There are a lot of options available for those looking to purchase a boat for family outings. Each type of boat has different activities and lifestyles for which it best suits. For families seeking the freedom to travel longer distances in luxury, choosing from a selection of the best cabin cruiser boats is a great option.
These vessels strike the right balance between adventure and comfort, luxury and cost, inboard and outboard engines, and size and ease of use. They’re ideal for families or individuals and couples who enjoy entertaining friends and want something bigger than fishing boats and motorboats. So anyone who wants a relaxing place to enjoy their free time in style and relaxation should consider a cabin cruiser.
There are tons of options to choose from—maybe even too many. So we thought you might like a list with some tips. So, we’ve compiled a list of the best cabin cruiser boats available in 2023, comparing their sizes and amenities to give you a better understanding of your options before your next boat show or yacht sale.
What Is a Cabin Cruiser Boat?
Cabin cruisers are power boats with cabins for living space and outdoor side decks for leisure. Most of the best cabin cruiser boats on the market are between 30 and 50 feet in length, though they can be a bit smaller or quite a bit larger. They have areas to sleep, a kitchen area to prepare food, and a bathroom. Some have luxury features like teak, while other motor yachts are more functional.
They’re one of the best lake boats available. This spacious design provides a very comfortable place for individuals, families, and groups to gather. Also, the kitchen and bathroom allow you to stay out all day without inconvenience, and the sleeping area makes them ideal for longer trips.
Top 8 Best Cabin Cruiser Boats
If you’re looking for boats with cabins to buy, then you’re in luck. We’ve collected information on the top 8 best cabin cruiser boats to help you decide. We’ve included cabin cruisers from some of the best boat brands, with wide-ranging features from wet bars to port-side sunning decks. This guide should help you narrow down your search for cabin cruisers for sale and then find the features that best meet your needs.
1. Tiara 43 LE
This cabin cruiser has two chaise lounge seats on the bow and seating for four in the aft social area with rotating lounge seats and a fold-down terrace for water access.
The lounge space also has a grill and a small table for meals. The mid-cockpit galley is where the two-drawer refrigerators and sink are located. Then, below the deck are two sleeping spaces that fit four, a bathroom with a shower, and a microwave.
Back up top, you’ll find a cockpit outfitted with the latest technology for safe navigation and plenty of comfort features. There’s also tons of storage throughout the vessel and convenience and luxury features at every turn.
Pros:
- Lots of comfort features
- Luxury amenities
- State-of-the-art technology and design
Cons:
- Many of the high-end features are listed as optional add-ons.
- Somewhat limited food storage options
2. Beneteau Antares 7
This compact cabin cruiser has a sun pad on the bow that comfortably seats two with a slightly larger lounge area at the back. Inside, there’s a single-seat helm station with a panoramic view and a dining area for up to five. The area features a modular design with built-in storage areas.
The modular bench seating converts to a sun pad or additional berth. The galley has a small fridge and sink. Also, the forward cabin has a bed that sleeps two and an optional marine toilet.
Pros:
- Has all the necessities
- Modular design that provides multiple options for limited spaces
- Comes in a fishing version
Cons:
- The smallest cabin cruiser available
- Doesn’t have the same luxuries as others
3. The Grand Banks Eastbay 44
This spacious boat provides an aft galley with seating, a three-stateroom layout, and two large heads to fit six people onboard comfortably. The salon and cockpit feel spacious with their large electric windows. There’s also plenty of built-in storage.
Pros:
- Large and spacious
- Beautiful design and customization options
- Room for six
- Smooth performance on rough water
Cons:
- It may be more than you need.
4. Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS
This luxury cruiser is one of the best cabin cruiser boats. It features a mid-ship galley, three L-shaped seating areas, and added bench seating. It also has a grill, a sink, a fridge, and storage with an optional second grill and fridge or pop-up TV. Passengers can enjoy a dinette area with convenient wine storage and two beach doors that create a perfect swim platform.
The pilothouse has powered chairs, and the bow seating area also features audio speakers, a chiller box, and a trash can. The lower saloon has a Samsung TV, fridge, and microwave. Between the two staterooms, there are features like TVs, a hanging locker, a skylight, and custom beds.
Pros:
- Large and comfortable, with plenty of headroom and walkthrough space
- Beautiful design
- Plenty of space for entertaining
- All the basics and luxury amenities, offering plenty of versatility
Cons:
- The aft stateroom has a lot less appeal than the forward one.
- All the custom elements and add-on options will likely put it out of many people’s price range.
5. Rinker 270 Express Cruiser
This boat is one of the smallest boats with cabins on the list. But it comes complete with a galley, a head with shower, and sleeping accommodations for a maximum of four. It is a very compact boat that is built to feel more spacious than it is. But it has all the necessities. It’s also built for speed, and it’s great for watersports, making it one of the best lake boats for active families.
While the model is discontinued and you won’t find a new boat, it’s been a favorite of boaters for years, and there are still Rinker 270 Express cabin cruisers for sale with major used boat resellers.
Pros:
- Has all the basics
- Great for watersports
- Well-designed
Cons:
- No longer available new
- One of the smaller options
6. Nimbus W11
This gem is built for comfort and has an award-winning sidewalk design. It has multiple spacious, adaptable social areas and folding side balconies. So it’s built to provide you with options. With two berths to sleep four and a bathroom with a shower, the cabin is more than comfortable enough for a floating vacation.
Pros:
- Spacious social areas
- Award-winning design
- Beautiful aesthetic features
Cons:
- It’s more of a practical model than an extremely luxurious one.
7. Back Cove 34O
This boat has entertaining-built social areas with versatile seating designs. It features a comfortable cockpit with great visibility and storage space, a spacious sleeping area, and a bathroom with a shower. The aft seating can also be converted into a dinette or second berth area. It also boasts a unique proprietary Trailing Edge Lifting Surface (TRELIS) Ⓓ that requires less horsepower.
Pros:
- Functional seating areas
- Versatile design
- Large bedroom
Cons:
- The saloon looks cramped.
8. Galeon 410 HTC
This sporty, coupe-style cruiser features a push-button beach platform that lowers to the water’s edge. The two staterooms and two separate bathrooms are ideal for a double couple’s getaway. It also has an electrically actuated cockpit roof, a lounge with convertible seats at the bow, and a full galley.
Pros:
- Unique features
- Versatile design
- Built for comfort and privacy
Cons:
- On the smaller side
FAQs
Let’s go over some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic of the best cabin cruiser boats and provide answers.
What is the average cost of a cabin cruiser boat?
The average cabin cruiser usually costs somewhere between $100,000 and $500,000. But, typically, boats that cost less than $100,000 are more likely to be classified as cuddy cabins or mid-cabin boats. If you’re spending over half a million dollars for a boat, then chances are you’re getting something that most likely falls into the category of yacht or trawler.
Are the best cabin cruiser boats seaworthy?
Yes, cabin cruisers are considered to be seaworthy. They can handle rougher waters and have a relatively low rate of speed. However, they also make some of the best lake boats.
Can you live in the best cabin cruiser boats?
Cabin cruisers have all the basic necessities you need, so technically, it is possible to live aboard one. However, they aren’t meant as a replacement for long-term housing. Depending on the size of the cabin and its features, it may not be feasible to keep enough food aboard to survive longer than a short vacation. You may want to buy a houseboat instead.
What is considered a cabin cruiser boat?
Cabin cruisers are power boats that are typically 30 to 50 feet long with spaces to cook, eat, sleep, and use the bathroom.
