Budget first go fast boat. Recomendations please.
 

Hey guys, just like the title says, I'm looking into getting my first powerboat. I want it all but have a limited budget. I've been lurking on here and have been staying up late everynight for a month reading up on hull design and drive/motor combos.
I now know enough to get into big trouble =) This forum is a great resource and theres a ton of smart folks. I'm hoping I can borrow some experience and have the old salts point me in the right direction.

I live 15 min from dana point and dream of doing catalina runs in rough water... and I love going to fresh water lakes a few times a year. So the boats I've been eye balling are around 24'. I'd like to be able to build what ever I buy to one day do 70mph (sounds like a good number lol) slower now is ok I just don't wanna find out down the line that my hull is holding me back. I'm a mechanic by trade so motors,wiring and nuts and bolts don't scare me. Rotten wood and delamination does scare me. I understand the concept of laying glass but have no experience.

Some of the boats I think are good ideas

Formula 233 hull twin sbc alpha
Formula 233 hull single bbc alpha
Formula 272 thwin sbf (not sure if thhis was repowered or what drives?)
4 winns liberator bbc (don't know what drive)
chris craft scorpion sbc alpha
24' donzi(no other info)


I've found all of these around me for under 8k on Craig's list.
Please recomend what you think would be a good boat and why. I'm new and open to all input. i know boats aren't cheap but I am LOL so budget build is the idea. Something that can grow and get upgraded over time.

Thanks again
Sebastian

Formula 233 hull is hands down one of the best hulls ever built for the size. And real length overall on that boat can grow to 25ft with a swim platform. Twin sbc's are the way to go if the transom checks out. The 272 is nice but I would stay away from the sbf's due to repair cost. Liberator's are fun but check for OMC cobra outdrive and the formula hulls ride better. The donzi could be real nice, but they either were owned by or collaberated with OMC so the often had cobra/king cobra drives which will be long run headaches

yeah definitely under 25ft will be your cup of tea. Formulas, Liberators and even some checkmates and bajas. One thing to keep in mind is if you say spend 10k now on 23ft Formula, you would be out 10-15k for a bigger engine and drive later. vs geting a 25-27 foot boat with the big engine already.

I would stay away from an older boat with twin motors if you are on a budget.

Why I got a 91 with twins and its been fine.

I've heard really good htings about the formula 233. If you're truly budget, nothing beats an SBC. I'd be a bit hesitant to start modding a BBC with an alpha drive, as I'm not sure how long that would last due to all the torque. It'd be a good starting point but if you really want speed you'll probably blow yours out eventually, at which point you can either change drives (PITA) or buy one of those warrantied replacements.

Fiberglassing is easy, don't sweat it. It's just messy. NBD.

If you are going to run to Catalina bigger will be better. If that 272 has volvo drives I would give it a look. The volvo drives are tough. Ford marine parts are harder to come by but since you are a mechanic you shouldn't have a problem. I would stay away from OMC/Cobra just due to lack of support. Take a boat savvy buddy with you when you take your first look at any boat to see things like soft wood, glass etc. Then if you decide to go forward have a pro check it out.

i have a 22ft boat with over 400hp hooked to a volvo penta 290 drive and you could run up 500hp with that drive ,they are built proof, formula or donzi

24 Pantera is another boat you should take a look at.

Magnum
 

You forgot where it all started Magnum.They can be purchased from $15-$60,000. And they are the original . Bud

Single engine 26 velocity .twins are more to maintain if your on a budget and new to speed. Plus a big block can be a platform when you need more power and want to up grade.

YUP,

And I know where he can get one, but gonna cost a little more than I think he wants to spend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-_4V9zkVgQ

Man you guys are on it! Thanks for all the replies.
Couldn't find any 24' panteras near me on craigslist. Are there any regional classified adds you guys suggest?

I was looking for an alpha driven boat from the suggestion of my bud but after some reading today volvo is back in the running. Thanks for the recomendation.

Again, LOVE this site!

-Sebastian

If you are lookin for speed on a budget. I would consider a 24x7 boat such as the Pantera or a Sunsation Rocket / Agressor. These boats are 24 foot long with a 7 foot beam and ride great in the rough. You can get 70 out of one with a relatively mild big block such as a 454 mag. 365 h.p.

Or 60+ with a super reliable outboard:drink:

Still doing my homework every night. Thinking a single big block would be the most cost effective as far as upgrading down the line. I like redundancey with everything but bills, and doubling every go fast part and maintenance item sounds lame.

What makes/models/years started using bravo drives over the alphas?

Nothing I own is stock so I don't see HP figures staying where the factory put them. All the bravo swaps I've read about where aroung 5K and then the prop shaft sits to low unless you want to throw another 3-4k on a shorty lower.

Am I venturing out of my "budget" boat by wanting a BB/Bravo combo out of the box? If more money spent now can save me 7k later I may just save some more to get the better platform now.

My post sounds like rambling lol. Just thinking out loud. All the input I'm getting here is great! I can see the addiction coming and don't like spending money twice. Research, research, research.

Outboards... The price tags on them give me the willies. Original purchase to maintenance is higher right?

Any old, easy to work on, reasonably priced O/B's I should read up on?

Honestly I'd start with a SBC/Alpha combo. easy to work on, common, etc. Get whatever you buy really dialed in... if you have the need for speed, sell it, and get something else.

I was in the same boat as you, so to speak. :drink: I live about 15 minutes from Dana Point, too. I ended up buying the 26 foot Sutphen you see in my user icon. She was a twin 300hp SBC / Alpha combo. Just small enough to tow with with an F150. To be honest, you really have to pic your days and timing in Socal. Catalina would be a long way if the wind picked up. A 35 footer would be ideal, but that's a whole different game.
Make sure to check out Long Beach Harbor, too.There's a frickin' 10 mile long sea wall that stops the waves, there's no speed limit, and there's some great watering holes with public docks. Anyway, good luck in your search.

Do you go around Lake Boca? Thought I've seen an older Pantera with outboard a few times.

Sebastion,

Don't forget to look at the Formula 242, great first "offshore" boat... I bought a new one in 88 with 454 330hp and Bravo One. Dead solid and reliable boat, lots of fun, top notch build quailty and "forgiving" handling.

Lots of great deals out there, definitely a buyers market.

As others mentioned the Forumla 233 is also a great choice, but I think you can find a nice later model 242 for the same money and have never hardware etc.

Dave

Black max's don't have the rep of the old 2.5's but they are generally solid if you feed them good oil and gas in my experience. But honestly... The noise from a single sbc or bbc is WAY better and they are FAR cheaper and easier to maintain (again in my experience). Cash is right, a bbc/alpha combo can live for a long time if you don't mod the motor and don't get too much air, but sbc/alpha or bbc/bravo. Remember, Torque=acceleration, HP=Top speed. So a higher revving 383 with 500hp in front of an alpha will likely live longer than a 450hp 454 with an alpha. And weigh less! :drink: If you need more than 24x7, look for an older Mach 1 concorde 27ft'r with a single bbc/bravo and do basic bolt ons. Upper 60's and super reliable

Velocity 26/28 you'll be glad you bought one. I've ran alot of the boats talked about formula is good but heavy handle great just not fast . Check velocity they probably have a good trade you could get in cheap. Sorry but if you ran one you would be the same way.velocity biotches!!

1+ On the Sunsation. I love mine they are very solid boats and handle great. Mine came with 454 330hp with Bravo drive. Just put a 400hp 468 in it and I think I should be able to get 72-75mph out of it, not sure yet because I am still breaking in the engine. I have only put 3 hours on it plus dyno time so far and have not run it hard yet to see if I need to prop up or down. I got 69mph out of the 330hp (on GPS) with a light load and perfect conditions.

No need to go larger then 24 feet. Pantera or Sunsation, Howard 220 rides large, Hallet 240 with 8.5 beam or the best choice of all, Warlock 23 XRI.....8 foot beam, 24 degree deadrise, 23' exactly but a lot of running surface. Very tough to find one but good luck.

If you guys don't mind throwing out years with the make and model recomendations it'd help. I'm searching some of the models on boat trader and craig's list. The results are not as "budget" as I had hoped LOL

This started with the thought of buying an old formula for 3-7k and polishing it up season after season. I don't mind spending more if it saves me headaches and money later but within reason.

Where should I be looking for light project boats? Or should I wait untill the seasons over to find one?

Hey guys. I found a 82ish 28' cig for a song. It's got staggered sbc's. Velvet trans and stern powr drives. Waiting on additional photos. Needs an interior and a paint job. Waiting for a phone call from the owner to ask about the stringers and transom condition. So far sounds good to me. from what I've read the drives on it are good for alot of power. downside is that parts are not as plentiful as merc or volvo. The rebuild kits for the trans are pretty reasonable and sbc's are just cake =) pretty pumped. Let me know what you guys think.

Cool looking boats it's older so check it real good . At my buddies shop we just had to tell a guy he got screwed. He asked us to check it out thinking he got a good deal. I took out a creeper and slid under there were patches every where and a crack in the middle runing from side to side. The guy didn't believe use . Now it for sale with his number
As is.

Buy my boat if you looking for something cheap and fast but also seaworthy enough to take out in open water.. 1989 switzercraft with 350 magnum 270 horse does 60 with a 19 pitch prop.. and it is way way way under propped.

1+ on no larger than 24 for a budget offshore. Last year before I bought my 24 Sunsation I was looking at older Scarabs (early 1980's) with twins because of the price. Everyone on here told me to go newer, smaller, and singe engine. I am glad I took that advice. I'm doing the same thing you want to do and upgrade the boat over time. With twins you have to buy 2 of everything and you have to worry about rot and condition allot more on a older boat. Mine is 1990 which is also older but was really well maintained and I got it for a song (the owner actually had to take out a personal loan because I gave him less than what he owned the bank for it)

+1 on the small single engine and newer boat . If you want to enjoy it more and work on it less. I've been there if you don't want to be working on it all the time it gets old . I like velocity the smaller ones are fast with stock power and it's a family business . I would give them a call they might have a good trade in .

Hey guys! Got an old man boat for a few years but the gofast bug is still eating away at me. Found a 92 25' Baja outlaw bbc bravo original owner boat for 15k. Thinking of doing something stupid and fireselling the the luhrs and picking this thing up. What I'm reading is the bajas aren't good but not bad either as far as build quality. Again any input is appreciated.

12-15k budget small enough for parker big enough for catalina

Have the transom and stringers been inspected? Hours on the engine and drive? Condition of the trailer? Your "bargain" at $15k could be a nightmare if the boat does not check out.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/p...%2A%2A%2A.html

i am totally befuttled nobody moved on this like a drunk chick.

I shouldn't have given you a "like" because I really hope this PP doesn't sell.

Going by the pics and description, it looks like a deal and if I could only offload my current boat, that's exactly the sort of thing I'd be looking for. Great pedigree, simple, stock engine/drive combination and looks to be in good condition. Even the trailer is a low maintenance aluminum job!

RR

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa/5799317710.html

600Hrs per the add. I'm out of town till about the 20th. If it's still available I might grab my most knowledgeable boat buddy and check it out.

looks like he pulled the motor out of the power play. Might of been a contender.

Hey Gang - PP is not "de-rigged" yet Thanks for the recognition rak rua and outonsafari

rak, there ya go,

my mom, god bless her irish soul always said if you don't get it, it wasn't meant to be !

well, it's still there so maybe it is for you.

Will someone please buy my bloody Fountain! 290 hours, kept inside all it's life and the cheapest one on the market. :)

Could you guys help a newb out an fill me in on the pp pedigree. Googling powerplay boats isn't bringing up much.
The 502 bravo combo sounds exciting.

Are the cuddy cabins on both pretty useless? Can't find any info on what's in the forward berth of either.