Sports Cruiser - What are my options

[COBE]

Hi All,
I currently have a Saver 5.90m cabin which has an open top and a small cuddy cabin at the bow. It has a 100hp four stroke OB on the back. We have had it for >10 years an it is a great little boat and does everything we need. Our main requirements to date were as follows:
- a boat with low draft (due to where I dock),
- Outboard engine
- reasonable speed to keep journey duration times low,
- low maintenance, and
- something that I can ski & wakeboard behind.
As we now have two young children I have been thinking of upgrading to something with a cabin that would allow us to make comfortable day trips as well as weekend trips. I would also like the new boat to meet all the requirements of the existing Saver boat but with a bit of extra comfort and protection from the weather.

I have been browsing and I can see they are some nice options available such as
Benneteau anteres 7
Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695
Parker 660
Galia 750 hardtop
Quicksilver Activ weekend 675

Does anyone have experience of the above listed boats and would you recommend that they would be suitable for what I require in a boat. Are there any other boats that I am currently unaware of that may be suitable?

Your help would be greatly appreciated

 

[colhel]

I've never had a boat in this range (well, a Microplus but I don't think that counts ?). I like the Karnic range of boats in this size, but no 1st hand experience to share, just like em

 

[ST840]

Ive had a Parker 660 (but the pilot house, not the weekender). For a family of 4 I'd say it's too small, however they are very well built boats and take sea very well. I have a YouTube video of mine on its maiden voyage from Littlehampton to Hamble in a spring tide and 30 mph winds.
I've also had a merry fisher, but the 755 not the 695. Again good boats but the Parker rides nicer. The 695 will be too small again for 4 weekending, so go up to the 755/795 if you can.

 

[Hot Property]

I've just sold my Saver 690 with 200 verado on.

The chap who bought it had placed a deposit on a 590 but forefeited it and bought my boat instead.

Rare as hen's teeth but was a capable cruiser. Hamble to Brixham directly across Lyme Bay into a F4....

Fuel consumption was 30 litres/be at 20 knots cruise. Maxed out at 35 knots.

I put a co pilot seat in plus diesel heater. Great Weekender. PM me if you would like photos etc.

 

[ST840]

What you need is a starfisher 840! ??

 

[COBE]

I've just sold my Saver 690 with 200 verado on.

The chap who bought it had placed a deposit on a 590 but forefeited it and bought my boat instead.

Rare as hen's teeth but was a capable cruiser. Hamble to Brixham directly across Lyme Bay into a F4....

Fuel consumption was 30 litres/be at 20 knots cruise. Maxed out at 35 knots.

I put a co pilot seat in plus diesel heater. Great Weekender. PM me if you would like photos etc.

If changing boat I would like to go with a hardtop cabin which would give us some protection from the weather on the not so good days

 

[COBE]

What you need is a starfisher 840! ??

A bit too big I'm afraid and they seem to run with inboards mostly

 

[COBE]

Ive had a Parker 660 (but the pilot house, not the weekender). For a family of 4 I'd say it's too small, however they are very well built boats and take sea very well. I have a YouTube video of mine on its maiden voyage from Littlehampton to Hamble in a spring tide and 30 mph winds.
I've also had a merry fisher, but the 755 not the 695. Again good boats but the Parker rides nicer. The 695 will be too small again for 4 weekending, so go up to the 755/795 if you can.

Thats great to hear about the Parker and interesting that it rides nicer than the Merry Fisher. This would definitely be a consideration for the fine days when we want to skip down to the coast. What engine did you have on the back of the Parker 660? What boat do you have now?

 

[COBE]

I've never had a boat in this range (well, a Microplus but I don't think that counts ?). I like the Karnic range of boats in this size, but no 1st hand experience to share, just like em

I just had a look at them and they look like a nice boat but after a quick search I dont see many available secondhand

 

[ST840]

Thats great to hear about the Parker and interesting that it rides nicer than the Merry Fisher. This would definitely be a consideration for the fine days when we want to skip down to the coast. What engine did you have on the back of the Parker 660? What boat do you have now?

I had a Mercury 150hp on it, the biggest allowed. You may want to check the fuel tank size also, the one I had only held 140ltr, think you can upgrade to 190lt.
I now have a Starfisher 840, which we have grown out of and now looking to go bigger.

 

[stelican]

May I ask a question about your Starfisher .
Do you know the fuel tank size as a friend tells me his is only 215 litres. Also what is your fuel consumption at 18knots.
Pm me if you prefer.
thank you

 

[ChromeDome]

Your requirements are pretty clear and based on several years of owning a 6m boat with a lot of compact features. However you need to first decide on the two budgets: Investment and operation.

So you need a bit more room and a few extra features.

To get power and speed for water toys, 2 separate double cabins (one commonly a mid cabin suitable for ultra flexible youngsters), low draft and a comfortable cruise you need something notably bigger than 6m. Overnight stays means desire for heads, running water (before long someone will ask for heated water), pantry with cooker & fridge, seating space for 4 persons, probably patio doors to extend early/late season which then would make heating nice.

Can be found with outboard(s) but more common with inboard, some with sterndrive others with shaft.

To me petrol motors must be outboard, inboard engines must be diesel. No sterndrives for me.

Have you seen some already that you'd like?

 

[Aardee]

Parker Adams have a lovely Finnmaster 7600 for sale which might fit the bill

 

[ST840]

May I ask a question about your Starfisher .
Do you know the fuel tank size as a friend tells me his is only 215 litres. Also what is your fuel consumption at 18knots.
Pm me if you prefer.
thank you

I have twin 200ltr tanks. I do t pay attention to consumption , just fill and go.
But Hamble to 6 miles south of the needles takes around 120 litre

 

[stelican]

I have twin 200ltr tanks. I do t pay attention to consumption , just fill and go.
But Hamble to 6 miles south of the needles takes around 120 litre

Thank you for the info.
I take it you mean a round trip 120 l

 

[ST840]

Thank you for the info.
I take it you mean a round trip 120 l

Oh, yeah. I'd be broke in no time if it was each way! ?

 

[ontheplane]

Your requirements are pretty clear and based on several years of owning a 6m boat with a lot of compact features. However you need to first decide on the two budgets: Investment and operation.

So you need a bit more room and a few extra features.

To get power and speed for water toys, 2 separate double cabins (one commonly a mid cabin suitable for ultra flexible youngsters), low draft and a comfortable cruise you need something notably bigger than 6m. Overnight stays means desire for heads, running water (before long someone will ask for heated water), pantry with cooker & fridge, seating space for 4 persons, probably patio doors to extend early/late season which then would make heating nice.

Can be found with outboard(s) but more common with inboard, some with sterndrive others with shaft.

To me petrol motors must be outboard, inboard engines must be diesel. No sterndrives for me.

Have you seen some already that you'd like?

I don't know why you'd have stern drive diesels but not stern drive petrol?

For me, outboard is fine up to about 200hp if they are modern efi, 4-stroke outboards, they are pretty efficient.... After that, if you need more power it really needs to go diesel, or fuel use just gets excessive. If its on a trailer though, a nice efi / mpi inboard with stern drive is fine, but if it's in a marina, more maintenance for sure - Outboard is again preferred if it's on a mooring / in a marina.

I see some boats for sale with twin v8 petrol in a cruiser and just wonder what on earth the original buyer was thinking - 2 drives to service, 150 litres an hour fuel use - just why why why??

Do you want to tow it? If so, then that's also an issue with width / weight requirements.

They pop up often but the Sealine 23 / 24 / 25 is always considered a cracking all rounder - but not sure a KAD32 will give the water sports punch you want.....

 

[ChromeDome]

I'm certain my #12 was

To me petrol motors must be outboard, inboard engines must be diesel. No sterndrives for me.

I'm not a fan of petrol engines tucked away in closed rooms but am of course aware that there plenty around and that people like them.

Maybe because I was blown up in one once...

 

[ontheplane]

Ah I see your point - I guess.

However a lot of the pics I see on here of boats on fire are diesel cruisers.

I do agree that a petrol inboard needs serious use of the blower though ( often thought a small extraction fan run by solar and a small battery would be a good idea in a petrol boat's engine room)

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Last year I delivered a Saver 750 WA following a sale, in one meter sea. I must say the Italian boat builder is making good improvements in its quality.