best 28' ish boat?
 

What is the best boat to buy in the 27-29' foot range? Power will be a 525. I like sunsation, donzi, and fountain....I currently own a baja. Dock space, $$$, and single engine power are limiting my options to no more than 29'. What do people like? The more I see these sunsation boats, the more i like.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

just curious, why not another Baja? All three brands you named are quality boats. How about an 28 Active thunder a 271 Formula.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Not real excited with the fit and finish of the baja. Little stuff really. I am curious about AT....dont know anything about them. I should have added formula to the list.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Oh yeah...thank you for your service.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I have a 525 powered Fountain 29 and love it! I think the Donzi 28ZX's came in twins (smallblock) mostly. Now they just put out a new 27 ZR and are claiming 70 on the "little" 496. I saw one at the Miami boat show and had the Fountain deal not already been pretty much sealed, I might of went with that. A 525 in that would be sick. The only real thing "wrong" with the Fountain is the actual running surface length because of the beak and platform so my 29 would be about the same size as the new Donzi. Sunsations are very good boats as well. BMC here in Orlando had one I was looking at (288). But I finally settled on my current one and am very happy with its offshore performance. Check out that new Donzi though!! Good Luck!

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

after a couple years of looking with about the same needs as you I got me a 28 Active Thunder. custom build as you want it. will handle just about any rough water you can through at it and feels like a much bigger boat than it is. It is a true 28 ft boat no swim deck in the measurement. Very deep free board true 24 degree bottom. you should ck em out.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

excellent.....I really like the fountain product too. Table Rock Lake isnt nearly as rough as LOTO, but it gets bad. I wonder if the fountain running surface deficit causes much of a problem compared to an AT or a sunsation?

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I will put my 28 w 525 agenst anybodys 28 27 29 and even some 30s in the rough anytime. I have been parked next to 32 fountians and my 28 is a bigger boat. cabin/ cockpit/ freeboard ect ect. but it's all in what you want. just my 2cts good luck with what ever you buy

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

that is a fact more than 1/2 the fun is in the looking and talking to other people. have fun with it

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I'm heading to table rock this weekend for 5 days. Love that lake. Very clean. Have you ever thought about a cat?

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I owned a 29 Fountain and boated in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a really nice extremly strong well put together boat. I really like the 28 Active Thunder. It is a really big boat for a 28. Cosmic12 what speeds at cruise and WOT are you seeing with the 525? I would guess around 70?
Like Trick said you should check out the Active, Kyrpto, Extreme, Superboat. These boats excell on the race course. The Extreme is real nice but you will not have the room like you would in the Active Thunder, Sunsation, Fountain. It's all up to you and the style of boating you do. If you need some comforts of home to sleep in the boat or do you just want a super fast hot rod?

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Take a ride in a 288 Sunsation and i am sure you will choose
our boat. The 288 rides like a 32 foot boat. It likes rough
water and is very roomy. Tell me what part of the country
you live in and i will get you in touch with a dealer for a test
ride.
Thanks for the interest

Dave

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Yes....first time I saw that white 30 motion w/2.5's I started thinking. That is another story and another couple hundred g's that I dont have. What I do have is a need for a bigger single engine V not to exceed 30ft. The commission checks have been rolling in and I would like a boat made to my order....AT or sunsation seems to be the flavor. I like the length, room, layout, and running surface of the 28-29ft(and its all I can cover under my slip). A 525 is all the motor I care to worry about on this boat. And yes....table rock is the best.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Dave....im in SW Missouri. LOTO and tablerock are very close to me. I would love to test a Sun. Thanx

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Try looking at Nordic's 28 Heat, very nice boat for the $$. I know a couple of people that have owned, and currently own these models, and I can honestly say that the quality and workmanship are second to none. I'm not sure what the 525 will get you in terms of speed (maybe high 70's) but I will say that I have had the pleasure of riding in both boats on Lake Erie, and am equally impressed with their rough water capabilities. Hope this helps ya.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I would look at a Pantera 28'.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

How about a brand new 27ZR with 525? Price is 95K for a 525, 80K for an 496HO boat.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

If you want to go fast, check out a Velocity.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I love my 29' Kryptonite and highly recomend it for a sit down pure bred go-fast. However, if you want a few more ammenities and still have the speed, the new 27zr from Donzi is probably the nicest boat I have seen in the 27-29' range.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

P.S. - My 2003 Kryptonite is for sale. :cool:

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

What kind of ammenities do you need?
Sit down or stand up boat?

This will help narrow your search down.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

We are just building the I/O version of this TUFF 28. It is planned to be a 525 or Ilmor 625. Were expecting just over 90 with the 525.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

the sunsation is a great boat, but don't buy it at loto if you want a good deal and service, the dealer there is not great, Raymonds, they should be selling 3 times what they sell just dont promote the boats.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Check Out My 29 KRYPTONITE In The Classifieds Its A 2006

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Lets get some more info on the Tuff 28. Have you guys up north splashed one yet?

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

There isn't a better built , better looking , better handling 28 than mine!

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

There is a nice yellow one in the classies waiting to be finished!!!! Plus the T-shirts kick arse! :D

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Mark has the first 28 tuff running twin 250( I think) merc egg beaters. Looks awsome and runs 90 plus. The workman ship is impecable and the layup process is second to none. It is "pin straight" and smooth. It is purely a sit down go fast with 0 ammenities on board. Sort of a modern day gentlemans racer if you will. I am looking forward to test driving the first i/o model when its built.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

True! good pricing too! :drink:

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I love my Sunsation! Not the biggest out there, but seems like a nice comprimise from cabin space and performace. I run 70 all day long with an hp500efi. The newer hulls 05 an up, should be upper 70's with a 525. Wouldn't be surprised if it tops out at or above 80.

You can always call the company's owner's and speak with them any time during business hours. Very friendly people, and after market suport is SECOND TO NONE!

I have close to 300 hours on mine, and have no big issues.

My 2 cents.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

May aswell post a picture of her :-)

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I love the looks of the Nordic 28 Heat.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Save a few bucks over new and pick up a used Apache 28 with twins.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I need drop down bolsters to stand up. Dont need a porta potti or pressurized fresh water, but if the boat has them...great. Otherwise....stereo, cabin(not for overnighters) ect. I would would like everything my baja has, just bigger and better finish.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Yeah...that would be nice, but I only want to fool with one motor. Do the sun's and AT's sticker significantly higher than a comparable donzi or fountain?

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

Wow, strong statement ! beauty my friend is in the eye of beholder.......
I would definitely have fun making the choice and would definitely test drive one of these baby's...

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

If factory support is of any concern then Sunsation would be my first choice. The guys there go out of their way for even stupid questions like I ask.... :eek: I called and talked a bunch with builders when we were looking and some mentioned here would'nt give me the time of day where Joe went out of his way to accomadate us. Been the same after the sale as well.

Our's handled Lake Cumberland on a busy weekend rock solid with no *****in so it'd be more then enough boat for where your at. Couldn't be happier with our choice and we resarched and looked at a bunch mentioned here when we were shoppin for a 28. Active Thunder would be a great choice as well.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I would say the best two choices would be the 288 Sunsation or the 28 Active Thunder. I think both of these boats are great in rough water. I test drove a new '04 28 AT with a 496HO and was running 64GPS with 5 people on board and a half tank of gas (not wide open, dealer said no way new engine). The best handling boat I have every driven 2-3 rollers and it felt bigger than a 28 foot boat. I had a '99 H2X.

A friend of mine has a 288 Sunsation with an HO and loves it. I have not driven it but have seen it in rough water and it does great.

I believe both of these boats new with a 525 will list out at $115K or so. AT maybe a little higher.

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

I "second" Nordic's 28-foot Heat! A very nice boat. :cool:

http://www.crowniehq.com/gallery/dat...orgensen_1.jpg

Re: best 28' ish boat?
 

it all depends what you want...if you are looking for a wave crusher and something that can go through anything ( in the 28ish range) then look no further then a 28 PANTERA, it won't be the fastest with a 525 but it will handle ANYTHING you throw at it, it will run in the 70's with a 525....now if want you want is top speed and you don't boat in choppy waters then go with a activator or superboat...they are known for speed and i also have heard they handle the chop pretty well.

Mike