www.iFourWinns.com

If boating in the sea/ ocean, Cuddy everytime ! Brought home to me clearly when a friend's bowrider broke down when my daughter was 10; nowhere to shelter from what for me, was a low risk, but for a 10 year old it was quite worrying.

Grahan

JB - in Port Phillip bay, I have been out in 1m swells with no problems - sure, a bit uncomfortable, but no issues as far as the boat goes. If you do happen to get water in, the auto bilge pump takes care of it anyway.

Ardy is dead right - always check the weather forecasts first. In Port Phillip bay, as it is over 2000 sq km you need to watch where the wind comes from and the strength as the further the wind travels over the water, the bigger the waves. I always check the Bureau of Meterology website before I go out http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/vic/forecasts/portphillip.shtml plus other several other websites including http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/vic.asp and http://www.weatherzone.com.au/vic/melbourne/vermont

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Thanks Alec, it's really good of you to share your local experience. I was well aware of BOM, the other 2 sites are really useful to know about.

The H180LE has a manual bilge - I plan on getting that upgraded to auto before delivery.

This weekend I plan (assuming the sea state and weather are OK) to hire an open boat from my local boat hire place and road-test the kids in it. Last time we did this we hired a fairly slow tiller-steered workboat which the kids loved but one of them got a little seasick. This time we'll hire something more like what we plan to buy, and we'll see if we can dose the kid up with some anti-seasick medicine.

Thanks for the advice

JB

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2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

Yep, rent different styles and see what fits your liking.

Cuddies are what were the fit for our family, started with a little 19', then a 245 FW sundowner and now a small vista with all the RV conveniences (A/C, microwave, fridge, sleeping quarters, head).

But will you only use it for day trips with friends and family? or family over night or extended weekend trips?

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

It'll just be day trips for now mate, the cuddy option was really only for somewhere for the kids to escape the weather. I have actually found a cuddy I really like, as it has a bowrider style sterndrive etc, unfortunately it is $10,000 over the budget...

Looking at another boat this weekend.....

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

JB - Saturday looks like the pick for this weekend. Unfortunately I am off overseas on Sat for 2 weeks, so no boating for me..

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Yes it does, doesn't it? However right now my schedule is to look at another boat on Saturday morning, then on Saturday afternoon the kids have a birthday party. So it will have to be Sunday or not at all.

Have a great trip!

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

More Australian advice to ponder. We boat in Queeensland in open waters and have a bow rider. Past cuddies or half cabins that I have had felt a bit claustrophobic and always seemed dank down below. The only use seemed to be to house a head. A bimimi gives a lot of shade and a bow cover keeps a lot of water out.
I guess utilisation is a major issue..if lots in very rough water, a self-draining walk-around, if lots of time you expect small ones to want to sleep is an over-riding issue, a cabin. But for all-round utility and fun..a bow rider, please.

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Brian
2006 Horizon 220
350mpi Mercruiser
Jeep Grand Cherokee V8

Thanks for the advice!

Now.... which bowrider?

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

Picture Speaks Itself.



No other way for us!

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC