ALL IN A DAY'S CRUISE
2/20/2008 11:58:06 AM by Javier Salas
Jump aboard the Larson 370 Cabrio Day Cruiser with the entire family for the compact ride of a lifetime, no matter what occasion.
Photos courtesy of Larson
Sometimes a Day Cruiser would be more aptly named a Weekend Cruiser, or a Weeklong Cruiser based on all the amenities to be found aboard that cry out for journeys measured by the day instead of by the hour. A day just seems too short a time to spend on such a boat. This is certainly the case with the Larson 370 Day Cruiser in which the builder has chosen an easily-handled 36-foot, 11-inch hull as the foundation for surprisingly large accommodations both above and down below, giving the feel of a boat twice its size. This compact yet capacious boat is the perfect size for intimate cruises for two, while it is just as capable of taking the whole family along for a week of gunkholing. It is neither too small nor too large, which means you don’t have to compromise in either direction, a rare thing to be said about most boats.
Once you manage to pull your eyes from the graceful lines of the boat, topped by a radar arch, the focal point of the 370 is the cockpit. Equipped with twin seating areas adjacent to the well-appointed helm station, it allows guests to keep the owner company during cruises. The double-width helm seat provides excellent sight lines while underway. Even the most particular owner will find that there’s plenty of room at the helm for all the electronics you could want to add. However, the standard electronics package is hardly bare-bones, and will more than satisfy most owners, as it includes an 8.4-inch color monitor for the GPS and radar, as well as a VHF transceiver. The gauges are arrayed for easy monitoring while the mechanical controls fall to hand naturally, allowing the boat to become an extension of the owner while underway.
Looking around, it’s no surprise the cockpit is the most popular place on the boat while entertaining dockside. It features its own entertainment console housing a wet bar, a unique blender as well as an icemaker, a refrigerator and a granite-topped cockpit table. As a great finishing touch, the sole is finished in warm Flexteak that provides the rich look of exotic wood with unrivaled durability. The entire cockpit can be kept toasty or chilled on the hottest days via a reverse-cycle air-conditioning system, truly making the 370 Day Cruiser a boat for all seasons.
Looking aft, a transom door leads to an oversized swim platform that provides easy access to and from the water for swimming or diving, or simply serves as a place to dangle your feet in the water after a full day of cruising. The integral shower delivers both hot and cold water that can be used to rinse off the kids after a dip before you stow them in the large, locking dunnage chamber conveniently set into the transom. These are just a few of the “big boat’ features to be found on the 370 Day Cruiser. Other features include the forward area that serves as the ideal place for sun worshippers and molded-in chaise lounges that are ready to cradle guests in Mediterranean cushions.
Heading down below you’ll find all the conveniences of home, as well as quite a few luxurious touches that will have you searching the calendar for long weekends. The 13-foot beam means there’s plenty of room for a 43-inch circular table providing comfortable seating for eight, once again underscoring just how large this “little” boat really is.
The table can be electronically raised or lowered from coffeetable height to dinner level, or can be lowered all the way down to the sole to become the base for a comfortable double berth. Speaking of the sole, it’s finished in Flexteak with a beautiful holly and cherry grain. Not to be outdone, the cabinetry is finished in African limba and alderwoods, creating an environment that is extremely inviting. You can determine the mood below using the integral stereo speakers to deliver a full orchestra of romantic music from the eight-speaker, 10-inch subwoofer, six-CD changer-equipped Sirius satellite-receiving Clarion stereo or a booming, action-adventure soundtrack from DVD movies enjoyed on the 32-inch flatscreen TV.
Preparing meals on a small boat is normally an ordeal, but not so on the 370, with its black cultured granite countertop featuring Fontana plumbing fixtures from Italy, a gleaming stainless steel sink, a built-in microwave and coffeemaker, a stainless steel refrigerator/freezer, a two-burner range and even a wine cooler.
In addition to the aforementioned berth in the cabin, overnight accommodations are perhaps the best in its class. Moreover, the full-size head compartment is served by a 10.5-gallon water heater to ensure no one has to endure a cold shower. The head features stunning black granite countertops, a Sealand Vacuflush head and ample storage areas for toiletries.
The forward 7,000 BTU air-conditioning system, aft 12,000 BTU air-conditioning system, a 7.3 kw Kohler genset, 30-amp shore power and a 50-amp battery converter, means you can use all the appliances and watch movies all night long in complete comfort regardless of if you are tied alongside a dock or anchored in a remote cove hundreds of miles from the nearest powerpole.
Now that we have established that the 370 Day Cruiser looks good and has a serious list of big-boat amenities, the question becomes “How does it perform?” The answer is positive, with no hesitation at all. Powered by twin Mercruiser or Volvo Penta inboards, up to a total of 840-horsepower in your choice of gasoline or diesel engines, this is a boat that moves as good as it looks. And it looks very good, indeed… Onboard fuel capacity of 266 gallons coupled with a fresh water capacity of 57 gallons translates into an impressive cruising range. The deep-vee hull features 22 degrees of deadrise for good sea-handling manners under just about any conditions an owner could imagine.
The Larson 370 Day Cruiser is the ideal boat for a couple, or a family with a couple of kids, for voyages on the ocean, cruising a river or exploring what’s on the far side of the lake. It really is a veritable floating entertainment center and packs quite a bit of boat into “just” 37 feet. Anyone who assumes this is just another small boat simply couldn’t be more mistaken.
BOAT BUYS
If you’re interested in purchasing the new Larson 370 Cabrio Day Cruiser, contact these Florida dealers and tell them Wave sent you!
Freedom Marine
Deerfield Beach
954.418.0777
Info@FreedomMarine.net
Freedom Marine
Miami
305.758.2595
Info@FreedomMarine.net
Cape Regal Yacht Center
Cape Coral
239.574.7342
CapeRegal.com
Indian Springs Marina
Indian Springs
727.595.2956
Sales@IndianSpringsMarina.com
Advanced Marine Services, LLC
St. Cloud
407.498.5142
Jason@AdvancedMarine.com
Freedom Marine
Lake Placid
863.699.9300
Info@FreedomMarine.net