I'll keep it simple...anything that Mr Arronow had a hand in...
Formula, Donzi, Magnum, Cigarette...you can't go wrong if it's a solid piece with reliable mechanics.

There are some very nice 302 Formulas and 28' Cigarettes out there for that number that will serve you very well....especially when the weather goes to $hit....you'll feel good with some meat between your a$$ and the water.

Have fun with this...that's what it's all about.:evilb:

If you decide to go with a loan let me know. My 29' Phantom was specifically made for your water...no literally...the owner of Outback steakhouses had a lake front home and wanted something for Lake Michigan. And Will Smith answered that request quite nicely :drink:

The 24-26' is great but if you go out on Michigan at all, especially with kids, the extra length will make all the difference.

"That's what she said" (for those Office fans in the house 2nite)

i don't think that I am going to finance a boat. But have heard rumors that I may be recieving a work bonus so budget may be going up.

Anyone know anything about this boat? http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...racer-98391645

or http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o38648-en.html

From the listings alone not having seen the boats, there is WAY WAY more than $10K worth of work between the two. That would be an easy choice.

26'-29' single engine there are a lot of good deals 20k is tough for a late model but make offers!:eureka:

I would stay away from these older bigger boats that need a lot of work. The prices are low for a reason and maintenace is gonna be way more than you anticipate. Another thing to think about if your on a tight budget, 200 plus gallon tank at $4/gallon. I love Cafe's but I don't think these 2 are very budget freindly.

I haven't seen either of these boats first hand, but I can say from the pictures that both of them will need some work. The red one is in better shape, but if you look at the pictures it has two different seats in it, and it needs a new interior. It appears that the table is missing in the cabin and the gauges in the dash do not match. It also doesn't list the engine hours either. If it passes a survey, it might be ok and you would have a nice piece with 10-15k worth of work (maybe more). If the engines need refreshing, double it. The second cafe is in awful shape, it appears that everything needs to be redone and just by looking at pictures i would say this boat has been left in the water, so I would be concerned that the transom would be wet. You would have to sink a ton of money into that one just to have a nice boat.
I have looked at a lot of cigarettes over the past few years because my next boat will be a Cig and I can tell you that if the price is cheap, there is a reason.
Just my .02
:drink:

Agreed, the odds are Cafe's in that range need another 20k in work. I look at mine which is 10 times nicer than that one and can see $10k that it needs to be a 9/10.

Also - you're right you have to be prepared to pull up and put 800-900 in fuel in it; it isn't unrealistic with 200 gallon capacity.

I know the new 2500 Dodge's have a capacity of 15k, but I wouldn't hook my Cafe up to anything without 4 wheels across the back. They are heavy.

Ov?
 

BJ is that you?

-BauMeeks

did you get my e-mail and Pictures?