Cruiser Boat Buying Guide

A cruiser offers all of the usual boating fun—and a whole lot more! These unique vessels come with cozy living spaces, such as private bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. Enjoy a day of boating, spend the night on your boat, and then wake up and enjoy more boating.

Set A Budget

Before you look at any models, consider building a budget. Set a firm limit for how much you want to spend. That way, you can eliminate models beyond that limit from your search…before you fall in love with them. It also keeps you from unnecessarily passing on features you can responsibly buy. Making a budget helps you get the highest quality model you can afford.

Cruisers are often more affordable than people expect. They can even be a more budget-friendly option than getting an RV with similar features. If you want to stretch your budget, you can always explore used cruisers. These models will come at lower prices due to the impact of depreciation.

Pick A Size

Next, think about how large you want your cruiser to be. Models can be anywhere from 17 feet to 55 feet long. Most fall within the 20-40 feet range.

Consider how many people you want to bring on board. Cruisers typically fit between four and twelve passengers. Make sure there are enough seats and space for everyone you want to bring along.

Consider Your Tow Vehicle

Not all tow vehicles can transport all cruisers. Vehicles do have limits on how much weight they can carry. Check your tow vehicle’s owner’s manual to find out what it’s capable of carrying. Then make sure you stick to cruisers that fall within those weight restrictions.

Consider The Features

Cruisers can come with a wide range of features. Some models offer the bare basics. Others offer impressive luxury. Most models fall somewhere in between. Think about your style of boating and what would suit your family well.

For example, maybe you are planning on enjoying many long-distance overnight trips this summer. You’ll be spending plenty of time on your boat, so you’ll want to invest in more features. The more you’ll use the boat and the more you’ll spend the night on the boat, the more you’ll want to spend on comfort.

You’ll also want to think about where you’ll be taking your boat. Maybe you always plan on visiting places that offer amenities within walking distance, such as public showers at a campsite. If you always have access to certain amenities, you won’t need to pay extra to include those amenities on your boat.

The exact features will depend on the given model, but they can include:

  • air conditioning
  • water heaters
  • a toilet
  • power generators
  • an electrical system
  • a kitchen
  • private bedrooms
  • a swim platform

You can always upgrade your cruiser down the road with accessories, but it can be cheaper to get a boat with the features already included.

Ready to explore cruiser boats for sale? Check out the selection at Meyer’s RV & Marine. We are located in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland, and look forward to assisting you!

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