Open vs Flybridge

Illusion

Illusion

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Nov 2006
Messages
296
Location
Swanwick
Visit site
Just wanted to pick your brains!

We currently do our boating in the Solent from the Hamble in a 25ft open 4 berth sports boat. It gets very regular use for both day trips and weekending, as well as the odd longer stay on board for short holidays. We're currently looking to move up to a circa 40 ft boat and have been looking at both open and flybridge boats. Currenlty we're drawn towards flybridge looking at both Fairline and Princess offerings around 38 to 40ft with the thought this would further extend our boating.

Can anyone advise us as to the pro's and con's of both types of boating from any first hand experience you may have?

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
 
Forget anything anybody else says cause they'll be talking rubbish. Open is the only way to go.

They'll all be here in a minute preaching the virtues of a caravan...sorry I meant flybridge.

It's all rubbish and they're only gutted that they were stupid enough to go and buy one.

You see if I'm right.
 
Forget anything anybody else says cause they'll be talking rubbish. Flybridge is the only way to go.

They'll all be here in a minute preaching the virtues of a soapdish...sorry I meant open.

It's all rubbish and they're only gutted that they were stupid enough to go and buy one.

You see if I'm right.
 
Sensible answer to your question is as follows:

If you're drawn to a flybridge boat, then go for one. I know there are pros and cons to both, so ultimately it's what you fancy that counts. You mention Princess and Fairline and there are many happy present and past owners of both these marques on the forum, and very few who can say anything against them other than personal preference - so you will get a good boat if you buy a good example of one of those.

There are of course other options available which I'm sure will be along very soon, but then choosing the boat is half the fun.
 
The best argument heard recently against the flybridge was that you can't tell what's going on down below.

Actually the solution is . . . a WHEELHOUSE.
 
Re: Open vs Flybrigde

the age old problem,


chose the boat that suits your type of boating.
.

fly bridges tend to be a more sedate stable ride in weather that will have the sports boat being quite lively, its a weight thing.

the fly tend to divide up the peeps on the boat,some up top some down below,
but you can close the door and you have a large living area. a sports boat your all there together.

in bad weather you will get wet on both, fly as you have to go up top to see if taking a lot of water over the top.
the sport need covers off for the same reason.


go for the one you like and suits your lifestyle.
 
Went through the same dilemma this time last year - origionally drawn to flybridge for generally better seakeeping (engines in the middle), view out from saloon, better storage (lazerette) and choice of inside or outside helm with no canopies to mess about with.

Ended up going for sports cruiser for sociable cokpit space, simplicity of single helm with all the kit in one place, better fuel economy (albiet offset by having outdrive legs, which can be expensive), no leaky windows in the saloon and generally more fun to drive. Oh, and a flybridge would have cost us quite a bit more.

One season on and I am happy we made the right choice for us. Been a great boat and the big cockpit is outstanding - we spend most of our time there /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mind you, the reliabilty of shafts would be good, a lazerette would be handy and the canopy can be a pain......wonder what they have on the brokerage /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

See, told you they'd wake up from their afternoon naps, wonder why they are sitting in a puddle of piddle and try and remember why they bought a flybridge /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Its obvious. If you like to be cold and wet when helming, enjoy fighting with the cockpit canopy and like to eat your dinner in a poky coal hole of a saloon, then buy a sports cruiser. If you prefer to be warm and dry when helming, like to eat your dinner in a bright airy capacious saloon and enjoy sitting on your flybridge looking down on the peasants in their sports cruisers below, then buy a flybridge.
No contest especially in our crap weather
 
Extract below from my last response on this matter (see link above to thread)
I rest my case.
________________________________________________________________

spot on Fred as usual. Took a couple of clients out tother day to Gib on their Targa 37, One spent the whole journey standing up at the helm trying to get a decent view and wrestling with the wheel to try to keep it in line..., whilst I and the other sat in the aft cockpit, (cos we got fed up with the spray from the 800mm head seas, trying to make conversation amid the sound of the two green meanies thundering away at our feet.

Took same two to Gib yesterday on my F36, all three on Flybrdige, similar seas, one at the helm giving the occasional tweak of the wheel with all of us dry and marveling at the 360 degree vista and engaged in easy conversation due to sod all engine noise to disturb us. Also more refreshed from less effort at the helm.

They then explore the interior, which to them after staying aboard the Targa, (one poor sod in the aft cabin for two weeks) is a cavenous light airy interior, with plenty of head room,.......... Got back with to converts now thinking of selling the Targa and buying a similar length Fly..........

Oh yes nearly forgot back in our Marina, we unloaded our shopping from the main cabin (no stairs to worry about) closed and locked the patio doors, did'nt have to do up one bloomin zip.............Nuff said
 
The other thing is you have to be old enough and wise enough to have a Flybridge

beatnik.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top