It's slow around here so thought now would be a good time to get some conversation going.

Let me first off say that I'm not in the market right now but I am always shopping, looking for a deal and always reading this forum to learn more.

I am completely sold on AT's! There isn't anything that I don't like about them but feel when the time comes for me to step up, I won't be able to find one (can't afford new). I have a single now and most likely want twins next. My criteria is no bigger than 35' OAL with a good amount of room and good in the rough. Obviously, I would like it to be fast but I think I would rather have a good handling hull be first over speed since its easier to make a boat go faster than it is to make it handle the rough. I would love to have a 32 or 33 AT but just can't seem to find any. I know that there are only a handful of 33's but, to me, there's only 1 32 out there worth looking at.

Am I worrying too early or should I start thinking about other brands? I have been starting to look at sonic 31ss and scarab 33 avs. The only reason I ask you guys about other brands because you have the best and probably have the best knowledge of what's closest or second best.

Thanks

33 Powerplay. Mine is 34'11" including the platform.

It took me a solid year of looking and kicking the tires on many boats before pulling the trigger. I didn't even buy what I thought I wanted. I looked at an AT, a couple Powerplays, pantera and a couple Sutfens and a Phantom. All around 32-34'. Even put up a "WANTED 33-38" thread which got some real good leads. It is not important to tout what I got as much as it is to say there are many good deals for boats you might not have thought of out there. And they are nice ones. Even if you love the AT don't restrict your search. Other factors are resale if that is important to you, it was not to me. I have found that if you buy a boat no matter how new and they don't make that many the market is smaller for them hence less money they bring. IMO

Would love a Cig but can't justify the added $$ when you figure nothing but a Marauder is outfitted like an AT. We stay on our boat every weekend comfortably crushes big water and run mid 80's how do you beat that?

Yeah its always tough. When you have the money in your pocket can't find what you want. When your not ready to buy you find amazing deals! Happens to all of us

Bwd has some valid points.

There are a ton of cool boats out there, and none of them are perfect. I always like to buy the overall best bang for the buck no matter what the brand. They all use the same parts, and the majority of us "recreational" ,boaters on a budget, Under 100mph, never even use the hulls to their full ability.

I love my Baja, overall I feel its a lot of boat for the money. (its not for sale though) http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/b...utlaw-fun.html

My advice is to buy the best overall value and have extra money left over for FUEL and FUN!

Be patient and you will find a sweet deal when the time is right. And don't worry that it might not be your dream boat, because all of us boaters have a sickness that makes us want MORE "2ft itus". Life changes, wants and needs change, and most likely the next boat you buy won't be your last!

Enjoy!

If you're not ready to buy, then I really wouldn't worry about it now. Make your decisions based on whats out there for sale when you are ready to purchase. I would not be expecting to find any fire sale deals on 32's, but you never know.

As far as whats next best, that depends on your personal wants, tastes and needs.

My mind is 99% set on a 32 or 33 AT but basically wondering if anything really does compare? Like bonesmalon said, it has it all, so why look any further...but my fear is that I won't be able to find one or it would be way out of my price range.

Griff, I'm not looking right now but I always like to keep my eyes open because you never know what your going to come across. I know you can't tell the future and I really shouldn't be looking until I'm ready but I just want to be prepared and have my research in order.

I went through a similar search, and research process, before pulling the trigger this year. I'd been ringing Sydways periodically over the years inquiring about various 37s...keeping tabs on what prices were doing and whether I'd be able to swing it...and (luckily) getting a ride on boatfreak's in a little slop to see what it rode like. I set the 37 as a benchmark, and tried to find something else that fit my boating needs as well. Considering I had ALWAYS wanted a Top Gun, and had made no secret of it, my wife was really surprised that I would be so RATIONAL in choosing the AT, but that surprise didn't last long once she really took into consideration the amenities offered by the AT that weren't possible in the Cig.

That said, when we decided to move up (which happened whilst drinking prior to a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert this June), we knew we wanted a bigger cabin with built-in air conditioning and an actual usable head...hopefully with a microwave and fridge. Twin-step Guns do not have very accomodating cabins...not much more headroom than our 35 Fountain, port-o-pots, no a/c, no other cabin ammenities...so they were out right away. I looked at older, straight-bottom Guns...I actually like the cabin in them, especially the V-berth, but finding the right power/drive combo made it difficult...I was really after STOCK power...and it takes a LOT to get that hull moving. Plus, they are short on amenities as well. Looked at a couple 42 Fountain Lightnings...I have driven that hull and always been impressed by it...they can be had with amenities, but the cabin is just like a longer version of our 35, with a bit more headroom. My wife is the one that shut the door on that one, saying she just didn't want another Fountain. Sonic has all the goodies for sure...but the weight and the straight-bottom turned me off...takes a lot of power to get a 38 Sonic moving in the mid-80s, and I had drive concerns...plus they tend to porpoise. Nor-Tech's older 38s are just...weird...everything on them seems very vertical...they SHOULD have more storage space and useable room, but they just don't. Plus, as a short dude (5'8" on a good day!), I couldn't see over the dash. 39 Nor-Tech was awesome, but couldn't find one in my price range. Looked pretty hard at a 37 Outerlimits Stiletto, but most of them are currently rigged with HUGE power...not interested. There was a gorgeous 39 OL Quattro for sale up in Wisconsin for a price similar to what I paid for the AT, but with Whippled 600s, it was just more than I wanted in the engine dept...plus, even though it had a "full" cabin, it didn't have nearly the comfort that the AT offered.

So, there you go...the long version of my answer to your question.

The short version is "No, there really isn't anything but AT."

I looked at the layout of the 33 Evolution outboard, and was amazed. Nice cabin, enclosed head, available climate control, TV etc... and all of this in a twin outboard version. I've seen a lot of other boats as well. But when you see the overhead storage in the AT, nice cockpit layout, and a civilized cabin, it's not a choice anymore.

I'd own another 33 at ill tell you that. But wow, go for a rip in a 33pp if you get a chance. They give up some cockpit room and might not be as fast but they are solid and capable!