Headroom questions on 305/330

[jpl]

Hi all-

New here, and searching for a family sized boat for my young family (4.5/2 next season).

We're planning on mostly cruising, but I'd like to sneak in at least a handful of fishing trips with just the guys a couple of times a season. Seems like I never do quite end up fishing as much as I'd want too.

I'm 6'5" however, and I'm looking at either the 305 or 330 express as candidates. Unfortunately neither were at the NY show, although there was a 300 Marlin there. The Marlin had more than enough room underneath the hardtop at both the helm, and everywhere else above deck. Does anyone know if the headroom above deck on the 305/330 similar?

Ideally, I'd prefer to have seating for the family underneath the hardtop to get out of the weather, and the Marlin was not quite laid out for that with young children.

Although I havent yet seen the 305/330, there was a 360 at the NY show. And although the center helm seems desirable from a captain's position, I thought even the 360 helm seating felt a little cramped. Which leads me to my second question... Assuming that headroom is not an issue, does the helm seating area seem a little cozy on either the 305/330?

Thanks all. I'm keen to learn more, and I'd be proud to own either.

 

[ElyseM]

i don't think you'll have any problem with headroom, but if you feel the 360 is tight at the helm you are not going to gain in the 330.

personally, for the amount of seating available, the tradeoff of squeezing a little works for me.

you're gonna have to look at different makes with various helm layouts to determine what works best for you and the family.

good luck, ron

 

[jpl]

Thanks Ron. It wasn't so much that the 360 seemed tight... It was more the layout of the helm compared to the rest of the boat... Ie, the cockpit was like a dance floor, but with a handful of people at the helm it seemed crowded. Extrapolating that to a smaller boat, I was curious to see what others thought.

I definitely need to get on a 305/330 and get some first hand experience.

My first choice was a pursuit os315, but there is no room for me under the hardtop. I fit behind the helm of the os335, but that was more due to the placement of a vent than the headroom itself. I had to duck everywhere else. While the integrated hardtop seems great, not so much at the expense of actually being able to stand upright.

I do like the 'l' settee offered on both though, and glad to hear headroom is comparable to the 300 marlin.

 

[freddy063]

You can get your Gardy without a hardtop and add a custom build one the way you want it one later.

 

[jpl]

Thats a good point Freddy. I do think if I ordered a new, built-to-spec 330E, I would go with what they call the 'Optional Hardtop Enclosure'. That seems to be how they reference the hardtop integrated into the windowframe, which looks fantastic (presuming no headroom issues)

Living in the NorthEast with the shortened season to begin with, I'm not quite ready to spring for a new build though.

I think I'd prefer a new-to-me, late model, lightly used and well taken care of one instead.

 

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

jpl, have you checked the NY dealers? I am pretty sure they have the boat you want.

 

[freddy063]

Like everything eles I screwed that one up. What I am trying to say is I got my boat without a hardtop used. I took it to a local shop, he saw that I was tall and made me a hardtop that met my stature. The only thing wrong with my boat, tall wise is, shower to small, sleeeping berth to short, head room great other wise , it's ok, I have a 1994 Sailfish.