Looking for a first boat!!
 

I've been browsing this forum for a couple of weeks and tossing around the idea of buying a boat. Not looking for anything ridiculous just something to get started in powerboats. I think something like a used 25' outlaw would be in my price range. I'm in NW Ohio so i'll mainly be going to Lake Erie and up in Michigan. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and if you see any deals shoot em my way.

Brent

I have a 27 Avanti its 83 that was redone in 05. Boat has always been garage kept and has a 2005 performace trailer less than 100 miles on trailer. Its a fresh water boat. Motor is 454 420 hp with just under 300 hrs on it. I had it posted in the classifieds but ad expired monday haven't reposted it yet. $12000.00 this boat needs nothing, I am selling only becasue I got a good deal on bigger boat. If interested send me an e-mail and I send pictures and more info. [email protected]

What is your price range?

There is a sweet larry smith 26 scarab in the classifieds.

OK, first boat, you are on the right track. a 25 Outlaw is perfect and you can find some pre owned ones for great deals. if you can swing it stay 10 year or newer. I have seen some 25 OL going for the 25-30K mark and they are steals.

WILL:drink:

My Father might be looking at getting rid of his 2004 288 Sunsation Mid Cabin pretty soon, since he may be upgrading to a 32. Not sure how much, but I'm sure it would be a pretty good price. Its pretty loaded with a Merc 496, 375 horse, and will do about 64mph.

Got an 1994, Infinity 26' with 454 Mag and a bravo in it.
With trailer about 11K.
Or an oldie Formula with twin 350. mags and Alpha.

I could go up to 25k maybe a little more if it was a great buy. I would also like to have a boat with a cuddy so that i could overnight in it if i had to. I'd also like to stick with a single motor just to keep it simple. Thanks for all the responses, keep em coming!!

Brent

You're on the right track with something like a 25 Baja.
Get your feet wet in performance boating, and then move up.

That's exactly what I was thinking, if someone knows of a good deal on a 25' Outlaw let me know. Also is there anything i should look out for on these boats?

No substitute for boat length on Lake Erie:D

^^^^^ I know it gets pretty gnarly up there is 25' enough???

I started with a 1985 25 Baja Force in 94'.
Grew up on Erie, boated out of Rossford.
Erie can get big and nasty. No substitute for length on Erie is true.
A 25' is a rough ride out there in big water, but I made it to PIB more than once in 5-7's - but you need to know your boat, and know how to read the water.
IMO Baja is a good starter boat. It's not a TRUE offshore boat, but it looks like one - at least that was my experience, and I'm sure I'll pizz a few off by stating that.
When I ran the boat like an offshore boat, I usually broke something (stringers, motor mounts, Water pickup) but, I admittedly beat that boat like a true offshore boat.
Single is good to start with - keeps costs down.
Personally, I like the smaller boats. Currently have a 24 Pantera, easy to haul, launch, etc.
When you learn how to drive the boat hard enough to start breaking things, it's time to step up to a better boat.

Being partial to Sunsations, the 288 Sunny would be a good choice. Take a look at the Sunsation web site. They are a family run, Michigan built boat company. Service after the sale is about the best around. :D Just for added info, they offer the closed bow and the mid cabin models.

^^^ Sounds good I really appreciate the advice, I'm sure I won't be beating on it to hard at first. The more I read and learn the more excited I get!!

Your first boat should be something everyone should respect... A real boat! A 37' Midnight Express. Here is some information

Midnight Express

37’ Midnight Express, 1987. Fresh zero hour HP-500’s. Bravo HP drives with merc spacers for awesome x-dimension. Merc/ Stainless marine headers, Lathem external steering, K-Plates, K-trols, K-Indicators, Dual power steering pumps. Radar Arch.

Accommodates 4 comfortably with 2 couches and a nice spacious V Birth. Lectra San head and Norcold refrigerator(12v).

Electronics include Furuno Bottom Graph, Azmit Digital compass, VHF, and a Nice stereo.

Trailer: Trailer is a 2009 Sterling Ace, 18k cap, aluminum triple axle. Torsion axles with removeable spindles and matching 8 lug spares on forward tongue. Electric over hydraulic 12” Kodiac Brakes on ALL axles… REAL SMOOTH!! This is a $9,000 trailer and is included.

$ 45,000

850-345-7002

^^^^^I'm afraid I wouldn't even know where to begin with something like that:D

Jet.. I told. yaaa.. :) the Infinity. good power, easy to handle.. tough, cuddy, porta potty, inexpansive, and have several rough Lake Michigan rides under her hull.
I took her to the 1994 Pier 33/Thunder Marine Poker Run around Benton Harbour and Michigan City. Hellava ride. Got me hooked on the Poker Runs.
I would stay away from the smaller then 30' Bajas. Just MY .02with out going into details.

Alright how about some pics you can email em to me at [email protected]

If Paradox is talking about the 30' Infinity buy it! I had the molds for a while.. Great boat! Will plane at 15mph. What are they asking???

Hey Mid. Mine is a 26', but this will plane easily also. Might have been a 30' mold blocked to 26'??/

It's getting repainted soon, to all white. If I won't sell it, I will take it to LOTO and keep it there for fun. Had it clocked at 69.3with standard 454 Mag and bravo. Nothing added but through hull exhaust. Did the kilo run in 1994 on the Mississippi,
Couldn't get it to go past 70 for the life of me. I was thinking about removing the windshield for next day run, but it was to much work.
Attachment 373674

Attachment 373675

When we lived in OH - running to and from PIB would get very rough in my little 24' vessel.

I sent you an e-mail of boat I have for sale with pic

Its gone :(
I would look for a 26 Hustler or buy Clusters 27 Avanti, thats a great offshore runner

I like the looks of some of the Hustler's.....

Great build quality, nice rough water ride and theres some nice deals on 26s

Got a 1997 280 velocity with 454 330hp. Hope I don't get ZAPPED but I did have it advertized her before. Dropping it to 25K , but no less. Many added accesories. Very good shape.

Pics???

I'll try and send you pix tomorrow or Monday. Thanks.

Wow, I am in full on overload been looking at on the internet for hours (mixed in with a bit of work). If there is anything I should look out for while looking for my first boat let me know!!

For the first boat, I would try and stick with factory power with the lowest hours you can afford. Custom power can be great but it's very difficult to know exactly what you are getting and it can be very expensive to repower. Compression and leak down check is also very important. With these boats you have to assume they have been run very hard.
Search and read everything you can find on here and decide what brand/size/deal fits you best. Great time to buy now...Good luck! :ernaehrung004:

What is average hours per year on a boat? I'm just trying to figure out what is considered low?

Jet

Do a searh on other trhead around here, regarding first boat purchase.

Everyone has their oppinions, either because what they have or like or what they want to sell. (just like me, with the Infinity)
BUY WHAT EVER YOU LIKE. Not what some one else likes, or their "wish list'
Set your parameters. Cuddy, porta potti, speed, trailerability, looks, price. etc.
Review the boating you will do. Overnight, performance Poker Runs? weekend excursions? etc.
No matter what you get first, soon you will want something else.
Don't worry about the hours, have some one who knows about boats check it out for you. Most important, whatever you get, the original owners attitude and honesty is most important.
Sellers will tell you anythnig you want to hear. It's the nature of selling.
Get something that catches your eye, you like it, and enjoy.
Remember this will be your first boat, and it will be a learning curve and experiment, not a life long endavor.
Now.. You wanna hear my sales pitch ??? :cool-smiley-027:

A 25 checkmate 251 convincer gtx is a great boat and is often overlooked....there was one on loto for sale this summer for like 19k and it was ridiculously clean, loaded and unmolested....if you think that is something you maybe interested in I will dig out the photos and the guys number....

hey jhr...
that stock power advice is good. be sure to go with a bravo drive and hydraulic steering (in the event you decide to up the power in the future). the 25/28 active thunders have good room and manners, so does the 26 sonic. both available with stock power and respectable numbers. be sure that the motor is on L-angles and thru bolted. older checkmates used to lag the mounts to the stringers...you might find a pretty one for a good price, but check for this. fountains are going for reasonable prices right now...nicely loaded...maybe a single 29 (i think a 27 would be too small in that brand)...also be sure the deck and hull are bonded and bolted, don't need a flipped lid if you stuff in some chop...as far as hours, how was it maintained? i have nearly 600 on my 1987 and still going strong!...wade's rumrunner in the classifieds is a good platform/fair price, but the alpha's limit your upgrades..it will, however, take anything you dish out, although it's a twin, sbc's are low cost to maintain, and you get the security of twins..
hope this helps

c

257 powerquest
 

Jet take a look at this, custom paint, dash panels are done trailer just painted base coat clearcoat new tires and brakes this boat is mint I moved into something bigger email me with any questions [email protected]asking 25,700obo

more pics
 

more pics

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/c...28ss-pics.html

this was my first boat... may of 02 ... traded up in july 03

i bought it back in july 08


built by member sean... sold to me traded to nautikitty sold to cjfischer then back to me

now time for another members turn

Really appreciating all the advice i'm getting, and i'm starting to narrow things down............i think. I'm searching and learning as much as I can. I'm getting even more excited about buying a boat the more I read and the more I look around!!!!

Anyone have a take on this boat, i'm really into the lines and how clean the Velocities look.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1998.../United-States