go on speedwake.com they have this section they call microboats. that is a 23 and under single I/O offshore perf boat. there is a sticky at the top with everyone listed in GPS speed order from 90's down to 50's. there are more Donzi 22 classics than anything else. plus most have a quik rundown on their setups. when did the Velocity become the Regal Velocity?

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And how cramped is a 7' beam? I ask because I'm pretty sure the sunsation in STL is a 7' beam. I don't need the room of a cadillac, but don't want the room of a mazda miata either.[/QUOTE]

Yes it's a 7' beam. I got a 1990 Sunsation Rocket, basicly the same boat and I don't find it to be cramped. You also have plenty of storage under the rear seat and the cuddy does have alot of room, more than you would expect. It's worth taking a look at that boat.

i don't know about Pachangas. it is a SeaRay. they only made them for like 2 or 3 years. i almost bought a 19 Pach, but it was cheap and dead. the other boats your looking at, they built their name with perf boats. a Chris 22 Stinger is same category. wierd small cockpit. seats 2 in back by dropping sun pad into a pair of seats with a 454 screaming right next to passengers. at least Chris did speed boats in that size range, but it was the 20's to the 60's and wood. i am pretty sure times have changed a little.

Found a couple nice boats...at least from the pics and per owners..haven't traveled to see them. Mirage 217 and checkmate 251. Thoughts on these? I'm going with the recommendations here and no big block alpha combos. No way am I set up to do the swap myself and sounds like a lot of money to have someone do the swap.

The checkmate should run 65 with a big block and are pretty solid boats for the size. Been in a couple convincers and use to own a 22. I don't know anything about the mirage.

My first 2 boats were Mirage's. There were built here in Washington--very high build quality (lifetime warranty on the hull which was better than Formula or Donzi at the time). Everything on their boats was built to last and most came with heaters (nice to have). The 217 is a nice offshore boat. 21 degree transom deadrise, 3850 lbs dry and with a 330 hp big block and bravo one will do about 60 mph. A 5.7 litre/alpha combo will hit about 47 mph.
Mirage used the same hull on the 232 and just changed the deck. I think they made them from 1986 to 1996. Mirage closed their doors in 1998.

Depending on what year and engine you are looking at I would say you should be able to get one for anywhere from $7000-$9,000.

What would you pay for a '91 checkmate 251 in great shape?? 454 mag.

Is it this one?
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/2933626030.html

That price might be a little high but it looks clean. $13k?

Yes sir. I offered 12k and that was a no go. It's very clean, but how high should I go? 13k tops??

i know you want turn-key. but there is a lot of $5k stuff out there that needs $2k in interior or $4k in motor work. i can't see more than 10 for a 21 year old Checkmate.