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Picnic Boats vs Express Cruisers

Discussion in 'General Downeast Dayboat Discussion' started by carelm, Nov 29, 2012.

  1. carelm

    carelm Senior Member

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    Picnic Boats and Express Cruisers have similar layouts in plan view, but have markedly different styling characteristics. Picnic Boats IMHO are more traditional in appearance while Express Cruisers seem to resemble a fast sports car. I prefer the Picnic Boat style as I like boats to look like boats. They seem to have more of a grace to them. The Express Cruisers have streamlined styling but this seems to compromise visibility as well as not being really effective given the boats' speed capabilities. See below for an example of each style.

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  2. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Picnic boats got their style from lobster boats. Until recently people have been wanting to go faster on the water, hense the mega-express cruisers you see today. Not sure how long that's going to play out though. 106gph x $5 per gallon gets a bit daunting for all but the deepest pockets. We may be heading back towards more traditional styles from what I'm hearing, at least in the under 60' range. More space, more time spent cruising or on the hook, less speed. We'll see.
  3. Laurence

    Laurence Senior Member

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    Can't always define

    Picnic boat, express cruiser, downeaster, rumrunner?? I have yet to define my Chris Craft.

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  4. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    'A rose by any other name'. So use whatever term helps you describe it. We try to categorize boats to give an idea of their general purpose. Your boat is a cruiser, and more specifically a launch (passenger carrier). You'll find that style very often in crew boats, commercial launches and water taxis.
  5. carelm

    carelm Senior Member

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    As a style, I view picnic or lobster boats as being pretty much the same. However as you noted the original lobster boats were work boats, not pleasure boats. Another advantage in picnic/lobster boats is that most have opening windows and skylights that allows for quite a bit of veniliation. Some express cruisers have sunroofs but I haven't seen any with opening windows to allow cross-flow veniliation.
  6. sunchaserv

    sunchaserv Member

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    Did Hinckley copyright "Picnic Boats?" To me unless it is a Hinkley it is not a PC. That said I sure prefer the San Juans.
  7. carelm

    carelm Senior Member

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    Not sure on that. What I did notice is that in the ads for Picnic/Lobster boats, the people are well-dressed (yachting casual if you will) and are mature (mid 30s and above). The ads for express cruisers usually feature one or more chickie-poos in bikinis.
  8. bernd1972

    bernd1972 Senior Member

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    Well, these picnic/lobster boat pleasurecraft thing all goes back to the Raymond Bunker - designs from the 1950 to 1960 days (Bunker&Ellis yard). Basically it´s a typical US east coast yacht design, no matter if Hinckley has a trademark on the term Picnic boat. It´s defintelly retro/traditional and I like it.
  9. 84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Carelm, I'd have to recommend the P/B, I think most people/punters would like the Express Cruiser, but you'll get genuine respect from proper boaters (the well-dressed ;)) with the Picnic style boats... Plus there better at sea than E/C :D

    Far

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  10. carelm

    carelm Senior Member

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    Far,

    The Palm Beach series are among the prettiest and classiest yachts around IMHO. If my urban dictionary definition of punters is correct, even the express cruisers are out of their league.:D
  11. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno
    Hmmmmm

    Add a bridge and have a look at Albin boats - Trawler Yachts, as some would say.

    Ray and Fred collaborated on a 48' North Sea version.

    Look familiar, if you add a bridge to yours?
  12. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Looks like a Pilothouse Motoryacht (without Flybridge) to me......
  13. 84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Lol! sounds about right! The E/C's are the type that will run past you at 20 knots in 6knot zones, or anchor on top of you in massive achorages... :rolleyes:. Back to the P/B, I'm pretty sure there selling a few to the US, at one stage they won not once, but in two consecutive years the same prestigious award in there class.

    The San Juans are gorgeous as well, but I think there's more room on the Palm Beach comparing appples to apples.

    Far