Cruise boats are becoming quite the popular item these days. Whether for day trips only or to sail to far-away ports, cruise boats are the highly sought-after escape from the landlocked life. But how much do you know about these amazing inventions?
Cruise boats range from twenty-five to forty-five feet in length and are powered by multiple outboard motors. Featuring a deep draft and wide beam, these boats are perfect for sailing days on end; maybe even living on the boat permanently. Cruise boats range from simple to elaborate, with the capacity to sleep anywhere from four to twelve people.
When you’re ready to sail away from all your troubles, the cabin cruiser is the vessel of your dreams. You’ll hardly have to adjust to life on the open seas. Have a look at what cabin cruisers can offer you.
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Everything You Didn’t know About A Cruise Boat
Cruise boats, more commonly known as cabin cruisers cover the gamut from small and simple to large and grand. Some are suitable only for daytime trips; others are comfortable enough to spend months on the water.
From small to large, here’s a few things you may not know about cruise boats.
Cruise Boats Are Luxurious
Even the small cruisers have all the amenities to which the landlubber is accustomed. While everything must be more compact, it’s all there:
- Galley
- Berths: some have staterooms
- Head with holding tanks
- Dinette
- Cook top; some have a full stove with oven
- Sink
- Microwave
- Television
- Plenty of glass cutouts to allow natural light in
- Plush seating for passengers
- Fully enclosed cabin
- Air conditioning and heating
- Water heaters
- Generators
- Refrigerator
- Shower
- Entertainment center
A small cruiser can usually sleep four to six people. These aren’t the boats you want to take on a sailing trip for weeks at a time, but they are comfortable enough to spend several days exploring the waters.
Large cruise boats have all the aforementioned comforts plus:
- Swim platforms
- Ladders
- Loungers
- Fishing decks
- Wet bars
- Bait prep areas
- Moonroofs
- Cockpit grill
With these boats, you can sail the seven seas if you carry enough fuel. Which leads us to something else you may not know about cruise boats.
Cruise Boats Have Worse Fuel Economy Than A V-8 Engine
Because of increased resistance moving through water, a cruise boat will get only 1-2 miles per gallon of fuel.
Unlike land vehicles, boats do not have the law of motion on their side. Land vehicles only need to start the axles turning, and the forward motion decreases resistance against the vehicle, making less work for the motor.
A cruise boat must propel itself through deep water, often going against the current, which requires more power. More power equals more fuel burnt.
Fuel usage is affected by many factors, some of which are beyond the helmsman’s control. Some of these factors include:
- Size of the motor
- Speed
- Number of power amenities in use
- Weight inside the boat
- Roughness of the water
- Wind resistance
- Smooth handling of the boat
Of course, slower speeds equal better fuel mileage. Regular engine maintenance can also improve fuel economy. As well, keeping your hull clean will lessen resistance and get you better fuel usage.
A direct injection engine will use fuel more efficiently than an older model engine that doesn’t have the direct injection feature.
Every boat has a certain speed at which it uses fuel more efficiently. This speed is not the same for every boat, but in general, the so-called “sweet spot” will be somewhere below twenty knots, or twenty-three miles per hour.
Cruisers Can Be Hauled
That’s right! Most small cruisers can be hauled on a boat trailer as long as the beam is no wider than eight and a half feet. This makes it much easier to transport them if you want to cruise a new lake or river.
Some of the larger ones can be transported as well, but they require special permits and a super heavy-duty truck to handle the towing load.
A cruiser can weigh 150 pounds per foot. Multiply that by thirty or so feet, and that is one whopper of a load.
Factor in two or more full gas tanks, along with supplies and fluids, and it’s easy to see why your towing vehicle will need to have extra muscles.
Cruise Boats Are the New Yachts
Most people who are buying cabin cruisers today are actually downsizing from yachts. They are experienced sailors who want something a little easier to handle and a little less expensive than their previous vessel.
A cabin cruiser fits that bill. Cruisers can be captained by the owner instead of needing a professional crew. Their purchase price is well below that of a yacht, and maintenance costs, as well as running costs, are not quite as high.
The largest cabin cruisers have the capacity to hold just as many people as a private yacht, and the swim decks are big enough for a party.
Cruisers Aren’t Just for Cruising
While some people may look to circumnavigate the world in their cabin cruiser, these vessels are just as handy for other activities as well.
Watersports is an activity in which cruisers excel. Their motors are powerful enough to compete in racing. If the motors are placed inboard, they can even be used for pulling water skiers or wake surfers.
In some models, the seating on deck or in the cockpit can be rearranged for the optimal viewing experience.
Cruisers can also double as fishing boats. The most sophisticated models have dedicated fishing decks and bait-prep areas. If you’re running low on groceries in the middle of the ocean, you can always cast a hook and catch your supper from the upper deck.
More accurately, these vessels are used for sport fishing. They are constructed with special materials which help to reduce the boats tendency to roll when not moving through the water.
They feature sufficient space to tend fishing lines while standing in the cockpit. They are especially handy for deep-sea fishing. Since all accommodations are on board, one can spend several days fishing with friends.
Cabin Cruisers Boast All Kinds of Horsepower
Since cruisers are built for speed, it should come as no surprise that their motors are a hefty size. The smallest motor used on a cruiser is 118Hp. This offers little in the way of speed. You certainly couldn’t race with that size motor.
The largest size motor used is a 2,849Hp. This beast will get the job done! And drink the fuel! This size motor is reserved for the most extravagant model of cruiser.
The average size of cruiser motor is 740Hp. This provides enough power to enjoy a good cruising speed, and maybe even a race or two without being over the top.
The price for these speed demons can range from seven thousand dollars to more than two million dollars.
Cruise Boats Make A Nice Retirement Home
For those fortunate enough to retire in good health, a cruise boat could be an amazing place to spend those golden years. They are compact with everything necessary for comfortable living, and the freedom to see new places.
Time spent with family and friends could be doubly rewarding as you experience new adventures together.
Cruise Boats Are Best Bought New
Cabin cruisers are mega expensive at best, so it’s a temptation to buy used. But unless you are skilled at doing repairs yourself, you’ll end up spending just as much to fix up a used one as it would cost to buy a new one.
Marine repairs are anything but easy, and they’re certainly not cheap. So, to save yourself a lot of stress, it is best to buy your cruiser new.
