It would be an 80+mph boat with the 496ho's.

If I was getting a fun and fast boat for the long boating season in Florida, I'd put three things at the top of my list:

1) Staggered engines so its easier to service.
2) Carburetors, as salt water demonizes electronic engine sensors, controls, and wiring

A distant third would be
3) Closed cooling system.

I don't think this is so important as you would think, because the key thing that dissolves is the exhaust manifolds, and everybody puts the raw water through them. The blocks and drives seem pretty immune to salt water.

And an even more distant:
4) An efficient stepped bottom.

As fuel costs continue to go up, the amount of fuel you burn will have a bigger impact on how often you go out. Its already happening to many of us. I do consider, say, flying to Hawaii over taking the boat to Catalina at these prices, and when they double again...

Thanks Car.

BTW, anyone has other boats for sale in mind besides the list, I'm all ears.

:cool-smiley-011:

Ah, never mind then.......:rolleyes:

There is one in Tampa. I wil check it out Monday.

Stick with Cig or AT if you want a real wave crusher. Those were my two choices. If the '01 AT is the one in Virginia, it is a great deal. Extremely well maintained and has one mind blowing stereo system in it.

Since you are in Florida, why don't you arrange for a sea trial at the factory. Will be well worth your time. And the cabin in the AT will fill your bill for overnighting much better than the Cig.

Thanks Mack.. The AT is in Fla. Not my first choise of the graphics, a few dock rash, and scuffs, not bad tho..
I drove a 32 before not a 37. For the year and $. . CIg, Hustler? Formula? :) that's why the dilema of choise... savings... Scarab? Python?? Or just put a weed wacker on a plywood??

37 AT w/525's sounds good, motors prob ready to be freshened up though. I like those Playboys too. Just curious, who are you talking to about the new Avanti?

jdub... 37 AT with 525's have bottom paint, (needs to be removed for my use) and some nterior issues. but for the $? who knows?
I'm talking to Avanti direct. Thety are still making patrol boats for the Gov. and Avanti will be starting up again in FLA. (at least that's the scuttlebud.)

I thought Avanti was sold to a fishing boat company in NJ ? Egg Harbor maybe ??