Exclusive: Cruisers 300 Express — By Capt. Bill Pike — November 2004

Sling Shot

Which is Better?

More of this Feature • Part 1: Cruisers 300 • Part 2: Cruisers 300 • Which is Better? • Cruisers 300 Specs • Cruisers 300 Deck Plan • Cruisers 300 Acceleration Curve • Cruisers 300 Photo Gallery
Related Resources • Boat Test Index
Elsewhere on the Web • Cruisers Yachts

Our test boat’s cockpit layout (top illustration) featured a crescent-shape lounge and benchseat aft. There’s a dining table as well, which folds in half to facilitate companionway traffic. A second, more traditional layout is also available. But before we consider it, let’s see why Cruisers bothers offering the first.

There are actually three reasons. First, the 300’s cockpit sole has a two-degree angle (with respect to the waterline), so all water drains aft. Second, the boat’s running attitude at speed falls between two and four degrees. Third, most people like to sit facing forward on a moving boat, mostly because facing aft entails a gravity-fighting hunker, in the case of the 300 by as much as two plus four or six degrees.

So? Cruisers designed our test boat’s layout so everyone faces forward. By comparison, the other layout (bottom illustration) combines forward-facing and aft-facing benchseats into a dinette area aft. While Cruisers expects this layout to be less popular, they offer it for one reason—dinette tables lower to create a big, ray-catching sunlounge. Filler cushions and table legs stow under the seats. —B.P.

Next page > Cruisers 300 Express Specs > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7