Best Handling boat in the 40'-50' Range

David, if you want something with performance, you might want to stay clear of those boats and look towards a Viking 46/52 open for example. You could always leave all the out riggers/tower off.
The sport ‘fishers’ are designed so if you do encounter a bad day on the water, it will still get you home. The sports ‘cruisers’ are designed around how many beds/couches they can fit in the boat, and calm water cruising. Cheers

Far

David,

It would help if you quantified "handling". Are you looking for something that handles rough water well, or something easy to handle around docks? For example, Catmando's Nortech suggestion would be good for handling rough water at high speeds, although the Arneson drives would make it a handful around docks.

I haven't been onboard the 45' Formula, but I've been on a number of Formulas through the years. They are well built boats that perform reasonably well for their weight. The real hefty part is the price tag on Formulas.

We have a 540 Sundancer in the fold. This boat is as easy to dock as any center console boat and the ride in rough water is excellent, mostly due to its size and weight. It's also a fairly fast boat. We cruise all day at 28-30 knots and top-out at 35 knots. When you get into the larger, later model Sea Rays, they are often equipped with bow thrusters, taking all the skill out of maneuvering.

Just some thoughts...

I think it would be good you say what you are after for like accommodation number cabins, crusing type if only for a day to the beach and back or long passages are on the list, and type of performance desired. A Nor Tech as suggested above can do like 90 mph but accommodation will be very cramped. Once you are at it in this type of high performance cruiser you can put Cigarette, Outerlimits, Fountain and another couple of builders in the mix.
If handling is your priority I would look at Fountain Express Cruiser range. They make a 38 and 48 and both handle beautiful. I drove a 48 and it rides like a queen.
If you want a compromise between luxury and seakeeping I would definitly look at a Tiara 4300 Sovran. I saw one on Yachtworld I think it is an 06 or 07and that is a great looking boat. Have seen Tiara in the past and their quality is top categoty IMO.

David. The 45 Formula is a beauty, and handles as well in heavy seas as any in it's class. It's not a big seller though because the competition is fierce in the 45/46 range. For that reason don't even think about list price. I do a bit of work for a Formula dealer that I know will cut one hellova deal and I'd be happy to introduce you if you'd like. He recently offered my boss an incredible deal on a 2010 40PC. Unfortunately it was still over budget and my boss found a leftover '08. On that lower end of the scale I've run several 33, 38, 40 and 42PC's for that dealer and his customers in some fairly serious water and they are fun, good running boats. We just put the '08 40PC with IPS through an exhaustive survey and our guy had nothing but good to say. We just got in yesterday from a 10 day, 900 mile "shakedown" cruise from Detroit and loved every minute. She performed flawlessly cruising at 28/29kts and topping out about 34kts. She also garnered more than a few compliments from people on the dock. PM me if I can help in any way. BTW, I don't sell boats and have no stake in any deals. I also have extensive experience with Sea Rays and like them (especially the 46). I've been in 10' nasty seas with those. You don't want to be there, but she handled it. Biggest problem with them is that there are a gazillion of them so resale is hard and they're not special on the dock.

Cobalts are very good boats, but they have a very limited dealer network in this area. I consider the dealer even more important than the brand. My boss just sold his Viking 50SC (made by Princess for the US market). IMHO great boats. They (all Vikings) also have good representation in this area and a ton of inventory just down the road in NJ. I also work with a lot of Tiaras through the same dealer as the Formulas. Very good boats. Most seaworthy of those mentioned so far. Their layout is more condusive to fishing than entertaining though. I'm not a lover of surface piercing drives (Arnesons). They are fast, but I don't like their handling in close quarters and I can't think of a single person qualified to work on them on Long Island. Although I don't like people using thrusters (they are often depended on instead of developing docking skills), I do recommend getting one when you go over 40'. It may save your glass when the winds or current kick up while docking. That is unless you go with IPS or Zeus (which I consider the future of boating in this range). Pod drives (Marmot & K1W1 I'm using the term loosly) make maneuvering a cinch, increase speed, reduce turning radius and fuel consumption.

Think about a Sabre 40 or the new 46

Both are Zeus drives. We were on a 40 three miles off Miami in a gale with 6-8 footers mixed with some higher waves. While I will not say I was most comfortable, the boat had no problem handling the rough seas and we were all comfortable later when the front hit with winds clocked at 60+ knots during the Miami Show.

you are correct. my friend has a pershing 80 that i've driven. it's like a speedboat on rails ... extremely responsive. incredible machine. i loved it so much that i ordered one & shld take med delivery july end.

0-54 kts - 90 secs ... not bad for a 80 footer ...
cruise at 48 kts as long as u like

cheers

I just came out of a 45 Formula Yacht. I loved the boat except it didnt have any rod holders and I wanted to get back into fishing. ( I actually put two rod holders on the boat) The Formula 45 handled just fine for a cruising boat. I was in 8 foot seas off Block Island and at 20 knots she road into the head sea with no problems. The Volvo IPS drive was the easiest thing to dock and drive that has ever been invented! I would be happy to discuss more if you want to give me a call. Send me a message and we can talk more. You should be able to pick one up for around 450-500 a year or two old. This is half the price of what they were new

JB

Have you looked at Regal. There 44 and 52 Sport Coupe are nice.

Not sure I'd go the Fountain route even though I like their boats:
http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/499982-reggie-fountain-buoyant-in-bankruptcy.
I assume that you are downstate (4' on the Lakes are backbreakers & 8' is death). Whatever you look at investigate the dealership to see how they cover the area and their customers. For some you're history as soon as you walk out the door; others with only a couple of locations travel to you wherever you are. Some have service departments everywhere and some you have to invest a day to bring your boat in, another to get it back and they have one mechanic to cover the fleet. Who you deal with is very important.

if you're really looking at Express then Tiara should be at the top of your list, Formula as well although a little more performance oriented. very different boats so that really comes down to what you need and prefer.

the deal killer with Sea Rays is serviceability. Sea Ray engineers are really good at putting stuff where you can only reach it with one hand... while obviously things vary from year to year and model to model, the first think i'd check on a SR before drooling over the flat screens and drink holders is the location of the basic stuff like Genset, filters, water pumps, bilge pumps, etc... if you cant' reach a bilge pump or water pump with BOTH hands, servicie will cost you twice the bruises if you diy and twice the money if you pay someone... that's a deal killer in my book.

and while i mention SR, other builders are not much better.

also, if you're looking for handling and seaworthyness, i dont think anyboat with a reverse sheer can be taken seriously in that department. that dipping bow SR stylists seem to love, doens't belong on a boat designed to run offshore...

and dont' overlook Coupes and Downeasts...

Pascal makes a very good point about servicability. I once got stuck on the outboard side of an engine on a 46 SR. Had to convince myself that I was a snake (not a big stretch ). If you go with IPS/Zeus space abounds. The 40PC I just ran had great access all around the 370hp Volvos and entrance from either the day hatch or raising the transom. If it didn't have IPS the motors would have consumed the aft cabin area as well.

I think you just told me where you dock. If I'm right you're dealing with good people. If you tend to run to the ocean for fishing I rec. the Tiara. If you're doing more family/sport/entertainment cruising go with the Formula. If it would be a help, I'll be happy to put you in touch with owners of both so you can get their unbiased opinions. It really comes down to your cruising style though (fishing vs, cruising). Both are good boats. Both come with Volve/IPS. Good luck and have a safe summer.