Originally Posted by mobilecal

As most of you know, I have been doing quite a bit of research on particular boats for the upcoming year in order to make my decision. In 2006 I would like to finally purchase my boat. In the past couple of years I have learned a great deal in boating information but have come to the point of confusion in the decision making process.

My requirements are to have a boat that I can enjoy ever weekend with little as possible issues. This boat will be used every weekend and does not have the fastest thing around. As we all know, your never the fastest forever. The boat will be enjoyed by the wife and I on all poker runs and also with kids on the other weekends. So with that being said fuel consumption is also a deciding factor.

I have decided between a three different manufacturers and I need you help and opinions positive and negative.

Now I would like this thread to become an educational tool for myself in deciding on the boat so I am asking that this not be a pissing match between boat owners. Please post facts only and your opinion of the boats if you have personally rode on one or actually know of the building process.

I would like to know how the boat is made, ( fiberglass, or Balsa)

The pros and cons

Any major issues that has been present on that particular model

how does it ride

overall value of the boat

How does the boat hold up in time

The following boats I were contemplating on were

1. 1990 Cigarette Bullet

2. 25 outlaw

3. 288 Sunsation

4. 275 Baja

5. 25 Aggressor Sunsation

Now there are a few reasons for my choices. I want a boat that does not have fuel consumption issues. We all know of people that pay those boat notes and dont take them out due to fuel prices or cant find friends to split the gas. With the single engine option( except for the Bullet) I wouldnt have a fuel issue. Another reason is these model boats are in the 50k and under bracket. I dont want to take away from 401 and kids college fund, nor my monthly stock investments for an upper end boat. I want to comfortably take my boat out every weekend and enjoy myself without any financial indifferences.

So if you would post your opinions and fact based on my requirements I would greatly appreciate it. Besides I would feel comfortable knowing that my decision was based on the knowledge of the members of Offshoreonly.

Originally Posted by mobilecal

that Eliminator is not bad at all...

Originally Posted by articfriends

Mobile,i get the feeling from your gas concerns and description you are really set on a single engine boat. As far as the majority of poker runs your choices would be kinda small and rough riding. I'd rule out the agressor for sure,its a fast hull but extremely narrow and requires tab use just to keep under control because of the narrow beam. The cheaper insurance companys WON"T write policys on 15 year and older boats so rule out anything that old,even if YOU can insure it now,in two years if you want to move up you'll have a hard sell because the next buyer will have issues with insurance.The 288 sunsation will outrun either baja easily with same power by a easy 5-7 mph,and I own a baja 272 (i'm speaking from experience). I'm not impressed with Baja's quality whatsoever either,i bought my baja bought new in 2000 and customer support was less than stellar plus half the screws that hold boat together missed their target which will be important of you want to run in poker runs. I would expand your list to include some of the biggest single engine boats-pantera,checkmate,fountain etc. A 29 ft fountain would be nice amd my buddy just bought a 28 ft checkmate with a factory 525 sc for 35k(a 95)with low hours. If I was buying a single v over again I'd buy a 29 fountain single, 28 checkmate or a 288 sunsation with hp 500,hp 525 or 525 sc(still can insure for 600$ a year) and will run 70 -80 mph. The 28 check my buddy got runs 72 and he's putting my headers and a superchiller on it this winter,should run almost 80 next year. 50k ought to get you into any of these in the 4-8 year old range,Smitty