Express Cruisers 25’ to 29’: We Pick 4 To Compare

The “express cruiser” has been one of the most popular type of boat for decades because it serves both as a dayboat for entertaining and cruising, as well as being an overnight accommodation. At the small end of the range -- 25’ to 29’ (7.62 m to 8.84 m) -- express cruisers are often called “pocket cruisers” because they are small, but also because they usually can be towed. That allows them to have a cruising range that far exceeds what would be possible in the water during a two-week vacation. They are an “entry-level” cruiser, a natural move up from a sportboat, and a relatively inexpensive way for a boater to get a taste of the larger cruising boat lifestyle.

At first glance, all four of these boats look quite similar, and, indeed, all have an interior that is roughly the same layout. But once you drill down into the details of the design and build, you discover that they are all remarkably different one from another. For example, the Formula 290 Sun Sport has a 9’ (2.74 m) beam and weighs 8,950 lbs. (6,805 kg) – 32% more than the next heaviest boat. The Four Winns Vista 255 is the smallest of these four boats, and has an 8’5” (2.55 m) beam and weighs just 6,175 lbs. (2,801 kg) dry. Nevertheless, it has all of the basic accommodations and cockpit features of the larger boats.

When looking at any boat, remember -- all boats are a compromise. That’s why it’s important to know what specific attributes are most important to you and your family.

For those BoatTEST members that have specific questions about any of the boats we have provided a link to our Captain's Reports. We will try to answer your specific questions about any of these four vessels.