Cabin Conundrums: Cuddy Cabin VS Motor Yacht for the Stayaboard Life
The sea is beckoning and the wide-open waters are calling your name. You’re ready and willing to sail off into the sunset (and potentially stay for a while), but you’re not sure your boat is up to the task. After all, a cabin is much more comfortable for sleeping than a teak deck and a sleeping bag or hammock.
Have you been contemplating purchasing a boat with a cabin? Maybe you already have a cuddy cabin, a walkaround or a small cabin cruiser and want to upgrade? Whatever your level of boat ownership or lifestyle is, having the right vessel for your needs is important for comfort, convenience and accessibility (especially if you want to be able to stay aboard it every once in a while).
A cabin gives you the benefits of extra storage, changing space and the possibility of an onboard toilet (with kids, this one can really make or break the deal), as well as the option to stay aboard your boat. Beyond that, your choices lie in just how much space and creature comforts you, your family and your guests need.
What is a Cuddy Cabin Boat?
Photo: Stingray Boats Facebook
Cuddy cabin boats are sometimes confused with cabin cruisers, which are bigger and can have a couple of berths (sleeping spaces) as well as a small galley and an enclosed head (bathroom, though usually not more than a porta-potty or small marine toilet). The cabins are small and may only have a sleeping space big enough for one or possibly two people. The word “cuddy” means cupboard or small room, if that gives you an idea.
Photo: Stingray Boats Facebook
The typical cuddy doesn’t have enough headroom to stand up; it’s basically just a sleeping space. There are some larger versions that might have a small galley area (as in a microwave) and a head. Even though they’re small inside, cuddy cabins are great boats in that they combine the performance and amenities of a cruiser with the versatility of a family-friendly bowrider. Being smaller in size, cuddy cabins make the task of finding private boat slips for rent much easier.
Cuddy cabin boats range from 20 to 30 feet in length and can hold up to about eight people (for recreation purposes, not overnight stays). The V-hull makes it nimble and maneuverable enough to slice through the water while staying stable enough to fish. They’re available in outboard, stern drive and jet drive and are great for towing water skiers and wakeboarders as well as fishing, cruising and sightseeing. They don’t have that deep side walkway like a typical walkaround, but you can still walk around the side deck to get to the bow of the boat.
Cuddy cabins are a good choice if you’ll be staying at marinas or a private boat dock for rent with facilities. Cuddy cabins include the Grady White Freedom 335, the Chris-Craft Corsair, the Yamarin 65 Day Cruiser, the Bayliner VR5 Cuddy and the Stingray 208CR.
Benefits of a Cuddy Cabin
- Space for kids to take a nap or use as a changing room or gear storage
- Good for when all you need is a place to sleep at night
- Trailerable to explore new areas
- Less expensive than a motor yacht
- Good-sized cockpit, swim platforms and towing capabilities
- Try out the stayaboard life to see if you’ll enjoy it for the long haul or even as a “liveaboard” before buying a larger motor yacht
- Great choice if you’re looking to upgrade from a bowrider.
Negatives of a Cuddy Cabin
- Small and not much headroom for standing up
- Only enough room for one or two people and maybe a small child to spend the night
- Not comfortable for extended stays onboard (unless you’re a diehard off-the-grid sort of person)
- Not as many creature comforts like air conditioning and heating (though these things can be added)
What is a Motor Yacht?
Photo: Carver Yachts Facebook
Motor yachts are those sleek and shiny vessels we all drool over in the marina or showroom. Or is that just me? Anyway, motor yachts range from 40 to 60 feet. Yachts over 60 feet usually require a professional captain and an actual crew, so we’re going to stick with the under 60-foot category for purposes of this post.
Photo: Carver Yachts Facebook
Motor yachts have “the works” … sun pads, settees, outdoor dining areas, swim platforms. You get the idea. Depending on the size of the boat, they can accommodate up to 20 people or more. If you’re planning to explore the Bahamas and the Caribbean, journey along the Great Lakes or take on the Great Loop, you’ll want the comforts and conveniences of a motor yacht.
Photo: Sandy Allen
Motor yacht brands include the Carver C52 Coupe, the Regal 36 Grande Coupe and the Sea Ray Sundancer 320 Outboard. Sportfishing yachts such as the Bertram 35 Flybridge and the Tiara F44 Flybridge could also be considered in this category. In fact, the flybridge aspect of a sportfish (both for visibility and outdoor operation) along with an interior steering station, makes them an excellent choice if you can't quite find a motor yacht to suit your needs. You can't beat that view.
Benefits of a Motor Yacht
- More privacy and luxury than a cuddy cabin
- More room below deck: at least two cabins (V-berth and aft), living space, separate bathroom (usually with a shower) and kitchen space
- Ability to travel further distances and into more open waters
- Shallow draft makes it good for places like the ICW and the Great Loop
- Comfortable for multiple people
- Multiple steering stations (such as flybridge, outside helm or interior steering station) make it convenient during inclement weather
- Like an RV, your transportation is your house: you can anchor out “on the hook” without the need to book a marina slip
Negatives of a Motor Yacht
- More expensive to purchase initially
- Not trailerable
- Bigger means more cost for gas, insurance and boat slip rentals
- Larger boats are harder to dock and navigate through narrow channels
- More maintenance as far as multiple engines and bigger bilges, more plumbing, water filtration systems, etc.
How to Decide Between a Cuddy Cabin and a Motor Yacht
Photo: Sandy Allen
The most important factor is deciding the main thing you’ll be using the boat for. Do you want it for extended stays or more for day trips and cruising? Traveling from Florida to the Bahamas and staying for a week? You’ll want a motor yacht. Spending the night on the local lake with your significant other or a day in the bay with the kids? A cuddy cabin it is.
You’ll also want to consider where it will be stored. Will it mostly stay at the marina or your boat slip? If you have a private boat dock rental, make sure they allow overnight stays and liveaboards.
Next, consider how many people will be on board either for the day or overnight. If you plan on having multiple friends and relatives for the weekend, a motor yacht is the right choice. You won’t believe how many new friends you can acquire with the purchase of a motor yacht.
Hopefully you’ve picked up some tips on how to decide between a cuddy cabin and a motor yacht. Have fun out there!
