Kachina vs Sunsation
 

I am looking for a MCOB in 32-34' range. I know Sunsation is a high quality boat but I don't know how Kachina compares ? .. Any info on the Kachina ? ..thanks

I could be wrong, but I thought Kachina was out of business. Even if they are not, If these are your only two choices, the answer is simple, Sunsation.

No offense to any Kachina owners......but they are not comparable to a Sunsation in my opinion. Look at the West Coast sites (riverdavesplace.com or performanceboats) and you'll catch on that Kachina's are the butt of many jokes, both for horrendous paint and questionable build quality.

There are however quite a few more quality boat makers out West who do MCOB, like Eliminator, DCB, Howard, Lavey etc. However in the 32 range I don't know that there are too many options.

X2

UD

sunny for sure.

Kachina is not even in the same league.

Sunsation trumps Kachina every time. And, Kachina is out of business since the death of owner, Louie Majors. If you're looking for a steal, check out the 32 Razor at Cobra Performance Boats in Montclair, CA. Beautiful boat and runs great. Twin Ilmor 625s with IMCO drives -- you can get it for under $200,000 on a custom triple axle Extreme trailer.

Right On.

Do a search. There was a guy here a while back that sued Kachina. I recall he had a brand new boat surveyed and it didn't go too well.

Word is 145k will buy the 32 razor, great boat and very good deal

They appear to look cool but do enough research and you'll talk yourself out of it. Apparently saying they have a low resale value would be a compliment. Lots of them sitting.

I have sold many Sunsations and was approached by Kachina to sell their product before the owner passed away and the factory was shut down. I can tell you that the Kachina in no way complimented the Sunsation boat line I was already selling. Kachina has very cool graphics but that is about it. Where will you be boating? The Kachina's are a very good lake boat but not intended for rough water at all.

No offense to anyone that currently owns one. This is my opinion.
I would recommend the Sunsation.

I just noticed you are in the Poconos. PM me and I will see if I can get you up close to a Sunny very soon.

Tom

Seen plenty of Sunbunnies on par with any baja or checkmate I have ever seen. Ok boat with a name that sounds like a box of Tampons !!! Buyers market , be smart shop around !!! I have seen 36 Cigarette with 2-525 sell for 105 . That was a real boat !!! My point is be smart and get the best you can for your money

I Know where you can get a real nice 2002 31 Sonic with trailer, and other upgrades for $60K. Has 496HO's. Hard to beat it in this size range with cabin and other ammentities.

The OP is looking for a mid cabin open bow. There was a 2006 32 MCOB Dominator SS in TX with 496ho that was for sale for $60ish. I think it recently sold though.

Budget? New or used?

Sunny

Thanks for the input. Didn't really like the Kachina from the pictures I seen but I figured I would ask.. I recently won the auction on a 32 sunny mcob on ebay for 46k but the guy started playing games with the trailer then sent my deposit back.
I am looking for used around $60k.

Do you really want the open bow? Only asking because I know a few guys that bought the mid cabin just to switch to closed bow. The novelty will wear off.

I do know of a 02 Powerplay 33 with 496ho's for sale... Best boat in that size range.

I think I like the idea of the open bow, We never sleep on the boat and when we tie up it would be nice for people to go up front. The beds in the bow are just wasted space for me ..

Havent seen anything like that around the bay area, except the smaller runabouts. I would consider resale for future, especially locally. Good luck.

If you run the bay, and the water gets nasty, likely to get the front area pretty wet. Something to think about too.

I think the graphics are pretty cool, but that's about it.

I think I ended up buying the same boat. I am not sure if the seller was giving me a line. But he said the trailer was always included, the problem was he was a motivated seller and needed the cash like yesterday. You didn't have it ready to go according to him.

That boat sold to a board member in San Antonio. He plans on taking it out here to Lake Travis, looking forward to seeing it.

Sunsations come with a cover for the open bow. Based on personal experience, the covers keep the open bow very dry. It is surprising how much room the cabins have even with the open bow.

Lou

Speaking of 32 Sunsations didn't one of those crack in half jumping freighter wakes in the Houston Ship channel?

Didn't hear about that one. My buddy has a 42 lightning with a cabin that came apart. And a windshield about as strong. So I guess its possible... :drink:

......

Actualy I think there were two 32 Suns that cracked in half. A friend with a 382 Formula rescued the people from the 2nd accident and they told him.

There has been a few totalled from being spun out. Yeah step boats do that. Broke in half? That's a stretch. Pics?

I have seen the pics, but I don't have any. The guy that told me is reliable. His slip is across from mine. The people only had minor injuries on the one he rescued, and he said the driver told him he came down on the peak of a large wave after a huge jump.

I did find a pic of a wake:

Captain Yarrr. You are the one that bought the sunsation I had the deposit on ?
If so what actually happened was the first email he sent me after the auction said that I got a great deal on the boat and he got alot of great offers on the boat after the auction endded .. And to let him know if I wanted the trailer, it would be another $3500.. This is after I talked to him asked about the boat and trailer, Had a buddy stop by look at everything and go for a ride. After the sale We went back and forth about the trailer a couple of emails then I said I would just take to boat by itself but he just sent back my deposit and would not reply to my phone calls or email.. I had all my finance in order and had the trip planned to pick it up... That guy is really the bottom of the barrel ...

Improbable but not impossible I guess. I still need pics to actually believe it. There's almost the same damage on the ones that have had accidents. It's not due to poor construction though.

are you referring to TJ's 42? if so, lake Erie was very angry that day :lolhit: , there was a 382 or 419 Fastec that took a severe beating as well...

Sunny, Nordic or a Lavey

If you're heading to big water, don't drive a potato chip out there!!! :drink::drink:

Mcob
 

I have a mid cuddy open bow Lavey 2750. I also have a wife of 42 years, 2 married kids both with two kids. Additionally, most of my friends are old like me. The setup is wonderful. Lots of outside room for 10 or so people.

Its great to go fast and then put the fam or friends on and chug to a restaurant on the lake. It ain't as sexy but practical. Quent

You won't catch me out in big water in any open bow :lolhit:

Great boat!

p.s. it is sexy!