A friend of mine has a 2002 Nordic Heat he is selling. Overall great condition with a 496 Mag HO (725 hours--runs flawlessly) and trailer. Price $40k

28 Pantera--its right at 34' on the trailer.
28 or 25 Active Thunder
288 Sunsation
28 Powerquest
29 Fountain--The 27 is way too small and the 29 is no larger than most 28's on the trailer.
271 Formula fastec


Plain and simple, the lighter boats will be faster and the heavier ones will ride better in rough water for the most part.

I wouldn't look any farther than Brad's Pantera. He keeps his machinery in perfect running order and everybody here knows how well Jo and Pepe build boats.

Here is a scarab that is in great shape with a new engine asking 32K

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o30532-en.html

I second the Pantera, Magnum, Saber, apache. all baised off same molds and have been build for years so you can find a half way deal. i know of one bad azz pantera in oso forsale section for asking 34k.

I second that, I just crawled threw one and they are a tank ,, not heavy at all but the whole boat is cored with balsa and fiberglassed together there made to last mines a 88 looks like a 08. its getting big power from a Dean Gellner 572 blower motor and a konrad ace drive = speeds I think at 100mph. on the boats out there now the drives are a little low on the singles so they get right on plane. I have 380 k planes so my starter height is x of 18'' or 3'' below the keel is the prop shaft instead of 7'' or a x of 14'' which is deep. theres a white green and blue one that runs 70s it could use a shortie or imco 3'' box you would pick up 4 or 5mph. there cabin is hugh 1st porterpody area doors to block cabin off and cockpit off then couches then v berth. SABER 28 ONE NICE CUSTOM MADE BOAT.

I was in your position in winter of 04, spring of 05. Wife and I crawled thru every boat that you listed other then the Velocity, as well as a couple others not listed. (did not care at all for the lines of the Velocity so we never bothered)
Not sure where in Iowa your at but I'm 15 miles S of WTL if you need to look at a 288 Sunsation. (heated garage here at home) Not for sale, but it'd give you a idea of it's quality vs others you may look at. It's a 04 and looks new other then a couple small dock rashes, a result of my fault. No spider or stress cracks - nada gel or fiberglass issues at all. My reasons for picking the Sunny were MUCH more then simple cosmetic appeal. Here's a few reasons why choosing what we chose.

1. Reputation for taking care of their Customers. (I've tested this twice due to my doings, not warranty issues as I've never had any) Both times they went well out of their way to get me what I needed and went beyond my expectations in that I got what I needed at no profit to them at all, and likely at a cost to them. New or used, it won't matter.
2. Rigging, gel work, engine accessibility. All were IMO better, to much better in spring of 05 to any of the others your contemplating. Rigging was sloppy at best in a couple boats you've listed.
3. Simple things that made a good impression on me from the start. Couple examples: No splices at all in the rub rail channel nor rub rail itself. Not sure why others cheap out by splicing it as it looks cheezy to me. Also no carpet where it should not be, and everything was well vented in the engine compartment with easy access all the way around the engine while not sacrificing storage. ( I prefer doing my own maintenance)
4. Comfort from cockpit to cabin and visibility to gauge cluster. (I really appreciate the Monster Gauges and placement of them, along with switches vs the other boats your looking at) The cooler designated spaces are something no boat should be without and are VERY well thought out. Simple yet very accessible and secure.

The only real issue we had with it when shopping was porta potty access - Designed to go under the rear portion of the berth which was ridiculous. We designated the cabin locker on starboard side for it instead and it works out well there for the lady. It rides pretty damn well and fly’s level considering it is a pad boat.

If a builder being out of Business does not bother you I'd second looking at the Powerquest Silencer 280. ( nice and well done) The Checkmate also though the rigging on them if not up to their quality gel work. You can tidy that up though.
There was a 02 Sunny 288 in the Quad Cities on Craig’s list with the 496 HO for right at 40K that looked very well cared for but I think the listing is gone now. If needed your welcome to crawl thru ours as I said. Good luck in your search!

Don't know if this makes your top ten list or not, but there is a 2004 26ZX Donzi in Newton, IA, listed on ebay for 39,995 (no reserve) with matching trailer. 496 HO should run 64-66ish on GPS with that power.

28 Cigarette Open. My old boat. 1 ride and you will be hooked.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o30168-en.html

I'd go Pantera.