Boat #1:

1987 Mirage 217 Intruder with a 5.7 litre and alpha one with a top speed of 47 mph. 544 hours, includes a tandem axle ez loader trailer. Boat is in mint condition and has been loved by its owner. ALWAYS garaged, full maintenance records, never kept in water overnight...New alpha outdrive with 10 hours. Owner is selling because he and his wife just had a baby.

Selling for $7000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86BaP...RxRstxgeGEP68G

Boat #2:

1988 Wellcraft Nova Spyder 26 with a 454 Mag and Bravo 1 outdrive and a top speed of 60 mph. 502 hours and includes a tandem axle bunk trailer. Average condition. Its a red boat so there is gelcoat fading, black bottom paint which is peeling. From what I can see no rot at all in transom or stringers, no rot anywhere on boat, no rips in vinyl (but some sun fading). Some interior pieces are cracked or broken. All gauges seem to work, trim tabs function too. Everything seems to work, cabin is very clean. Engine sounds really strong! Current owner put a ski tower on it which looks ridiculous! I would say this boat will need some work cosmetically but the basics are there for a really nice classic offshore.

Selling for $7500

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNQTS...RxRstxgeGEP68G

Thoughts?

I would go for the Wellcraft, but I love working on my boats. One good winter and a thousand bucks you could have that lookin nice. They really are two different class boats with one being 4' longer than the other

No way the nova does 60 with a single. I had one with twin small blocks and it never seen 60. They are heavy, solid boats for the size.

I'd suggest a survey and see if that decides for you.

They arent really that heavy....With twins it was rated at 5200 lbs. With one single Im guessing 4400 lbs. Thats a 454 Mag motor with 365 hp with a bravo 1 and its pushing a 23p prop...My Powerquest weighs 4200 and with a 385 hp 454 and a bravo 1 its running 62 mph..I would say 60 is definitely in the ballpark.

maybe on the wish-o-meter it will run 60 but I still don't think so. Mine had 260's and alpha's and would run 56-57 gps. Alpha's are faster than bravos as well. Go drive it and see what you think. Like Rebar said, get a survey. Older wellcrafts had some water issues. Good luck with your search

i would be buying the wellcraft but i also think it would have to be survey time IMO

I would definitely go with the Mirage! It's smaller, but a much better built boat IMO. The condition and always garaged with full maintenance records only trumps the deal for me.

I would want the bigger boat. Longer to handle rougher water. Definately get a survey. Good luck.

go wellcraft other boat under powered and alpha to small and better resale on the wellcraft