Not a trawler post but lots of good responses in the past from this group.

[StuartT]

IF you guys had asked me yesterday, we were leaning towards the Meridian because it is 5 years newer, has an up salon/galley, 330's instead of 270's, genset and AC, and is a safe bet for resale in our PNW market.

Now, after more discussion and reading all your posts, which are very revealing and hugely helpful, we are crossing over, now slightly favoring the Tiara Express due to quality build, big interior living, huge cockpit fully enclosed with Strataglass, big swimstep and a fantastic dingy which the Meridian doesn't have. All that hp ain't so bad either. If I could just get past the future resale issue of a Tiara in our market, I think my decision would be made.

Just one more thing about being down under vs. up and in the daylight. I have convinced myself that if I add a diesel furnace to heat the cockpit and made sure I could increase AC air flow as well, we would likely spend most of our daylight hours up in the cockpit rather than down under. If it's time for TV or computer activity, the cave could be more than satisfactory.

 

[StuartT]

Well, I did it. I pulled the plug and made an offer on the Tiara. Underway, anchored or at the dock, with everyone (or just the wife and the dog) up on that huge aft deck contributed significantly to the decision. If the deal goes through, I will make an adjustable deflector box to proportion AC (or heat) delivery to the cockpit or the salon as needed. I don't really like fly bridges and so no loss there. Tough call, this one, but I learned that the trend, at least here in the northwest, is starting to lean toward the eastern style boats sans flying bridges, like the Cutwaters and Tugs for example.

Thank you guys for all your thoughts and comments. They had a lot to do with my decision.

 

[Mac2]

Well, I did it. I pulled the plug and made an offer on the Tiara. Underway, anchored or at the dock, with everyone (or just the wife and the dog) up on that huge aft deck contributed significantly to the decision. If the deal goes through, I will make an adjustable deflector box to proportion AC (or heat) delivery to the cockpit or the salon as needed. I don't really like fly bridges and so no loss there. Tough call, this one, but I learned that the trend, at least here in the northwest, is starting to lean toward the eastern style boats sans flying bridges, like the Cutwaters and Tugs for example.

Thank you guys for all your thoughts and comments. They had a lot to do with my decision.

Congratulations! Hope everything works out with the surveys.

 

[Bmarler]

Terrific, I hope it works out well for you. FWIW, I believe the tiara will carry a better resale value over time.
Good luck going forward!

 

[StuartT]

Thanks guys. Can't wait to leave Arizona this Thursday headed north to see the boat. Hope the offer is accepted, but we will see.

 

[oldzink]

We changed boats last year into an "upstairs" cabin. Completely different boats but a similar up and down choice. From 17 years in a 1965 Shepherd Express cruiser which had a cabin at keel level (somewhat sailboat like - four steps down) and a wonderful very large back deck 10 x 12 or so to a 36 GB Sedan which has a largish back deck 10 x 8 or so and a very large cabin at the same level and a small v berth for the head and bed. The light and airy feel of the main cabin with its large windows is a huge plus over the eye level smaller windows of the Shepherd. Quite a bit more space in the GB cabin, but that is not the issue. As you say the mood is quite different and we prefer the upstairs feel.

Another significant difference is view from the helm - the express cruiser had one steering station outside on the front of the back deck. Similar in height off the water as the lower helm in the GB but about ten feet toward the stern. I much prefer the option of steering from the fly bridge as you have a much better view of the water in front of you and even the lower helm in the GB has a significantly better view.

I sold my Philbrooks / Garden trawler last summer. We've been looking for something simpler and quicker. One boat we've looked at seriously is your old Shepherd. We walked away 90 days ago when the survey revealed too long a list of to do's. But a couple of months at a good yard could solve most problems. Regarding the engines: does it need new ones? What was your cruising speed? Top speed? Do recall gph #s? I couldn't find a way to direct message. Thanks
Bill Weed, Pullman, Wa.

 

[StuartT]

Well, I have an update and it is a total change from where we left off. We did get to Washington (much cooler than our Arizona furnace home) and we did get aboard the Tiara. Beautiful boat, excellent quality, just felt cool in many respects. But after standing, sitting, looking, absorbing, etc., we realized we would cook on a hot day in the fully enclosed cockpit, and would lose the reality of our surrounding down in that hole, I mean cabin. Co-captain took and instant disliking and that was it. Got our deposit back.

We also decided against the 381 as it felt somewhat small, especially the cockpit and swimstep, and looked at a 42 Ocean Alexander Altus, a Meridian 411, a SR 56, but alas, no joy. OA beautiful, but in poor condition plus heavy and expensive to operate; a 411 that was gorgeous, but they have a history of wet stringers; SR 56 beautiful, but to damn big; so now we are zeroing in (possibly) on a Meridian 391. Problem is there are no 391's for sale in the Pacific NW. So, treading water for right now, but still looking.

 

[ranger58sb]

SR 56 beautiful, but to damn big;

There are 52s and 47s, if that helps...

All slightly newer (more $$$?) than the 56, I think, contemporaries of the also slightly newer 550/58s.

Not a recommendation, just factoids...

-Chris

 

[Shrew]

Apples and Oranges

Meridian is the line of flybridge boats over 34 ft that Brunswick were rebranded from Bayliner molds.

Tiara is a fishing boat that also makes Pursuit out of Michigan with a stellar reputation.

 

[darnold]

I sold my Philbrooks / Garden trawler last summer. We've been looking for something simpler and quicker. One boat we've looked at seriously is your old Shepherd. We walked away 90 days ago when the survey revealed too long a list of to do's. But a couple of months at a good yard could solve most problems. Regarding the engines: does it need new ones? What was your cruising speed? Top speed? Do recall gph #s? I couldn't find a way to direct message. Thanks

Bill Weed, Pullman, Wa.

Sent you a DM

 

[Bmarler]

It’s good to be picky. Lots of money spent, need to be happy with the end result.