Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Another vote for the Nordic 28' Heat. I love mine and am looking to go to the 35'. Mine is for sale - very clean and aggressively priced. IM me if you would like more info...

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

If you want the stand-up bolsters, I would pick the 27zr Donzi hands down. If this boat were available in 2003 I would have bought it right away. They are seeing 80mph with 496 mag. If you want info, I'm sure Frank over at Typhoon Marine will gladly give you anything you need.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Sorry if I'm spamming but this is my favorite picture of my 28's in flight. High Priority P5-10!

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

If you plan on taking a look or going with a Donzi i highly recommend you to go with board member DONZI38ZR..He will take his time with you and is a man of his WORD and sad to say that's hard to find in this sport

Mike

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

In the last 2 years I have owned 2 28' boats. First I owned a non step Nordic Heat and then a Checkmate ZT 280. Both are european style boats with intergrated platforms. I think the first question you need to ask yourself is how much $$$ do you really want to spend. Here is my take on 2 boats that I have owned. Both are excellent boats, and handle lake Michigan respectively. Both boats run low 70's with 500 hp. Both boats are a great bang for the buck, the quality is good, but does not have the fit and finish of other customer builders mainly in the rigging. I like the lines on the Nordic better but the Check rides smoother. The Nordic flies straight with no tabs and the Check requires tab input but has a better overall ride. I don't think there is a perfect 28' boat out there, but if you could combine the features of a few manufacture's then you might have something. If $$$ were no object and I were in your shoes I would look hard a Sunsation, Pantera, Active Thunder and Apache! I am a used boat buyer so I did not have the luxery of ordering a new boat! Good luck on your search, that is part of the fun!!!

MY .02

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Dollars to doghnuts I dont think you can beat a Superboat Y2K new.
http://www.superboatonline.com/30-Y2...erCruiser.html

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I need a wave crusher....my lake is getting to be like LOTO during the weekends. I dont mind giving up top speed, but I would think most 28s with 500hp should be in the mid to high 70's....fine with me. Money isnt too much an issue in the boat size I am looking for, and after all I am going with a 525. Those velocity's are real nice, how do they take chop and large cruiser wake?

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I'm just south of you- if you want to see/ride a 28 Pantera first hand.

I've not been on Tablerock yet this yr but from previous experience any decent 28 should do you well.

your speed estimates are close. a 28' with integrated swim platform (26'ish hull) will likely see mid 70's consistently.

A true 28' hull (Bolt on platform brings it to 30'ish) will be a bit slower, especially the non stepped hulls- it's all a compromise. I shopped this market hard myself a few yrs back, more choices now and better deals.

Can you fit 30' of boat? that may limit your options on some "28's"

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

One boat comes to mind when you say "Wave Crusher".
28' Saber.
Quite honestly, I haven't seen a bad recommendation mentioned on this thread.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

wave crusher 28 pantera ENOUGH said

mike

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Panteras are cool but have a low freeboard and very questionable customer service/ delivery issues/ outstanding debt collections etc (all outlined here on OSO). Do you think this guy wants to hassle with all this for a Pantera that he may never see? I like that blue 36 they built but would be scared to do business with them until they get organized.

Call Joe at Sunsation or talk to Dave (Capt Dave) and you will never look back! A guy last month on here was between a new 30 OL or 32 SS............after 5-6 pages of opinions he bought the SS Sunsation and he too was a Baja owner.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

So are you saying a sunsation is more like a baja?? :drink:

Seriously- your scoop on Pantera is a bit flawed/Dated. Low freeboard compared to what? They are probably middle of the pack in the group of boats listed, + the sunken floor compliments the standing position in the bolsters.

There was some delivery issues a while back, mostly overdramatized by web boaters, customer service is/has been top notch. Many of the issues were tied to Hurricanes, family injuries etc. that said, they remain one on the slower custom builders vs some of the customs which are a bit closer to a production boat. Plenty of big name custom boats take a yr + to get. Either buy a good clean used boat and tweak it to your liking or order one with an eyes open contract with real delivery dates, incremental payments and penalties or escape clauses for delays- would you do any less buying a house?

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

once you go cat, you won't go back. :evilb:

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Since when is a 28 with a single 525 a custom boat that should take a year?

There seems to be a lot of unhappy posts about the Panteras. Someone was on here last week trying to collect money. I like the brand but would be hesistant to build a boat with a company with so many unhappy stories regarding boats/delivery and MONEY$$.
Do they have a dealer network?
How many boats did they put in the water in the last 7 months?

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Funny you say that... I did, or maybe I should say, my wife did:)

She lusted for the cabin (that's a good thing:)) the higher freeboard and carving corners. Me, I miss my 25 Daytona :drink:

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Jup's- maybe you're a dealer, more familiar with larger companies of higher production capacity- I dunno.

I have worked in production and run shops- there is only so much a small family and a few employees can produce in a year and it is not uncommon to take a while for custom boats (any brand) based on backlog in house ahead of you and available manpower.

I won't speculate on your referenced recent post, but there are plenty of companies in the world that pay late or slow, sometimes there is more to the story about the product they were supposed to get from the party wanting payment

I frequent the Pantera forum every week, boats are being delivered, they are one of a kind customs and the owners are elated.

Sunsation and other larger companies produce a larger volume and floorplan them with dealers so instant gratification is availble to people if they prefer that over a higher level of customization etc. Some people like a bigmac and others like a whopper- what can i say. Sunsation is a nice boat with a good rep.

Lack of dealers is not a negative for me- and I worked for 5 yrs at a multiline dealership, so i know the biz.

Happy boating :drink:

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Activator????

Sam

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Activator, Superboat, Joker, Extreme, and all the other sitdowns are out of the question.

If you need a wave crusher... I'd go Pantera or Saber. I think Saber is a bit bigger of a boat and I KNOW you can swing a good deal there. They're looking to get a new 28 out there and I can assure you they'll turn out one helluva machine.

But I think you may want something more than a 525.
Some custom power would be nice.

BTW, if you want an unbiased opinion, check w/ Laz Mesa, from MESA Balancing... he redid some engines from a 28 Saber and he was really impressed w/ the ride from that hull.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

..you can also go for a new 32' Sutphen... :cool:

they're built as singles now, but you'll probably need at least 600 ponies..

If you want a wave Crusher... :D

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

if your looking at 28ish boats and are interested ina pantera I have one that has a custom built 510 blower mtr with less then 30 hrs on the mtr the boat needs a little tlc but the price is very right call me for details

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

28 sunsation not true step and pad bottom. Steve stepp Volsity pad bottom, I was a Nordic dealer 1st in N.Y. nice boat real step not a 24 degree bottom fit & finish unbeatable.not a true 28 none of the above are. donzi step bottom not true 28. if you are going to be spending time in rough water you want as much length as possible and 24 degree stright cut bottom for it. its not all about speed.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

:drink:

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Hands Down the new 27 ZR is one awesome boat. I have ran the boat with 496/HO and she did 72MPH GPS we ran some snotty water and the boat was bullet proof.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Starting in 2005, the 288 Sunsation has a true step. Prior to that it was only ventilated from the chine to the first strake.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Correct, I have an '05 288 with the 525efi/XR performance package. It runs right at 78GPS with a standard Bravo 1 28P on the lake. I love the boat and as already mentioned Customer support is 2nd to none!

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Look at Sunsation or Pantera. They are both good established companies. DOn't believe everything you hear about customer service on this board.

Sunsation (Capt Dave) will treat you well. Those guys are building a great reputation in their market. Great quality and even better service.

Pantera (Jo/Pepe) have been good friends for many years and building quality boat for almost thirty years. They must be doing something right.

Both will treat you well and hook you up with good used product.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Nothing comes close to the fit and finish of a Lavey Craft. Race or Pleasure.
We have two models in your size range. The 2750 NuEra witch is 28’6” over all
or our new 28 EVO open cockpit boat. Both boat come bagged and corded just like our race boats. The 2750 with and 525 will run 85 mph the 28 EVO runs 88 mph. These are true custom boats. 24 deg bottoms with full liner cockpits. Check out are web page.
www.laveycraft.com

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

The best single engine 28ish Performance boat is Activator! This has been proven on the race course for the last 6 years! The bigger the water, the more this boat dominates the competition. None of the above mentioned boats have ever beat an Activator in rough water on the race course. Not bashing any other boats, just the facts!
The one boat not mentioned that runs well in Big water is Lavey craft

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I guess Lavey craft has been mentioned. :D Good to see you Kevin

B.J.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Kevin
I was at Activator today. The converstion came up that your boats have the best Gel coat in the business. Nothing but good things were said about your boats. Lavey was the only one we did'nt have something negative to say!

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Now that you are totally confused - go test drive some boats and take home the one that you like best. :cool:

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

SUPERBOAT Y2K!!!! Best bang for the buck, wave crusher and over 70 with 496 ho. :cool:

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Yea but not to bash superboat but he said he wanted a better fit and finish. :rolleyes:

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Ummmm exactly a sb works perfectly. :)

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

28 Sunsation

Factory support is REAL

You don't have to worry about them vanishing or not asnwering phones for a month or two.. Check them out

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I can't believe it took 34 posts for this to come up. The Apache is about the only REAL offshore boat in the 28' range. I've run with one in 6's and it stayed right with us. It pushed water like a Cig 35. The majority of 28's are just big ski boats. If you want a comfortable lake boat, it probably doesn't matter what you buy. If you want a true 28' offshore boat that will run comfortably in slop, there's only one choice.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

have to agree. the boat can take more then your body can handle.

there is a new unrigged one at mel rigs that can be finished anyway you want it.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

They don't.

I've gone through a LOT of gas on TableRock. My grandparents live in Shell Knob on Needles Eye? or Needles point? or something like that.
Anyway, You've seen some exceptional boats suggested here. I've driven a lot of these boats, raced against and in quite a few, so here's my somewhat experienced opinion for what it's worth.
To start I would recommend you re-read post 49 again concerning length. It may help or hurt some makes. One of the most obvious would be the 29 Fountain. They are a beautiful boat, well built, well mannered and very fast, but since they are an actual waterline length of about 26.9 feet, they will NOT compare in rough water handling to the flat transom true length boats such as the 28 Active Thunder, 28 Pantera, 28 Joker or 28 Sabre. In fact, for absolute rough water, (I'm talking Lake Erie/Atlantic ocean rough), these 28's are your top four boats hands down. Of course my heart would be sold on the Active Thunder, but I may be biased.
Next in line would be the custom built Hotboats such as 29 Lavey Craft, the 28 Howard, the 29 Extreme, the 27 Activator, the 27 Kryptonite and the Y2K Superboat. True these are all sitdown boats, HOWEVER you'll find that the custom racing seats are great in rough water, and have become the way to go in the professional racing circuits. These boats are all very fast, very well built, and very stable. The downside to some of these boats would be somewhat limited cabin space and cockpit space, few amenities and a narrow beam.
Next would be the upper end production boats such as the 28 Sunsation, the 27 Donzi, the 29 Fountain, (forget the 27 Fountain), the 28 Nordic, and the 27 Formula.
These are all great boats that will do anything you want to do on TableRock. They all hold their value very well, well built and have respectable speeds with stock power. Of all the boats mentioned above the Sunsation folks are probably hands down THE best in the business for customer satisfaction and support. I don't know about the speeds for the Formula or the Donzi, but the Fountain is a good speed runner, while the Nordic is a great ride. Each boat has its strong points, and some have a few weak points. The fun is finding which applies to your application.
I have a few manufacturers in mind that I would absolutely stay away from. I would rather you e-mail me for that list, or better yet, feel free to call me at your convenience.
Best of luck on your search,
Mike "Gordo" Gordon
(913) 485-3151

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Gordo!!! you are the man.! well put and explained Itried but just not as good as you, great job

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I've got a 2005 Nordic Heat closed bow with 525 xr/its and dana tabs. Boat rides good and does 78 gps on the waters of Long Island. I'm still playing the prop game and I think I'll hit 80. Colors are all done in the Gel coat and the fit and finish is excellent. No issues to date. There's also a new owner of Nordic and from what I understand he's taking the quality even further. Best of luck with your choice.
Check out Tri-State Performance Marine. (www.t-spm.com) He is the Nordic dealer that I deal with. His name is Paul. He has a web site that is advertised on OSO. It pops up to the left of the forum windows.