sb in gp
Active Member
It's been a while since I posted here. I'd appreciate advice/opinions from the great CSR crowd.
I'm looking to upgrade from my 320 to something a little bigger. Here are my primary needs:
Would like to have more cabin room for longer range cruising in the Great Lakes (3-10 days overnight). The 320 is a great boat but with 4 sleeping aboard my wife has stumbled to the head in the dark for the last time.
Kids are teenagers now, so if we're going to travel, we'll likely be taking friends. Would also like to travel with another couple down the road, so separate quarters is a must.
I've narrowed my search down to two boats:
2005 420 SD with about 700 hours (Cummins 480)
2006 Tiara 4300 Sovran with about 300 hours (Volvo IPS 500)
Both are loaded, and in great shape.
Space / Sleeping quarters: The 420 has quite a bit more room, due to the bridge. I think the 420 can sleep 6 comfortably, and the Tiara sleeps 4 comfortably.
Price: The Tiara is about $50K more - I could afford it, but not sure I want to go that far into debt.
Resale value: I see the Tiara having better resale value, plus it is a year newer
Maintenance: Weekly maintenance is less on the Tiara without all the isinglass and canvas. Maintaining the IPS pods will add costs, not sure how much.
Performance: I think the Tiara is a better handling boat by far, the bridge boat is going to be tippy, and the IPS system is hard to match. Is the tipping feel a big issue coming from a Sundancer? The 420 has bow and stern thrusters so dock maneuvering should not be an issue. Does anyone think the Tiara is going to be underpowered with the 500's?
Sorry to be so long winded. Any advice would be appreciated.
I'm looking to upgrade from my 320 to something a little bigger. Here are my primary needs:
Would like to have more cabin room for longer range cruising in the Great Lakes (3-10 days overnight). The 320 is a great boat but with 4 sleeping aboard my wife has stumbled to the head in the dark for the last time.
Kids are teenagers now, so if we're going to travel, we'll likely be taking friends. Would also like to travel with another couple down the road, so separate quarters is a must.
I've narrowed my search down to two boats:
2005 420 SD with about 700 hours (Cummins 480)
2006 Tiara 4300 Sovran with about 300 hours (Volvo IPS 500)
Both are loaded, and in great shape.
Space / Sleeping quarters: The 420 has quite a bit more room, due to the bridge. I think the 420 can sleep 6 comfortably, and the Tiara sleeps 4 comfortably.
Price: The Tiara is about $50K more - I could afford it, but not sure I want to go that far into debt.
Resale value: I see the Tiara having better resale value, plus it is a year newer
Maintenance: Weekly maintenance is less on the Tiara without all the isinglass and canvas. Maintaining the IPS pods will add costs, not sure how much.
Performance: I think the Tiara is a better handling boat by far, the bridge boat is going to be tippy, and the IPS system is hard to match. Is the tipping feel a big issue coming from a Sundancer? The 420 has bow and stern thrusters so dock maneuvering should not be an issue. Does anyone think the Tiara is going to be underpowered with the 500's?
Sorry to be so long winded. Any advice would be appreciated.