I don't see any boats talked about in this thread that aren't high quality boats.

Go water test them and go from there.

My 28 Pantera was a great boat. The only thing I wished was that it had more freeboard. It is still a 28 footer and will only be so comfortable in sloppy water. My 32 AT rides a LOT better in the LOTO rough water and th AT has as much freeboard as a 38 TG.

Either boat will handle any rough water you throw at it.

Never ridden in a 28AT, but I expect the ride would be comparable to the Pantera. The 28 AT will have a lot more freeboard.

I have only seen one open Cig around here and it's been in the last 6-9 months. I have passed one sitting for sale near the Lynnhaven Inlet. I haven't stopped and can see mainly just the bow since it is sandwiched between other boats. I can't see the power, but it's all white with black/blue/gray hockey stick stripes (not sure of stripe colors as I go by it at 45mph).

Next time I'm up that way, I'll try to stop by.

I really like my 27ZX Donzi. 28ZX is the same size with a stepped hull. Seen quite a few for sale this year for under $50K. Great boat with a usable cabin. It's my first boat so I am by no means and expert. But for a first boat it has been good and we used it quite a bit last year. Spent many a weekend on it over the summer. Probable not the fastest boat and certainly not as roomy as some of the bigger boats. But has worked for river running on th St Croix and hanging out for a day at the lake. I think the quality of Donzi was heads above some of the other boats. Ours is a 1997 and was had for a pretty decent price.

BTW rlj656, No Cig Bullets were ever produced as a single and I've never heard of someone converting one to a single.

So to sum it up, I think the questions you must answer to yourself are the importance of:
Size vs Single or twin engines?
Ability to afford cost of running?
How much will you use a cabin?
How important is heavy sea capabilities?
How rough is YOUR normal boating area?

Many people may say buy as new as possible, but the tradeoff (and a major one in my opionion) is the need to settle for a smaller boat and one with a single engine when you use that approach.

Personally, I prefer twins, especially if you are running up to 50+ miles from where you launched. At least you know you can limp home on one engine instead of having a $1200 tow!

There is a 31' around our way with a pair of V-8 OMC's off the back. It's a deep navy blue. Sharp looking boat. Avanti from Palmyra, NJ had it for sale for a long time. I heard a father bought it for his kids.

I was making the same choice as you on 28-31' boats several years back. It all came down to the Bullet, Pantera, AT, PowerPlay, and one not mentioned yet, the Saber. We couldn't find a Saber or PowerPlay, a deal fell through on a nice Bullet, and the lack of freeboard on the Pantera didn't excite the wife. Love the Bullet; it's a tank, but it also takes a LOT of power to get them moving anywhere near 70.
Then we met Pat at AT. The rest is history. We loved our 28, it ran 3 of the 5 Great Lakes while we owned it (as well as the Atlantic down in Florida). It's now prowling the Pacific. Equipped with twin 350magMPI's, it was VERY economical to run. I would own another boat manufactured by Active Thunder in a heartbeat. The cabins are large, the freeboard is unrivaled in its class, it handled rough water with a good feeling of safety, and we were treated like royalty by the company that built it. What more could you ask for?
Jim

I don't think anyone has said it, but what ever boat you choose be sure to get a survey done.

At 5'-4" there is alot of freeboard on a Pantera :drink:

We got in a Sonic once and I couldnt see over the panel!!

Test drive them, stand in them and then decide. All good boats.

If you're thinking 31 Bullet, don't forget the 32 Hustler, which would be a great Lake Michigan boat.

Go With Twins
 

I would not buy a 28 ft boat with a single engine.Docking is a breeze with twins.Plus as mentioned,the 5.7 mag mpi are very easy on fuel and they will push a 28-29 ftr near 70.And sinkt at 4800 they sound sweeeet.