoon needs to be. (length and diameter of each pontoon) At it’s most basic, a standard 18′-20′ pontoon will hold 8-10 people.  You can typically gauge from there approximately how many people a given pontoon boat will hold. 

2.)    Do you plan on using the boat primarily for Fishing?  for Cruising?  Or pretty evenly split between the 2?  There are different layouts and configurations available, depending upon your use.  Smaller pontoons may work better for fishing to get into back areas, while a larger pontoon may be better to fit all of your friends and family for cruising.  Make sure you discuss this with your salesperson and they may be able to help point you in the right direction.

3.)    Do you plan on using the pontoon for any water sports?  This is a very important question to ask, so you can get an idea of the size engine and how many pontoons, or” logs” you need.  No need to put a 200HP engine and a 3^rd log on the pontoon if you are generally using the boat for bird watching and fishing in the backwaters.  Maybe you’re enjoying your favorite glass of wine and some cheese while taking a relaxing sunset cruise to unwind.  A lower HP engine would probably work just fine for you.  Or, maybe you are planning on taking your pontoon out for an action-packed day of tubing and other water sports? If so, you don’t want to be disappointed with the performance of your 50-60HP engine.

4.)    Do you need a trailer? If you are planning on taking your boat to different bodies of water and have the appropriate vehicle for towing, you probably want a trailer. If you have one body of water that you use and you don’t feel like waiting at a busy landing on a summer Saturday, maybe you should use a FULL SERVICE marina or find a slip. No trailer needed!

5.)    BUDGET! Try and come up with a budget. This will determine how many of your “wants” that you can have on your new boat, and in some cases may even adjust a few of your “needs”.  If you can’t make the numbers match up for a new boat, a used boat may be the answer.  If you take a smaller engine size now, you can upgrade later. Or, your dealership can typically offer extremely competitive financing.

Most importantly, find a dealership that is capable of taking the time and treating you with the respect and quality of service you deserve.  The dealership should be able to provide you with FULL service. It should have a knowledgeable sales staff, a service department with certified technicians, a parts department and ship’s store.  If you’re lucky enough, the dealership may have an accommodating marina with gas dock and a variety of summer and winter storage options.

Ask for a tour. Is the sales staff professionally dressed? Or, are they wearing jeans and t-shirts? Does the service department look clean and neat? Or, does it look like the junkyard from Sanford & Sons?

Your salesperson can be your best friend and ally in your search for your new pontoon. Do your homework; go to your dealership prepared with questions. Trust your instincts with your salesperson. Most importantly, create enough time in your busy schedule to have fun on the water after you purchase your new pontoon. Time on the water is good for the soul.

What Boat Style is Best for Me? Part 2

In “What Boat Style is Best for Me? Part 1“, we took a quick look at the basic boat types.  In the final part of this 2-parter, we’ll look at some common scenarios and questions prospective boat owners have.

My family and I want to go out boating, but I worry about my young children moving around and falling out.  I mostly want to cruise around, and I don’t think we’ll be out overnight.  Pontoons are a very popular choice for families with young children.  When anchored, they are typically more stable than a runabout, and have higher sides around the boat, so you wouldn’t need to worry about your children running around.  Also, there is plenty of room for your family & friends.
That sounds great, but will I still be able to use it when the kids are older and want to tube or wakeboard?  Absolutely!  If you get a sport model or a larger engine size, your pontoon will be able to pull a tube or boarder/skiier behind without a problem.

I like to fish, but I also want to be able to cruise with family and friends.  You may want to look into a fishing pontoon!  An 18-20 foot fishing pontoon gives you the all the room you would need for the family and then some.  A fishing model will also include fishing seats, walking room, rod holders, and everything you would need built into the boat.

My son wants me to get a boat I can tow him behind, but I really just want to go fishing.  Fishing boats today have changed a lot from the basic bench model of years ago.  You can do a lot of different things with a a fishing boat now, especially if you look into a fish & ski or crossover model.  These will typically have a larger engine which will allow you to pull a tube, as well as the storage and styling you would need for your fishing gear.  You can easily go from fishing to water sports in a matter of minutes.

Now that my husband & I are retired, we want to travel long-distance, but I don’t want to get an RV.  I want something that feels like home!   If you want to travel long distances by boat, you have three options: a Sport Cruiser, Sport Yacht/Yacht, or houseboat.  Your choice will largely depend on how many you plan to have aboard, and what your budget looks like.
A Sport Cruiser will give you the feel of home, but in a more condensed package and lower price point. While not cramped by any means – especially with space above and below deck – this is the typically the smallest option of the three.
Houseboats are designed with comfort and space in mind; these are truly a floating house on the water.  These will typically give you the largest amount of space for your money, and depending on your budget can be range from “homey” or fully-loaded with the latest electronics and options.
A Sport Yacht or Yacht combines luxurious surroundings with plenty of space to bring the family aboard, or entertain guests for an extended period of time.  However, these will typically be your most expensive option.

I’m ready to purchase my first boat!  My two teenagers want something they can tube behind, and I want something that looks sporty.  You can’t beat a sport boat or runabout for performance, style, speed, and function!  A 17′-19′ sport boat will give you space for about 8 people with plenty of room to lounge.  These will typically come equipped with a place to hook a tow handle or tube tow rope, and a swim platform to use while the boat is anchored.

I want nothing more than to spend hours perfecting my wakeboarding tricks with my friends!  While a runabout can be used for water sports, you probably will not get the performance and wake you want.  A dedicated ski boat will give you more room, a better wake, and better fuel economy for spending hours on the water pulling tricks.  Today’s ski boats also come with a bevy of options, such as tower speakers, board holders, touch-screen cockpit functions, customizable ballast functions, wake plates, and more!

Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here?  Leave it in the comments and we’ll get back to you!