Hey guys, I watch this board a lot but do not post much. However, some comments in this string made me break my silence. I bought a used 1998 32' out of the Clear Lake Texas area last year. I am completely amazed by the speed and the ride. We put ~150 hours on the boat in 2001 (385 hours total) and have no rattles, squeeks NOTHING negative. Rode in some pretty nasty 3-4 foot chop at 60+ and felt comfortable and safe the whole time (Setup: Tabs on 4, drives on 3). There are a lot of well thought out features on the AT that are truly great even for the older models. I don't understand the cabin comments. I can almost stand up (I am 6'1"). The enclosed head is good for the wife and family. There is ample storage. Where/what's the beef? The boat is a classic and I constantly get envious comments/stares when I am out. AT has a well deserved great reputation in the performance arena. Good job to the AT team. "Don't let the bastards get you down."

Miller,
Steve and I have ThunderDan hostage and in de-programing. We will send him back with all those pure thoughts like more HP, open exhaust, Igloo coolers full of beer and big-breasted women in g-strings. All of your ideas are in the toilet now. Sorry but it was necessary. Pat

:D :D

[ 11-27-2001: Message edited by: ActiveThunder ]

So, keeping the lines out of the way, carrying spares in the engine room, and having an over board draining cooler at the helm don't help you keep going fast with big breasted women and lots of beer? Well, I guess my ideas were just totally off the wall!! :D :D

Besides, isn't the beer for drinking responsibly after the trip is over? ;)

By the way, does this mean you didn't like the ideas for the toilet? :eek:

[ 11-27-2001: Message edited by: Miller ]

ActiveThunder, Am I going to be de-prgrammed too? I can't wait. I don't drink beer (on the boat) I am not a horsepower freak and my wife already wears a thong bikini (whether the boat goes 90 or not). After you get through with us, we'll need a built in tap (for the Miller Lite keg), a tanker truck to keep fuel in our 1000 SC's and there's no telling what my wife will be wearing (let alone our two daughters :eek: )

Wow, I never thought looking for a boat could be so enlightening :D

Thunder EnLightning....hmmmmm, not bad H2o!

Miller, I love your ideas, man. You never explained to us that we could get big-breasted women with them though! We are back at the drawing board working on them today. As far as ThunderDan goes....I think Steve got carried away with the de-programming. Now he's talking no cabin and keeps mumbling "Keith Eickert, Keith Eickert" over and over. :eek:

I should start charging you for my ideas. You're getting some great feedback for free. Let's figure out how I can get back some value. I'm sure I'll think of something. :D

By the way, check your email. I forwarded you a couple of ideas that I had overlooked previously. They are really minor and you've probably got them included on your boats as standard but in case you haven't I did write them down.

WOW, I just, I mean :rolleyes: ThundrousDaze just came up with the name for our boat (if its an AT).

Thunder EnLighting :D :D That is awsome.

Thunder Enlighting, that is a great name, I like that alot, I even like that better than Radio Active, If you dont take that one on your Active Thunder (you know, the one that is suppose to be under your christmas tree) with your permission Im going to switch. Oh Steve, Oh Steve where are you, Ive got another change. ;) :p :D

I know all of you missed me and here is my tale. By the way h20 that is a great name, I almost named my boat that same thing. And it is WHEN you get your AT you can name it that, just remember our THUNDER RUN.

Well, I am back from my trip down to Active Thunder and my ride in the 37avh. Man was it great. It was nice and calm going through the canal to get to the ocean. As soon as we turned the corner to go out the inlet it hit. The water was slop. We steadily exited the inlet into the ocean to be met with 4-6 foot waves with some 8’s mixed in. And man was it sloppy. There was no rhyme or reason to the way the waves were breaking especially because of the 18 knot winds whipping. But it was a true test of the ride and handling capabilities of the 37AVH. I am telling you the boat handled like a dream. It launched off of some huge waves, always flying level and landing softly. In that kind of crappy water, (perfect test of a boat true rough water hadling capabilities), the boat handled like nothing else I have ridden in. It never even showed any signs of porpising when going through that slop, even with the constant throttling on and off. Never heard any rattles. Then after running at about 70mph in those conditions we headed in. It was difficult to really air the boat out because of the inconsistancy in the waves. They were really coming at you from all angles. We even went down into a perfect storm type of wave, water all around and we shot right out and the boat handled it like a walk in the park. The freeboard in the boat is so deep you feel safe in the boat and you stay dry. So, once inside I got a real good chance to see how the boat handled in flatter water. The boat almost floats up on plane. It really get up effortlessly. I never lost sight of the horizon getting up to a crusing speed of 40mph. (Man are those slow zones you Fla guys got suck) Then Pat tells me to slow down a bit. (Ya I know, you never hear those words out of his mouth) He changes the tab and drive postion, puts the one engine in neutral and turns off the key and throws it on the floor. Meanwhile we are still doing 35mph, up on plane and steering easily in the canal on one engine. I look at Pat like he was crazy shutting off the one, but I could not believe it. We cruised like that for almost five minutes. Then we went into a wide area of the canal, fired up the other engine and we made some sweeping turns at some good speed and never did the boat feel like it was slidding or out of control. It was like doing donuts in the parking lot as a kid. (OK, I still do them also) It was the best riding boat I have been in, and the toughest and roughest water I have been on a demo. I am not sure if once we turned that corner in the inlet that many other boat manufacturers would have kept going. For those of you that are ever considering going into a 37 foot range boat you gotta check out this boat. It truly is LIKE NOTHING ELSE. And Pat and Steve thanks for a great time, and a great ride.

ThunderDan, that's an awesome testimonial. Did you get a chance to get to WOT? What was your top-end speed?

Advantage,

No, it was to unpredicatble with the waves to really get a chance to air it out. We were running with 496ho, hit 70 mph and had a bit of throttle left in her. Even when we got out of the ocean there are some many damn manatee zones and slow zones we did not get a chance. What a ride. I think that it would hit high seventies, maybe low eighties with 496ho, and with the 500efi's I bet we see 86-88 fully loaded.

Dan

[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: thunderdan ]

Gordo and Todd,

I also checked on your boats when I was there and all is well. ;) :D

Thanks Dan. Did it have new bolsters yet?

Sayyyyy, I wonder if I can get in on that free $15k paint graphics...

Not yet on the bolsters, but from what I saw where your boat was sitting and the story of Pat's driving ability with the forklift, :p , you may just get some of that new paint..... :D :D Man is your boat still in great shape. It really looked great. :D

Miller,

The deprogramming only works for a 24hr period. Believe me I am still pushing for those changes that I e-mailed you and we will see them on my boat. ;) :D :D

Now, that's what I want to hear. By the way, I've developed a few more ideas I can share and found some old one's that were off the first email to you. Plus, Pat asked me to look at photos of the new head and give him my thoughts. Well, let's just say that you might be interested in pursuing some of the challenges I posed to Pat. At least while you're de-programmed. :D

[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: Miller ]

Miller,

send em my way, my friend. I always have room for a few more on my ever growing list. Thanks :D :D

Thunder Dan, Talk about a major woody, whos boat was that, and what did you think of the old cabin and headroom. Call me later. Thanks :D

I am not sure who's boat it was, I think it maybe Pat's. I do not know, I never really asked. The headroom in the cabin was pretty good, I am 6ft and I had to bend down a bit, not too much though, something about a demo tape post going on between Pat and Active Thunder Todd. ;) :D I will try and call you later, if not I will catch you tomorrow or you can call me in my office.

[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: thunderdan ]

ThunderDan, glad to hear your visit went so well. I am looking forward to seeing your boat(s) while here in sunny Ft.Lauderdale :D We left Indy this morning and it was 40 degrees and raining :( We get to Florida and its sunny and 80+, why do I live in the north :confused: I had an excellent ride in the same type of water in a 386 Sonic today. We should get the same conditions tomorrow for a good comparison. I am taking copious notes for the post of a liftime when I return :D The Sonic was pretty impressive in the rough stuff :rolleyes: . Did I mention we are also visiting PowerPlay on Saturday. I want to take a look at their new 38. I plan on keeping this boat for a while, and how many chances do you get to go the Florida in November and ride in some BAD BOY BOATS looking for that perfect Christmas present :D :p :D WOW.

h20,
glad you had a safe trip down to Fla. It is pretty cool conditions to do some test rides in. I know that the AT boat you are testing in is a 37avh with 500hp's. Hang on and have a great time, and please post your results.

Dan

Dan, I tried to email you some more ideas, but the message keeps getting returned. I used the same email we communicated through last week. You may want to check and see if you've got a problem as I've been sending and receiving from others without an issue, though it could still be on my end. I'll try again in the morning.

Paul,

it is one my side. We had someone sending spam through our server so they have blocked a few ISP until they get it cleared up. You can try it again of shoot it to my fax at 856-767-0348. Thanks :D

Ok…. You guys have dragged me into this one. I have been looking into more speed, size.. frills etc. Granted this machine ordered off the lot is most likely more than I can afford but in a couple of years a “passively used” AT AVH would suit my needs and pocket book more appropriately. That would free up someone to purchase another RIGHT!
So, with that in mind… how would an AT AVH with Merc 600’s or better yet, a pair of 500 hp’s Whippled perform? Has anybody gone this route? Can 100 mph be broken?
I’m seriously interested and even better yet, have the wife’s approval to investigate. :D We currently own a very good condition ’89 Formula F311 with 420’s / B&W / TRS and all the toys.

How is the “wind in your face” without the windshield? Does the faring deflect enough so you are not picking bugs out of your teeth when you hit the next pit stop?

Trevor
:

Wild Horses,

If you whipple the 500's it will put out 725 a side. I think you may pick up 12 mph which will put you real close to the century mark. I know Shane Sherman supercharged his 32 and hit 100, so it can be done.

H20,

So how was your ride in the Thunder. Was the water as rough as your ride in the Sonic. What a perfect comparision, please let use know how the two comparied in speed, ride, comfort, how comfortable you felt in both., and which had the better overall ride.

Looking forward to seeing you in the next Thunder Run.
:p :) ;) :D

ThunderDan......UNFKNBLVBL.......'nough said :D

I'll post more detail when I return home.

H20,

Sounds like you had a great ride. Have a safe flight back and I look forward to your post and to see what kick ass boat you wind up with. I like that, UNFKNBLVBL, you are already talking like a thunder owner. :p :D

[ 11-30-2001: Message edited by: thunderdan ]

Sounds like H20 enjoyed his ride. I wonder how that happened... :D

Miller,
Got the new revised list. Some more great ideas, the head ones are great. The wife loved those. :) :D

So, the wifey got any cute friends (females only) who would be interested in some other ideas I've got about ...? :D :eek:

Miller, come on now, you have 'em chomping at the bit. You dont need any more women. Stick to designing boats for Manufacturers!
How ya doin? Hope all is well.

Miller,

4am, man is that early to be waking up. :p :D All of my wifes friends are not that attractive, I am still trying to figure that out. She had great looking friends before we got married, hummmmmm ;) :D :D

Sounds like Thunderdan has been "Deprogrammed" more than once!

[ 12-01-2001: Message edited by: ScreaminDemon ]

Dan, that seems to be going around. As soon as they get married I start hearing from my friends that their wives attractive friends have disappeared. I wonder why that happens.

Yeah, 4am is early to wake up, but it's not so bad when you're going to bed at that hour... :D

[ 12-02-2001: Message edited by: Miller ]

JB, I'm doing well. What about you? When are you trading in the Scarab on an AT?

Thunderdan...post some pictures on a web site and let us be the judge of "good" looking or not!

Screamin-

Not a bad idea. I may have to solicit some help from some friends, but I will work on it. I already have about 75 pictures of my work in progress. I think Steve at AT has some experience designing sites, hummm, something else to bust em about....Ohhh Steevvvve :D :D

Miller,

4am going to bed, this old body can not handle that anymore. :D :eek:

Dan, as I'm approaching 29 I am slowing down a bit. :D But it helps that I'm on sabbatical and don't need to wakeup early. Now, I can still get a good 5 - 5 1/2 hours of sleep even when I go to bed at 4am. Before I'd maybe get 2 hours of sleep and have to roll back into the office. That was killing me.

H2O, how were the rides? Did you test any other boats before going to Florida (Hustler's 388 and the Outerlimits 37 are both pretty competitive with the Active Thunder, Sonic and Powerplay). Just wondering if you looked at any of those. Did you visit the Cigarette factory? The 38 TS is an awesome boat even though the cabin is not designed for weekending and relaxing the way the others are, especially the Active Thunder with the new Millenium cabin, but the Cig factory is really a cool place to visit because of the history.

Anyway, I'm anxious to hear what your experience was like. I have not been in a 37AVH yet, but I took a ride in a 32 last year in some snotty water with Pat the day before driving the 35 Playboy TS Cigarette. The 32 AT ran as well as the Cigarette even though it was 3 feet shorter and quite a bit lighter. I was really, really impressed. I can't wait to drive the 37AVH, that's going to be high on my list when I get rid of my Baja and move-up, which should have happened last Winter but it didn't happen.