Merry Fisher style boat as cruiser?

[sprocker]

We are looking into upgrading, and like the look of the Merry Fisher style boats, the enclosed cabin style in particular as we see it will allow us a longer season than we get with our current Bayliner cuddy.

Budget not decided yet, dependant on the sale of our boat etc, but am envisaging around the 35k mark.

It won't be used for fishing, but more as a day cruiser with overnight stops on the longer cruises. We are looking for comfort and relaxing cruising, rather than blatting around at WOT all day. Mostly just the two of us, with occasional extra adults/kids when family come to visit.

Can any members offer good/bad experiences of these style of boats when used as we intend?

Any other help and advice is appreciated.

 

[SwanseaBoat]

We do exactly as you decscribe in a MF925, in-board shaft Yanmar 260. Pootle at 7.5k (3litres diesel/hr), cruise at 14k (32lt/r).
2 kids and dog. works well. love the flybridge. inboard engine gives nicer ride in the rather lumpy Swansea Bay.
Diesel on tap in Swansea Marina
We ran an outboard 625(bit slammy) before and an inboard 805.
Good luck with the hunt. Buyer's market.

 

[richlear]

We use our MF805 just as you describe, a weekend or even longer onboard is definitely feasible. The only thing we lack is an integrated heater but a portable electric fan heater does the trick. Your budget is maybe a little on the low side but you never know.

 

[Firefly625]

Semi displacement, wheel house, shaft drive and nice size cockpit, absolutely ideal cruiser for uk . Hope you find one for the money, (preferably with the Volvo engine rather than nanni)

 

[Garold]

If your budget to buy is restricted, the outboard versions may be cheaper.

 

[colingr]

I'm considering exactly the same move. Just missed out on a nice 645 with a Yanmar diesel.

Quite fancy one like that or a 725. Not wanting anything bigger at the moment.

Of course you get more performance from an outboard so the question of inboard with a shaft vs the outboard raises it's head.

 

[ontheplane]

Most of these seem to be going outboard now - and I would have thought 35k would get a nice one?

 

[sprocker]

Thanks for all your replies gents.
Doing a bit more research and it does indeed seem that most of the newer MF in the 7-8 metre range are outboard. Not a problem for me as I know the modern outboards are much more economical and reliable than my old skiing days!

The biggest problem I face is getting Mrs Sprocker to see that it really is not a fishing boat!

 

[rwoofer]

Thanks for all your replies gents.
Doing a bit more research and it does indeed seem that most of the newer MF in the 7-8 metre range are outboard. Not a problem for me as I know the modern outboards are much more economical and reliable than my old skiing days!

The biggest problem I face is getting Mrs Sprocker to see that it really is not a fishing boat!

My wife hates any concept of fishing, but loves our Merry Fisher 645. It helps that we have the blue hulled version with blue aft canopy and brown/beige saloon/cockpit cushions.

Advantage of outboards is that you can close the wheelhouse door and the boat becomes signifcantly quieter for the passengers. We also like that fact that for a family of 5 we can all sit inside facing forward in the wheelhouse or all fit in the cockpit. Amazing really for a boat of 21feet.

 

[Danfarry]

The biggest problem I face is getting Mrs Sprocker to see that it really is not a fishing boat!

Get a beneteau antares, no mention of fishing in the name!

 

[Mike k]

just saw this yesterday when browsing

http://northwales.boatshed.com/beneteau_antares_760-boat-176200.html

 

[Danfarry]

That belongs to a lady who works at my kids school. They are also selling the Mitchell on that site too

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

We are looking into upgrading, and like the look of the Merry Fisher style boats, the enclosed cabin style in particular as we see it will allow us a longer season than we get with our current Bayliner cuddy.

Budget not decided yet, dependant on the sale of our boat etc, but am envisaging around the 35k mark.

It won't be used for fishing, but more as a day cruiser with overnight stops on the longer cruises. We are looking for comfort and relaxing cruising, rather than blatting around at WOT all day. Mostly just the two of us, with occasional extra adults/kids when family come to visit.

Can any members offer good/bad experiences of these style of boats when used as we intend?

Any other help and advice is appreciated.

Just what we bought our 805 for, does it well, I would think you'ld get a 2000 - 2003 in good nick for about £30 - £33k'

 

[freddy the frog]

Just what we bought our 805 for, does it well, I would think you'ld get a 2000 - 2003 in good nick for about £30 - £33k'

parker 800 weekender slightly better quality

 

[LadyJ]

Thanks for all your replies gents.
Doing a bit more research and it does indeed seem that most of the newer MF in the 7-8 metre range are outboard. Not a problem for me as I know the modern outboards are much more economical and reliable than my old skiing days!

The biggest problem I face is getting Mrs Sprocker to see that it really is not a fishing boat!

I've just got a MF 755 after a couple of years with a Fletcher Vigo. Very much a cruiser with the speed if needed. Biggest benefit I can see over inboards I've been on is how quiet the outboards are at all speeds with the rear doors closed and at slow speeds full stop. I seriously have had to check the Rev counter to check it is on when at idle! The MF range (and Antares) are utilitarian so I got a carpet fitter to fit nice thick carpets rather than the 'wood' that is standard and the difference is incredible for something as small. Just makes it homely and a pleasure to be in rather than just a boat to get places. It does leave you with a speed choice which is perhaps less of an issue on inboards (keen to hear if others have comment) you need to either go slow up to about 2250 revs getting 8 knots or put on the plane at 4800 and get 26knots (or 34 at 5800!!!). It is not ideal to sit between 2400 and 4000.....

 

[Spi D]

Semi displacement, wheel house, shaft drive and nice size cockpit, absolutely ideal cruiser for uk . Hope you find one for the money, (preferably with the Volvo engine rather than nanni)

Disagree.

On my 7th boat having had Mercury 35, Mercury 50, Evinrude 33, Volvo Penta Petrol 170 + 145, Mercruiser 5,0, Volvo Penta diesel, Suzuki DF140 and now Toyota based Nanni's (pre electronic) + knowledge of fellow boaters since 1968 I can't see the benefit of Volvo's.

Presumbly not bad as such, but not better than others and in my own case not as good as Nanni.

BTW have them in an Ocqueteu 975 and dispite being out of OP's budget defo a thumbs up for the suitability of the type for the mentioned use.

 

[Firefly625]

Disagree.

On my 7th boat having had Mercury 35, Mercury 50, Evinrude 33, Volvo Penta Petrol 170 + 145, Mercruiser 5,0, Volvo Penta diesel, Suzuki DF140 and now Toyota based Nanni's (pre electronic) + knowledge of fellow boaters since 1968 I can't see the benefit of Volvo's.

Presumbly not bad as such, but not better than others and in my own case not as good as Nanni.

BTW have them in an Ocqueteu 975 and dispite being out of OP's budget defo a thumbs up for the suitability of the type for the mentioned use.

I'm not necessarily a Volvo fan, never owned a boat with a green lump in it, but I know 805 is only available with nanni or vp. There have been quite a few horror stories of the 200 hp nanni engines.. But nice to hear that you have not experienced any problems.

 

[mikemcgregor]

parker 800 weekender slightly better quality

I agree. The Parker 800 Weekender is well worth a look. Surprisingly spacious inside and with the inboard diesel and bow thruster should be economical and easy to
control.
Looked at one over Easter and if they would have done a part exchange on my Pelican 32 I would have purchased one.

 

[Spi D]

I'm not necessarily a Volvo fan, never owned a boat with a green lump in it, but I know 805 is only available with nanni or vp. There have been quite a few horror stories of the 200 hp nanni engines.. But nice to hear that you have not experienced any problems.

I too heard about the 200 hp issues. Mine are 175 hp and, as stated, non electronic. I believe all makes potentially suffer from more complex issues in proportion to the use of complex engineering (electronic or other..).

Historically engines built a reputation/experience from agro/auto/industrial use long before being marinised. Nowadays engines are introduced for marine use immediately after release and Volvo indeed follow this trend.

As compared to earlier days Volvo Group is now a different company, with different visions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo

 

[Cathy*]

Semi displacement, wheel house, shaft drive and nice size cockpit, absolutely ideal cruiser for uk . Hope you find one for the money, (preferably with the Volvo engine rather than nanni)

We're on our second Beneteau, same engines as Merry Fisher, and chose Nanni rather than Volvo. I don't think you'll get a decent 8 metre inboard boat for your budget.