DBleil89

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/5484580351.html

I would go with this one. It's the most boat with twin 454 and bravos. Last time I talked to the guy he said 17000. I think it's a little over priced due to it being 28 years old. But it is one of only several made with that engine package

partlowr

The Caravelle 23 Interceptor is a beautiful boat, one of the sleekest looking hull designs IMO and it does not look like a 20 year old boat. I just saw one at Grand Sport Center in Illinois and it is very clean. Best part is that they are asking far les than your $18k budget, they have it listed at $12k and I am sure they can probably ,move $1000 off that. It needs a stereo upgrade and the v berth cabin upholstery needs to be replaced but other than that the boat and trailer is very clean. With the money you save you can do the stereo and cabin upholstery and maybe some vinyl graphics and still have money in your pocket for fuel and beer.

Here is a link to the listing. My office is just a few miles away so if you have any specific questions or more detailed photos I would be happy to help you out. This is a super clean boat and if it were around last year when I purchased my boat I would have been al over this one.

http://www.grandsportcenter.com/pop-...23-interceptor

GLENAMY 242SS

iTrader: (1)

Here is a boat I saw on craigslist. These Formula twin 242LS are very hard to find and very desirable (well at least to the Formula group). I looked for a good one for 2+ years with no luck. https://yuma.craigslist.org/boa/5463097034.html
Good Luck

92nsx

A "nice place" to take a nap, I would be looking 24' or more. Like what was was posted above, "go as big as you can afford", (then some more if you ask me HAHA)

H2X is to small, plus PITA to get into the cabin.

29 scarab (twin 350's) <---- Top of my list with that budget. Yes I have shopped them and was 1 flight away from buying before finding my 33 OL.

25 OL ( easy to resell once your ready to move up), Shop around

Formula 272 SR1, old bird but a good one .

Check out these places. They normally have plenty of boats for sale. This should give you a idea of what you like and ball park prices. Private Party sales will always be lower
lake cumberland marine
Grand Sport Center
Also remember LOTO boats and that area seem to carry higher prices then every one else.

GLENAMY 242SS

iTrader: (1)

Keep in mind the tow vehicle requirements with the bigger boats.

Crude Intentions

iTrader: (1)

+1 on the 272 sr1. Gonna be one of the bigger boats in your budget that'll still run 60ish.

302Sport

At that price you can find some bigger twin engine boats, I brought the search to $25K because you can most likely get the boat under $20K if the guy is asking $25K. But anyways, at that price point heres what I would look at:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...es-o64839.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...rd-o64318.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...rs-o60915.html

Tons of options on boat trader and yacht world:

http://www.boattrader.com/search-res...rt-Length:DESC

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...m=quick&N=1783

scottgjerdingen

Wow - thanks for the great info and by no means stop adding to the list!

In response to some questions asked:

TOMMYMONZA - I have the 19ft w/ 550hp and am in need of a better outdrive than the old VP280 that is on there no.

DONZI MATT & 92nsx - I hear ya on the biggest I can afford (“go big or go home” :-) ), however, I am not looking to get a new tow vehicle, I have an F150 that was purchased to haul horses around and I think some of these bigger boats are way more than it can handle. It is also a lot harder to find dock space around me for the larger boats.

One other question I have is when doing this “internet shopping”? Getting a surveyor to check out the boat and a mechanic to check out engines I am guessing will cost upwards of $700-$1,000. Shipping (obviously based on distance) would probably be $1,500. fFight to see it around $300-$700. I’m starting to wonder if for a boat in my price range I should simply put “pre-purchase” inspection $’s and flight $’s towards potential repairs and simply buy something sight unseen? Obviously I would do as much homework as I could to mitigate risk. How bad of an idea is this?

Lastly, while checking out some of your suggestions I ran across I have never seen before a 1995 OBSESSION POWERBOATS 242 TORRENT - http://www.grandsportcenter.com/pop-...ts-242-torrent
Should something like this be added to my “for consideration” list?

partlowr

As I said in my previous post I would be happy to check out in person anything you find that might be in the west and northwest suburbs of Chicago and give you honest unbiased information as to condition or anything of concern that catches my eye. Most reputable sellers will hold the boat or take a deposit that is refundable should you arrive and the boat not be what was promised, but then again if you are driving a long distance there would be time and fuel wasted. I traveled 250 miles to get my boat and I was able to sea test it in the Mississippi river before I purchased it which was nice.

GLENAMY 242SS

iTrader: (1)

Scott,
Your criteria was:
•What would you buy? As I stated in earlier post
•Where would you find it and what would it cost? As stated in earlier post
•Why did you choose this boat?

1) Location, Yuma would indicate a freshwater boat most likely Colorado river, no real wave bashing and low humidity.
2) Formula specked this boat stock @ 64 MPH
3) Twins Handling, maneuverability, redundancy.
4) Twin SBC will give great fuel economy over BBC
5) About the largest boat that can be towed with 1/2 ton truck
6) Price and re-sale value. Lots of initial money left over and these twin 242s hold their value.
7) Great riding boat plenty of room for overnighting and top notch quality with continued factory support.
Good Luck