20'-22' Boat Recommendations
 

I currently have an 18 foot, '77 jet boat that has been in the family since new, and I will keep it forever, however the wife and I would like to purchase a larger boat in a few years that is better suited to the larger lakes/sounds that we'd like to boat on here in North Caroliana. My folks live in the OBX and it would be awesome to run in the sounds and maybe ocean on really calm days.

Budget will be fairly limited to around 10k for a used boat. Looking specifically at outboards for performance/dollar ratio and ecomony.

I really like the Velocity 22, Superboat 21, Challenger 21 boats, however is there anything else I should be looking at?

Thanks !

try looking @a 22 scarab or baja islander not super high performance but good looking boats that will fit your budget.heck you could probably sell either one in a couple of years for what you paid for either one.just a suggestion.

I've poked around a bit looking at the Scarab and really like them, could you get them rigged with an outboard?

I had a 22' Scarab and with the wife, two kids and a bag of gear, the cockpit was tight. Remember it's a 19' boat with a swim platform. Believe it or not, the older 21' Scarabs probably offer more room. Just a thought.

Good to know, what years for the 21 you're talking about?

22 Donzi would be my choice but probably a little over your budget. Probably the biggest riding 22 out there.

I guess I'm partial because I have one but the mirage 217 is a great boat and is a true 21'7", count the platform and it gets bigger:). The wife and I bought one for the waters of the Detroit River and Lake Erie. It was the biggest boat that would fit in my garage and fit the budget and had a bbc. It is a wave busting SOB and rides great with a little tab in the ruff stuff. They can be found for a good price and with big blocks and bravos. They were made until 2001 I think. Mirage also made a trovare, it was more modern looking and some came with 500's in them. A little more money but also a nice boat.

Good luck with the hunt.
Ryan

we love our 22' velocity

I too love our 22 velocity.
http://i48.tinypic.com/jrwnc0.jpg

I think any of the 21-22 ft, Superboat,Challenger,Apache,Velocity etc. would be just fine for what you want as far as outboards go.
Here is an example,

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...<br /> <br />http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...pp-22-Velocity

Can't go wrong with a Velocity.....

the 21 excel is 23 with the SP. It also has a fiberglass floor instead of wood with carpet glued over it. Much better built boat IMHO.

If you're looking for a boat with a cuddy and porta potty, the velocity is hard to beat.
http://i48.tinypic.com/9krtw6.jpg

Yeah I really, really like the Velocity. Anyone around Raleigh, NC have one? Would love to see one in person sometime.

Call me a little jaded, but for stout construction, light weight, great rigging, rough water ability and a few other things, I really, really like my Progression 22.

the 22 scarab are great running boats as are the Baja Hammers, both would be on my short list.

Beware of the construction on the Bajas. Here on Lake Ontario where I do most of my boating, many a Baja has broken up with medium to hard running.

Def awesome boats, but most likely well above my budget

Quite possibly true. They hold their value extremely well. Mine's on it's 18th summer and people still ask me if I just picked it up. Maybe if you found an older one? Trust me, having worked on boats for over 20 years, you get what you pay for.

I totally agree, my jet is in its 34th season. My father bought it brand new in 1977 (3 years before I was even born!) and over the years its always been garaged and well cared for, people don't believe me when I tell them how old it is :) Its still on the original motor, paint and interior.

High res http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/8...l/dsc00468.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/8...l/dsc00468.jpg

Progression are indeed nice boats; can you post some pictures of your progression?

i had a Hammer and i tried to bust it up!
even with a 540ci in it! never a problem with the construction.

22' Donzi good choice:drink:

Here's a velocity 22 for sale; http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/1811258699.html

nice velocity, I have a buddy with a 22' donzi that is being repowered that he wants to sell. bb/bravo boat.

Go to this linkhttp://www.revolution performance boats.com.au
In the pictures mine is the black boat.
Probably out of your price range but IMO by far the best rough water 21' boat ever built.
I have other images, just cant get them up.

Sorry try this link instead
http://www.revolutionperformanceboats.com.au

Ask and yee shall receive. Yup, 18 summers old and still looking good!

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...gression22.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...tSpeed2009.jpg

Wow, your progression is very nice indeed.

Donzi 22 ZX or 22 Classic. Both come with big blocks and range in price from 12,000 to 70,000. Ive even seen an ad where a guy spent 190K on his Ilmore 710 powered 22 Classic Shelby edition.

Beautiful boat!

Progressions kick Arss! always pricey though, but you get what you pay for.

22 Activator, one of my all time favorites, but pretty rare.

If your're looking to pull the trigger quick get a Velocity, there's always a few for sale and usually under 10k for an 80's model.

.....and it sounds like you're leaning towards an outboard, good choice for the fam, more interior room

Yeah def leaning towards the outboard. Having more room will be awesome, plus I've already got the jet which has a big block, so an outboard will be a nice chanage.

How does the Donzi 18 Classic handle lake chop? What is the deadrise on it ?

For an economical 20'-22' boat my friend had a Chaparral Villain II with a Mercruiser 300 Tempest sbc. It was a fun boat and we beat the crap out of it.
Not mine.
http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/1790890029.html

Checkmate had some nice looking 20 ish foot outboard powered boats back in the day that would fit your budget.

Love my Velocity 22. The outboard version has quite a bit more space in the cockpit too.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/IMG_0906.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...IMG_0900-1.jpg

My friend runs his out in the ocean all the time. It's an immaculate 1984 18' Donzi with a built 377 small block. Puts out around 425HP. It's amazing what that boat can handle.