37 A/T Cabin
 

I've been reading through the A/T forums about the 37. Sounds like an awesome overall boat. I recently sold a 2002 Baja 302 with HO's and will be looking into the 38 foot range within the next year. Short list is a Top Gun, a 37 A/T and maybe a 38 Donzi. My wife and I boat on Lake Erie around the islands and usually overnight on the boat, sometimes 3 and 4 nights at a time. Question is, how is the cabin in the 37? I'm 6'2 and was wondering if I could sleep in the forward v-berth. Also, thoughts when compared to the other two boats listed.

Phil

I'm 6'2" and could sleep on my 28 if need be(I never have). I think the 37 footers V-berth is at least a foot longer.

You have center and side entry options on the 37. There are advantages to both, but I will leave those comments up to those that own them.

The 38 Donzi is going to be the smallest of the 3 boats you listed. The other 2 are probably comparable as far as cabin siz goes.

Gladhe8er, thanks for the info. I really like the side entry of the 37. We would use the cabin on almost every trip to Put in Bay, so that's why i'm leaning towards Active Thunder. I need a good ride in the rough as we'll be crossing from Toledo most of the time, and most on here say the A/T is as good if not better than the Top Gun. IMHO i'd say that's making a statement!

Phil

Just got home from spending two nights on my 37 A/T. I am 6' 6" and sleep fine on mine. I'm sure others will chime in.

No where near 6 foot but we have two kids 9 and 12 and boat with them alot overnight and extended trips. Storage is key in the boat, plenty for everyone's stuff. We moved from a 36 baja, no more extra bags laying around all gear is stored.

HA! You want a good ride in the rough stuff, fly down to Pampano and let Pat take you for one of his infamous sea trials. :eek:

I did the same with my boat for the new owner on a very rough lower Chesapeake Bay and it sold that day! :drink:

Your short list is the same as mine was sans the Donzi. Which Donzi are you considering btw? I assume the ZX because the ZR is a BIG boat and not really comparable to the AT or Cig. The ZX will have the smallest cabin of the three.

I chose the AT because of the cabin. Hands down, it is the boat for you if you plan to use it as much as you say.

There are some nice used ones for sale if you want to save some coin. Good luck!

The only others I would add to your list to consider are the 38 PP (although rare) and the 37 OL. Both have tall and roomy cabins. You would have no problem sleeping in the OL. The 37 OL came in both seating/entrance configurations too... although I think the side entrance configuration is more common. It's a large boat for its size.

That sea trial does sound awesome! We are looking at a used one at this point, mid 2000 year range. I've done a couple local poker runs and plan to travel around more to some of the popular places. I'll be stationed in Phoenix next year and while i'm out there would like to do Desert Storm.

Macklin, I was already leaning towards A/T for the legendary ride that everyone talks about. Just wanted to know more about the cabins. Seems like they are gonna be more than enough for us at this point.

Thanks for the comments!

Phil

I'll take a look at those boats. Thanks!

Just spent 3 nites in our 32 active thunder tons of room big v berth and the active thunders are second to none in rough water and quality as well as a fast hull. 37 is much bigger than my 32 so you should be fine.

Hows the Hustler compare with the boats listed. I plan on moving up soon to the 37-39 range. Cig is my first choice but the cabins are my down fall. When I boat I go out for atleast 2-3 days at a time. But on the other hand I like the resale on the cig and their will only be to people on the boat.

That close side by side seating on others models gives me concern to. What are others thoughts on that. Do you like the cabin door in the center or off to the side.

AT cabin
 

4 weeks into owning at 37 Excess and couldn't be happier with the considerable increase in cabin room. Great running and its hard to believe theres a better weekend boat that runs as fast especially for the money

Honestly how do you like the front seating in the cock pit.

Just spent 3 days on the Chesapeake bay on my 33... All 4 of us! You wont be dissappointed with the 37. The side entry is the best but im sure someone from milwaukee will tell you otherwise!! :lolhit::evilb::evilb:

Well I guess that's my cue from Drew! There is no best choice as far as center or side entry. It's what works best for you. If you're buying used I think you'll find more side entry 37's were made, especially the more recent years. The side entry boats give you lots of dashboard real estate for screens, gauges and throttle/shifter placement options. It also allows for a larger head compartment which is nice if you're overnighting, especially on the hook.
As far as the center entry, access to the cabin is easier since you're stepping into the deepest part of the cabin. The other thing I like is I don't have to ask someone to move out of the way so I can move about the cockpit to access lines, ect. Probably the easiest way to decide which is best for you is to answer one question, are you married or dating? :evilb:
Steve

Married, but Im not feeling like I want my buddy sitting next to me that close if my wife does not go.

I was very concerned about this too, but turned out to be a non-issue. It's nice being able to carry on a normal conversation at speed without having to shout across the boat. 509 SC pretty much summed up the other bennies.

The increase in head size makes it very user friendly too. And with the AC outlet right next to the mirror it makes for a nice place for the wife to do her hair before the poker run dinner. :kiss:

Couldnt you just have a "seat back" made to fit in the walkway on the side by side setups....so when your out with your buddy, you're not riding "gay mode".

I've seen this on a few other boats. OL's to be exact.

I so many ways the 37 AT and the 37 OL are very similar. Both are roomy and well appointed. The layouts are very, very similar. Both single step boats, fast and handle big water well. Both have a lot of freeboard and are very safe feeling boats.

After looking at everything in the 37/38 class, my short list really came down to the 38 PP, 37AT, and the 37OL. My only other big concern was drives, I didn't want bravos. The 38 PP is a big boat and I would still love to have one, but they are very rare and almost all came with bravos. The one or two that were available at the time had bravo butt and were way over priced. I like the 38 TG a lot, but their joke of a cabin kills their functionality for me, plus they generally have bravos too. In the end OL was the only company that built a lot of boats with 6's, rather than XR's that pretty much came with all the others... So to me the 37OL was a lot more attractive if for no other reason. If you don't care about the typical bravo based issues, all of these boats are an exellent choice!


The Hustlers are fairly large and roomy. I know I was amazed at how much room there was in the cabin of their 40.

I had my homophob concerns about buying a boat with a side entrance. After owning one for a while now, I have to say it's been a non-issue and I love the configuration.

You guys are funny, I did not want to say the seats looked gay,, thought somebody would have got their panties in a wod. Good info from everybody

38 TG TS's do not have a full V Berth for sleeping and don't have a lot of the amenities one would like for overnighting
The V Berth in straight bottom TG's is like sleeping in a bowl.

Most like the side entry better. As Macklin said, it is nice to be able to carry on a conversation. It is now socially acceptable to have one of your buddies next to you, just as long as you are not wearing man purses!!! :party-smiley-004::lolhit:

or cuppin your buddies nuts.....:eek:

I was thinking speedo's and a big gold necklace:party-smiley-004:

Thanks for all the info! I think we are gonna start looking at 37's.

Hey Lazlo, I see you spend some time at Put in Bay. Any chance you are gonna be up there anytime later this month?

There ya go.....Get Laszlo to give you a ride in his bullet! That will sell ya. But to really seal the deal go to Pompano and get a thrill ride with Pat the cult leader!

He took us out in our Tantrum into big water and got it DONE! Did I mention that the rack in the steering was put in backwards and when you turn right it turned left and it freaked out Steve Miller (R.I.P.) more than us!! A good time all 2800 miles of it!

Well, more voted for Obama, that doesn't mean they made the right choice now does it????????? :lolhit:
Steve

Uh Oh!!! Politics.... :angry-smiley-038: All the choices were morons! :evilb:

The choice is easy... side entry!:drink:

I've got all the dimensions in my office somewhere. IIRC, the V-berth on the 33AT is 74" long by 69" wide (at it's widest).

I'll have to get the tape measure out or find my notebook on the 37. I'm 6'2" and I sleep comfortably in the V-berth on the 37.

I remember a time when we had 6 adults in the cabin returning from a poker run (by water), and we opted to ride out a short storm on the anchor; watching a movie down below. I wish I could say it was just me and 5 ladies, but it was an even ratio. :D
I do feel comfortable in stating that it could sleep me and 5 ladies down there though. :drink:

We've got a handful of boats at the AT Factory either officially for sale or unofficially for sale. Drop me a line.

Side entry Tantrum.....hmmmmmm!

We do frequent the bay and the overnight on the 37 is perfect. Plenty of room for the weekend and you can run lake erie whenever it decides to get nasty. We should be making another run or two over to the bay and would be happy to take you for a spin and you can check out the cabin. My opinion on the cabin entry is we love the side by side seating with side entry as you can hold a conversation at speed as well as the extra room for the bathroom. Our main factors for choosing the A/T was a cabin with a good size bathroom for the family and second was a boat that can handle the Lake Erie slop. Great choice and love the ride.

A 37 with 525's 5 years and newer with a cabin with many extras and gear for to people. Whats a everyday top speed and cruse speed.

I'm not talking 10 gallons of gas and driving naked to save weight,, on once in a life time perfect water and air,, spinning props that a turtle terd could chip either :angry-smiley-044:

Mine was 525's and is a 2005 ran 83-85 full fuel all loaded up with gear and family. Best i seen was 89 light fuel in nice chop condition with stock P5x 30 Hydros. Very good cruise speeds and great on fuel.

Right on the money. Depending on options, you can see 87mph with "stock/labbed" props.

Strap on some (custom) Herrings and we've seen 90mph (GPS) on a 525/XR boat.

Thanks guys and very respectable speeds :drink:

Lazlo, it's looking like I might get to come home around the end of September. Nothing in stone yet, but when/if I do we are gonna hit the bay one weekend. If your gonna be up there I'd love to see the boat. I'm sure I have in the past, I just didn't know anything about A/Ts. I'll shoot you a PM if we head up there.

Thanks everyone again for the info :coolcowboy:

Phil

Depending on weather we might be at PIB or Kellys Sunday, let me know if you are around.

Laszlo

lazzlo didnt you build big power for your 37 if so what power and what speeds you getting.

He built BIG power and its fast!!!

:evilb: