Pretty much. Most of my guests would rather go 35 the whole way to the sandbar... and lately, I can't really argue much, as it seems like I enjoy the trip more than the destination anyway.

There were a number of times I'd back off on the throttles to make my guests more comfortable, some were clearly not comfortable with the speed or ride through the rough. Although I didn't like backing off it was I that invited the guests and it was my responsibility that I was considerate to their comfort levels. I saved the fast/rough for friends who were familiar and liked it. I'll get used to the 35mph stuff pretty quick as a trade-off for all the features it provides. Sometimes a quick blast to 50 just for the heck of it but what's the point.

If you have the money to pay a good mechanic to work on those big power sterndrive boats you may run them forever, If you do all the work your body will eventually quit. We went back to an outboard boat at age 72, the ride to the sandbar takes twice as long but it's still fun and beats kneeling in a bilge replacing water pump impellers.

100% After knocking the stick that was holding up the hatch (had to disconnect the hatch actuator to get at impeller) and having that thing crash on my head and becoming a bloody mess I figured out my next move...at that point I was well on my way anyway.

In my area we were never a Ft Lauderdale/Miami but had boats around, pair of 38 Powerplays, 36 Skater, 47 OL, handful of Fountain/Bajas, 3 TGs, a turbine Skater, pair of 32 Sunsations and even a 41 Apache that never left the lift. Those are all long gone...........there is a huge hours 38 Powerquest that used to be a regular every weekend and even that boat I haven't seen in a couple years. Sit at a waterfront bar on the weekend and watch the million dollar CC's idle by. I did see a black/silver 38/39 TG a few weeks ago.

We have more Hinckleys in the area than go fasts today!

Sounds like your neighborhood has really gone downhill.

I will say the thing about other quests, I may be different but the most we want with us is one more couple, I do not like dealing with what everyone else wants to do and when. Much prefer to meet people at the destination, but that is us and why we just do not need a CC that can carry 12 people I don't want on the boat anyway, LOL.

But we bought a small DC to be able to go to the close sand bar, get something to eat or just putt around the canals with. I wanted the DC so we can block the wind, worked great this last weekend. I'll keep the go fast for those times we want to run down to the next inlet (Inside or out about 45 miles). Its nice to be able to cruise at 50-60 with no effort.



We have put some hours on the little boat, it's nice to turn the key and go, when we get back a quick flush and done. I guess what I am saying is we need 2 boats,,,,,,,,,, well maybe 3.

We have all been talking about picking up a couple more old school jets for St John river runs to the glen,,,,,,,,,,a Sanger would be nice. Then there are the little inflatable cats they run, one of those in the group to,hmmmmmm

Hard to beat a small DC. I've got a Pioneer 175 and total cost of ownership including gas is less than $500 a year. Starts like a car and rarely a problem.

I remember when it clicked to me that Sunkin was a fraud. I bought a 28 Apache money pit and spent all my free time just trying to keep it running, they are all a labor of love. Then there was Chris Sunkin who was always posting on weekends during summers all day long and it clicked. No freaking way someone profess to spend that much time on the water, keep a 41 Apache running, and post as much as he did all at the same time. And for all the time he spent on this forum there wasn't a single person who saw much less ran with his Apache.

Yeah not really.............we even got a new Cigarette dealer and that did nothing for go fast popularity.
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...8_M94192-33735

This house is 2 miles from Big Thunder's CIg dealership. Asking 145mm, paid 85mm in 2021.


I just think people aged out of the I/O style of boating......no shade/ nobody wants to work on them

Haha - that's the one thing I love about my boat - I don't have all that **** with me. It's a small cooler, a fun lunch run, a couple beach towels, and the radio - that's it!!!

It's the only two or three hours of my week I am not working on something and I don't want to be blowing up rafts, setting up floats, etc.... I just want to stand around at the sandbar and relax for a few minutes!!

I'm glad you pointed this out - keeps me from even considering one for now!!! But Again, I know the day will come!!