Looking at NC 895/NC 895 Sport, looking for feedback...

[phillysf]

Hello,

We're a family of four (17 and 15 year old kids) considering a first boat purchase. Quick background on boat experience: I've spent a lot of time on/around boats and water (deep sea fishing charters, waterskiing, kayaking, surfing, paddleboarding) but have never owned. This year we joined a local boat club on the C+D Canal to gain more experience, and going out on their boats (mostly 21-24 foot bowriders, DCs, and pontoons) has been helpful in understanding what we like in a boat. This has all been day use, as these boats are not equipped to overnight. Will be doing some more inshore fishing (they have 1 CC), but are fishing novices.

Our projected uses/plans if we owned would be as follows (to the best or our knowledge):
- kept in a slip about 1-1.5 hours from our house on the Chesapeake (probably Sassafrass or Kent Island areas)
- use would be mostly weekends (still working full time)
- probably mostly day trips to anchorages/sandbars, entertaining, occasional fishing
- would like opportunity to overnight (either on the hook or at a marina), likely not more than 1-2 nights

Things we'd really like in the boat:
- versatility
- ability to entertain; have enjoyed other families boating with us
- good weather protection; small boats with just biminis have been lacking in weather/sun protection
- ability to be flexible with weather/extend season; work can occupy some weekends, so extending season in early spring and late fall would be nice with pilothouse
- outboards
- manageable to single hand

When we started this process, I had honed in on the Antares 27 and NC 895, which seemed to fit all of the above and were just about at the top of our price range. However, as we did more with the boat this summer, became more intrigued by the NC 895 Sport, as we realized that deck seating was at a premium, particularly with guests. Pilothouse on the Jeanneau NC 895 Sport version seems more useful than the Beneteau Barracuda 9

Would appreciate any thoughts, but had some specific questions for folks familiar with NC 895 Sport:
- Do you find the NC 895 Sport forward facing bow seats usable/comfortable/safe underway (good weather, 25 kts, minimal waves, not during bad conditions)?
- Is the forward cabin severely compromised by low ceiling? If you were overnighting with just 2, would you use forward cabin or mid cabin berth?
- Any glaring issues with build quality?
- For those of you with the genset (which we would choose), any issues with reliability?
- Are the foldout cockpit benches reasonably comfortable? If you had to sit in them for over an hour underway, would you hate it?

Thanks again; look forward to learning a lot from everyone.

[nc]

My new 500hp Sport will be my fifth boat in the last 12 years. I made a lot of sea trial anc testing on different style of boats.
I tried 2 Sports 500hp and 1 offshore 400hp, aft seats are just OK , really better in front for Sport.
Sport feels like a big boat with proper engines choice, offshore with 400hp could be underpower on heavy load and fouled hull.
Zipwake are very effective and will help for easing the cruise and could overcome underpower.
The cabin is something to have...this the new wave of boating..

[maple]

We've had a NC 895 Sport for 1-2 months now. We were sold on the boat by the front seating. We were looking for a day cruising boat with lots of seating and a head. The ability overnight is a plus, but think about it like camping. The stateroom area and head are tight. For two, I think I'd choose the forward. I have not napped there yet :-).

We're still getting used to a planing boat and twin outboards. It's a lot of fun and not that hard to learn. I think your use cases are a good fit. I see the non-Sport version more about cruising and going out for longer. The forward stateroom is bigger and the galley is better for cooking. I'm not sure we'll use the propane stove much. 

The forward seating is find underway, even with bouncing. I was there today. We have not sat in the cockpit while underway. You will have engine noise. But the benches are pretty comfortable.

We don't have a generator (we have a diesel heater instead for the Northwest), but they tend to be pretty reliable. 

[Gio]

Owner of 895 sport / marlin here-

I opted for this as my intended use is 50%+ fishing and rest cruising and other watersports.

The front seats are really good for multiple purposes: for fishing gives you a lot of space on the bow especially if you do casting.
IMPORTANT: for safety reasons you should not have people in the bow while cruising, it is dangerous as even Jeanneau user manual mentions. 

The stern side also has much more space for sport activities as the benches are foldable, giving you much space then the other version.

Inside is nice but space is limited, good for 2 people with 1-2 kids, you can stay overnight but as someone else said above, is like camping....it is nice and comfy but it is not a yacht!

Engines: this boat needs power, it is large and heavy, i would strongly recommend to get 2x250HP. Be sure also that the weight distribution is well balanced

Generator: how many times you will use it? Do you need 100kg weight and another complex thing that can go bad? I have A/C, it runs like a charm with the honda EU22i, and going to install inverter + lithium batteries.

Last, check the configuration well when you order, be sure you get the right rigging for the engines you use.

Good luck!

[westboating]

These boats are absolutely awesome.  We have a family of 4 and we run the Columbia and trailer to Puget sound.  We've spent over 20 nights on board.  We have diesel heat and no generator.  I've weighed her and with all the tanks empty and a little gear she was about 9700 lbs. 

We were very heavy on this trip with provisions for over a week.  When we were full of gas, we could do 24 knots at 4300 RPM and about 1.5 gph.  If 325hp or 350 were an option, it's probably a good one. 

As for space, we were pretty good for 7 days out.  Our kids are younger and fit well in the mid berth.  The fwd cabin is great and defiantly more room than the sport.  The galley is functional (although a bit of aluminum foil is required when using larger cookware to keep from melting the plastic on the galley cover).  When you have more than 4 aboard space is tight on the 895 we aren't heavily provisioned so there's room, but with more than 4 adults everyone needs to be friendly.

If I was doing a ton of fishing the sport would be a no-brainer, but if you're sleeping aboard often (likely with an hour drive) I'd say you'll be happier with the NC 895.

Good luck

[phillysf]

Thanks all for the insights; very helpful.

For those of you who have spent time on these boats, how many people do you think you could accommodate comfortably for a day on the water (cruise to sandbar, pulling a tube, dock 'n' dine, etc)? Not talking about overnighting, obviously.  

Thanks again.

[westboating]

On our NC 895 we've done 8 with 4 of them sub 10 y/o kids.  It's not bad, but everyone eventually gravitates to the saloon and the kids are inclined to hide on either cabin.  The fore deck is ok for sitting and while underway at slow speeds.  I think you'll find the sport to have a much more utilized fore deck.  We have the complete U shaped bench in the back.  The insert for the sun pad is still in it's original packing.  When we've had 8 onboard usually someone will try to hang out in the cockpit, but as the speed and noise go up they usually head in and close the door.  We are on the Columbia and we rarely get hot. 

At the dock we have hosted 14 people of which 7 were kids, tight but fun.  It'll be interesting as the kids get bigger and no longer want to play in the cabins.  Might get a 1095 in a year or so. 

[lmalsch]

hello

We have a 2018 NC 895 for sale.  We also boat on Chesapeake.  She is fully loaded with all option including generator, twin 200 Yamahas, AC/heat.  120 hours.

if you are ever interested please email me [e-mail]

[nc]

Hi, do you have zipwake?

[phillysf]

lmalsch, any particular reason you are selling? How did you like the NC 895, particularly for boating on the Chesapeake? Moving to bigger boat, or different type of boat altogether?