Perfect all-around boat???
#1
Chris

Thread Starter

The perfect all-around boat??? ( post 1 of 1)
I am thinking about getting a new boat, and would like some opinions as to what the perfect all around boat might be. v-hull? cat-hull?
I live in the Seattle area so I have access to small lakes, a very large lake that gets rough, and the ocean that has a bunch of small islands that are fun to go visit around Puget Sound.
I have a family of five kids, so I think a bow rider of some type is a must.
I like to be able to tow the kids and/or wake board and ski.
I definitely have the speed bug and like to go fast at times. (90-100 would probably suffice)
If it is too big, it wont be fun on the small lakes.
If it is too small, it wont handle the rough well enough.
What do you think?
Chris
I am thinking about getting a new boat, and would like some opinions as to what the perfect all around boat might be. v-hull? cat-hull?
I live in the Seattle area so I have access to small lakes, a very large lake that gets rough, and the ocean that has a bunch of small islands that are fun to go visit around Puget Sound.
I have a family of five kids, so I think a bow rider of some type is a must.
I like to be able to tow the kids and/or wake board and ski.
I definitely have the speed bug and like to go fast at times. (90-100 would probably suffice)
If it is too big, it wont be fun on the small lakes.
If it is too small, it wont handle the rough well enough.
What do you think?
Chris
#2
Registered

Chris,
Welcome to my world! I was looking for the same thing 5 years ago - I may almost be there.
Tubing fun diminishes when the tow boat is over 27'. Older kids like an aggressive tubing ride and longer boats just can't turn tight enough. We use a waverunner now for tubing. My 32' works fine as a ski and wakeboard boat. I'm re-rigging to bravo XR's (going from surface drives) and should gain a little low speed manueverability.
The need for speed does make watersports a little more difficult also. You're going to need strong drives that can take the kind of launches you need to pull up a skier.
Now that I have the 32 I would not want to go shorter - I like the better ride in rough water.
Maybe the boat you are looking for is out there, but you may need to lower your expectations regarding either top speed (90 - 100 mph) or family towing fun. Good luck
Welcome to my world! I was looking for the same thing 5 years ago - I may almost be there.
Tubing fun diminishes when the tow boat is over 27'. Older kids like an aggressive tubing ride and longer boats just can't turn tight enough. We use a waverunner now for tubing. My 32' works fine as a ski and wakeboard boat. I'm re-rigging to bravo XR's (going from surface drives) and should gain a little low speed manueverability.
The need for speed does make watersports a little more difficult also. You're going to need strong drives that can take the kind of launches you need to pull up a skier.
Now that I have the 32 I would not want to go shorter - I like the better ride in rough water.
Maybe the boat you are looking for is out there, but you may need to lower your expectations regarding either top speed (90 - 100 mph) or family towing fun. Good luck

Last edited by Frequency; 03-29-2008 at 08:15 PM.
#3
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The perfect all-around boat??? ( post 1 of 1)
I am thinking about getting a new boat, and would like some opinions as to what the perfect all around boat might be. v-hull? cat-hull?
I live in the Seattle area so I have access to small lakes, a very large lake that gets rough, and the ocean that has a bunch of small islands that are fun to go visit around Puget Sound.
I have a family of five kids, so I think a bow rider of some type is a must.
I like to be able to tow the kids and/or wake board and ski.
I definitely have the speed bug and like to go fast at times. (90-100 would probably suffice)
If it is too big, it wont be fun on the small lakes.
If it is too small, it wont handle the rough well enough.
What do you think?
Chris
I am thinking about getting a new boat, and would like some opinions as to what the perfect all around boat might be. v-hull? cat-hull?
I live in the Seattle area so I have access to small lakes, a very large lake that gets rough, and the ocean that has a bunch of small islands that are fun to go visit around Puget Sound.
I have a family of five kids, so I think a bow rider of some type is a must.
I like to be able to tow the kids and/or wake board and ski.
I definitely have the speed bug and like to go fast at times. (90-100 would probably suffice)
If it is too big, it wont be fun on the small lakes.
If it is too small, it wont handle the rough well enough.
What do you think?
Chris
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Chris,
Your situation is very close to mine as I have four kids myself and we like to do it all. We needed a boat big enough to hold the family and friends as well. We wanted to tub, wake board, ski, and then be able to participate in poker runs as well.
We have rivers, smaller lakes, big lakes and offshore ruff water here as well..
The ideal boat for us was (and is) a Sunsation 288 MCOB. Overall the boat does everything we need to well enough to keep everyone happy (even me).
Not saying that the Sunsation is the solution for everyone, but the MCOB style boat is a fantastic all around package. There are several manufacturers that make an MCOB style boat and depending on your area, price and options you require im sure you can get what your looking for.
If you decide to go that route, give Sunsation a look, you can't beat product quality and the customer service is second to none.
Hope that helps.. Good luck with your search.
Your situation is very close to mine as I have four kids myself and we like to do it all. We needed a boat big enough to hold the family and friends as well. We wanted to tub, wake board, ski, and then be able to participate in poker runs as well.
We have rivers, smaller lakes, big lakes and offshore ruff water here as well..
The ideal boat for us was (and is) a Sunsation 288 MCOB. Overall the boat does everything we need to well enough to keep everyone happy (even me).
Not saying that the Sunsation is the solution for everyone, but the MCOB style boat is a fantastic all around package. There are several manufacturers that make an MCOB style boat and depending on your area, price and options you require im sure you can get what your looking for.
If you decide to go that route, give Sunsation a look, you can't beat product quality and the customer service is second to none.
Hope that helps.. Good luck with your search.
#9
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Active thunder 28 with big power. About as big as you can get and still keep single engine for pulling and turning quick. Real offshore boat. Large cabin and deep cockpit. Easier to tow than twin screw boat. 800hp and konrad ace should be fast enough for you. Dont know what else to say except its the boat i have givin much thought too.
disclaimer-I wont be pulling anything or anybody behind it.
disclaimer-I wont be pulling anything or anybody behind it.
Last edited by tblrklakemo; 03-30-2008 at 09:34 AM.
#10
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I think this is the best all around boat concept. 30 foot cat, open bow/fun deck. Set it up with a pair of 300XS and you have a great 90 to 95 MPH package. Many manufactres make them.
http://www.eticketboats.com/
http://www.dcbracing.com
http://www.eliminatorboat.com
http://www.eticketboats.com/
http://www.dcbracing.com
http://www.eliminatorboat.com