Advice needed on AT $$$$$
 

I need some tips on what a deal really is and maybe where to shop. of-course there is here and ebay and craigslist but is there some secret boat buying sites?
I've been dreaming and saving and researching for 3 years and this winter I've decided on a 26 or 28 foot active thunder based on quality and cabin layout.

I am confident that the AT is the boat for me-but I am not so confident on what they actually sell for. I mean, asking price, high dealer markups, etc throw me off because I don't see what people actually pay.

What I am wanting in the boat is just the basics:
*I want to spend under 40k for a clean boat. 30k would be even better.
*I would like to buy as new as possible. hoping 2000-2001 models are in my range.
*will require a trailer but nothing fancy.
*something without those 80's colors that baja has worn out.
*would love two stock small blocks but one engine might be what I end up with.
*fuel injection.
*no big stereo upgrades might be a way of saving on the total price.
*reasonable hours (and what is resonable for what I want to pay)

I'm patient and reasonable so you tell me what you think I should wait for.

I use www.oodle.com and jaxed http://boat.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/boat.c...boa&itm=scarab. Jaxed searches all the craigslist and ebay ads in one search. Oodle searches most all the classified boating websites in one search.

I do believe they make a 25/28 no 26s that i know of. Scott OCD bought one last year he could give you some good insite. Id have to sayy around 40 is a better bet. Hand layed boat are not given away per-say
-Mike P.S. Remeber its not a Baja or fountain your looking to purchase. Although its not a Cig either (im gonna be AT :ban: for this one)

Just a 25 and 28.

There were only 3 or 4 - 28s built with twin SBC, as such that will be a bit harder to find. IMHO, you want a single BBC anyhow.

The 25ATs are all the same and are great boats.

The 28AT up until 2003 came out an older hull mold and handle very well.
The 28AT of 2004 and after came out of the former 32AT mold which is actually has a bit less rocker to the bottom and his a little bit faster. However, you will not notice much of a ride difference. The newer the boat, the lighter it will be.

Where are you located? I do know of a 25AT in MD that is for sale for $40K-ish. It does have an HP500 Carb motor which is almost overkill for that boat.

Oh yeah, and SS/Mike is no longer affiliated with the AT Forum. :D :D

Ditto! on SS/Mike! :evilb::drink:

I am the one who purchased the 28 last year.. Drop me a PM.. I would be happy to chat if you like.. Otherwise Sydwayz is the expert and the one to deal with.

Mike what are you doing here? Isn't there another forum where you hang out? :evilb:

Yea its the Block Island drink dumper forum. Im not just teh presendent im also a memeber
-Mike

At least he didn't drop the F bomb!!

LMAO!! Yeah you are supposed to drink not wear it! That was a good day though!:drink:

Sydwayz--I'm in Mississippi. as for the 500 carb, I was hoping to stay with fuel injected for better starts (small reservior with lots of start and stops) and less fuel costs.

I'm heavily leaning towards wanting a 28. I've read lots of post from you guys and it seems that boats fall in the following order:28at first, 26 sonic second, and the 25at third.

ocdactive: just a figurative question. If you decided to get rid of your boat and put on the market in a month or two(out of boat season prime), what do you think you would ask and what do you think you would say, I'll just keep it. Your boat seems to be the year and size I've been shopping.

a good carb fires everytime. I have no problems

Agree. I love my HP500!

I was thinking fuel injected only till I found this PP, and I've been very pleased with the blue motor.

In your price range you are very unlikely to get a efi blue motor.....

pm me.. we can talk.

This one was in for sale in MD but the new owner just sent me these pics
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...ze_Wood_Pa.jpg

Welcome to the CULT Terry, if your out there, or here:drink:

That's a good looking boat.

Is that the one with no trailer brakes? If so, same boat.

what pics?

Sorry.



http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u.../terryBsAT.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...ryBsATrear.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...ATinterior.jpg


Add 'em to your collection


But real nice boat. HP500 btw

He said on his test drive the seller took him across the Chesapeake in two foot chop at mid 70's.

I guess purple and yellow were 98 colors for the 25's?

purple and yellow aren't my fav but they aren't everything on that boat and much better than the faded looking greenish blues i see on some. Even if I could find a 28 that was ugly at a heck of deal, I would pull the stripes if they were stripes, strip over the gel coat or have them do a boat wrap.

I painted over my ugly teal:

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...a/DSC05377.jpg

before:

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...aoscruisin.jpg


I bought this 18 mounths ago, paid around 28k,but it had a 300hp 454 at that time. motor can add a lot

looks nice painted.I'd be happy with basically any motor since I know one day i'll upgrade.

What does that say for my 600sci??:drink:

The Maryland 25', is that the one that was traded on the 28' over a year ago? Doug

Almost positive that is not it.

You get that thing on the water yet?

25 thunder
 

the 98 that just sold was the one with no trailer brakes. owner had it for at least 2 or more years., I had called just after he had a offer from the new owner over the( phone I think), he told me pay him 1000 more and he would dump that deal, wouldn't want it done to me so I told him no thanks and here I sit still looking for a boat, hahaha.

Nope, But I do have to say it looks great sitting on the trailer. :drink: Soon real soon Sent my GPS speedo to Livorsi for the upgrade. They are also sending me a float-less fuel gauge sender. Doug

Bam, search for New Moon(99' AT28 twin 350 MPI's); it should be worth the effort...

Thanks for the welcome
 

I am the new owner of the 25 without the trailer brakes. I boat in the western end of Lake Erie / Island area and have just started to enjoy the boat very much. I have been reading the forum posts for quite awhile and missed buying another 25 in Detroit but found this one in MD which was much nicer, bigger motor, aluminum trailer (without brakes lol) and was in my price range. Thanks again for the great welcome.

Welcome to the cult! :drink::drink::evilb:

when r u coming md.

Gordo has thought about selling his 25 AT on and off several times. Its a great boat and very fast. He might be willing to sell without power. I think he has a carbed 500HP in it now. It was raced some, but never hurt. It was built as dual purpose boat for pleasure boating. I think the F1 decals have been removed.

Who has the 25 from RI it was a 97/98? Also an ex racer.
-Mike

Aug 14. The hazzard run. Northeast md. You coming?

Thought you were banned!!! LOL!

Dude get a job
-Mike

I am workin as we speak, gettin paid to do nuthin!!! :evilb: LOL. How is the paint coming?

That would be Me, I bought CHAOS from Rob in Feb of '09

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/DSC05614.jpg

Removed CHAOS from wind shield, Painted the teal to orange, recoverd engine hatch to solid white and put my motor in it.