30' Offshore Vs. 30' Express Ride

[DewarsH2O]

I am shopping hard for either a '95 - '04 30 Offshore or a '98 - '03 Express. In reviewing both boats, the Offshore is shorter, wider and heavier. The Express is listed as having a deeper V hull design. Question for the forum has anyone spent time riding in both boats, that can share an opinion? I have read the Pascoe review of the Offshore.

Thank you in advance!

[MarkT]

I hope this can help you decide. I own a 30 Express and love it. I have delivered a number of both of these as a delivery captain. Both are very well built and only you can decide which layout would suit you. That being said I found the Offshore to be a wetter boat, and while operating that model I was looking through clear vinyl. With the Express I am looking through glass, I like that better. The engine room is tighter in the Express. I like the cabin layout better in the Exp. also. Take note that there have been cases of the Express powered with Mercs ingesting water back through the exhaust. I don't think it happened with Crusaders and I have not heard of it happening with the Offshore. I have Cummins 4BTA-250s in mine. You can look at my posts to see what I have done with mine over the years.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

[DewarsH2O]

Thank you for the information, very helpful! At the end of the day it probably boils down to what is the nicest boat available for purchase when the time comes to pull the trigger.