On my own 38' motor yacht as well as the two Moorings power cats I have chartered (393 and 474) I have a good view over the stern from the helm, which is important to me when maneuvering in mooring/anchoring fields and along side docks/slips as well as keeping an eye on the dinghy. On some of the newer Moorings power cats I notice that that the helm is located more forward on the bridge so that you you can't see directly over the stern. They apparently have rear facing cameras viewable on the chart plotter or a separate screen on the control panel. (If I ever charter one of these I envision having to station my own crew member spotter in place when needed for this.) Does anyone have any experience, thoughts, preferences or ideas on this? Am I unnecessarily concerned?

Having driven only the 474, I'd think that the more forward helm station would help when picking up mooring balls. But mainly, I'd be interested in your comments regarding the difference in piloting these two boats as the 474 was a last minute substitute for a disabled 372 we had rented. The 393 would be more suited to our party of 4 than the 474 IMO.

Not seeing the stern is challenging!
We bought a 53' Carver Voyager for cruising the Great Lakes last summer and my husband is completely blind to the stern. We installed a camera late last summer, but didn't get a chance to use it much. Before the camera, we relied on me being on the stern and us using walkie talkies - he's inside the upper pilothouse and I'm on the stern - we can't hear each other yell. Not the perfect solution. We're investing in head set walkies this year.
So ..... yes, its really good to have a spotter but make sure you can hear each other over the surrounding noises!

I've skippered the moorings 58'cat had no view of the stern. I just didn't back in anywhere. It really wasn't a problem. I could look over the side a bit and see the starboard side to a degree, but visibility wasn't great. Having someone to help with a lookout is all that is needed and they can spot on the bridge.

Hey 706jim,

I really liked the 474. There was good view over the stern, and I had good visibility of the mooring balls on approach until they were just off the bow, after which I could rely on hand signals from the crew members picking up the ball. Similar on the 393. The other thing I liked about the 474 was the height of the helm and controls. (I am 6'2"). I like being able to be standing up and looking around while mooring. The helm seat is high also. It looks like some of those newer models are set up to be sitting down at a lower seat while steering. One thing I found on the 474 was that the port and starboard forward supports for the hard top and isinglass partially blocked my line of site ~2-3 points off the bow, so when cruising in open areas I just had to make sure I looked around them to see other vessels off in the distance.

On another item, the 393 has an electric winch on the dinghy davit which is nice, and the 474 has manual capstans which takes a little more effort, but did not bother us.

The 474 we were on was 5 years old and the plastic windows were pretty yellow from exposure to the sun, so I get what you're saying about forward visibility. When we left the Moorings base, it was quite windy and we didn't realize that the dinghy would swing sideways in the heavy seas. That and the patio door slamming back and forth were things that we leaned to rectify pronto. Not to dis the sailors here, but with a total lack of sail rigging, it sure opens up the front deck for mooring and you get a wonderful view way up on the bridge. It's encouraging that you have no negative comments about the 393 as that would likely be our next charter. From what I've heard, the 372's were somewhat tippy and do not seem to be advertised for rent anymore.

This nice thing about the 393, if you get the captains quarters on the starboard side, you get a little more room.

Hey Jim- last few years I've had the 474, 393 and the 433 in that order. The 393 is a great boat. Certainly smaller than the 474, but I didn't find it uncomfortable in the slightest. Visibility and maneuverability are outstanding and th captain's quarters are great.

I would charter it again without hesitation, but . . . I got ahold of the new 433 last summer and now I'm spoiled.

The helm is forward starboard so visibility to stern and port is limited. That made docking port side to at Scrub interesting, but with good communication from my crew ultimately not a big deal. Nobody briefed me on rear cameras and I didn't notice that option messing around with the electronics interface.

I wouldn't spend the extra money for the 474 or the 514 over the 393 unless my crew size required it. I would, and am spending the extra money for the 433 this summer because, as I mentioned, I'm spoiled. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Chriskal and Capn Robear. We'll take your advice when our next trip is planned. Any comments on the 433 are also of interest....

For the most part there are no rear cameras on the 433,(unless they have just started adding them recently) as part of the charter program package. It is an addable options to the display units but just not included. 51s do have them.

Most of the time if you are docking, especially at The Moorings, they will dock to the stb side, which helps. a look out is your best option and if is tight have a fender in hand. since this boast is 22 feet wide, is it easy to maneuver with just the engines, as always just go slow and easy

And yes the 433 will spoil you compared to the others....

The 433 is I believe the replacement for the 393. A little bit longer, more powerful engines and completely redesigned. The salon has the galley forward with an actual convertible dinette that the 393 lacks. It feels like a much bigger boat than the 393.

The fly ridge is also quite different, roomier and sports a wet bar and electric grill. The grill worked well and was a big improvement over rail mounted, portable propane versions. For some reason there isn't a fridge, but the sink is nice to have handy and I did use it while cooking.

The electronic are integrated and are controlled from two touchscreen head units at the helm and in the salon. Radio, speaker zones, a/cl, lighting, ship systems monitoring are all integrated and it worked pretty slick.

It handles much like the 393, but does have a good deal more power if you need/want it. Fuel economy was better than I expected given the upgraded HP, but I generally cruise around 8-10 knots which is about peak economy.