princecaspian
New member
- Joined
- May 15, 2025
- Messages
- 3
- Fluid Motion Model
- S-250 DC
- Vessel Name
- Prince Caspian
Hi all,
We just closed out our first season with the S-250 DC and love it. When we got it, I thought it was going to be far too much boat for first-time boaters/owners. That said, I spent about six weeks on the water with a captain starting April 1st doing training/practice and became comfortable with it nearly immediately as I learned. Fast forward a whole season on Barnegat Bay in New Jersey and the thought of previously wondering if it would be too big of a boat almost seems funny. The two-foot-itis everyone warned me about has started to creep in...
We haven't done any fishing yet, but that's entirely because I wanted to focus the first season on learning the boat and becoming familiar and comfortable with the local waters. Next season I'd like to start fishing, but I still don't think we'll ever be really hardcore (although seeing all of the boats well into November out for the striper run certainly has made me jealous that we're dry now!). Instead, we really like to cruise with a bunch of friends, dock and dine, explore, etc. Next season we'd also like to start doing longer trips - to NYC, down to AC, etc. All of that said, I'm starting to think about one of the 310's (either the CW or the SC, but not the SB).
I'm doing so for a few reasons. First, I like the larger layout and beam at lot better. We do a lot of entertaining and the 310's seem more suitable to that given their layout and amenities. I really like the wine cooler, the ability to run the grill on the water w/ the lithium batteries, and the AC. Second, the cabin, even it's small, seems like it would neat to use for a quick weekend getaway. Lastly, the one thing I've struggled with on the S-250 DC is the "hole" that it seems to really dislike between about 10-20mph or so. When loaded it seems sluggish getting up and really doesn't like to run anywhere in that range. When Barnegat Bay gets busy (and it gets VERY busy), I often prefer a slower speed in that range, since it can get somewhat dicey going faster with tons of traffic (especially with a lot of boaters here not really having a clue what they're doing). I realize the 310s are almost twice as heavy as the S250, but I've often wondered if the dual F300s would help with that. Or, maybe I just need to practice trimming at bit more since that's probably the area I'm least confident?
Long story short - I'm curious to hear from any owners who've started with one of the 250s and then graduated up to the 310s. What have you noticed that's different in how they drive? What have you liked about it? What have you not liked about it? I'm also curious to hear thoughts on the CW versus the SC. Does it get hot inside the SC with it being more enclosed? Does it feel less like you've got the wind in your hair (which I like!) Any and all thoughts would be appreciated!
We just closed out our first season with the S-250 DC and love it. When we got it, I thought it was going to be far too much boat for first-time boaters/owners. That said, I spent about six weeks on the water with a captain starting April 1st doing training/practice and became comfortable with it nearly immediately as I learned. Fast forward a whole season on Barnegat Bay in New Jersey and the thought of previously wondering if it would be too big of a boat almost seems funny. The two-foot-itis everyone warned me about has started to creep in...
We haven't done any fishing yet, but that's entirely because I wanted to focus the first season on learning the boat and becoming familiar and comfortable with the local waters. Next season I'd like to start fishing, but I still don't think we'll ever be really hardcore (although seeing all of the boats well into November out for the striper run certainly has made me jealous that we're dry now!). Instead, we really like to cruise with a bunch of friends, dock and dine, explore, etc. Next season we'd also like to start doing longer trips - to NYC, down to AC, etc. All of that said, I'm starting to think about one of the 310's (either the CW or the SC, but not the SB).
I'm doing so for a few reasons. First, I like the larger layout and beam at lot better. We do a lot of entertaining and the 310's seem more suitable to that given their layout and amenities. I really like the wine cooler, the ability to run the grill on the water w/ the lithium batteries, and the AC. Second, the cabin, even it's small, seems like it would neat to use for a quick weekend getaway. Lastly, the one thing I've struggled with on the S-250 DC is the "hole" that it seems to really dislike between about 10-20mph or so. When loaded it seems sluggish getting up and really doesn't like to run anywhere in that range. When Barnegat Bay gets busy (and it gets VERY busy), I often prefer a slower speed in that range, since it can get somewhat dicey going faster with tons of traffic (especially with a lot of boaters here not really having a clue what they're doing). I realize the 310s are almost twice as heavy as the S250, but I've often wondered if the dual F300s would help with that. Or, maybe I just need to practice trimming at bit more since that's probably the area I'm least confident?
Long story short - I'm curious to hear from any owners who've started with one of the 250s and then graduated up to the 310s. What have you noticed that's different in how they drive? What have you liked about it? What have you not liked about it? I'm also curious to hear thoughts on the CW versus the SC. Does it get hot inside the SC with it being more enclosed? Does it feel less like you've got the wind in your hair (which I like!) Any and all thoughts would be appreciated!