Looking for Advice - Large Cuddy with Enclosed Head

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2015 10:55 pm

Hey Guys,
We've owned our 245 SD for 5 years now and love it except for the Admiral wants an enclosed head. We also want to stay with a cuddy.
We thought we wanted to go to a 268 Vista but we are really day boaters and the cockpits on the cruisers tend to be smaller. It is usually our family of 4 and possibly another family of 3 to 4 so we need room in the cockpit not the cabin. We'd also like to be able to do tubing/skiing/wakeboarding. (I know it won't be a great ski or wakeboard boat but being able to is necessary.)
We don't necessarily want a lot bigger and we're happy with our Four Winns. But 265SD are rare as hens teeth and don't have an enclosed head.
The 285SD is bigger than we really want to go (would like to stay trailerable).

I've done some looking around and here are models that are in our size range that have an enclosed head:
Crownline 255 CCR
Monterey 254 FSC, Monterey 248LSC
Chaparral 255
Chaparral 265SSi

I don't know much about Crownline but we really like the layout and specs, a local dealer has one we plan to go see this weekend.

So I'd welcome any opinions about the quality of the listed boats, especially the Crownline. I also like Chaparral, I grew up about 15 miles from their plant down in Georgia.
Also any suggestions on boats I might have missed that are in the 24 to 26 foot range with an enclosed head.

Thanks!

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2015 11:17 pm

Crownline is generally considered top notch... better than FourWinns (as is Formula).
Chaparral is considered on par or slightly below FourWinns.
Monterey: I'm not sure.

fi.na.tine · **Posted:** Wed Feb 25, 2015 12:45 am

Saw a few crownlines this year at the boat show - really nice boats.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:34 am

I had a crownline 2007 255CCR. Very nice boat! It was great in bad weather and YES a step up from Four Winns.

The only reason I sold it, we do weekends and at times longer trips. We needed hot water and just more room. I am 5'5" & the wife is 5'2" and we were bending over. DON'T (unles it has been changed) get the Vac-u-Flush. I had the smallest model the make and had nothing but problems with it.

NOLV4V8 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 25, 2015 10:18 am

97_245_sd wrote:

Hey Guys,
We've owned our 245 SD for 5 years now and love it except for the Admiral wants an enclosed head. We also want to stay with a cuddy.
We thought we wanted to go to a 268 Vista but we are really day boaters and the cockpits on the cruisers tend to be smaller. It is usually our family of 4 and possibly another family of 3 to 4 so we need room in the cockpit not the cabin. We'd also like to be able to do tubing/skiing/wakeboarding. (I know it won't be a great ski or wakeboard boat but being able to is necessary.)
We don't necessarily want a lot bigger and we're happy with our Four Winns. But 265SD are rare as hens teeth and don't have an enclosed head.
The 285SD is bigger than we really want to go (would like to stay trailerable).

I've done some looking around and here are models that are in our size range that have an enclosed head:
Crownline 255 CCR
Monterey 254 FSC, Monterey 248LSC
Chaparral 255
Chaparral 265SSi

I don't know much about Crownline but we really like the layout and specs, a local dealer has one we plan to go see this weekend.

So I'd welcome any opinions about the quality of the listed boats, especially the Crownline. I also like Chaparral, I grew up about 15 miles from their plant down in Georgia.
Also any suggestions on boats I might have missed that are in the 24 to 26 foot range with an enclosed head.

Thanks!

Have you considered a Formula 260SS?

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Wed Feb 25, 2015 10:50 am

NOLV4V8 wrote:

Have you considered a Formula 260SS?

I'd love a Formula but I've never seen a 260 with an enclosed head. I guess I should research to see if it was an option. The 280SS has it but it's twin engine and over 8'6" wide.

Gotta be real enclosed head not just a curtain. Our 245 has a curtain around the port a - potty and that is a deal breaker.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Feb 25, 2015 12:29 pm

IMO, one of the best larger cuddy's is the Cobalt 243. The thing I like is that the head is fully enclosed, but NOT in the cabin. so you don't have to sleep with your business :wink:

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2012/Co ... O4E4k10z4Y

But as you are probably aware, it will cost you at least one arm and one leg to get one.

A possibility could be this 2009 Azure 279. Nice boats, that are now made by Cruiser's Yachts in Wisconsin.
Same head configuration as the Cobalt 243.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/boa/4885213691.html

Another one that is worth a look is the Regal 2550 cuddy. Should have all you need, but will be pricey and difficult to find a used freshwater one.

Good luck finding a cuddy, I have been looking for a while, and there are very few available, and even fewer with an enclosed head.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Wed Feb 25, 2015 9:39 pm

Thanks Cap'n. I can't afford both the arm and leg for the Cobalt, I need to keep at least one of those to keep working to pay off the boat! I like the layout though.

I'd never heard of the Azure or thought of looking for a Cruiser's yacht in that size.

I'll check out the Regal again. I remember looking at them awhile back.

That's why I posted on here, to get more input. We looked at a ton of brands and styles for about 3-4 years before buying our current boat. It wasn't even what we were looking for but just "felt right" when we went on board. We still love the layout except for the head configuration. And it was a good price point for our first boat. We aren't in a rush and will make sure the next one feels right before we pull the trigger.

I welcome anyone else to add their input as well.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Feb 25, 2015 9:52 pm

Chaparral 265ssi no questions asked. Go check one out, you'll be sold within 10 seconds. Chaparral took great pride in their cuddy cabin designs and it shows. They didn't just throw them out to the market like everyone else to hop on that mid 2000's bandwagon.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2015 10:41 am

We looked at the 2008 Crownline 255 CCR last Saturday (inside a dark storage building). We really like the boat layout. They will be moving storage boats around this week and will move it closer to a door so that we can get a better look this next weekend.

Looked at the Chaparral 265 SSi online. The layout is very similar but the swim platform looks tacked on with the original small platform integrated into the back of the transom. None are for sale anywhere near us. I think we've ruled it out unless something else pops us close by.

The Crownline has a 350 Mag MPI with Bravo 3. Current boat has VP SX. What do I need to know about the Merc engine/drive that is different from the VP?

Some of the designs like the Regal have a big sunpad. That doesn't really work for us so we're looking for U-wrap seating.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2015 11:07 am

Chaparral did not consider the swim platform as part of the LOA and did not mold them in the hull like everyone else until very recently. A Chaparral 265 SSI is a true 26ft cuddy cabin. They are massive it's total LOA is 28ft with 4'8" headroom. My 215 SSI's LOA is 20'6 without the platform, 22ft with it. Look at the same year 2003 Four Winns 205 Sundowner, FW sells it with an LOA of 23ft. HAHAHAHAHA!!!! The 205 Sundowner is TINY compared to my 215 SSI. It's only a 19ft boat with bolt-ons to make it 23ft. The cabin of a 205 is about 1ft shorter and 10in lower than my 215 SSI. A almost bought one until I tried to lay down in it and couldn't do that or sit without hitting my head. My 215? I'm 6'2 and can stretch out laying down, and sit up in every spot of the cuddy without hitting my head.

Difference between Merc and Volvo?
Merc is cheaper to fix and parts are available everywhere. I'll never own a Volvo again.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2015 10:46 am

We went and saw the Crownline again with it outside two Saturdays ago. Then drove to Indiana (6 hours round trip) to look at a very similar one for sale.

Ended up putting in an offer last week on the Michigan boat and worked out a deal. Will have to wait for the lake to thaw to complete a sea trial and inspection.

Our 1997 245 Sundowner will be going up for sale soon.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2015 11:13 am

Congrats on the 255CR. You will love the Merc power and the BIII drive on that boat. The sea trial should show immediately that it
is a nice step up from your 245SD.

Enjoy your new boat !!!

Paul I. · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2015 11:21 am

yep!

It was great in rough water!

ric · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:28 pm

You'll be so excited you own merc power over volvo, at least your wallet will

www.iFourWinns.com

Looking for Advice - Large Cuddy with Enclosed Head

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