My cruiser satisfies most of our boating needs so the Go Fast boat is...well...to GO fast, get a thrill, enjoy driving it, etc. We boat on Lake Michigan between traverse city, Mackinac island, and everything in between.

Love cats but I feel a 36 Skater/36 Nortech or larger is needed to handle the rough equal or better then my current boat. Then the price is getting up there if it meets all my requirements.

Either way I don't want a boat that is smaller then my current boat which measures 35' overall. Thanks for the idea though, 32 cats are fast and affordable.

:drink:

Current boat worth around 80k on Nada

add in cost to upgrade drives for reliability and make boat more fun to drive

$17,000 for SCX ($14k Each + Imco Stainless Gimbals, Helmets, reservoir, 2" spacer, Shipping. Minus $14k for used SC's. Use current props to save money) Boat will slow down couple mph or stay same.

$32,000 for SCX ($14k Each + Imco Stainless Gimbals, Helmets, reservoir, WCM -2 Lower, Shipping, Prop testing. Minus $14k for used SC's. 5 or 6 blade Bravo style Herring semi surfacing props) Might gain speed or stay same.

$42,000 for SCX-4 (14k Each + Imco Stainless Gimbals, Helmets, reservoir, WCM Blueprinting, Shipping, Prop Testing. Minus $14k for used SC's. 5 or 6 blade Clever Style Herrings surfacing props) Might gain speed.

$45,000 for Arneson (22k Each shipped Minus $14k for used SC's Minus $5k Standoff boxes hydraulic steering and trans assemblies, 5 or 6 blade Clever Style Herrings surfacing props) Most likely to gain 8-10 mph.

Not going to include engines since all boats will need engines freshened and current engines are running great.

What boat would out do current boat in all categories for the money? Or which drive setup makes the most sense?

$125,000

It kind of sucks though when you upgrade to a bigger/better USED boat that cost you let's say 125K. Then you put 10-15 hours on it and it breaks down more times than you can count and can't keep it in the water. To keep it in the water you spend another 75K on engines, drives and a bunch of other stuff. Oh yeah forgot to mention you miss every weekend of boating and all the great boating events because it needs to be repaired. My point is you don't always know what you are getting.

I can say this; everyone of my boating friends that have bought 125 thousand dollar turn key boats have had to put 10's of thousands of dollars into them the first year to keep them running.

At least with upgrading your exising boat you know what you have.

I'm on ur list too rite?

Actually, u just described most of my last 2 years

I say goto pier 57 and buy drambuie. MTI BABY

Yep, you sure are. :lolhit: That's what made it easy for me to go the repo route but, I still had my unforseen issues as well.

bingo . the ones selling them know what it costs to refresh . remember the more lavish to start with ,the more lavish to refresh . ive redone my older fountain mitcher t paint . paid alot but got a hellof an updated boat . updated my drives n gimbles . konrads also same year . this year paulpfaff buiding me some badass 800,s cost for upgrades alot but do i have a great older pakage thats new . yes . do it right .do it once . and rock n roll. nice mind you a low hr mint condition boat that some one has taken or spent a bunch already helps ease the pain . theese boats are out there . you just have to willing to find them and do some work on them youreself . hell its great off season enjoyment .

I don't know as I've ever seen or heard of Arneson on a Baja hull. I would be curious to see if it would REALLY gain any speed. There is nothing to base height or anything on, it would all be trial an error and with those props it could get really expensive. Once finished AND it sat well with the hull it would be the most reliable.

Good point Jason

YES I want that MTI!

Rob your correct, buying the boat is only one part, maintaing it is the other!

Yeah I really like the idea of speed gain and reliability! With any surface style drive change there will be dial in. My application I can only fit the Arneson, SCX-4,X-power, or NXT, but even if I could fit the Ilmor Indy, Merc #6, M8 they all would require expensive prop testing and dial in. Tough decision.

Or...keep my Imco SC's and rebuild them often. Have the lowers blueprinted and try to dial it in better with new props also?

Then when its time to freshen the engines just build them to current specs since they work so great like they are. Will save money in the short run but eventually will spend more in drive rebuilds!

Best option, smuggle cubans in the huge cockpit till we have enough money to buy a Skater!