[CroMagnum44]

We are boat hunting and for some strange reason finding more cuddys avail than open bow. We haven't owned a boat in about 10 years, but always had open bow before. I realize there are some obvious pros and cons to either choice, but having never owned a cuddy I would love some opinions about why you like or dislike them.

My parameters are as follows: My wife and I have 6 kids. We will often boat as a group, but sometimes it may be just 2-3 of us. We probably won't camp in the boat, but I guess it may be a nice option. A boating day for us would be a combination of cruising, tubing and anchored in a bay for swimming/sunbathing.

What do you all think of the benefits of each choice (cuddy vs open bow)

Thanks in advance!!!!
Chris

[Motoxxx43]

I have two cuddy cabin boats for now, one for sale soon possibly. Considering what I like to do a bow rider could be nice but I do over night stays in mine a lot. Plus the weather turns bad here in a matter of a half hour then it gets nice again. We like having a place to hide from the afternoon thunder storms. Plus I have good storage that I can lock up if I leave it at the slip. Wakeboards, tubs, fenders, life jackets etc all have been picked off of peoples boats I personally know while docked.
There are usually 2 to maybe as many as 6 people on my boat at any one time. Last year I had 9 on my 21' and it got crowded but I was helping people get to a marina from their broke down boat. I have no idea where kids would like to be on a boat, Id guess a bow rider.

[ColoradoDiablo]

First off welcome to MOC Cro

I have never really been a cuddy kind of guy. I like the extra room up front , and never sleep on the lake. I prefer the 5th wheel camper.......but hey I'm a old fart!(50)
I have a few buddies that have cuddys and they love em.
My thoughts are if you like sleeping on the lake with maybe 4 people on board max then a cuddy is right up your alley.
If you have kids , friends that like water sports or fishing , then I would lean to a bowrider.
But wait........why not get a Z302 and have the best of both worlds!!

[CroMagnum44]

Originally Posted by ColoradoDiablo

First off welcome to MOC Cro

I have never really been a cuddy kind of guy. I like the extra room up front , and never sleep on the lake. I prefer the 5th wheel camper.......but hey I'm a old fart!(50)
I have a few buddies that have cuddys and they love em.
My thoughts are if you like sleeping on the lake with maybe 4 people on board max then a cuddy is right up your alley.
If you have kids , friends that like water sports or fishing , then I would lean to a bowrider.
But wait........why not get a Z302 and have the best of both worlds!!

Oh, yeah! I'd love a 302....

BTW, where in Colorado are you? I'm up north of Denver.

Chris

[dubldoc]

Well, sounds like a BR may be your best bet what with a family and such. I have the Z-272 which is a combo BR and has a small mid cabin to either crash or get out of the sun/rain.

Unless you have lots of cash for a bigger boat I'd stick to simple and easy.

Full disclosure: my family isn't that excited about the water, never mind the 500HP motor and
captains call headers. Oh Well.

[ShabahZ280]

I agree, with a family that size, your best bet will be a bowrider. I'd seriously look into the Z272 if it's within your budget. It's the largest Mariah made, and would be perfect for you.

Dubldoc- if you have a bowrider/mid cabin combo, that's the Z275.

[csterner]

I have owned full cruisers, to "express cruisers" to a pontoon boat. We currently own a Z275. I think it will boil down to how much sleeping you do on the boat and with how many people, or do you do day trips only. Here is my list of advantages and disadvantages:

Bowrider:

Lighter
Might be better on gas
Lots of outdoor seating
Depending on size, can be less draft so more boating locations available
Great for a quick day trip
Great for skiing and tubing
Made for performance
Negative--no spot to get out of sun or rain
Negative--no size able lockable storage
Negative--no camping on it(well, no indoor camping!)
Negative--slim freeboard so can't handle large waves well

Cuddy:

More lockable storage area
A spot to get out of the sun/rain
Can camp on it
Some have flush able toilets with waste tanks
Great for a couple days of camping
Made for relaxing cruising with less emphasis on performance
More freeboard so can handle large waves better
Some have AC for the wife
Negative--gotta pump out that waste tank!
Negative--deeper draft(sometimes)
Negative--heavier
Negative--less outdoor seating


MCOB:

A spot to get out of rain/sun
Can camp on it(only 2 adults in 275 or 4 REALLY REALLY good friends!)
Has open bow for more outdoor seating
Great for occasion(or accidental, lol) camping
Great for skiing and tubing
More lockable interior storage
Made for mix of performance and cruising
Negative--deeper draft
Negative--heavier
Negative--porta potty only(my wife hates that)
Negative--no AC in cabin area(and she hates this too)

These are my opinions only. Don't hate on me now! I am sure that my boating is different than most. I subscribe to the 4 B's ....Boobs, Butts, Beer, and Boats!



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Oregondunes]

MCOB all the way. Do it all. Who needs a crowd. I can sleep 2 and thats all that matters to me, yet party all day a group of 10

[csterner]

...And the chicks dig them!...(as my wife slaps me and calls me a man whore!)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[mikeyt]

Carnival has a boat named "Triumph" that they're likely looking to sell.....


btw.... what about that 268MCC thats for sale on our site? It should fit your needs nicely, appears to be very well maintained and is a great price.