What boat to Buy????
 

switching from 30' cruiser, new to performance world. looking for 35-38 foot, good in rough waters of Great Lakes, opinion on best boat under 70K. prefer 98 and newer.
appreciate any suggestions... Scott

that price and year.... 38 formula

Couple years older, but might be a good deal and a great boat for rough water.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Boats_Power-Motorboats__36FT-Apache-Warrior-speed-boat-offshore-w-trailer-rare_W0QQitemZ290258371764QQddnZBoatsQQadnZPowerQ2 0Q26Q20MotorboatsQQddiZ2831QQadiZ2795QQcmdZViewIte m?hash=item290258371764&_trkparms=72:727|39:1|65:1 2|240:1308&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

Scott, I'm in the market for a 30' cruiser and have a 38' Gentlemans Offshore :) in your range except it is a 97'. It handles the Great Lakes fine. [email protected] if you are interested.

Puzzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyyyyy:party-smiley-004::evilb:

Perfect. Just trade. ;)

He already TRADED life as he knows it John! Tied the knot, kid on the way 5 minutes after the vows! Diapers instead of offshore!!!!!!:grinser010::p

Oh. I don't do diapers. I adopt them at 3. ;)

Fountain & Baja By Fountain
 

FOUNTAIN & BAJA By FOUNTAIN

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

well being that you are in the great lakes , and not really offshore I would suggest any flat bottom boat design, .................................................. .................................................. .......................................:party-smiley-004:

:evilb::evilb::evilb:......nice


I'd buy this and have probably at least $15k left over to play with if $70k is your max. Trailer, cheap insurance and fuel. I know it's a 93 but it's really nice and a great deal. http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o18923-en.html

Are Fountains generally considered "good in the rough?" I don't think that I saw them on the "best rough water boat" thread. I prefer ride over that extra 10mph. I guess I go under 70 a heck of a lot more than I go over 70. Spent a great deal of time at 5mph. ;)
I mean, I know that they often have big power to weight ratios. But my 40 years on Lake Erie make me prefer more weight per horsepower. Something about the steepness and spacing of waves. Lead sleds have worked well in this water.

I would sell a guy in Havasu a Fountain and a guy on the great lakes a trawler. I mean, a heavy deep V. ;)

A guy coming from a cruiser may not transition as well to many Fountains, as say... a guy coming from perf boats.

Not an anti-Fountain post at all. Beautiful and fast machines.
Just not sure that this was the best advice. More salesman than consultant, perhaps.

Oh Bob. :D

You need to visit your friends in the north more often. :)

We could go to Put in Bay in a strong NE wind in a flat bottom boat. It would make us wish for a Fountain. :D (while we were waiting for the CG to pick us up.) Although, having said that... I remember a dude who rode a Jet Ski from Toledo to South Bass one year. :eek:

Before this gets hijacked beyond rescue... I say the Powerquest 38 would be ok, I have ridden on one in Lake Erie and between the weight and the high freeboard it was ideal. Formula over 272 would be good. 272 maybe to low of a stern. Older mistress maybe.
Stinger/scorpion. There was Rastinger's old 31 stinger out there with buncha updates.

So now the offical phrase is "Baja by Fountain".

BBF

I remember that from somewere- has a catchy ring to it....

Now I remember- the personals ads.

BBF- like it!

Back to our pre-hijack festivities-

Coming out of a cruiser might be culture shock. I'd make a list of features and amenities you would like and another one of one's you can't live without. There's a broad variation in cabin size and cockpit room in the class of boat. And learning that you're a guy that can't bring himself to sit down to pee is a bad thing to find out after you've bought a boat with a 4' cabin height. Worse is to buy something that doesn't mesh with the wife/kid's needs.

Lastly, try to avoid buying something that isn't what you want and setting out to turn it into that. For example, making an average mid-range perf boat go 10 mph faster can be a brutally expensive proposition.

You might be able to find a 38' Scarab for that price. That would be a great rough water boat. Great boat period.

Chris has a way with words. :D

Just guessing, having come from cruisers... that a certain amount of amenities will be expected, and even 55mph will seem wicked fast.

ha, he said wicked fast.

on topic i'd go with a 382 formula fastech or a 38 scarab.

Yep. Cruiser guy friendly boats.

Wicked post btw. :D

I have no comeback for that. If I have to putt around the lake with my damn Bimini up all time I may as well give in. It will be temporary. I don't think mommas gonna like the ride of a small cruiser in Lake Michigan. Now you see why it has been so hard for me to get to Charlavoix this year. I have folded :eek:

I believe the word U want is WHIPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:grinser010::angry-smiley-038:

what to buy???
 

Thanks for all the replies so far. I will be spending weekends on the boat so amenities are a plus. I am not looking forthe fastest boat on the water low 70's are fine, I am definately looking for a rough water boats as Lake Erie can produce 6-8 footers in a hurry!!!!! Can make a miserable trip back from Put in Bay... I have looked at the powerquest 380(really liked it).

Any comments on a 2000 Baja outlaw with 502s??

I had my 382 on Lake Erie on 2005, and Lake Michigan in 2007. In both cases, I was happy with the way it dealt with those lakes.

Here's the PERFECT boat. It's listed at $95k here:
http://www.typhoonsc.com/Boats/2000FORMULA38/38.html

But only $79k here:
http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o16583-en.html

Other than a generator, it's got all the cruiser stuff, right down to the canvas package. I know the previous owners, and they made lots of overnight trips on this boat, so they set it up that way and took care of it. 382's really like Arneson's, and you won't have to worry about breaking drives.

Give it a good look, and call Frank Civitano at Typhoon. Tell him Chuck referred you.

I would take a look at this one:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=182490

The owner is motivated to sell and I think pricing will be right for you.

You sound like a Formula buyer to me. They're very well-built, hold their value and will run good with moderate power. and they're going to deliver the comfortable ride and have plenty of room above & below.

Pretty much everyon else building a family-oriented performance boat is trying to be Formula, so why not get the real thing?

Good advice and the same I would give. 353 or 382 FasTech. The 340 or 380 PQ would be my second suggestion based on his criteria.

If there is a BAJA by Fountain in the 35-38' range for under $70k like he suggests, let me know where I can send my deposit!
:drink:

Take a peek. http://www.boats.com/listing/boat_de...6Ntk%3dboatsEN Its a Michigan boat loaded with ammentities. Runs low 70's.

I would consider a 38 Donzi just as high quality as a 38 Formula. they also hold their value decently.

Yes, the Donzi is very nice- sportier too.

Nice boat, but with the superchargers and surface drive not a Lk Erie boat.

But this Scarab.. can't beat the price and deal. 500's, Bravo.s etc. for about $55000

Attachment 359586

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o25424-en.html.

If this boat is not everthing said, I will refund your plain ticket.

Will you refund a fancy ticket?

"Will you refund a fancy ticket?"

Sure.

Sorry. Couldn't help it.

Boat is sweet.

What size? 36?

I was thinking the same thing. I have seen this boat in person and it's pretty nice for the $$. I have not riden in it but have been in a few TG's and they are..well, I don't have to tell you how they handle rough water!

I'd trade my Cigarette if I could get Baja by Fountain for under 70k.

yes, 2000 36 outlaw, 280 hrs..... no trailer. whats a good price?