2003 Cruisers 3275 Express
AT DOCKSIDE
Upon arriving at the dockside, the 3275 Express by Cruisers Yachts is impressive. Clean flowing lines, the rake of the arch placed well back from the windshield, and the feeling that this is a big boat are immediately obvious to the onlooker. The high convertible top which is a slightly modified camper, has plenty of visibility even when the many side, front or back window curtains are left in place. It is clear to see that there is plenty of headroom when the top is left in the upright position. For our review, we left the bimini in place and at no time was there any concern for headroom or space inside the boat.
BOARDING
We boarded the boat from the extremely large extended swim platform which is now standard on this model. It connects smoothly to the hull integrated platform and makes getting on and off the boat at the dock a real breeze. The hull platform has a snap in carpet allowing for clean feet when entering from shore or dry feet when you have been in the water. Entry to the aft cockpit area is comfortably accomplished using the over sized transom door which latches in an open position when at dock or closes securely while underway.
THE COCKPIT
Having more than 11 feet of beam and utilizing a through windshield walkway to the fore deck, provides plenty of extra room in the inside space since interior space has not been lost to side walkways. The rear seat is roomy and comfortable while the seat rear of the wide helm area provides a very comfortable and amiable seating and visiting area for passengers aboard this vessel. The cockpit table easily converts to a filler and cushioned area to make it a large sun pad that can also be used for extra sleeping space if needed at nights.
BELOW DECK
Entry to the salon/cabin area was easy. All steps are rectangular and of equal height and the large area bottom step moved us easily into the main salon. Of note was that the head wall is situated in front and beside an individual entering the salon so if one happened to misstep, there is a smooth large area of support to prevent one from falling.
As we entered the spacious salon, we viewed a large mid cabin with a full pullout couch. When folks are visiting the pullout couch would provide a comfortable seating area. It also blends in very well with the large crescent-shaped seating area where a table can be set up for dining. At night the couch and the dining area easily convert to double berths for sleeping. The aft and forward areas have curtains, which when closed makes for 3 individual sleeping spaces.
The forward berth has plenty of space and with the optional custom sheets and covers, the boat has a feeling of luxury and elegance to make one’s boating experience comfortable and pleasant. Throughout the interior of the vessel everything is beautifully appointed and colour coordinated. This attention to decorating details allowed the colour tones to flow and work well together when the curtains were in the open position and one viewed the entire interior of the 3275.
The head space was large with all of the amenities you would expect in this size boat. There is easy access to the head and its shower and the optional vacu-flush head on the review model would be a bonus for the purchaser. A large vanity area with Corian counters completes the head area. Closing the optional cherry door leaves again a smooth wall line to give the feeling of quality and space.
The galley space is extremely compact. A single sink with cutting board filler and a single smooth top stove burner were expertly installed in the colour matching Corian counter top. Plenty of storage space both above and below the counter is evident and the mid-size 12v /110v refrigerator would provide ample space for food and beverage storage to allow for more time free from grocery shopping.
There were several hanging closets and storage areas on this boat. There was also space in storage areas located under the main salon floor. In addition, the boat has many nooks and crannies showing the designers’ concern about taking extra care to provide sufficient storage for an extended cruise. There is even designated storage for the dinette table and filler cushions under the forward bed, which easily lifts to give access to this area.
An optional television with VCR was mounted permanently on a swivel platform to allow for many viewing locations and the stereo and CD changer were readily accessible when aboard this well thought out vessel.
BACK IN THE COCKPIT
Many more excellent features come to view upon returning on top. The 6.2L MPI Mercruisers were readily accessible by simply lifting the hinged engine cover. The floor is part of the transom and the gas assist cylinders easily allow the complete mechanism to be lifted out of the way. Working on the engines would be a simple process and storage in the under cockpit area is huge. One suggestion was that there was probably space for a deflated dinghy in here. Boatcan would concur.
The cockpit had the snap in carpet liner and this provided comfortable and safe footing. There is a full locker in the cockpit and the optional cockpit refrigerator provides excellent support for the galley fridge so that cumbersome coolers in the cockpit area would be unnecessary. Being 12v and 110v, both fridges work while underway, from shorepower or while at anchor. The large storage or trunk style area in the transom round our a large and well planned storage for shorepower cord, mooring lines and fenders… which safely hide away from being underfoot in their own rack space.
TO THE HELM
It is an easy single step up to the helm, which is raised to provide headroom below in the mid cabin and to provide excellent visibility while underway. Athree-person helm seat has a lift bolster for the captain so that rather than standing, the captain can have the same sight advantage while still being seated.
A set of stairs has been built into the helm area to allow for deck persons to easily access the bow for docking and undocking or to set the anchor. A strong and properly located hand rail provides support and safety while deck hands head forward. This access area to the front deck is well located so as not to interfere with the access to the salon or to be in the way of the captain during times while underway.
The first look at the helm was quite a shock. The extreme simplicity of the gauge cluster arrangement seemed to be unsuited for a boat such as this. There was a full array of switches and breakers and easily opened compartments to get to these for service but the dashboard seemed to be missing something. As an incurable gauge watcher, I wondered if one could ever get comfortable with the newest in Mercruiser technology. This 3275 had been equipped with the new Smartcraft gauging package. This optional package eliminates the need for many of the traditional analogue gauges we tend to watch carefully while underway.
Smartcraft is designed to monitor fuel consumption, gallons per hour, range based on current usage, fuel already used and what is remaining, and a trip log. It inter-phases with the GPS, can show the rudder angle, drive the trim system, provides the speedometer and tach and engine synchronizing easily and simply. A push of a button and the functions and conditions are displayed before your eyes. But that is not all… If the oil pressure drops or the engine temperature rises, an alarm is sounded to warn the captain. Being digital, it is precise and does not rely on the needle of an analogue for accuracy. If the alarm does not get you attending to things, the Guardian System shuts down the engine until you attend to things and go through at least a reset mode to get going again. To quote a Mercruiser ad, “boat and engine data accessed at the touch of a button”. And finally, for the fishing person in you, you can even adjust the idle speed from the helm to speed up or slow down your boat for trolling. What will they think of next?
UNDERWAY
The 3275 review boat was equipped with Bravo 3 outdrives. ( duo props). Leaving the dock and returning, she responded quickly and positively and any maneuvering was crisp and clean. If the captain follows good handling practices and allows the boat to move at times while in neutral the 3275 would be an easy boat to make the captain and crew look good.
On the lake is where the 320 hp, 6.2L MPI’s really showed their stuff. From idle to full plane was accomplished in about 14 seconds and the bow lift, although obvious, at no time blocked the view the captain had of the water ahead or the horizon. This is very important in boats of this size should a smaller boat get in front of you unnoticed. The captain can then take the necessary steps to avoid a problem because visibility is so good.
Although the water was extremely flat for our review, we were able to carve the surface and take advantage of our own waves. The boat at 28 mph or about 3400 rpm went over the wake easily and solidly. The inner liner construction used by Cruisers really showed off here. At planning speeds, the boat responded quickly and positively to the wheel and turns were fast and true. Engine synchronization was made easy by the Smartcraft package and the integration of the Garmin 2006 plotter/GPS allowed us to move from point to point accurately and without incident. This is extremely important in waters where shallows can cause extreme problems. At planing speed, the hull spray comes off the hull approximately in the helm location and it is clearly deflected downward and away from the boat and its movement. Even in the wake maneuvers, no spray was felt topsides or up the sides.
In short, this is a solid responsive boat that performs well while it also supplies plenty of creature comfort on board.
AS TESTED
In addition to a long list of standard features, our Review Boat was equipped with the following extras:
Mercruiser 6.2L MPI 320 hp and Bravo 3 DP outdrives
Cockpit cover
Cherry door and frame
Custom fitted sheets
6 Disc Clarion CD changer
Television/VCR with remote antenna
Towel decorator and pillow package
Vacu-flush head
Chrome anchor
Batteries
Cockpit refrigerator
Tilt /Wood steering wheel
Maxwell 500 RC Remote Windlass
Hour Meters
Garmin 2006 GPS/Plotter
VHF Radio
FINAL THOUGHTS
One of the advertisement slogans used by Cruisers is “Exceeding your expectation by Design”. This becomes obvious on the 2003, 3275 Express. Storage which has always been at a premium in boats, is utilized to the max here. The space is large and provides ease of movement in the cockpit, below decks or out on the front deck space. The ease of movement and use of stair space is carefully thought out and safe to use. Extra (albeit optional) decorating packages add tremendously to the look and feel of the boat. The boat is solid and feels big and safe. There were no extraneous noises and sounds that seem out of place. The performance is excellent and crisp and the captain always feels in control.
This is a quality boat and provides users of this vessel with many extras that would otherwise not be found on comparable sized boats. The 3275 Express by Cruisers Yachts provides the buyer with tremendous value for the dollars spent. It also provides the buyer with modern design and technology. The 3275 should provide the buyer with an investment that will prove to be valuable into the future.
For more information about the 3275 Cruisers Yachts Express Cruiser, contact The Sales Staff at Maple City Marine.
To view the Maple City Marine complete list of boats on Boatcan click on MAPLE CITY BOAT LIST
This model is also available through:
CRATES MARINE SALES - KESWICK
