My opinion: Unless you are going 10/10ths, all out throttles to the stops in 3 foot seas, I think the ride is comparable. Of course, the Cafe's extra 4 feet does mean a slightly better ride. The Cafe will probably be 1-2mph slower, but still close.

I have 468ci and blowers on mine and am good for low 70's. Do a search on this site for Cafe and Bullet speeds. It's been discussed before. I have collected data over the years from various Bullet owners. I Do NOT claim these are accurate, just what I was given. All of these are for Bullets only.

Me: About 550hp - 72-73mph. I can get more speed with more testing.
420's with upgrades - estimated 475hp = 67mph
502's with 420 mega blowers - estimated 650hp = Low 80's
598ci with 765hp = 84+ mph
Merc 575's = 86mph
Upgrades 502's - estimated 540hp = 72mph
Merc HP500's = 70mph

I do NOT claim these as accurate (except mine)
I would say that HP500's rigged and propped right should get you 70+ with bravo drives
If you want turn-key no headaches and faster than 70, I would look for a boat with Merc 525's or 575's. Both of those should be very reliable, even with the blowers. However, it will be hard to find that engine combo in an older Cafe or Bullet. There are many here in the Cig forum with vast amounts of experience that can help you when you are ready (I don't consider myself one of those).

You will like either.

I think the Pad and Cockpit on the cafe feel notably bigger. I have never taken any measurements so it is just gut feeling and truthfully when I was on the bullett I was pretty primed up and we were making sure Hollowpoint didn't throw up any more so take my input for what it is worth!!! (Sorry Wayne, had to throw that in there)

The Cabin's are different layouts with the Bullett having the BJ seat and the cafe having one of two layouts - either couches on both sides or wrap around couch and cocktail table with built in cooler.

The Deck on the Bullets is asymetric - raised on one side and lower on the other. It is different, but kind of cool. The Cafe has the recessed walkway down the center of the deck with non-skid and sloped/raked windshield area of the deck - personally I love the cafe's sloped deck.

The Bullets are 8'6 beams - Cafe's are 8'0.

A Cafe with 525's will run north of 70 but south of 75. I think to CONSISTENLY run 75 you need 575=600HP.

I think the Bullet's typically seem to be about 2 mph ahead of that with same power.

You can't tow either with that Escalade. I would be hesitant to tow it with an OLDER F250. I pull mine with a diesel dually and wouldn't want anything less. You can feel it when that thing is loaded up with fuel and liquor.

I Had a Bullet with 575 HP/Bravo 1 ran 80+.
Friend had a Cafe that was better in the rough than my Bullet with 3ft + seas.
Had an Escalade...hooked the Bullet on and dropped the suspension to the ground! Ruined the air suspension...dont do it.... Traded the Caddy in on a 2500 series Dodge... and it was fine.

Sorry but I laughed at that.

The tow rig I will have to address but can wait a bit to do so. At worst I can High and dry it but really rather not. Def dont want a dually...wayy over kill for me to drive around town everyday.


The other info from the last 3 parts is really what I was wanting and looking for. Speeds, any noticable differences, and layouts, and things to look for.

I am sure in my budget/range ($40k-$60k) I will be looking at a carbed motor boat most likely and not an updatede EFI but like I said a low 70's boat that can tackle the gulf is were I want to be.

I too like the Cafes deck layout with the walkdown and the larger pad is what my GF loves and wants too.

There is no doubt that the Bullet is a better boat. Why.... See picture!!!

The new GMC Sierra Denali 2500 it a gorgeous truck. Comparable to the Escalade. They don't ride bad either. I drive 20 miles each way every day in a Silverado 2500 diesel and I love it.

Will have to go take a peak.

Maybe able to strike a deal late summer. I do like the looks of the current Sierra but not the incoming 2014 model....so maybe an out going or left over deal could be work. Def have to go drive it first.

like I said I love the F-250 but drove my buds King Ranch 4 door for a few days and while it's nice it really was to big to drive everyday and only tow a boat once a week or so.

If I worked in a field were I needed a truck like that it would be much easier to side that way but I am slacks and button downs at a casino all day so the truck would see little to no use unless it's boating day.

What do you do at the casino?

With the smaller beam I think the cafe's run a couple ticks faster. Obviously neither boat is going to break any speed records but the ride quality is what your getting. My bullet runs 76 with 565hp a side with a couple mph still on the table. Keep in mind not all bullets have notched transoms (mine doesn't) but the ones that do will run 2-3mph faster. As said, a 1/2 ton anything will not move or stop either one of these boats. I think you need to set your budget first then go find a boat within it. You don't want to reach and then not beable to maintain it or run it. These older boats have a lot of maintenance and up keep to keep them running and looking good. Generally bullets are cheaper and the cafe's have a little better re sale.