Word of advice...

Before you buy a boat; take a tool kit with you and actually go through the motions of changing a SWP, spark plugs, or hell just try to put a pair of pliers on the blue plastic freeze plugs.

I've worked on (in) a lot of boats, and there are some that I would never consider unless it was free. And that only because it's damn near easier to pull a motor than to work on it in the boat--given the boats' configurations; and I'd consider paying someone to do the work since I didn't pay for the boat.

Here's a few pic's of mine









She ain't the sexiest or fastest girl in the fleet but she's 100% capable of handling my needs. I hit 72 with my surveyors seatrial and 73 on my on best run but I can't afford the fuel to stay there long. Any of the boats I mentioned can cruise near 50. I'll bet the Sonic would do the same.

Congrats on moving forward on your new boat, now is still the time to find some good deals.

See ya,
Kelly

Brian I know what your saying. Couldnt tell you how many times I busted a knuckle in my bilge and cursed at my boat. I've always found the idea of staggered motors appealing because of the room.

Husky, the boat looks nice. I see it has a large cocpit like the 33 and 36 OL.

I just love the headroom and creature comforts of the boats like these and Black Thunders etc.
I'd offer this, "best determine what you want most out of her to define your choices"
I'm not knocking short ceiling in a salon, i just want elbow and headroom.

See ya,
Kelly

It's not even busting a knuckle. Sometimes you can't even get a knuckle in there.

Im looking for a boat a similar to your criteria as well. One of my top choices personally is the 344 hustler. 90mph with 525's, nice cabin though not the biggest, and well built.

Brian.. At 6' 230lbs, Im not really built to climb through any bilge. lol But I can breach a door like its nobody's business!!

Mastercraft. There are alot of nice boats out there that fit the criteria. Its all about finding a style, size and speed you want. The formula fastechs are well rounded too and many owners rave about the quality of them. Personally, Im looking for more of an offshore racer style than that. Hustler makes a very nice boat and Im a fan of the 388 Slingshot. Its just hard to find one in my price range with what Im looking for.

This guy has a 388 huster with 500HPs and trailer for $60k firm

http://www.aqua-mania.com/home.aspx

Site is down right now, but was up earlier. Check in the morning.

The boat has not been ran in 5 years, so it is a gamble.

43 Black Thunder
38 Special
38 Sonic (35 porpoises to much IMO)
36 Outlaw
342 Baja
33 Outlaw
302 Baja

IMO the Donzi ZX have to much History of hooking and rolling.

The only fountain that covers your criteria is the 38 sport cruiser, and 47.

Speed is to expensive, and you will never be happy. So give up before you start chasing numbers and just enjoy rafting up and over nighting!

Lots of good boats recomended, just look for the overall best bang for the buck.

Here are a couple options I like, both are a lot of boat for the money!

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o43216-en.html

http://bajaboatowners.com/classified...of-a-kind.html

Well, I sure as hell was not going to say anything!!