We’ll call this one “HOPE”

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!

Quick Tip: Radio Check

Occasionally we’ll offer a “quick tip” – a bite-sized boating tip to help you on the water!

If you have a VHF marine radio on board, you know that a radio check is an important but occasionally annoying necessity.  Once the radio is on, you hail your local communication channel (typically ch. 16) and wait for a response for a radio check.  Depending on your local area, this check could take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

But what if you could do a radio check and have a response almost instantaneously?  Thanks to Sea Tow, a new FREE automated radio check service is now being offered in participating communities!

From the Sea Tow website:

It’s simple to use:

1. Automated Radio Check Service uses one of VHF channels 24, 26, 27, 28. Simply tune your radio to the proper channel for your community. [Editor’s Note: the nearest Sea Tow location to La Crosse is Lake City, MN]
2. Conduct a radio check as you normally would.
3. Upon releasing the mic, the system will replay your transmission, letting you hear how you sound.

The website also offers a zip code check so you can see if the service is offered in your area.  Not only will the service help your radio check go more smoothly, it will help reduce non-emergency traffic on channel 16.

Hope this makes your day on the water a little easier and more pleasant!

Note: This post is intended only to highlight an available service.  American Marine is not a subsidiary of Sea Tow or in any way compensated for this post.