Opinions on downsizing needed
 

I currently have a Excalibur Hawk 40. Love the ride and room, but thinking of getting something smaller to tow easier. The few models I have been interested in are;

Scarab 31 Excel
Chris Craft Stinger 31
Excalibur 32
Donzi 33 Crossbow

I use the boat on lake michigan and some inland lakes, so I need a hull that can take the pounding and not fall apart. As for speed, a good 65-70mph boat is fine. Im looking at late 80's to early 90's from 20-30k. Any thoughts or suggestions welcome!

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Hey Mild Thunder,

In my opinion, if you boat on Lake Michigan, you need some lenght or you are going to have to pick and choose your days for going out. I had a 28 and went to a 42 because I spent alot of time of the Cheasapeke Bay and the difference was if the wind was blowing went on the river. With the bigger boat I went where ever I wanted and not concerned about the conditions..Good luck in your descisions.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

My opinion on downsizing. "It doesnt work" :D :evilb:

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

311 Formula would be my choice.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Here's a few to look at:

39 Chris Craft Stinger - One Owner - 33K
http://www.chicagofountain.com/prode...id=153&catid=6

33 Donzi ZX - Big Cabin & Cockpit "Loaded" - 69K
http://www.chicagofountain.com/prode...id=195&catid=6

31 Formula - 59K
http://www.chicagofountain.com/prode...id=163&catid=6

Team Shogren
www.chicagofountain.com
847-336-9037

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Downsizing worked for me on the second try. I had a 42 fountain and than decided I wanted something trailerable and more economical. Went to a 29 fountain and was not that happy with it. I than bought a 30 cigarette and I found my ride. I will always miss a big boat but when I put the pros and cons on paper, the smailler boat won. I now do different boating, I spend more time tying up and hanging out than running but I still have just as much fun.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

There's some good deals on 33' PowerPlays too, one heck of a boat.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

thats a tough one to go smaller .. we seem to never be happy with whatever we have.. good luck..i do have a great deal on a 40' hawk with 557" motors and #3's if anyone needs one.. 813-417-6424

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

302 Formula with surface drives. :)

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

I would HIGHLY recommend a 31-foot Cigarette Bullet! But, you're not gonna find a good one for under $40K.

Good luck!

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

I would go with the 31' Cig or the Formula 311.

I owned a 311 before going to a Cig and it was a solid boat

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

This bullet is $38,500, no trailer and all stock but you could probably be in it with a trailer for under 40K

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-13050.html

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

My 88 checkmate is listed on boats.com with a broker. Fresh motor and a true 9 out of 10 boat. It is a red/white 28 with a 502 n/a with dry headers. I am located in South Bend In and the boat is in my heated garage at home. I just had it running on sat. It can be had for 23K. My email is [email protected].

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Out of the 3 i'd have to say the donzi,it looks real clean,it's a heavy boat so it'll be good in the chop,and also has good power for cruise and top end....That'd be my pick

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

the donzi is not near my price range.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

cant go wrong with this. a little more then your price range but well worth it. plus, it will hold its value down the road and take all the punishment you can throw at it.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/files/13098_8.jpg

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-13098.html

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

I've got a friend with an '89?? Formula 311 with upgraded paint, newer Bravos, and newer +/-450hp engines. Fresh water boat at LOTO. I think he wants about 35k for it. Pm me if get serious and I'll put you in contact with him.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Selling my 312 Stinger no motors for 10K

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Whats the Stinger look like? That apache is nice too. How are the apache 28 cabins?

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Down sizing is tough, because you know how nice it is to take waves with more length. There are a lot of days on Lake Mich that boating in something 30' or smaller can be more frustrating than fun. Remember true hull length is the correct measure. We could both think of a 32' boat that may really only have 28-29' running surface. Also K-planes are a must.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Yea, I have been out in some rough water for sure in my hawk, and it was nice having the length. However, I have seen some 31ft Fomulas, Sonics, and a old 27ft Magnum run right there with me in the rough. Im sure they were taking a beating, but they were there.

Im kinda leaning towards a true 31-33ft boat. No 31 ft boats that really measure 28'11" I dont want to have a 2ft beak and a two foot swim platform included in my LOA.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

I think it makes a lot of sense. I had my next boat all picked out to be a nice Formula 400SS, and then the 43 Active Thunder was announced which I also put into the mix.

Then a guy posted that he was selling his 400SS because he was bored. He lived on the water, with the boat on the lift. The boat did not have a fun factor anymore as to just dropping it in the water for a 2 hour quick blast by himself. That weighed HARD on my next boat thoughts.

Now I have NO plans whatsoever to upgrade to a bigger boat.

You may need to expand your budget, but I think you would be extremely pleased with a 32 Active Thunder or a 31 Sonic.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

lutzparty's boat is in great shape with lots of upgrades. cant believe it hasnt sold yet. mild thunder you really should look into it.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Here are a few pics from when I looked at the boat. TRS drives work/Velvet drives are also fine/Motors are since pulled-garbage
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...312%20LIMITED/

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Hey Joe.....sorry to see you selling the Hawk. Have you thought Scarab II or Scarab III. Seems to be quite a few nice ones for not much $$. Nice cabins too.

best of luck

Todd

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Hi Todd, How you been? I love the Hawk, but just looking to change up my boating stlye a bit. I like Scarab III's, but theres one thing about them steering away. My buddy has one, its a 88 with trs and 420's. The hull has many stress cracks on the bottom and transom, and a lot of hardware broke. Im sure alot of it has to do with too much partying on the boat, and jumping rollers with 15 people on board! But I guess if I found a really nice for cheap money I may consider one.

I see you listed the Stinger. It looks like a really clean boat.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Yeah....I'll see what happens. I don't really want it to go, but if it does...it does. It takes forever to sell these things sometimes anyway. ( I would really like to find a KV Scarab, but don't tell my wife that) (or an older Top Gun) I love the flat decks.

The boat is getting cleaner every day, especially since is has been like spring here and I can work on all the little things I wanted to fix. I'm starting to look around on it now and wonder what else I can do... which is a good thing. I painted the drives and tabs today and I'm trying to hunt down some trim rams if you know of anyone selling any.

Your boat looks better without the JRC Express on the side. I noticed your picture on ebay, without it and it looks great. Hopefully you will get some good leads.

Good luck with the search. There are lots of nice boats out there in that size range. I personally like the 35 Cigarette Mistress, or the older Cig 35 flat decks. If you can find a good deal on one of them, you could never go wrong. That may be a little bigger than you are thinking of anyway, or like others have said...a Cig. 31. Nice stuff. (and most assuredly not many stress cracks)

Ck these out:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-13816.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-13643.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-11239.html

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi..._id=62649&url=

Todd

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

Joe look in the classifieds there is a add for a 86 Scarab III he is from Chicago. The motors don't have many hours on them it has new transom and the upholstery is new. Good clean boat No stress crack that I remember seeing. His name is Bo.

Mark

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

i have been on a 32 excalibur (chris craft) and a 311 formula, there is no comparison in rough water, the 311 is twice the boat! i have personally owned a scarab 300 wich is the same hull as the scarab panther and again the 311 was a far better ride in rough seas.

Re: Opinions on downsizing needed
 

This 30' Sutphen is a Michigan boat.
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/8/9/85426289.htm