TeamSaris

SUPERBOAT!!!! Brand new 30 for 56k!!

CAP071

I test drove 1 before I bought my 28 Sunsation. I bought the Sunsation.

CasinoRunner

Kyle,
Doesn't matter what you get or how much you spend $$$, you will always have that feeling of wanting more after a season or two!!

As far as that particular boat you tested, if it doesn't feel right from the beginning ---I would keep looking. It doesn't pay to spend all that money and not love it from the start.

kswest

I hear that .. WIll always want bigger, faster ...

I have moved on from the particular boat I tested, BUT I am wondering if I should move on from the whole line. It was so off that I am wondering if the boat was just a P.O.S. or if they are all like that.

I have a meeting with a 2000 on Saturday so I'll know then, but it is always good to get the thoughts of those who know more than I.

Once again ... OSO is awesome. Thanks everyone.

CAP071

personally I say stay out of boating for another year save more $$$ and go bigger next year in the 30's range

Praetorian

Its been awhile since I've driven a Donzi, but in my previous experience, I've never been impressed with the ride.

CasinoRunner

Another boat to consider in the 28ft range is a Pantera, I think most would agree that it is a great rough water boat.
Where will you be boating Ocean, Bay, ....???

kswest

I could buy bigger, I am choosing not to. Maybe in a few years when I am tired with the smaller boat I will move up .... or maybe this type boating isn't for me. Either way, I don't want to drop 100k then (a) f-ck it up or (b) decide I want a different type of boat after a season.

kswest

My marina is equal distance from each. I think I'll be in the ocean more as the FL ICW in Port Canaveral isn't too wide and lots of traffic from small fishing boats and wakeboard / jet boats / jet skis.

Also, looking at the twins for some runs to the Bahamas.

-Kyle

UNSANE

It's really a safety/handling issue. And actually what you're looking for, about half of the boats if not more should be conventionals. Stepped hulls like Donzi, Fountains and Sunsations (to name a few) can be a little tricky to ride on, hence the "sloppy" feel you had on that boat. I think the 28 had 2 steps, my Fountain has one. The step creates an air pocket underneath the boat and will increase speed. Some argue that it can help break up bigger water, but I'm no expert on that one. But one danger is taking corners too fast. A stepped hull tends to "slide" more and if you turn the wheel too fast, the rear end will kick out and the boat does at least a 180. I've seen 360's and barrel rolls too or they just toss the occupants. I have taken wide arcing turns at 55 in my Fountain with no problem but already I've felt it slip because I had to manuver in a crowded area. I was only going about 35 or so (barely on plane) and the boat let me know that I was too hard on the wheel. This thing was starting to go sideways!!! Although a stepped hull is new to me, I have been boating all my life and was driving 75 mph Checkmate outboards when I was 11. A conventional hull does not have steps for lift, therefore they don't slide in turns and are safer, albeit at the expense of a few mph. If you're looking to start out, I would highly recommend for your safety that you stick with a conventional hull. Boats are not like cars, they don't stop on a dime, the "roads" have "speedbumps that change every minute or lap as Dave Scott states". So a minor mistake in a car could translate to a major one in a boat. We may like to go fast around here, but speaking for myself and I'm sure a lot of others would agree that we like to have fun but also try to operate these boats in the highest professional manner possible. The real experts know the limits of their boats, I am still learning mine but I have an advantage to a "rookie" In my opinion, for a starter boat, you might need something more forgiving of any incorrect input at the wheel/throttles. Here are some boats to look out for that are conventional bottoms
All Bajas are conventional and good in the rough. Outlaw 29's come with twins as do the 302's. 275's and 272's should be singles. Most of these boats average low to mid 60's on the basic power.
Look at some Scarabs too. It's gone now, but there was a decent 29 with twin 350's in Daytona
If you can break down to a single, you'll find Pantera's (believe they don't use steps either), Velocity, (Steve Stepp don't use no stinkin steps) and a few others around. So the only boat you've really ruled out is the Donzi if you follow my recommendations.

Tell you what: If and this is a big IF....if I get my ECM back from Mercury this weekend, PM me your number and I'll see if you want to come over to Sanford and I'll drop it into Lake Monroe (a 5 mile wide pond) and you can see and feel in good conditions what a different stepped hull feels like. If I have the time, I can haul over there but don't feel comfy putting it into straight ocean without a sea strainer, but the boat will have one soon so you can feel a stepped hull in some seas and see firsthand how much more "involved" they are to drive. Then go ride in a Baja and see the difference. Let me know, glad to help

Gregg