Quality of Hull Construction

S

Split Decision

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In terms of quality of materials and hull construction, I'd appreciate any comments on the following boats. My wife and I have opened up our search to upsize our existing 1988 30 foot Doral Prestancia boat.From this list, which boats would you say would have the better hull construction and I'd also like to know which one(s)you'd place at the bottom for construction. I thought this question would be appropriate for the Marine Surveyor section.We'd be looking at the models years between 1999 - 2003 to stay within our budget.

Larson 330
Formula 34PC
Rinker 342
Regal 3260
Cruiser 3372
Maxum 330

Thanking you in advance for your input....

Mike.
 
If hull construction is your #1 priority, I'd go with the Formula 34. I don't like Formula layouts, details or the exterior lines of their boats very much, but I'm sure they're a notch above the rest when it comes to hull construction methods.
 
I have to agree. The Formula 34 PC is the pick of the lot.
 
No comparison between the Formula and the rest.

Asking which boat should be on the bottom of the list will make a lot of people unhappy here............
 
Formula does not use any coring in the hull. solid fiberglass with dupont ame 6000 resins. Top of the line construction.
 
Thanks to those who have shared their thoughts regarding construction on the above noted boats.

Would it be fair to catergorize the Rinker, Larson and Maxum boats in this range of year and size as being very comparable in terms of construction or would one of these makes be considered more robust in the quality of materials and construction.

I appreciate all comments and by no means intend to make any brand look undersirable. Price and value can play a roll in any boat purchasing decision.

From people with boat fabrication knowlege,it would be interesting to see how (appreaciating its one personal opinion) one would rank the above boats just in quality on materials used and hull construction. However I understand that maybe there is not enough of a differnce in some brands to draw a distinction?

Thanks,
Mike.
 
Formula is the best of those listed and does use coring in the transom and cockpit flooring (OK, not part of the hull but they've had some issues there)
 
I am a big fan of Formula but I do believe they use coring in hull sides, not balsa however.
 
I am quite sure that some of the earlier US Formula boats had foam cored construction--nothing wrong with any cores as long as they were done correctly--and not ruined by someone along the way. The New Zealand Formula boats do have foam in the hull side laminates. Some of the New Zealand boats are imported into the US.

Any of the boats which were mentioned can be well made and be trouble free for ownership--and any of them could have been abused, or had holes drilled in decks and not sealed etc--and so you cannot conclude that just because a boat is a certain brand, it will be better for your use, or that there is a "clearly superior", which will be free of problems.--This is why a good survey is so important.
 
IMHO, you are approaching this in the wrong fashion. What are the normal conditions for your boating. There are a lot of folks who buy a Hatteras for use in a river "just in case the weather gets bad." You are asking a very good question and asking such one can assume you are a responsible Captain who would not endanger his crew or guests. That said (this is going to get me flamed) do you really need a Formula which is an open water race proven boat if you are not going to be racing in open water and the Maxum would do what you need to do at a cheaper price? If Lake St. Clair has normal conditions that could routinely destroy the Edmund Fitzgerald, then by all means go for the Formula. Beyond that, go for what is going to give you the most bang for the buck. If it were me and the Edmund Fitzgerald scenario did not apply, I would go for the Maxum. Foot for foot, Maxum offers one of the best deals in boating. They build a solid spacious boat across their lineup.

Having owned one, I am partial to the Regal, However, the 3260 Regal got caught up in LOA creep. IIRC, the 3260 started as the 2960. My friend has a 3260 and my 330 Dancer is huge in comparison and the 330 is not a huge boat.

Good luck.

My 2 cents.
 
David - I too am looking at some of the models mentioned. Even though I boat exclusively on sheltered inland waters, I want first class hull construction. I plan on keeping the boat at least 15 years, and my thinking is that a very high quality hull will have less problems long-term, even in relatively easy service. Wouldn't you think a 25 year-old Formula would have a lot less problems than a 25 year-old Maxum? I'm not trying to be argumentative; I just want to make the best decision for the long term.
 
Hi SD,

I think your geting good feed back and there is nothing wrong with want the best hull construction you can get, but, it will be at a price. the difference between a Maxum and the formula could be as much as 30%, only you vcan decide it it's worth it.

As others said the formula is generally consider one of the best built boats, to bad the older models had such flashy graphics and disco interiors that make them look very dated (not the years your looking at, I'm talking 80s to early 90s).

I think most would agree that cruisers and regal could be put a notch above the others.

How come you don't have Doral on your list, are you not happy with your current boat?

You didn't mention kids, so if this is just you and the wife, you might want to consider a 31 tiara. It's much larger then you current boat than the 1 foot model difference would indicate and very high quality.

Good luck
 
I recently looked at and sea trialed a 1996 31 Tiara. As noted it is one fine boat. The 12 ft beam makes for roomy cabin in a 31. Unfortunately it also made it so it did not fit the slip that was available to me.

G
 
quote:
Originally posted by carmac

David -...and my thinking is that a very high quality hull will have less problems long-term, even in relatively easy service. Wouldn't you think a 25 year-old Formula would have a lot less problems than a 25 year-old Maxum?....

Click to expand...


You are going to make me revive a brain cell I have been trying to kill for decades.

In 1986 I bought a 1979 Formula 233F. The deck was a bit spongy and I knew it needed replacing. Not a problem. Saber saw the deck, some plywood, fiberglass, wax and I am out of here to fish off Jax Beach. I was looking at 10K max to do my plan.

WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! $30K later (long story with a sinking, engine and outdrive theft, and a 3 year tour in Italy in between) I had my boat.

The little bit spongy deck turned out to be saturated A/B foam, waterlogged stringers, rotted motor mounts.....etc, etc, etc...

I could have had a 1980 24 foot Sea Ray cabin cruiser with 6'4" headroom vs. a cuddy cabin, A/C, stove, fridge, slept 4...PLUS was toting a brand new 260 Mercruiser and sat on a brand new aluminum trailer for $12K. That extra $2K was too much to spend!!!

Point is, an abused Hatteras can't hold a candle to a very well maintained Bayliner.

A survey is a must, both hull, combustion and running gear. You are better off with what suits you than what the name on the side of the hull is.

Mrs. Robinson was completely enamored with a 48 Sea Ray bridge...until he got on it. Much smaller inside than it looked on the outside. Greg will be one of the first to tell you he just likes Sea Ray's. After that tour, he widened his selection criteria to several other brands. Primary reason was head room. There is more in his 330 than there was in the 480. Go figure!

HTH
 
ChezBibby,

My wife and I have very much enjoyed our Doral Prestancia boat. We had the 25 foot Doral Citation for 5 years before buyinig this Prestancia. We've had the Prestancia now for 5 seasons as well.We have a five year old son who has been on the boat with us almost every weekend since he was 8 days old. He loves the boat and cruising around with us in the inflatable and lots of the other fun stuff that goes along with boating as my wife and I do.

Since our Prestancia is a 1988 model year we thought this would be a good time to purchase a newer larger replacement boat. I view it a bit like a used car, there comes a time when you decide if you should update to a newer model or continue knowing you could expect some increase in maintenance costs etc. I do think about things like fuel tanks, the boat is now 20 years old etc.

The Prestanica is a great boat, love the layout, it has the upgraded twin V6's to 5.7 V8's. Cruises at 30 MPH at 3100 RPM etc and gets within a dollar an hour operating cost (fuel) as the same boat with the V6's.

We just didn't warm up to the newer Doral layout in the size we are looking at.The newer Doral's are still a beautiful looking quality boat.

The boats identified above have similar layouts and should have similar performance.

I thought asking the comparison question I would receive valuable feedback from experienced boats who's personnal opinions I respect. I have received just that and want to again thank those who have replied. It does help me in our boat selection process.

I like knowing I have a quality boat, I gathered the Formula and Cruisers, (along with Regal ?) would likely be at the top of the construction ranking but wondered it terms of boating (for example boating on the freshwater Great Lakes (Ontario, Canada and Michigan, US)if one would "feel" the difference in the Formula/Cruisers/Regal over the Lason/Rinker/Maxum going into a 3-5 foot chop and would the L/R/M hold up better after 10 years of boating ?

Maybe I just thing about things too much......

Mike
 
"but wondered it terms of boating (for example boating on the freshwater Great Lakes (Ontario, Canada and Michigan, US)if one would "feel" the difference in the Formula/Cruisers/Regal over the Lason/Rinker/Maxum going into a 3-5 foot chop and would the L/R/M hold up better after 10 years of boating ?"

Depends on the type of boat handling you are going to do in 3'-5' chop. If you want to run balls to the wall. Get a Foumula or if you can swing it, a Fountain. If you are going to adjust your speed to the sea state where you will be traveling in the water vs. over the top of the wave crests, any will get you there safely.

Mrs. Robinson is a 1995 330 Dancer. It is in better cosmetic shape than my (new to me) 99 330 Dancer. I can't speak for his electricity. His power plants are very low hour replacements prior to his purchase. He is festidious about the boat being clean and the manintenance is on a set sked. My maintenance is also on a sked however, I have not pulled my boat for cleaning yet. Mine will come out in th espring.

I bring this up as it relates to my statement that an abused Hatt is worse than a finely cared for Bayliner. Any boat, well maintained could potentially be the "last boat" you own. Look at Pascal's Hatt, Ernesto's Doral, Rommer's (former and current) Regal, GeeBee's Sea Ray... etc, etc, etc. I will give you this one caveat. If the boat was rack or lift kept and under cover, that is a HUGE plus.
 
Kida,

Just want to inform that the Regal 3260 was not previously the 2960. The 3260 in 2002 was the only larger Regal that was not caught in the size battle. The 2960 did later beecome the 3060.
 
Just some personal feedback on two of the brands-Formula & Cruisers

I had a Formula (41PC) that was run very hard/fast by the previous owner, he ran it to Fl and back twice on the outside- -I also ran it hard for a total of close to 1400hrs
The boat was built like a tank and it would take a lot more than my body could – it seemed like it was having fun when running fast in snotty conditions & it laughed at seas that made me ache the next day- & I miss running it

Keep in mind that the formula sharp deep-v that adds to its great ride may also add to a little more rocking while on the hook compared to like size boats – however they are usually heavier which can help with rockingand docking under certain conditions-But the extra weight and sharp deep-v will add to fuel usage

I have to say that my opinion on “which boats would you say would have the better hull construction” is that the Formula hull construction is one of the best for a production boat and the top of your list

That being said our current boat, a Cruisers, is also built very well,OMG! IT HAS A CORED HULL – which scares the crap out of some people like Freddy Krueger does.

BUT there are many good boats that some people would consider the best of breed, likeTiara, that have cored hulls – it’s not what it’s made of – its how it’s made!

I personal find the build quality of Cruisers very high- this year I had to have a small portion of my keel repaired after a out of the water Marina accident , I called the Cruisers owners desk and had a email with the layup details the next day-BTW the boats8 years old and the stopped making this model 4 years ago- My yard said the specs were overkill but I was having my surveyor overseeing the repair so they repaired to factory specs- after this repair I had my first grounding and had to pivot off the bottom to free the boat
When the boat came out to repair the wheels the keel was perfect except for some paint

All this being said I agree with David “Foot for foot, Maxum offers one of the best deals in boating”
 
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