Griff is right, depends on what you want it for, I love my PQ, but I can't argue on the Pantera. Again not the fastest boat, "on smooth" water, but get it in the rough and wow. Sunsation has amazing customer service and builds a great boat, but you are gonna have few to choose from at that price. Same with the Pantera on "availability" not that many people want to give them up. Don't know how bad of a case of "gotta haves" you have, but my best advice is be patient, I was on this site for two years prior to buying my boat. Being patient saved me a lot of money and headaches. I would check off the following:

What are you going to be using the boat for?
Where are you going to be using the boat?
How mechanically inclined are you?
Don't forget, tow vehicle, insurance, gas cost, annual maintenance cost. (Those little cost add up and you might want to drop what you can spend up front.)

Good luck and let us know which one you purchase.

I've owned my 28' Checkmate Convincor w/ twin EFI big blocks for 2 years and I'm diggin' it. I boat with some big V's (42 Fountain, 38 Top Gun, 40 Hawk) and it does very respectable on LOTO. Not the same ride, obviously, but I bring some attitude along and the Check does a great job of holding up, ie, I have their respect. I didn't even shop them for a while because the Checkmates typically aren't as stylish, IMO, but after researching them, I liked what I heard. I got a lot of bang for the buck on my boat. $35k, 115 hours, 1-owner, 75+mph, EFI Mags (I wanted fuel injection), very clean Texas boat. The Combs family does a good job of standing behind their products, too. Mike and Kip are still working there and are very helpful.

The other folks on here will know much more than I will. Just sharing my personal experience. If I were shopping now in this range, I'd definitely consider that Pantera or the Saber that's for sale on another site.

http://www.boattrader.com/find/listi...shore-93280075

isn't that the one that sold for 20,000 in aug or its looks like the twin that was for sale back then.

28 SABER on trailer 34.5 ft

Yes, Brad Zastrow bought it and he spent some $$$ updating it.

Never seen one in person, but I've only heard good things about them.

Nobody mentions the Donzi 28 ZX?

Dosen't it compare to your Sunsations or Nordics?
I know it's a twin, but at 50grand, it fitts the bill!

Nordic seems to be the pricier alternative to a Sunsation. And Sunsations also has the best fit and finish of the two.
Just my homble oppinion.

My vote is of course the Velocity 280.

1. It is fast, my 280 with 502 mag, lightning headers and labbed prop will do 70mph any time. With some some good chop and light load it will do 72+ mph on GPS. This is a eleven year old boat with the original 502 mag..

2. Deep secure cockpit.

3. Good size cabin with storage.

4. While some people call it a drivers boat I have found that the learning curve is short and no surprises.

5. You call the Factory and you can get someone to talk to and if it is tech stuff it will likely be Steve Stepp himself.

how about a 26' corsa

Donzi 26ZX, 28ZX or the ZR's