txsdukhntr, Check out this boat : www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o39004-en.html It's within your budjet. "HIGH LIFE"

i didnt understand the guy you responded to rant

i didnt understand the guy you responded to rant

i didnt understand the guy you responded to rant

I would seriously look at a PowerQuest, this is your first performance boat, and you want a reliable, stock boat that you can learn on. They do everything very well and there are a few 260SX out there for sale, the boats are awesome in the rough, and last through the beatings. The PQ aren't the fastest, but they do everything really well. If you keep yours up like mine, they hold their value in that range, sold mine 1000 less than what I what I paid 3 yrs ago. Not like some guys taking $10-30k loses.

IMHO don't let speed be your guide on your first boat, the boat should be a compromised on just about all areas. Then bump up to another boat when you're ready.

Good Luck

1st time i've heard 496 junk most people who run them give them thumbs up?/

Whatever brand you decide on is obviously up to you, but I would definitely buy a twin engine boat whatever it ends up being.

If you buy one that's been taken care of with "stock" power, like 350's, 454's, 502's, etc, it will be turn-key & reliable, as well as MUCH easier to handle around the docks, & a LOT more fun out on the water than a single engine boat.

You will eventually, if not immediately, want twin engines, so don't risk time & money by not going ahead with one now. You're better off buying the best boat you can afford to own & maintain the first time, especially with the used market being so uncertain. You could end up sitting on a boat you became bored with quickly, for much longer than you anticipated, if you don't buy what you really want from the start.

Howard makes very good v bottoms. 25 or 28 bullet. A merc 525 in either of these boats would run over 80mph and last forever. Just remember a 28 - 30' twin is going to burn much more fuel than a slightly smaller single engine.

twin smaller engines will not burn that much more than a larger engine. I don't think getting into twins is the best idea under 30ft unless you know whats going on. I got them now and going to see how this summer is going to pan out, but I migh be looking to trade for same size boat with a single we will see.

Very reliable engines from all of them that I have seen as long as you don't mess with them and leave them alone. Leave them stock and they are a great engine!