Pros and Cons (Bullet vs Cafe)
 

So in this long span of buying our first power boat we have it nailed down to these two.

They fit our budgets, needs, ideas, and love for Cigarettes as well. Granted we are not buying this day, month, or maybe even year sadly (house hunting currently so that is first on the table). I was just wanting to pick some more knowledgable peoples brain.

Me I really want a 31 Bullet

GF she wants bigger is better with the 35 Cafe Racer.

What do you guys say?.....pros and cons of each.

We live Clearwater and Boat in the Gulf. I currently tow our small CC with my AWD Escalade EXT, I would really not like to sell it to be honest. With the Cafe I feel I would have no choice but too or to buy a vehicle just to tow the boat. Again I rather not if not needed. Just seems like dead money sitting out back only used when I use the boat. Also just got her a new car, already have 3 cars total, and a Motorcycle currently. So insurance is already a tad high and we still have to add the boat in lol.

Anyway..... what's some OSO thoughts?

Remember too....this is our first power boat. Been on the water for years but always on a jet boat or a single outboard CC.

Get rid of the Escalade and buy a truck (probably save money there)
Get rid of the bike you will be boating anyway

Get the cigarette of chioce Payment will most be likely less than the esclade and when the bike is gone the insurance on the boat will most likely be cheaper than the bike anyway

looks like you may save money by boating and having more fun while doing it

Both boats are equally cool and will make you happy ( I would go for the 35)

I have motorcycles also if I put on 100 miles per year that would be a stretch (mostly from riding to and from the boats) if they wern't paid for then i would have sold them off lol

You will need a tow vehicle. Your current vehicle won't cut it. There's not that much difference in weight between the 2 boats. Speed with the same power will not be that different. Cockpit sizes are close (although the Cafe is a tad bigger), both cabins are VERY good and more comfortable when compared to the newer half cabins you see these days. Both have a full enclosed head. Both can take one hell of a pounding and give a good ride in rough seas. Tally the score between the two, about equal.

I would take either one. It would depend on the paint and the best deal to me. However, I don't think you can go wrong with either. Get a survey since it's an older boat.

Good luck!

Ya my bike is also paid in full and some is the Escalade. The only payment we carry is a small one on the girls new BMW but ahe takes care if that note.

I can never ditch the bike as it was my moms who passed away riding it and we are rebuilding it with a tribute/memory.

The Escalade I would have a tough time letting go of. I love that truck and having it paid off is nice. I guess if anything I can sell my 3rd vehicle which is a small older ranger and look for a beat up full size truck.

Looks like I have aome more searching to do. What the rought loaded weight of both boats?

I had no idea they were that equal. That makes it a bit tougher in a way lol.

Ya a survey will be 100%, will not cut cost there, like buying a home without inspection.

I have a a great friend who does wrap and will cut me a HUGE deal so paint can be ugly. I would like to see a clean or updated interior but I can cross that road when the day geta closer.

With standard power what's common speeds? High 60's?

I didn`t wanna sell my Supercharged F 150 either but it wasn`t going to cut it for a 33' boat when we upgraded so we suffer but I don`t miss it at all.

You`re going to have to upgrade trucks for either boat and if thats the case you might as well go 35'

That's going to be an issue. I really might have to look at an old beater 2500 diesel or something. I just got my truck about a year ago and it is the first "nice" vehicle I have owned. Also don't like the idea of Daily Driving a 2500 series as there is nothing in that group of truck I truely like or would enjoy driving around in all the time.

Only thing I think I would give my current truck up for is a new 4x4 F150 but don't think that will cut the cake either.

Choices :angry-smiley-038:

As much as you "could" tow either with your escalade, I wouldn't. The escalade only has a 4l60 trans that just isn't going to hold up. Unless you tow a very short flat distance. Have you seen the 2500hd Denali?

I do only tow a short distance....prob about 12/15 miles and I know those trans are not the great when under heavy load. I know however at times we will travel with the boat for runs in and around states near by.

I have not seen the 2500 Denali series just the standard with options so far. I like the f-250 but have drove them and they are just to big to me to drive everyday.

Back onto the boats......

Are these two pretty much two in the same as far as speed and ride go? I am by no means looking to be the fastest boat on the water....low - Mid 70's would be very ideal for me. Are speeds like that typical with out Blower motors? I would ideally like to be N/A to start with.....Had blower motors in some cars for years and while they are a BLAST they are also a headache.

Really want as close to a turn key every Sunday boat and am willing to give up quite a bit of speed to enjoy that idea.

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!!! :D


:party-smiley-048::party-smiley-048::party-smiley-048::party-smiley-048::party-smiley-048::party-smiley-048::party-smiley-048:

:evilb::evilb::evilb:

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.

Cage Manager at a Poker room that's based at a horse track here in FL.

So pretty much watch people gamble away thousands a day and some times hundreds of thousands depending the crowd. I just make just make sure it's all here, accounted for, and paperwork if needed is filled out entirely and correctly.

I scraped some threads on here and assembled a table of speeds/configs:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/c...highlight=cafe

I never added mine to the table as it "was't right" during my first summer last year. HP500s w/ Bravos. N-2 owner said it would do 73 all day. N-1 owner had the engines redone with the wrong cams, mismatched dual plane intakes and leaky CMIs. With that, best I saw was 69.8 GPS. Motors have just been redone (est 525 HP), so I'm hoping to post a better number this spring!

Id hold up your job, problems solved:evilb:

Lol..... done!


Give me some more time for boating :)

I think you need a partner, 50/50 :evilb:
Inside job

first get a bigger tow rig!

went back and forth between the two my self. ended up with a bullet. love the lines of a cafe. but wanted to be a bit diffrent and the bullet was more in my price range. now doing the rebuild i am sure i could have had a nice cafe for the same money lol.

on the test drive it did around 80 with 540s 600-650hp. pull it with a f250 and you know its there.

Glad I found this thread.. I'm looking at upgrading to the Bullet. Time for the Tantrum to find a new owner.... I want something a bit better for the Chesapeake