i was out around marblehead today in my 272 baja and was running it 45 to 52 off and on while i was out with no problems i have been at PIB and come back in 6 footers with no issues but i wouldnt want to do it all of the time

Indy, yes my wife and i both like the 28 saber the best, she said if feels like we are landing in "marshamallows" when running it hard in the rough. i can only compare to what i have owned or ridden in but all three boats i have owend where good boats and they each had their list of pros and cons. the best rough water boat i have been in is "old school muscle" oso member jack's 38 cigarette flat deck - that is a kick ass boat! you should ride in a few boats and really compare them. i wish i would have done that in the past, i would have saved a lot of money over the years.

Lake Erie chop is allot of fun if in the right type of boat of course, if 33 is your max and you want a decent cabin and good speed, then try a 33 A/T with side by side seating which gives you a good sized enclosed head and cabin, twin 525 efi in the 33 is a solid 90 MPH boat easy to trailer and eats up the chop with the 4" step hull and a very solid and stable ride with deep seating. Take one for a test ride and you will see the difference.

We have run the trek out to PIB to Kelley's Is. to Sandusky, Marblehead, Port Clinton and around the area a number of times in our 28ZX in various conditions (calm glass to 8'). I don't care to take her out in more than 5-6's. She handles it that well at cruising speed. 8's scare the chit outta my wife and I don't care to work at having fun. While we don't have an enclosed head (wish we did), we make do with the portapot. I do enjoy having the twins (350 mags/BravoI's) as opposed to having a single like in our old Donzi. Good luck in your shopping, I enjoy helping spend someone elses money!

on lake erie somtimes 4's feel like 8's

Everybody has their favorites, but I noticed that this past Saturday the only two boats that made the Mentor to Cleveland run in 8-12' (not exaggerating, look at the wave report if you want) were Cigs - a 35 Cafe and a 36 widebody. The cafe has an enclosed head and some very nice examples are available in the $50-60,000 range.

And now for the hype: Since I joined the Maries, almost everyone I meet that was/is in another branch (or civilian) tells me some story about how they wanted to be a Marine but chose differently for one reason or another - since I bought my Cig, well, you know the rest...

Two pages and no one even mentioned Apache:D:D:D ( I was reading quick so might have missed it)

My thought is to go for a combination of length and weight. IMO a 30's Cig, AT, or Formula would be better than a slightly longer Fountain or Sunsation. Also get a twin engine boat. The thing about Lake Erie is the morning could be fine and by the afternoon you can be in some really scary stuff. There are some days you could take a ski boat from Toledo to the bay and on other days we would not want to go in our Black Thunder.

Where will you home port on Lake Erie be. There is a run out of the southern part this Saturday, you will see a lot of Lake Erie worthy boats at that. Donna

I considered it the best day of the season!!! Phantom flew great and went around gull and really played in the big stuff!!! Some of the biggest waves I've seen out there yet with the wind coming almost directly from the south. had an absolute blast!

Best hull? No idea but i'd have to say the Phantom did pretty damn well today! :drink: Almost like Will knows a thing or two about building a boat :evilb:

Now its time for a Gopro to capture some of the fun! :coolcowboy:

I just looked at the Lake Erie forecast :eek:

When I saw some parts were going to get 5 to 7, building to 7 to 10, I stopped thinking about boat hulls and thought more about a small inground heated pool :lolhit: