? About cuddy cab boats up to 5 meter

Captain Bumwash

Can anyone tell me if what I have recently been told by a JV boat salesman is correct.....I was in market for cuddy cab up to 5 meters....I bought 2nd hand carribbean offshore with 90 optimax and have used it in several different conditions and been happy with it.... But salesman said I made mistake buying cuddly and should have bought runabout because cuddy cabs in the 5 meter range are top heavy and are therefore unstable and tend to lean or list while underway.... He said Haines hunter breeze 470 and my carribbean and the tournament models in same size were also afflicted with this problem and that that is why cuddys are less popular with fishermen who prefer runabouts or full size half cabins.... Is this correct or is it just spin bcz I didn't buy off him in the end....I an 130 kilo and have not noticed any list or tenderness on my recent boat acquisition!

Advice would be appreciated please....

frozenpod · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 3:12 pm Post subject:

Too many factors involved to make such a general statement.

But lower center of gravity will make any boat more stable thus higher center of gravity will make the same boat less stable.

IMO he was just spinning BS mate as they are plenty of great 5m cuddy cab and half cab boats.

Deepsix · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 3:20 pm Post subject:

A boat will be more liable to lean into crosswinds if there is high structure further forward than otherwise.

D curve · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 3:37 pm Post subject:

Deepsix is right & clears on can add to the case. I think in a cross wind the force on the front of the boat means you turn into the wind slightly to counteract & this is what gives you the lean. Cuddies & to a further extent half cabs are nicer to ride in as you are further back. So be pleased with your boat & consider the salesman a bit of an owner/operator .

JayyyyGee · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject:

Peter35 · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:14 pm Post subject:

Well he might be slightly correct - a cross wind and more side area will cause some leaning into the wind while underway.

But this is not a stability issue, just normal boat dynamics. And it would be no different in cuddy cab layout whether you had a 5m or 15m boat, the scale would just be different.

Stability at rest will be no different, its more about the hull shape than anything else. And as JG says, you'll have a more comfortable ride in the cuddy because the driving position is closer to the stern.
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theantspants · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:12 pm Post subject:

Cuddy cabs and half cabs have stood the test of time
So someone telling you they are unsafe must only have
runabouts to sell or is making more for selling runabouts
We are not talking about popemobiles. most cuddies these
days are pretty streamlined. and in all the years of cuddy and
half cabs has anyone ever heard of one blowing over sideways.
If the conditions are bad enough for the wind to make it unsafe to be
out in a cabin boat then should you be out in any boat. wouldnt
that same wind or waves/ spray ect make it safer to be in a cabin boat
without all that water coming over the front or sides. does the extra
weight of the cab not make it a smoother ride in crappy conditions.

There are pro's and Con's with all boats and every boat has the owner
making some sort of compromise. Thats why for a few years I had
a cuddy cab and an open boat. both to serve a specific purpose.
Work out what you need out of a boat and buy a good brand with
good reviews of the model you want to buy.
For the record I have a 4.58 streaker cuddy cab and I also have
a full set of camper covers. I doubt its much different than the
difference between a sports car and a panel van, yes you would feel
the wind a little but to say they are unsafe is ridiculous.
Cheers Ant.

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Freakish · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:19 am Post subject:

Someone has been feeding you some serious bullshit. Cuddy is probably the best all round trailerboat design u can get from maybe 4.5-5.5m. Everything easy and u get more protection from wind/spray/rain with easier bigger dry storage plus can stand up drive which is a big plus.
Nothing "unstable" about them, fantastic compromise design that has stood the test of time. Any rigs around 4.5-5.5m can "lean" slightly when underway depending on weight distribution...cuddies are no different. If you're 130kegs i doubt there's a 4.7m rig that wouldnt lean slightly whilst driving solo...just compensate...even better to have a cuddy so u can stand up and steer from centre of boat and it now wont "lean" at all.

ironmaiden · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:22 am Post subject:

Half cabs are only BAD with wind when the crew has eaten 2 tins of Baked Beans

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Scooby Steve · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:27 pm Post subject:

He is right to a certain degree thats just plain physics but is it going to be noticeable to the average joe, certain brands/models are better than others even the big 30ft boats can start to roll or rock with there high viewing towers etc so i wouldn't flick cuddies/half cabs off just yet the 470 Hunter you mentioned can be a bit tender at rest due to the light hull and deep v while yours can have a tendency to slip or roll in certain conditions due to its hull shape you just have to get use to the way your boat behaves. Have you used yours much and has this ever been a problem?