Which single engine boat is for me?
 

Hi everyone. I'm new here. A friend showed me this website and I've been doing a lot of reading.

I live in Oklahoma and I'm near Hudson, Fort Gibson, and Grand Lake, but will occasionally travel to Beaver and LOTO size lakes.

My friends all have Jet boats that are fast on smooth water, but can only carry one or two people and impossible on rough water. I used to own a jet boat, been there done that, fun, but I want something bigger.

I'm ready for something bigger, but still fast, but confortable and can handle medium lake water without too much issue. I will be trailering the boat everywhere I go and the lakes I will spend most of my time in aren't too big, so I don't want to get too big of boat.

I would like to be able to make an occasionaly blast over 65mph true speed and cruise at 40mph with ease. I want to take 3 or 4 people with me, if I want. I think I would rather have a single engine, due to cost, but I'm open to lower cost twins.

Now for the limiting factor, my budget is $20k or under. So used will be what I'm looking at. What single engine 21' - 27' speed boat would be good for me look at? I used to have a couple of drag cars and I'm no stranger to building reliable high performance engines, so I keep thinking I would like to find a NICE boat, with motor troubles and rebuild the engine(s). But I don't have a clue which type of boat I should be looking at and thought you guys would have a good opinion on what models of USED boats to look at.

It would be neat to be able to outrun my jet boat buddies too, but that might be asking for too much....

Thanks for the help!

There are some nice 27 fountains that will give you that speed in that price range. Also look at some velocity 28 and 26's...those will run fast.

I'm a little biased, but Sunsation made a 25ft Aggressor and still make a 288 Intimidator. Those will both give you the speed and handling you're looking for.

24 Pantera

Almost same exact question just a few days ago:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=191732


Look into:
24 Pantera
24 Superboat
25 Active Thunder
24, 25 Baja Sport, ES, Outlaw
25, 26, 28 Checkmate
26 Sonic
27 Formula
27 Fountain

I have one for you. Wellcraft Nova 26ST. Clean! Clean! Clean! 365mag stock has not been F with, turn key. 3000watts 4kenwood 6x9s, 6 10in MTXsubs, remote, sat. 573-578-8943

few more

and more

Exact same thought came to my mind.

I'm in a similar situation, that's why I was looking for this one.

A nice Formula would be in your range:drink:

27' Activator

24 Python

Same hull as the Pantera, Superboat, etc...

I might know of one with a 502, not too far from you. Well under $20K. Lake ready.:drink:

I just got this 21ft Rallysport with a 300 merc in this week. Garaged since new, $16,500

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forum...d.php?t=163651

Donzi Classic 22.

WOW, so many choices! WILDMAN, I like the Rallysport, it's looks lean and mean and I would bet it would give my jet boat friends a run for their money! It would also fit in better on a few of the local small lakes I run around on. But I don't really care if I fit in or not.. :)

This is a little over my $20k budget, but what about this?: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=004

It's a lot different then anything mentioned, so not sure, but it got my attention while browsing. I also like the Advantage Party Cat's. One of my current boats is a 24' party barge pontoon, which I like, but of course it's slow as a snail and a party cat could maybe replace it and fill my nead for speed...

Thats looks like a decent deal if thats the price it stays. What lake do you most boat on?

Hudson is nearest to me, so I end up there a lot. I like to fish too and have a Nitro bass boat.

I also go to Grand and Fort Gibson occasionally. Would like to start visiting Beaver, Table Rock, and LOTO occasionally, but the boats I own are either too small or too slow to cover much of them.

I wouldn't buy anything sight unseen. Everything looks great in the pictures, but can cost a boat load of money to get back in shape.

Michael

Magnum 25 Sport
500+ HP
Can do 70 in the right chop
Can easily carry 6+ people
A little biased here and not trying to put anyone elses boat down but in the upper great lakes where I am I think it might out run everything else listed here when the seas get really big.

Oh I wouldn't buy sight unseen! Your right about the pictures don't always tell the whole story, been there done that, just not with a boat.

If I get serious about buying one, I will need help from someone that nows about these types of boats, to make sure I'm not buying a BIG problem.

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/yrk/boa/771746928.html

Saw this one, 24ft deep vee..........with twin removable racing canopies. A little old, but sick with the right paint job.

I'd go with a 24 pantera.