What are my options?

I would like some options for boats that will fit our requirements. The variable will really be price but...Here are our requirements:
- 14' Bridge Clearance
- 3' Draft
- Single Engine
- Sleeps 4
- Budget - less than 100K
Now before you bust on me, I have owned several boats the largest being a 32' Luhrs with twin Cummins. I know the budget is low but I don't want to finance a boat. I have a Merchant Marine Master's Lic (100 ton) We have cruised the West coast of Florida down to Key West. I am a home builder & pretty handy & have done plenty of boat work.

Perhaps tell us what the Luhr did not have that you now desire. It looks like a nice boat.

- High Bridge Clearance (although I did cut & hinge the T Top)
- 2 Engines
- Deeper draft

Camano Troll might be a possibility...you don’t say if it’s four adults or two grownups and two kids.

The Troll is a very solid boat and in your price point. 200 hp diesel with bow thruster, 3.5 foot draft. Economical to run and easy to work on if you are so inclined.

MY GB is 13 feet above water at the CB visors. The mast, bimini and antenna fold down. Not easy finding specs for height.

Early 1980's would be in your price target

What's your specific issue with twins? There might be a few shallow draft twins about

Chrisaensing said:

- High Bridge Clearance (although I did cut & hinge the T Top)
- 2 Engines
- Deeper draft

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You’re obviously a handy guy, so how about picking up a Mainship 34 single for about $30k and remove the fly bridge

NorWyn said:

Camano Troll might be a possibility...you don’t say if it’s four adults or two grownups and two kids.

The Troll is a very solid boat and in your price point. 200 hp diesel with bow thruster, 3.5 foot draft. Economical to run and easy to work on if you are so inclined.

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Two adults & 2 grown kids (teens/20's)
Will add that one to the list.

Soo-Valley said:

MY GB is 13 feet above water at the CB visors. The mast, bimini and antenna fold down. Not easy finding specs for height.

Early 1980's would be in your price target

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I know that"folding" stuff down is an option but it can be a pain as we have to pass that bridge out & back just for a sunset cruise.

Jeff F said:

What's your specific issue with twins? There might be a few shallow draft twins about

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I've had twins, 1st issue is quite frankly, double everything, ie oil changes, shafts, packing, props, transmissions, the list goes on.
Second, I want the simplicity & the all around room you get with a single engine in this size boat (30's). Overall, ease of use. When we cared about time, twins made for a faster boat (shorter run times to our destination).

makobuilders said:

You’re obviously a handy guy, so how about picking up a Mainship 34 single for about $30k and remove the fly bridge

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Well, actually we were looking at the Mainship Pilot 34, there are some in our pricepoint & seems to fit the bill.

Chrisaensing said:

I've had twins, 1st issue is quite frankly, double everything, ie oil changes, shafts, packing, props, transmissions, the list goes on.
Second, I want the simplicity & the all around room you get with a single engine in this size boat (30's). Overall, ease of use. When we cared about time, twins made for a faster boat (shorter run times to our destination).

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Good answer. Speed requirement?

Jeff F said:

Good answer. Speed requirement?

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I have to be realistic but a 10knt cruise is probably what we'd get & keep it reasonable $$$ fuel consumption

Pilot sounds like a good choice.

A very important feature is engine accessibility, when I had the Luhrs 320 the 2 engines were pretty tight & there was 1 engine seacock that couldn't be reached, crazy! Also to check the transmission oil I had to basically stand on my head & forget getting to some portions of the engines when they were warm/hot, simply no room

As much as you desire a single, don't be afraid to look at a few twins. In that size range, there are plenty of shallow-ish draft boats with twins. Some have terrible engine access, some aren't bad (so make sure you get a chance to look and crawl before deciding). And within the realm of older cabin cruisers, there are more boats than anyone knows what to do with, so there are plenty of options that aren't terribly expensive in good condition.

I'm assuming that along with the desire for a single, you're looking at diesel only? If you're planning lots of usage, stick to that plan for the sake of fuel efficiency (gas will burn about double at low speed / light load). But if usage isn't going to be 200+ hours per year, the purchase price (and maintenance cost) difference buys a lot of fuel.

To keep it easy to get under a 14 foot bridge, you'll want to avoid a flybridge I think. In my case with the single upper (non-flybridge) helm, I'll clear 14 feet with just the VHF antennas dropped. Masthead light is 13'2" off the water, bimini is about 12'4".

Chrisaensing said:

A very important feature is engine accessibility, when I had the Luhrs 320 the 2 engines were pretty tight & there was 1 engine seacock that couldn't be reached, crazy! Also to check the transmission oil I had to basically stand on my head & forget getting to some portions of the engines when they were warm/hot, simply no room

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I have to open/close one before I eat.

makobuilders said:

You’re obviously a handy guy, so how about picking up a Mainship 34 single for about $30k and remove the fly bridge

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They made the Mainship 34HT (Hard Top) which came that way from the factory. The Mainship Pilot would also fit the bill.

That 14' bridge clearance is going to kill almost any flybridge boat.

Shrew said:

They made the Mainship 34HT (Hard Top) which came that way from the factory. The Mainship Pilot would also fit the bill.

That 14' bridge clearance is going to kill almost any flybridge boat.

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We love our MS 34HT and highly recommend it for 2 people. It is a much more spacious & comfortable boat than the 34P IMO but MS didn't make many 34HTs. You can find them periodically if you keep a close eye out or even have one of the larger brokers looking for you. They may hear of an owner looking to move /trade up and able to connect before it even hits the market.

There might be one still for sale in Ct. Friends getting out of boating. If the OP is serious I can try to find out.
EDIT: It has been sold.

jleonard said:

There might be one still for sale in Ct. Friends getting out of boating. If the OP is serious I can try to find out.
EDIT: It has been sold.

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Too bad....

Bacchus said:

We love our MS 34HT and highly recommend it for 2 people. It is a much more spacious & comfortable boat than the 34P IMO but MS didn't make many 34HTs.

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It occurred to me that the OP said he needed to sleep 4. I forgot that, since we don't have guests. We love the 34T/34HT layout. We love the galley down allowing for a larger (and wider) salon. However the galley down deletes the guest berth. One can always put guests on a sleep sofa.

Or, if you're like us, we gave up boating with our non-boating friends a long time ago. We have many, many friends with boats, we boat with them. They bring their own food and beer, cook and clean for themselves.....and go back to their own boat at the end of the night. LOL!!!!!

We have had a long standing saying "Don't buy a boat for friends or family".

Shrew said:

It occurred to me that the OP said he needed to sleep 4. I forgot that, since we don't have guests. We love the 34T/34HT layout. We love the galley down allowing for a larger (and wider) salon. However the galley down deletes the guest berth. One can always put guests on a sleep sofa.

Or, if you're like us, we gave up boating with our non-boating friends a long time ago. We have many, many friends with boats, we boat with them. They bring their own food and beer, cook and clean for themselves.....and go back to their own boat at the end of the night. LOL!!!!!

We have had a long standing saying "Don't buy a boat for friends or family".

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My wife always had a 4 door car. when it came time to get a new one she started looking at 4 door cars. I asked why she does not consider a sporty 2 door. Well the answer was what if we have to put friends or family in the back seat. After I explained to her that she will be in the car by herself 99% of the time, the light came on and she has a nice sporty 2 door. Friends and family can climb in the back, walk or take a taxi.
She really likes the decision.

Soo-Valley said:

My wife always had a 4 door car. when it came time to get a new one she started looking at 4 door cars. I asked why she does not consider a sporty 2 door. Well the answer was what if we have to put friends or family in the back seat. After I explained to her that she will be in the car by herself 99% of the time, the light came on and she has a nice sporty 2 door. Friends and family can climb in the back, walk or take a taxi.
She really likes the decision.

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I believe she is starting to realize that, great advice (by the way, I had a friend of mine tell me the exact same thing today).

Shrew said:

We have had a long standing saying "Don't buy a boat for friends or family".

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Well, except for your kids, otherwise a very good saying

Wifey B: Well, one of the joys of the loop for us was family and friends. Don't follow what is right for others. If having guests will enhance the experience, be open to it.

Excellent advice!

BandB said:

Wifey B: Well, one of the joys of the loop for us was family and friends. Don't follow what is right for others. If having guests will enhance the experience, be open to it.

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said tongue in cheek.
where do you put all those people in the avatar photo boat?

Soo-Valley said:

said tongue in cheek.
where do you put all those people in the avatar photo boat?

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Wifey B: Needless to say I didn't do the loop in my avatar boat. It sleeps two but rides 6 to 8 fine. 95% of it's use is just the two of us. Did loop in a Sunseeker Manhattan 65.

I love my avatar boat though, it's my Baby Riva.

BandB said:

Wifey B: Needless to say I didn't do the loop in my avatar boat. It sleeps two but rides 6 to 8 fine. 95% of it's use is just the two of us. Did loop in a Sunseeker Manhattan 65.

I love my avatar boat though, it's my Baby Riva.

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Of course, I knew that was your tender to get ashore and have some fun. I know I would.