Hello. Believe it or not, I have more or less just learned of Ocean Express. I ran across a whole pkg for sale "1994 48' Ocean Express Power Boat/Toter Package" for 195K. Is this a phenomenal deal, or is there something I'm missing. Has the hull design changed much since 94? Are they solid hulls? What intrigue's me the most about them is the cockpit configuration and most of all, the space in it. I currently own an American Offshore 26NSX. Im half temped to take out a second mortgage for this this pkg. What can you guys tell me about these boats? Thanks!

I have a 39 and have several buddies who either have 39's or 48's. We are all happy with the boat. I am sure some changes have been made since 94. Not many new OE's being produced. The manufacturer is in Algomac, MI. The OE's are a different breed. Unlike most cats today, they are designed with lots of cabin and cockpit space for lots of people. Makes a great party poker run boat etc.

Skaters, MTI's, Nor-Tec's etc are all designed to sit down, shut up and hold on. The OE's are heavier and considered the Limo, Buick or Caddy of the large cats. There are few cats where you can go out cruising at 70-100 + with seating for 8 and have 5 people standing and walking around the boat. And most of all be comforatable.

There have been a few for sale in that price range for a while. Probably not a stellar deal on an older boat. A boat that big takes alot of motor to move ($$$$$$$$$$$) and is an overall hassle to deal with as far as storage & transport. It's not exactly a trailer boat. On the other hand, you can't touch a Skater in that size for less than twice that price- it will be faster on flat water but the Express will go better in slop and big swells. It's a much heavier, much deeper boat. They're a bear to dock- that length with arnesons....

Super easy to dock with Arnesons on a wide cat. I park mine like a Searay.

Docking is not an issue. Trialers the same as a Skater. I know since I have both. You are in a cat which carries more people, that will be slower for half the bucks.

I was wondering about how easy/ difficult it would be to manuever around the docks with Arneson's. What about reverse? How do they perform in reverse?

Reverse is actually easy. Your drives are about 6-7 feet apart.
The boat is very responsive. I have my drives turning in.

If you had a deep V, staggared engines and Arnesons, it would be a chore.