Flybridge vs Open vs Hardtop and why ........

[Nick1150]

What the title says ?

 

[Portofino]

Depends on your intended usage .
All three work in the right hands .

How do you wanna use your proposed new boat ?

eg this little open is appropriate if that’s your house on Como .

 

[Sneds]

Moved from sports cruiser to flybride, love the space miss the sports boat handling

 

[Sneds]

Flybride?

 

[Nick1150]

Say more.... from what to what, etc....

 

[markc]

I think this has been done to death here umpteen times. I have had all, but for me in the Med a flybridge wins for me

1. More space overall
2. Large flybridge under a bimini for shade and catching the breeze at anchor
3. Nice cool airconditioned saloon for when it gets a bit hot outside - on our boat we can raise a large portion of the rear glass to open saloon into cockpit
4. Saloon on the same level as cockpit, no cave diving,
5. Easier to helm from up top, plus feel more connected with the surroundings.

 

[Momac]

Started with 25ft sports cruiser
Changed to a 33ft flybridge (after looking at lots of similar sized sports cruisers)

Like flybridge due to ;
When under way
Lower noise levels at flybridge helm compared to sports cruiser.
Love the outdoor flybridge helm . Unobstructed view . Notice and hear the birds etc. See over river banks.
I rarely use the lower helm. if it rains put a coat and water proof over trousers on if required .
But the lower helm is there when required . Heater on and doors shut is very cosy . The view is okay from both helms in my case .

When moored
Good view out from saloon - we notice sports cruiser owners absent from the marina in winter or during not so good weather when we are cosy and warm behind our patio doors but have a good outlook. This is a major thing for the chief officer and I agree .
Choices of places to sit subject to weather of course .

Would I change
Probably not. But it would be no good if we all wanted the same thing.

 

[jrudge]

Day boat - open boat.
Live on it for holidays - fly

 

[DavidJ]

For me the choice for the Med was for the same price a 34ft fly or a 37ft sports. Hardtops not on the market when we bought 20 years ago.
For me the 34 fly gives a little bit of space in the front, a little at the back and a little on the fly. The sport gives a lovely large social space which is what we wanted.
It‘s really down to “whatever floats your boat” no wrong or right answers just a personal preference.
I’m not convinced about a HT for the Med where I like lots of all around air but not sun directly on your head. Covers are a pain though.

 

[Momac]

Day boat - open boat.
Live on it for holidays - fly

That's an interesting observation
We don't live aboard but we do usually stay over at weekends and for longer holidays up to two weeks (in the UK)
However people with sports cruisers do exactly the same .

.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

We’ve got a hardtop sports cruiser. Wife did not and still does not want a flybridge. Reasons for this best not explored.

I like everything about the design except the galley and and saloon down which has resulted in cramped galley and a uselessly tiny saloon, coupled with compromised sleeping cabins especially the guest one.

Wish it was sleeping below and living on deck. Bit like a coupe really. Next time…

 

[kashurst]

Flybridges are a lot quieter underway. Keep the speed @ 20 kns and you can talk easily. And you can see better when driving and anchoring.

 

[Bowlerhat]

We’ve gone down in size from 32 foot twin engine fly bridge to 29 foot single engine hard top. The only thing we miss is the fly bridge.

 

[jrudge]

That's an interesting observation
We don't live aboard but we do usually stay over at weekends and for longer holidays up to two weeks (in the UK)
However people with sports cruisers do exactly the same .

.

But they are sitting in a basement and you are sitting in a lounge watching tv.

Interesting test. A sports boat and a fly ridge anchor up for the day.

which boat do you all have lunch on?

clue. It’s not the sports boat.

 

[Hurricane]

Live on a flybridge
Camp on the others

And you have to be old and wise enough to have a flybridge.

 

[NoviceRod]

Flybridge great for extra space and for spotting lobster pots. But increased height does result in more windage that can lead to challenging berthing. On balance, glad we switched from hardtop to flybridge when upgrading from 10m to 13m.

 

[Nick1150]

Currently owning a 41 open.... great space for 4 in the Med (Greece). Thinking of upgrading to a ±2000 ±45ft Hard top or Fly to gain a little more space and a little more sea handling.....

 

[John100156]

I had a Targa 34 in 2007 - lovely boat, and had a lot of fun and miss her as she was rapid and relaxing on the open back in summer was great.

Then came late evening, when we had to go below, nice interior but not enough space for long stays, we spent many weeks on her in 2008. Then we had some mosquitos, which kept us held captive below.

Two FB boats later I can say that whilst I loved the T34, I like helming from above, I do not think I could go back to a single decker, for many of the reasons (space, etc) stated above; UNLESS I bought a small flat/villa in Spain, close to a marina, then I might go for one as a day boat...!

 

[Soco2]

It really depends what you want to use it for?
I had a 30ft sports boat and it was a lot of fun but didn’t have the room and luxury we wanted for a long weekend so we bought a flybridge .
we love it and it’s perfect for our requirements and in the changeable uk weather it’s nice to be able to go into the lounge and get warm. It also rides the weather so well and we are out when others wouldn’t bother.
i don’t really see many disadvantages apart from a lack of sporty handling maybe?

 

[Nick1150]

John100156 you own the boat I am aiming to

Soco2 main use is weekends and also the big holidays (21 days) in August mainly in the Greek islands.