I used to love trailering, then I fell in love with a slip. Having a setup to go from lake to lake is fantastic, but launches vary in whether you smile or curse them. I've been without bot for several years now, and life is infinitely more boring without a boat. But at 67, I'm far worse off than I was than when I was polishing the boat, cleaning every weekend, and bombing around. Between sciatica and some nerve issues, damn it, I've been looking around again. Given everything else, including being able to board it easily like old folks, I still want something smaller and lighter now. Very tough market for that, given most emphasize fishing, which we rarely did. If I were in good health I'd likely get a nice bass boat. The vehicle can and will determine the next step. I may be 80 by the time I find the right combo

That Sundancer is sharp!
The negative aspects brought up about my idea makes owning a cruiser sound not as great as I thought it would be.

Thanks! It really was a stupid clean boat and we really enjoyed it honestly. Great family from Beaver Lake in Arkansas bought it and are loving it with their kids. Called me today actually, bilge blower went out lol, it's always something with any boat. But for all the negatives there is still a ton of positive, just know that just because it isn't a go-fast that doesn't mean it is easier or care free to take care of. If it is what you like and can enjoy with friends/family then jump in and enjoy!

It's funny though with so many of you guys going to a cruiser.

I'm 41 but for some reason the last year or two I've really gotten to where I feel my CIG is just too slow. I never felt that way the 15 summers prior to that, but it's been a strange feeling this year. Cruise speed at 50 just south of 4,000 has started to grate on me as being too slow and it's a strange feeling. I love my tiger and it doesn't make sense to move in the next couple years given we don't have much time to use it but I think I'll have to go Cat next time - the opposite of cruiser!!!!

The most fun years of boating I had was with an Igloo cooler and porta john on a 26' twin engine center console minus the logo carved upholstery and carpeting, doomsday stereo. and having to climb into a scalding hot engine compartment and fold into a position medical science says is impossible to figure out what broke that day.

No doubt some of my best boating was done in a 1976 Wellcraft V20. Soggy floor, transom full of GitRot and beach chairs for seating!!! Not a care in the world!!!

I always thought that a comfy cruiser would be nice, if I could get something like an Allison XB-21 as a fun boat. Nowadays, I'd be happy enough to trailer a Whaler Montauk. Makes life easier.

We have both, the go fast doesn’t get used as much as I’d like, but it’s a good balance. Want to go out for lunch and cruise launch and take that. Family day swimming, grilling, lounging in inflatables take the cruiser. Tried doing just the cruiser thing for a couple years about went crazy. Way too much work every week, anchor, inflate everything, take the dog into shore, grill the food, clean up, deflate the toys, put them away, come back wash the boat. Easily 5 times the “work”

Generators need to be run. Most people rarely use them, and then have issues. If I am not plugged into shore power, my generator is running. 2018 Westerbeke 7.5kW with 2,500 hours.

Also have a Donzi 43ZR with triple 700's and a Nor-Tech 390 CC with triple 350's. My Monterey cruiser has been 1000x less headaches than the Donzi. Sure, the maintenance is the same as far as oil changes/ gear lube changes but at a higher hour interval and less things break. With the cruiser, in 700 engine hours the only thing I've had go wrong (knock on wood) is a failed water pump bearing and bad O2 sensor. Both were warrantied and easy fixes.

Recently got out of our go fasts. Wife and I are 43. We’ve had a 30’ Baja, 33’ Donzi, and a 38’ Cigarette. Sold the Cig 3 years ago. We had a 25’ Premiere tritoon (still owned the Cig) that we used for two years and liked it. Our son is 13, so it worked for coving and tubing, easy maintenance.

Last year we sold it and bought a 2000 35’ Donzi CC with twin 300 verados and DTS. We love it! Great boat. Has a little speed, can pull tube behind it, pack people on it. Been to Florida with it five times fishing since we bought it. We love it!

Everything breaks. But, I don’t find myself checking gauges all the time, not cleaning a bilge, checking oil, hoping drives don’t break, etc. The tritoon and CC have been way less aggravating and maintenance