performance cruisers
 

Here are my requirements for the next boat, I have never been on or even seen any of these up close so i'm looking for some feedback.

28-30'
More comforts than a go fast, not a full blown crusier
Trailerable
Good rough water ride (as good as it can be for a cruiser)
$55k or so max

I like Monterey 298, Cobalt 293, Sea Ray 290ss, Formula 33ss (dont think I can trailer)

Anyone have experience with this style boat? I think twin sb's is the way to go in this size (except the formula) would I use a generator (90% day trips)

Thanks

I once was considering something like this but never bought one. All of these are around 10-10.5 ft wide.....regular trailering will be an issue.

Here are the specs for the Cobalt. You better have a big block gas or diesel tow rig for this one;

http://www.cobaltboats.com/v11/our_boats/303/index.php

i have no real life experience with either but the Monterey looks like a real nice boat and with power people have claimed to be in the 60's.
Also consider powerquest 320. I have seen a few of these with 496 ho. that is some good power for this boat and people have claimed high 60' up to 70mph. That is what i would buy if i was in the market for a sportcruiser. I have also read that alot of people still trailer this boat. displacement is arouid 9500 without trailer so you would need a diesel. beam is 10'
there is a youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1fnHCxm878

Again i have never been on either boat and all my knowledge is form the internet so take it for what it is worth.

The Monty 300 only has twin 6.2L 300s as max power. You're not gonna get a 10,000lb boat anywhere near 60 with just 600hp.

PQ is out of business so a pre-owned boat is the only choice now. They were good boats though, ran pretty fast for their size.

I had a 330SS Formula. Nice 50-55 mph boat with small blocks(50 MPH) or 55 with big blocks. Great rough water boat. sleeps 4 no problem. Go the 350 if you can. No problem to trailer. Now I have a 34PC still 52 MPH with big blocks and I can sleep 6 no problem. Great boat but you can't trailer. FYI,
I came out of a 25 Active thunder, great boat and then went into a 420 Searay. JUNK

Sounds like Chris on here, he came out of an Apache into a big Searay and hated it.........:D

Formula made a 310SS as well so if the 330 is too big the 310 may make the cut.

I like the 32 PQ but I've already owned 2 so I want something different, heard good things about Cobalt but they seem like more of a lake boat, the Monterey has a 22 degree hull so it should handle fairly well in the rough, I have no doubt the formula would suit my needs, I like the 03' and newer but they are a little out of my range for now, just need to crawl around on a couple of them to see what suits me.

how loud are the small generators? too loud to run when your hanging out partying?

small marine gens that are in the engine compartment won't make enough sound to hinder conversations on the swim platform......The AC running at night is louder than the genny.

Here's a 298 and I've bought from them years ago.
http://yachtauctions.com/listing.php?vessel=5980