ISO Suggestions for Lakeboat + local cruiser to complement Meridian 408

[codingparadox]

We have the epitome of first world problems. We keep our Meridian 408 up in Anacortes by the San Juans for weekend cruising and longer trips. We just bought a house on Lake Washington and are looking for a smaller boat that would be a fun afternoon/day cruiser for the lake as well as easily head out the locks to the mid/south sound when weather looks better down south. We're currently looking at something like a 2855 as a reasonable compromise between cost and features. Looking for something that quite comfortably sleeps us (a couple), and can reasonably comfortably sleep a second couple sometimes, and has the 3 S's -- stove/shower/toilet. While the primary contender seems to be a 1996-2001 2855 (20-25k for a pretty well equipped one with the 7.4/Bravo 3), the 2858 seems slightly compelling, though I'm not sure it's as good of a general day cruising lake boat as the 2855. The 2859 seems vaguely interesting as well, but appears even less useful as a lake boat and more as a full northwest cruiser.

Anyone with any suggestions/anecdotes about our situation? Any other boats to strongly consider for these requirements? Potentially a 2655 as well but it seems like that boat suffers from 2-foot-itis, though we haven't set foot on either one yet to really know.

[flyman219]

2855 or 285, great choice for the lake, sound and islands. We have a 2004 285 350 MPI BIII on moored on Lake Washington and love it

Mike

[green650]

The 2859 is very comfortable for a couple. It's nice to have the heated cockpit with the Alaska bulkhead for cruising around in the crummy weather that is what, 85% of the time there? But unless you're in your 20's and quite cozy with everyone, you're really pushing it with four adults for a weekend. 2 adults and some kids maybe, but there isn't much storage for clothes. Now if you tell everyone visiting that they're only allowed to bring a backpack, that might work.

[codingparadox]

We took a change of course, and after looking at a 3055 that was in the same marina as a 2855 we were looking at, we realized how absurdly much more useful the space in that boat was than the 2855. We checked out a 2858, but didn't like it too much. Layout was very awkward, and it wasn't particularly good at any one thing. The 700 lb limit on the flybridge was disconcerting as well (and how the floor moved when you walked around up there felt like they meant it.) The 2859 had a lot of space used by the cockpit that wouldn't be as useful to us (we wanted more seating). So, we're going to start with an early 3055 and see how it grows on us. If we like it, we'll probably upgrade to a 305 down the line (has some nice improvements), but would rather start with the cheap early boat and see how we like this size boat before going nuts. If we want a big boat we already have one of those...

[Woodsea]

Our last boat was a 1994 3055 10' beam with twin 350's and alpha 1's. We had that boat at Lake Powell and used it extensively with our two daughters. Roomy sunbridge and cockpit. Occasionally had 6-8 people aboard for the day. No problem. It handled the lake chop without much fuss and it could get pretty rough in the main channel with the wind and wakes. Great boat and ran like a scalded cat! I think top speed was around 45 mph. We cruised it about 30. When filled up it averaged about 10-12 GPL overall. The newer 3055's had an 11' beam I believe.

[codingparadox]

We're offering on a 1999, which appears to be the first year of the wider 11' beam. From reading up, it sounds like at cruise with the twin 5.7s we should expect 1.25NMPG or so, cruising around 30mph, top speed 45ish, like you suggest. Better mileage at cruise than our 408, for sure, even with gas being way more expensive than diesel. Waiting for offer response, then to deal with survey/sea trial fun.