From the classifieds: Affordable flybridge cruisers

Going bigger doesn’t need to cost the earth. And one of the easiest ways to get bigger is to expand the amount of real estate on the boat upward, via a flybridge.

Flybridges are handy as they often have a separate helm station, so you can sit high above the decks with a commanding view of the water around you.

Bigger and better flybridge motor yachts will also have a bit of entertainment space, say a lounge, so that you don’t have to drive alone.

A used flybridge cruiser can be surprisingly affordable.

What do we mean by affordable? We’ve set ourselves a cap of $80,000, about the same price as a larger new trailer boat. 

However, at this price range, it pays to be a bit cautious and ensure that the boat you eventually fall for is properly inspected to ensure you aren’t just buying someone else’s problems.

Bertram-badged boats were built under licence in Australia from the 1960s, changing their name to Caribbean in the 1980s after the licencing deal ended. They feature deep vees and a deeply flared bow, and a decent beam.

At almost 8.0 metres long, these boats were built heavy and durable, but were usually sparsely equipped. 

The boats were fitted with twin MerCruiser petrol inboard engines, but many will have suffered the usual rot and are likely to have been replaced with something a bit newer, and potentially diesel to help knock down some of the cost of running such a big, heavy boat. 

Some owners are even replacing the sterndrives with pods to carry outboard engines – a much better solution than replacing inboard power units.

Prices range from about $35,000, but shop around and you may be able to find a good one for around the $50,000 mark. Check for osmosis on older Bertram-badged boats.

Here’s a boat made for family living, featuring big volumes inside, plenty of features and an upstairs deck with entertainment space.

This compact 11.0-metre flybridge cruiser has a comfy master stateroom in the bow, and a couple of bunks for children. If you need even more sleeping space, two lounges to either side of the saloon can convert into beds.

It even has a bathroom.

A big boat needs big engines to push it, and the Dominator 36 was powered using 300hp-plus twin MerCruiser petrol engines. Again, you’re hoping owners have either replaced the original engines with something a bit more economical, or have recently refurbished the engines to get a second life out of them.

You’ll notice that the Dominator 36’s galley is in the saloon, a nice touch that means you don’t need to miss out on all the action just because you have to cook dinner.

Upstairs, the helm station featured two chairs, with a rear-facing bench seat in front of it wide enough to seat three people.

You can find a Dominator 36 in good condition for less than $80,000 if you’re prepared to shop around.

Mariner is another brand with a lot of history behind it. It’s Mariner 31 measures a slip under 9.5 metres long, and features good family living space with up to six berths on board.

Mariner was a bit different from other boatmakers in that it didn’t bother with fancy timber cabinetry for its interiors. Instead, the interior was crafted from the same stuff as the hull, fibreglass.

The Mariner 31 has a good reputation as a solid, dependable family cruiser, with the brand an early adopter of diesel engines to help with fuel economy.

The flybridge on them is small, but uses a central helm flanked by a pair of inward-facing seats to make driving a more social affair.

The boat features a smallish saloon and cockpit, but a long foredeck perfect for stashing a couple of kayaks.

You should be able to find a well looked-after Mariner 31 for around the $50,000 mark.

Yep, luxury Australian motor yacht maker Riviera once made smallish boats. In fact, the 8.2-metre Riviera 27 stands today as the smallest boat it has ever built. But it still looks distinctly like a Riviera.

The Riv 27 was designed as an indulgence for a couple, with only one vee berth, and toilet, below decks. In the saloon, the layout was simple; galley, lounge/dinette and helm all within easy reach of each other.

That’s why the flybridge was an essential part of this boat. The upper helm, accessed via a ladder reaching down to the cockpit, features a single seat set aft, with another three seats forward of the station.

One of the features of this boat was its sharp dynamics, with a deep vee forward and a beamy rear end resulting in a fast, stable boat.

The boat was small enough to feature only a single engine powering a stern drive, but because there’s only one engine, its condition today will be essential.

Quality Riviera 27s still command a good price, so expect to pay around $75,000 for a decent one that still has many more years of life left in it.