Never been on a 28 Pantera. All I know is at LOTO the 28 Apache can hang with boats 10 feet longer.

I did have that porpoise issue when I first got it and ran it and was getting used to it. You'll get better with some drive time, but there was some porpoise there for me. My boat had aluminum heads when I first bought it. When I repowered I went back to all cast iron 502/415 crate engine and I swear the extra weight took the porpoise away, so much so you didn't need any tabs ever. You could also have it trimmed up a bit high, mine did not require a lot of trim. They were balanced well stock.

I had only test drove a 28 pantera and it wasn't rough. Have read the apache kind of crushes the water vs the pantera which rides on top more, but the apache is a much nicer boat than a pantera. I shoped for a pantera as well. The pantera has higher freeboard, carpeted cabin, boxy dash, and a hook in the hull that gives it a solid porpoise at least with twin engines and can only be fixed with tabs. The quality is night and day difference. The 28 apache is a strange hull the way the stern of the boat is, its just as big as a 36 or 41 Apache sitting in the water there isn't much difference side by side until you get to the cockpit. The engine bay can fit huge power without having to modify the hatch. Before I put on some weight I could actually sit down in front of the motors - it's the same depth and width as the bigger boats. If you look at the two boats side by side you'll see the apache cockpit sits back a little farther. The fairing on the apache is usefull in the cabin and gives it a lot more headroom space than the pantera and the gelcoat makes it comfortable and cool. The cabin is super comfortable, you never feel cramped.

Not sure if it's the owners or what, but the 28 apache's seem to eat motors same as their older brethren. The true 24 degree deadrise to the transom and extra weight probably don't help.

yeah they don’t like flat water without some tabs. These hulls like neutral trim or dragging a little tab. My neutral is set up at 3 and the most I’ll do on drives is 4ish and same for tabs. If you drag tabs wide open it has less tendency to chine walk. Full hydro was a big help and every time I upped the power it got more stable at top speeds.

The 28 Apache will out do every boat the same size and under and will hang with the best of the big boys when the **** gets snotty. One of the best well rounded mid sized boats IMO.

Is there a good article telling the complete Apache story, who built what and when, what molds, designers, etc? Its a little complicated!

history and porpoise
 

There is a dvd set out there some where that has the early history. till 1995 ish. Something like big time media. It's the guy that did the announcing for the off shore super series in the 90's

At 35 ish it does get a bounce, a little throttle or a little tab and it's gone , it is more evedent with light fuel level. . over 55 no porpoise . extremely predictable , consistent handling . Carves turns . And it is a easy boat to tow, store , load. And they hold there value .

Apache DVD's
 

I had a twin 28 Pantera and it would handle the rough water like a boat 10 feet longer. Never rode in an Apache but always had them as one of my favorites. Was at the races in O.C.Maryland many years ago and the ocean was really rough. It chased everyone in except myself in the Pantera and a guy with an Apache. We had a good laugh watching them all run in the bay. I think Apache and Pantera are right up there with the best rough water boats around. I would like to see yours for I too run in the upper bay. Maybe see you out there this summer

Glad to see this thread is still rockin! I saw that Nick has his 28 for sale and there is another really nice looking one for sale on Boat Trader. Best of luck to both on the sale, both are really great looking boats. I can't wait to get some stick time on mine this summer. It is in great hands at the moment. Lake Shores is making sure she will be sea worthy by the time I am ready to go to the lake. Was wondering though. I have stock 25P bravo's on there. I am thinking of ditching those and going with labbed 25P Mirage Plus props. I have heard conflicting information on if they need to be spun in or out though. Thoughts?