hello pacific coast cruisers I'm debating between 2001 chaparral 260 cabin cruiser and 2003 larson cabrio 274 for ocean stability and towing
at this moment I have seen both boats and I like both I'm basing my decision on which boat handel south ca coast swells as I have a 9 and 6 years old kids better and easier to tow, I'm not planing on renting a slip so most of the time I will be towing the boat , please advise thanks
Answers
Hey ashash
As far as towing, be advised that the Larson has the Duo Delta Conic Hull, a stepped hull, and the trailer needs to be set up for that type of bottom. Otherwise, towing is going to be equally easy--percentage diffs in weight and beam here come down to your vehicle and local regs more than ease.
Running, you might find that the Larson's stepped hull proves more efficient--many stepped hulls are. However, stepped hulls have much of the running trim built-in. Trimming the drives to raise the bow while running in following seas has less effect.
The Chaparral is a conventional V-hull, and no special trim or trailer techniques are required.It may be a tad less fuel efficient. Maybe.
All of this depends upon power as well. Are they powered , geared and propped the same?
In closing, every used boat is an individual. Who owned it, how it was used and cared for has more to do with used boat "quality" than who built it. Our advice is always to sea trial a boat before you buy and to get a survey done by a marine surveyor associated with NAMS or SAMS.
G'Luck
Kevin


