Performance difference between 10M express and aft cabin?

Rockinw · Post by **Rockinw** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 2:13 pm

My wife and I have been researching our next boat and we are considering the 10M. I know that the motors are placed farther aft in the aft cabin model. Does this impact the performance or balance of the boat? Does one model handle better than the other? Our primary usage would be for fishing and cruising. Does one make a better fishing platform than the other? Is the motor and systems access better on one than the other? I'm sure we will have more questions as we start to look at available boats.
Thank you

S.A.M. · Post by **S.A.M.** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:34 pm

The Express is better suited for fishing. The MC has a much higher freeboard, interior space and weighs more.

With fishing being at the top of your list, go for the Express

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:33 pm

There is an AFT cabin model and a MID cabin model.

I believe you are referring to the MID CABIN model.

The mid cabin model moved the engines farther aft and raised the deck to accomodate the cabin under the helm.

There are some differences in weight and performance, however I do not believe those differences are critical.

The windshields are at the same height on both models and the interior layouts are totally different.

The original express featured a full liner and very little wood in the construction, including hollow stringers and vacuum bagged construction.

Something to consider would be a 10.8 Meter. This stretched 10 meter boat featured an tremendous cockpit.

This forum is a good place to ask questions. Glad you found it.

Take a look at the numerous magazine articles on the 10 meter located at

click on BOAT REVIEWS on the left hand collum.

RWS

http://sites.google.com/site/trojaninte ... at-reviews

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 6:28 pm

Welcome to the forum!

If fishing is a priority, and it appears to be, then the express will be your better choice.

Rockinw · Post by **Rockinw** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:49 am

My bad, I meant mid cabin, not aft cabin. Found an '89 express that I am going to look at this weekend. Anything in particular I should be looking for? Problem areas? Every boat has some.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 8:07 am

The mid cabins had wood stringers, the original express cruiser did not.

Potential problems on those stringers are around the limber holes.

make sure any offer is pending a satisfactory survey.

There is a great deal of info on this forum, if you are willing to sift through the pages going back a ways.

RWS

Rockinw · Post by **Rockinw** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 9:06 am

Does anyone know if the '89 model 10M espress has the hollow stringers?

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 9:15 am

The mid cabin models have wooden stringers.

The hull design is the same.

Construction and layout are different.

RWS

Rockinw · Post by **Rockinw** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 9:34 am

Just a quick question on 10m express fuel consumption. Most of the research I have done indicates that this boat should get slightly less that one statute mile per gallon at a cruise of 20-21 mph (18 knots), say 20-22 gal/hour. Is this realistic? I have seen a few posts that report 38 gal/hour at the same cruise speed, something closer to 0.5 mpg. I know gas is just a small part of the total cost, but I want to know what to expect.
Thanks!

S.A.M. · Post by **S.A.M.** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:18 am

Rockinw wrote:Just a quick question on 10m express fuel consumption. Most of the research I have done indicates that this boat should get slightly less that one statuate mile per gallon at a cruse of 20-21 mph (18 knots), say 20-22 gal/hour. Is this realistic? I have seen a few posts that report 38 gal/hour at the same cruise speed, something closer to 0.5 mpg. I know gas is just a small part of the total cost, but I want to know what to expect.
Thanks!

Trojan never put out performance specs on the MC. The closest you can get is the specs from the aft cabin. The MCs are a lot heavier than the Express do to all the wood used inside the hull.

Because I don't fish offshore anymore, the fuel usage was not a concern when I decided on the MC.

I have the perfomance charts that were with my trojan owners package that had been passed down from the previous owner. Let me know and I will email you a copy.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:41 pm

Here are the performance figures on my NON mid cabin 1983 10 meter express with 454's before the refit.

data taken with digital tach/sync, GPS & flowscan.

This vessel has larger than stock trim tabs and is fully equipped with the heavy items like 2 fridges, icemaker, microwave, genny, A/C wetbar and L bench seat.

RWS
this has been posted on this site so many times the regulars are probably getting bored with it...

test run 2/10/04
Tests done with digital tach/synchronizer, GPS and flowscan
After replacing the secondaries metering rod brackets to original
corrected carburetor metering rods
Props 4 blade 18 x 19
stock 9x24 trim tabs replaced with 12x24 tabs with 3" drop fins
2 Adults
sea conditions very smooth
carrying 40 gal water and 143 gal fuel

KEEP IN MIND THIS IS KNOTS AND NMPG - statute mpg would be higher, as would MPH

Rockinw · Post by **Rockinw** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:06 pm

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for.