I am looking for advice on what size is best to start with.
I have been boating on lakes with 18 ft runabouts and on the ocean in a 34 ft express cruiser for @ 20 years.
I would like to get into a outerlimits boat.
I do not plan on running full throtle all day.I would be running moderate speeds..
What would you guys think would be a good starting point.
I will be using it in the ocean.

something in the 32' range always seems to be the best option. At least that is the way we look at it in the Chesapeake. I'm running a 25' and will upgrade to a 32 in the future.

It would depend on the cruise speed. A 42 is a great boat can cruise at 80 very safe and run well in the ocean. Also has a great size cabin. Look for one with stock power, don't need the problems with big power.

I would not buy a 32 anything if you're looking to run in the ocean (maybe fine for smaller protected water, but too small for open water).

I would say 37-42 is a real sweet spot. The 37 and 42 are very similar in layout, the 42 just has a little more room in under the hatch, in the cockpit, and in the cabin. Both are great boats. The 37 is obviously less of a handful around the docks and is also easier to trailer (the 37 is within the legal limit, the 42 is over the 8' 6" limit). The 42 will be a little better in the open ocean (there's no substitute for length).

FWIW, I own a staggered 37 OL with 6's and recently bought a larger boat. The plan was to sell the 37 right away, but after spending 3 long weekends in a row using the 46, I will say the larger boat is much more of an event to use. I'm still considering selling the 37, but if I didn't have friends with 32'-38' boats I now don't think I would even consider selling the 37 OL.

BTW, the 37 and 42 OL are big boats for their class. Both have real cabins with significant headroom. The cabin layout in my 37 is a lot nicer and is considerably more useable. Cigarette is not even in the same league in this regard.

Thanks ss930 for the information
how much more of a learning curve do you feel the 42 or your 46 is to dock vs your 37.i have been looking at 42 mostly .where do you use your 46?

Had a 42 OL, now have a 46 Limited. The 42 is great all around boat, handles big water just fine. They are a little tricky to dock, mostly in the wind. Just something to get used to with staggered motors. Both are 1075 boats.

The cabin and cockpit are big in both.

There's a pretty significant difference between the 37 and the 46 around the docks. Not only is there the issue of finding room to turn and space to dock the larger boat, but the wind and currents can really make docking the 46 a major PITA. The 37 is a little bit of a handful around the docks, but not so much because of the length. With my 37, the staggered drive spacing lacks a little leverage compared to a traditional side by side and the big power (that didn't always want to idle real well) is the biggest issue with docking the 37), but I might repower it with more mild power or go EFI which would make docking it much easier. If your boating consists of a mostly short trips with a lot of docking, or even requires you to use a few tight docking areas, I would definitely stick with something closer to the 36-39 foot range. This size boat will run through just about everything and really is significantly easier to dock and trailer. There's a reason this size range is probably the most popular.

As I said, the 46 is a big ordeal. It has an even tighter drive centerline and a is LOT more boat to catch the wind. If a boat this size has a bow thruster, it's not much of an issue around the docks, but most don't have a bow thruster (although I have seen a larger OL with one). If you're in a tight area with some current and even a decent amount of wind, docking the 46 might be considered more of a controlled crash than anything... It's a major PITA and it really helps to have a buddy or two onboard to help around the docks. Keep in mind when you get to a boat this size, you can't muscle them around like you can with smaller/lighter boats. If you have very open docks and little congestion to worry about and do plenty of open running in decent size seas, the larger boat makes a lot of sense.

Obviously a 42 is right around the center point of the two boats I'm talking about here. In smaller water the smaller boats can be faster, and obviously in big water (real 3' seas and more) the longer boats will excel... but I can tell you the larger the boat, the more expensive they are to own, they're more work to clean and maintain, and once you get to a certain size you really have to plan around docking.

As I mention, 37'-39' seems to be a real sweet spot, 42' is getting real close to being a lot of work, and 45'+ is a lot of work and requires some thought around the docks and if trailering.

I live in CT and boat on Long Island Sound and in the open water off RI. The 37 has been out in real 5'-8' seas without issue, the 46 just does it a little smoother and the props stay in the water more. Typical conditions here are real 1'-3' seas inside LIS (confused chop) and 3'-6' seas out around Block Island. I also boat on the CT river and both boats are major overkill for that.

I don't know what type of boating you do and I'm not trying to talk you out of a larger boat, but there's a reason the 37'-39' range is so popular... don't discount that.

Thanks for the good details on one vs the other.
I am used to docking on the merrimac river in ma. Docking can be a hassle with the current and wind.i think you helped me a lot with my choices.the 46 would probably be to much work without a lot of practice.

Wait, Scott didn't know you bought a 46! Congrats man. Slowride, you too. Lets see some pics.

The biggest issue with going to a 42 or 46 is that they all have big power except a few 42 that have trip 525. Really depends on what type of boating you do. For an occasional poker run, big power is great. Boating every weekend, dinner runs, etc-- not so much. 37 and 39 are both great boats and there are lots of examples out there with mild power. The layout on the 37 is a little better and the cabin is bigger, 39 is faster. Both are big boats and very capable in open ocean, a 37 can run in any water that a 42 can. I believe that the cabin in the 37 and 42 is exactly the same, the length difference is mostly in the stern.

Thanks Rich. I went Cig rather than OL, so other than the length, it's not of much interest here.