First "real" powerboat...advise?
 

Hopefully this is the right place to ask, if not point me in the right direction.

Grew up along Lake Erie, dad and family have always had a boat at one time or another, but nothing performance oriented. I had a 20' Trophy center console with a 175 Mercury o/b; had it for 4 seasons and sold it last October- time to get something bigger to handle; well, ANY waves better, and something with a cabin. I had a great time with that boat and learned a lot; made plenty of trips to Put in Bay and Kellys Island!

I'm looking for something in the 25' - 28' range, with a single big block or dual o/b's. Plenty of marina's around here, but the ramp is 10min away and there's a F350 sitting idle in my driveway. My boats of choice after lots of searching are 25' Outlaw, 27' Fever, Velocity 260, Active Thunder 25'. Certainly open to others, but those are really what's been catching my eyes. I don't expect a perfect boat on my limited budget, but I don't like buying problems. Have been looking at early 90's up to early 2000's. Would be just as happy with reliable stock EFI power as I would be with a wild motor. At least to start:) I've done enough research to know a few of the generalizations are that the Fountain has smaller cabin space vs the rest, Outlaws are nice but common, Velocitys are a fast hull with equal power, and AT's are a better ride in rougher water plus more cabin room which I like.... all are good quality in general.

So I'm a 30 year old single guy with a house and an excellent credit rating. Genrally speaking, about what does insurance tend to go for, and what sort of loan terms have you seen? Next month it's time to get serious and I'm trying to have my ducks in a row so to speak.

Appreciate any help or advise you can give!! Thanks!

You came to the right place. There will be lots of advice given here!

I can give you my sequence: 19' 40hp O/B, to 21' Formula 350 small block, to 24' Formula small block, to 33' Baja twin big block, to 42 Fountain twin 525. From 20' you could easily go to a 23-24' single BB and if happy with the handling and performance move up from there. Cobalt, Sea Ray, and Baja all make good semi-performance models in that size range, with Baja also making several true entry level performance models. We loved our 33' Baja and kept it for 3 years. But it would not have been an easy move from the 19 footer.

I have a friend with a beautiful mint condition 2007 Baja 23 Outlaw single BB in perfect condition that is extremely easy to handle yet easily goes 70 mph. PM me if interested. He is ready to sell it to move up to a 33.

Seems to me there was a 25 Active Thunder that just popped up in Ohio for a reasonable price, that would be my choice out of your list. Older boat you are prob looking at 5-8 year loan max, possibly 10 if your bank will do it. Insurance will depend, prob in the 5-700 a year range if you dont have any tickets, maybe less if you can put it on your homeowners as a rider.

Take a look at this one

http://www.teamshogren.com/pre-owned...ger-cuddy.html

welcome.

This one was mentioned in another thread.

Might be worth looking at....

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o37720-en.html

Yep; he's about 2.5 hours away and we've already been in contact! Amazing how small the world is. I'd throw down cabbage on that boat in a heartbeat, but I'm not expecting it to wait for me. I don't mind making a road trip, but that boat being so close is like dangling raw meat in front of my Husky!

The reason I am looking for 25' and up and not 24' is that I've seen a lot of 24' Outlaws (which I have nothing against) have more of a step-down-in type cabin, which I'd like to stay away from if possible. I'm trying to balance enough bada$$ with being somewhat practical and think the 25' range will suit me more than fine without jumping into TOO much boat all at once.

Oh by the way; thanks for your help!

Welcome! All of those are good choices. I must say the 27 fever is one of the best 25 foot boats ever built! (Just a joke - you'll get used to it if you buy one.) :drink:

Then there is another boat you should not pass up a good deal on: Formula 271. These are beautiful, fast stepped hulls that are solid as a rock. We almost got one instead of the 24 but didn't have the "cabbage " at the time.

You might find one here;

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...b177_0-en.html

No prob, I just bought my boat last winter so I have been there. I looked at Active Thunder and liked them a lot, be aware though that if you really want one they dont pop up for sale all that often.

Freind of mine is selling 27 activatar w/ twinn merc 225's for 22,000 boat is real clean think it comes with trailer also

x3....

If that Thunder is that close get in your car and drive.
Perfect for what you are looking for and appears to be in great shape with a reasonable price.
As said before they don't come up for sale very often.

There is also a 28 Apache in the classies at a great price that looks like a great deal but it is twins.
Eather boat is a great choice for that lake.

You have my attention...ha ha. Noob question; what's the story on Activator boats? I've never heard of them. Do you know the year of the boat or any other info? Any pictures available? Thanks again.

Yeah; that's why I'm so attracted to that boat- something I don't see a lot of, and you are right...perfect for what I'm looking for. I have a time frame though, unfortunately. Expecting a commission check next month and it's important to me to eliminate existing debt before signing up for more...haha! I have his phone number and may make a road trip this weekend to at least take a look. I wished him good luck selling it, but if it were still there within another month or so, I'd be after it.

The Apache sounds badass, but I really am looking for a single if it's an I/O. Thanks again, guys!

Call Sy Goldburg for your insurance, great guy with the best rates. I don't have his phone number with me, however lots of people on the board can help you with that.

Hey thanks; I will check into it. This might sound dumb, but any reasons other than money why you wouldn't go thru your local agent?

Because unless you have multiple houses, cars, etc. companies like State Farm are too expensive or they won't insure you at all. Shop Around. Also try Elton Porter.

And check out that 271 in the Classifieds. Formulas are heavy boats. Our 24 rode amazingly well for its size. I thought the 271 was excellent for its size too. And they are very well built. I have only been on a 32 AT, in 3 ' chop and it was fast but really didn't smooth out until it was near its top speed. It felt like it really had to be on top of the waves.

I do everything through State Farm. With decent credit and a good driving record insurance shouldn't be bad at all in Ohio. I pay $490 a year for my 342. $380 for the 29 Outlaw I sold last year. I moved from Ohio to KY a few years ago. I had a 23' Rinker, 29 Fountain and Baja 302 insured in Ohio in the last ten years. Never paid more than $500 per year. Erie region may be different than the Ohio River???

I've done all my financing through US Bank. I got a 15 yr loan on my 342, but had to put $$ down. Days of signing and boating are gone. They will typically loan 90% of NADA.

I don't think you can go wrong with all the boats you're looking at. Fountain will be faster, AT will ride better, Baja can be had at a great price and there will be lots to select from.

Look around, but give him a call before you buy.

There's a good deal on a 25 Powerplay.. around 15k. Mash the CL listings...

This one? http://panamacity.craigslist.org/boa/2129200602.html

That 25' Active Thunder looks like a great choice. I already forwarded it to a friend of mine in a similar situation. :drink:

Def don't rule out the Checkmates, either. I'm happy with mine.

Thats the boat. its listed somewhere else for 15900

Active Thunder or Apache. Go check out some Formulas too.

Hope to see you out on the water!

I'm right in Sandusky! I typically go to Put in Bay a few times a seson- for Christmas in July, 4th of July weekend, and whenever I have the extra cash. Kellys Island too, which is a little more laid back...and closer. I head over there during the week even. Have you ever been to the Sandusky Bay Barge Party? It's as close as a local will come to "Redneck Yacht Club" mixed with a little Spring Break at Lake Havasu on the Travel channel- look it up on Facebook. Someone tows in a huge barge, generator, large band, stripper poles, and HUNDREDS of boats...all in knee deep water in the middle of Sandusky Bay...it's a blast- that is, if you're into that relax on your boat all day, loud music, hot sun, smokin' women type of thing...

That PowerPlay on CraigsList does look nice too. Nothing against Checkmates either; I drive by their factory up here on a weekly basis.

25 powerplay on CL is nice.

Another 25 powerplay on scream and fly with twin outboards $22K

The PP looks real nice...But why would anyone paint the bottom on a performance boat????:eek:

What do you guys think about this 25' Outlaw on Ebay? This is the 3rd time it's sold and re-appeared; I talked to the owner today, who claims that the buyers who come to pick it up have been falling short on the money, or basically jerking him around. He claims not to have to sell it, but wants it gone to pay off other things. Looks like a badass machine and I love big power, and probably won't put an enormous amount of hard hours on it, but am concerned with something that wild costing me $$$.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

It a salt water boat. Plenty of freash water boats around these parts that fit your bill. Baja and Scarabs seem to be what you mostly see on Erie for single engines though so you are on the right path. I know 2 years ago going to Christmas in July in a 30ft baja with twins was a bit scetchy..but the drinking and partying makes it all worth it.:coolcowboy:

That boat is awesome! I would absolutely LOVE to snag a powerboat with twin ob's, but I'm really looking for a bit more of a cabin. There was an AT 25' on PowerboatListings and on Ebay some time back that was supposedly built for Livorsi? It had twin 2.5's, but is sold.....blah...

Yea, I'd rather have a fresh water boat, but I can't expect to have everything I ask for at the price I can afford to pay...haha. Put in Bay can be straight nutty....good luck finding a dock, and even then you're rafted 4 deep. If you're the guy on the inside and want to leave early- good luck. Thats when it was nice having a 20' center console...i'd trim that motor way up and inch in right towards the breakwall off the park...tie a bow line off the wall cleat and a grapple anchor off the stern. If you don't mind wet legs, it was a free front row seat to the ****-show!

For a boat I say go w/ a 28 for Eerie. I went through this exact shopping a few years ago, and here's my short list:

28 Powerplay - great ride, rare as **** (13 made, only 2-3 are singles.......)

28 Active Thunder - great ride, huge/deep cockpit

28 Pantera - great ride, less freeboard

There are some other good boats in the size range, but I gravitate towards better ride in a boat that is "smaller" for a big lake. In a 25-28 you won't be able to run all out most days out, so you'll get more use of a "wave crusher" than a fast step boat that beats you up on all but flat water days.

Most every Fountain out there will out run me on a river, but on St Clair I've been by them many times (27/29 Fountains) where my non-boating friends comment on how rough their ride looks and we're in relative comfort. Everyone talks about running 60 to 70 in 3's or 4's in a 28.......but I don't buy it.

If you are under 75 mph or so you can use Allstate, they were way cheaper for me than anyone else I checked. About $600 a year.

Also, keep your eyes open for a 28 Saber.

Its really hard to say exactly which boat or brand to buy. I like all the suggestions on here and think you should look for the overall best bang for the buck. If your not currently "stuck" on one then thats my advice. There are going to be the good and bad of every brand/model out there, depending on who owned it, what day of the week it was built, salt/fresh water, engine, etc. Once you find the best overall deal you will be happy that you have extra money left over for fuel and fun! In the end you will upgrade to a new boat many more times before your done! Enjoy.

What, no love for my 29' Phantom? :drink:

MetlShpr PM sent.

x5:coolcowboy:

Oh, yeah, another rare one that will take the water of a big lake! Fixed up nice with some new trick stuff too.:drink:

Truth be known, the 29 phantom(original magnum, not the canopy) is one of my favorite boats. I still have the phantom poster with Cheryl Smith driving the CC...