Meridian 391 Sedan Review and Used Price Guide

A Meridian 391 for sale is a slice of Brunswick's short-lived yacht brand

Meridian Yachts existed for roughly a decade. Brunswick created the name in 2003 to separate its larger Pacific Northwest built cruisers from the entry-level Bayliner image, and the brand inherited the engineering lineage of boats like the Bayliner 4788 Pilothouse. The Meridian 391 Sedan arrived in 2006, when Power & Motoryacht tested it and Soundings listed it among the season's new boats.

That history explains why a Meridian 391 for sale often looks like a bargain. It was built by the same corporate parent as Sea Ray, uses mainstream MerCruiser gas or Cummins diesel power and comes from a factory with decades of experience building cruisers for cold northern water, yet it trades for less than a Sea Ray or Tiara of similar size and year because the Meridian badge never built the same brand pull.

For a buyer that gap is an opportunity. You get a modern-era sedan bridge with diesel engines at a price that would buy an older, gas-powered boat from a more prestigious builder.

The galley-up saloon that sells the boat

Step through the cockpit door and the 391's main appeal is obvious. The galley sits on the main deck with the saloon rather than down a set of stairs, which keeps the cook in the conversation and makes the whole level feel larger than you would expect on a boat with a 13 foot 11 inch beam. Big side windows bring in light, and the single-level flow from cockpit to saloon is ideal for owners who entertain at the dock.

The trade-off of galley-up is less room for a large lounge, so the seating is a sofa and a dinette rather than a sprawling sectional. Most couples find that a fair exchange, especially in northern climates where the saloon is where you spend rainy evenings.

Two staterooms for a couple plus guests

Below the saloon, the 391 uses a two-stateroom plan: an owner's cabin and a guest cabin, with island berths in both cabins and split head and shower compartments shared between them on the standard layout, as Soundings described the boat in 2006. Head count and arrangements varied between boats, so confirm the exact plan on any listing you are considering.

This is a boat for two people who host occasional guests, not for a family of six on a two-week cruise. Storage is good for weekends and adequate for longer trips if you pack carefully, and the master is comfortable for a couple living aboard for a season.

Driving from the flybridge

The flybridge is the 391's primary helm on most boats, with companion seating and a lounge area behind the wheel. On a sunny day this is where everyone wants to be, and visibility for docking is good from up high. A full enclosure is a valuable upgrade in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes, extending the season by months.

Access from the cockpit to the flybridge is by ladder or steps depending on configuration. It is worth trying with your own crew before you buy, since anyone with mobility issues will find a steep ladder a daily obstacle.

• Flybridge helm with companion seating
• Aft bridge seating that serves as a second social space
• Full enclosure is a key upgrade for northern owners
• Check radar arch height against your local bridges

Gas or diesel power and realistic speeds

Soundings' 2006 new-boat report lists twin 370 hp MerCruiser gasoline inboards as standard, with gas or diesel options up to 840 hp in total, including twin 380 hp Cummins QSB diesels. Diesel boats are the ones most buyers look for, and because owners and dealers ordered different packages, always confirm the engine make, model and horsepower rating from the engine plates and the original paperwork.

With the twin 380 hp Cummins QSB diesels, Soundings reported a 33 mph top speed, about 29 knots, and a 21 mph cruise, about 18 knots. Fuel burn was not published; our estimate for a fast cruise is roughly 28 to 36 gallons per hour combined, so the sea trial is your real benchmark. Tankage is 350 gallons of fuel and 125 gallons of water.

Diesels give the boat range, resale strength and longevity. They also bring diesel-specific maintenance: aftercoolers, heat exchangers, injectors, raw water pumps and exhaust components should all be checked, and the engine room should be dry and clean.

A realistic budget for a 41-foot sedan bridge

Plan for $22,000 to $42,000 a year in running costs excluding depreciation, depending on where you keep the boat and how much you use it. Slip fees, insurance, annual engine service, bottom paint, winterization in northern climates and canvas care make up most of the budget. Fuel use depends on how fast you go; cruising at 8 knots rather than 20 can cut fuel costs by two thirds on a typical weekend trip.

Parts support is not a concern for the engines and most systems, which are mainstream marine components. Meridian-specific items such as windows, hatches and trim can be harder to source now that the brand no longer exists, so a boat with all original parts in good condition is worth more than one that needs replacements.

Where a surveyor should focus on a 391

The 391 does not have notorious structural flaws, but it is now well over a decade old and should be surveyed like any aging cruiser. Look first at moisture in deck coring around hardware, window seals, and the flybridge mounting areas, then move to engines and systems.

Electrical systems deserve attention because many boats have had electronics and inverter upgrades layered onto original wiring. Clean, labeled installations are a good sign; tangled add-ons are a reason to negotiate or walk away.

Who should shortlist the Meridian 391

Couples moving up from a 30 to 35-foot express cruiser will find the 391 a natural step: more living space, a flybridge, diesel range and a galley-up layout that changes how you live aboard. Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest owners in particular will appreciate its cold-water roots.

Buyers who need three cabins, a big fishing cockpit or 30-knot speeds should look elsewhere. For everyone else the 391 offers modern sedan bridge living with diesel power at a price that still undercuts its better-known rivals.