Straight Drives Vs. V Drives

I have posted several questions over the last week regarding different types of boats that we are thinking about, and I appreciate the feedback. (Scratch the Marlow). Our current boat is currently for sale, and I am doing my due diligence to narrow down a few things.

Another boat I am seriously considering is the 2006-2008, Sea Ray Sedan Bridge, LOA = 45', with QSC500's.

I realize this is not a hard core offshore boat, has limited fuel, but for what we do and some periodic longer trips it checks many of the boxes, including the Admiral's on the interior. A few boats ago, we had a 39' Sea Ray Gasser, and it was a champ, so I have always liked the brand, although I realize on a site like this it is on the lower end compared to what folks have.

The reason I am looking at this vintage boat is the cost, which we can afford, and I would prefer to go with the straight drives with the engine placement farther forward in regards to stability, more room to work down there, and also mechanically I feel it is a long term proven set up.

There is also a newer Sea Ray Bridge, 2009-2012 that has a nicer salon and layout, which we could also stretch to afford. However, it has V drives which I am reluctant to go with.

So my question from a basic mechanical standpoint; are others also finding from their boating experience that a straight shaft boat is a more bulletproof configuration than a V drive?

Boat use: cruising around the bay a lot, heading offshore a few times per year including the islands for 200-300 mile round trip, trolling for fish a couple times per year, but nothing hardcore these days.

Thanks for the feedback.

If we go the Sea Ray route, it will be 45 to 50 ft. With either the QSC500 or 600's. I won't shy away from the V drive option.

Unfortunately every boat I have called on either have no past maint records, or very little. But the Brokers write ups all say the boat "was just waxed and ready for the new owner". What a joke.

Still debating the trawler route, and ordering a new Helmsman 43 because we can afford one of these new, and avoiding past abuse by the owner of a used boat is a major positive.

I have no experience on a trawler, or single engine handling, so that will be a major adjustment. Going 8 knots will also take some getting used to because SoCal destinations are often runs of 100 miles or more.

I am going to go out with a another trawler owner in a few weeks to get a feel for how she handles the ocean, and the whole experience in general.

Either way, we would like to make a decision in the next couple months.

I realize that, but if you call the Broker about a specific boat and say, "has the owner done the full maint per the Cummins/Cat or whatever manual", they will often say "yes- I believe he has". A little more digging, and its often an annual oil change if you are lucky. IE, most folks are not doing it. I am looking at boats with the Cummins engines and the after cooler on the QSC500's is a bit of weak point for these engines. These be serviced every 2 to 3 years. It is not happening, and I am not going to buy a boat that looks great everywhere else if the PM's were not spot on. I'll suck it up and buy new if needed.