Info Needed
 

I am new to this website , but have been a powerboat lover my whole life.

I need some advice. I'm looking to buy a boat but I have several questions. First let me tell you what I'm looking for.
- 35-49ft
- Looking to keep it under 200K
- Primarily going to be at LOTO but want to travel and do Poker Runs.

First question is whether I should be thinking about a cat or a v bottom? This is going to be my first big powerboat and I don't want to get in over my head. I have done a lot of boating but minimal with my own boat. I went with other people a lot because they had a bigger or faster boat.

Second question is what power. I love power and going fast (don't we all), but I actually am going to use the boat and dont want to have to rebuild the motors all the time. And again I don't want to get in over my head, because knowing me I will buy as much power as I can get. So I want other people's opinion on a good starting point.

Which bring me to my next question. At what point does the service cost get outrageous. I am kind of under the impression that the line is anything over 700HP. I know that with any motor I'm going to have to have them serviced, but there has be be some rule of thumb that over a certain point it is going to be pretty costly.

I think that is it for now but if I think of something else I will post it.

Thank You

A good place to start in your size range i think is a 35 or 38 ft. I would think being new to big power and new hulls any thing over that and u will start getting in over your head. motors wise i think the money starts going up with the 500s. the 500 efis call for a top end around 300 to 400 hours i have been told. more hp more money when it brakes and better chances for that to happen. a 35 donzi zr or the 38 would be a good boat. with the 525s and up u would be able to put up good mph numbers. i love my 33 zx. is a little older from before the zr came out but with the 500 efis i have pulled 82 out of it. Now about the cats i cant give u anything there i will leave that to someone elce :) good luck

travel and do poker runs. you need to find out the size at which over the road hauling is not really doable. a 35 (your min) is already a semi-trailer length load. some big dually pick ups can handle that. your max of 49 is well into semi truck territory.

You said this will be your first big powerboat, have you ever owned a boat before? if not $200k is alot to spend and the size could be overwhelming, It would be great to have this size boat but it can also bring on alot of anxiety trailering and loading. JMO. 525 will be good power and I would go V bottom for your first go fast.

Hey Buddy Wanna Buy a Good Watch real cheap !
 

For a fist time boat owner wanting to do a few poker runs, this would be my recommendation:
Take this very nice Sunsation, put two Raylar 525 kits on the nice stock 496's and you would have a 90 MPH -2001 model performance boat for under $70K - $49K + 2 Raylar kits installed @$19K and you're ready to go! This would be a hard to beat deal ! In my opinion.

EBay Motors -powerboats item #180200829957

Sorry did not know how to do a direct link, maybe someone else here will.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

If you have never owned or driven a cat, insurance for one is going to kill you. There are many nice v bottom boats that will fill you need for speed.

I was exactly where you are 10 years ago. Some things I learned:
1. LOTO is different than anywhere for boating. If you want a V bottom, get a big heavy wave crusher and sacrifice a bit of speed. If you plan on boating the big weekends ( mem. Day labor day and the 4th of July, you will regret not owning a good riding boat. A cig. 38 or larger, 42 fountain, big Donzi, etc would fit the bill. I had a 35 cigarette and got along great but that was before the cruisers got really out of hand.
2. You will be docking the boat more than you will be running down the lake, therefore I do not recommend staggered motors in a V hull as it just makes docking that much more difficult, especially if your are new to this. Cats are a cakewalk to dock as the drives are so far apart it's just like driving a skid steer bobcat. If you have never driven a skid steer go find one...the similarity is very valuable.
3. If speed is of the utmost concern, cats are the way to go. That said, they have their own issues and I would highly recommend taking a perfomance boat course to get comfortable. With mild (easy to maintain) power you can go fast. Big cats get expensive though and they are wider to tow and dock.
4. If you want a cabin, a V hull is the only way to go.
5. I am used to hauling big trailers so it doesn't bother me to tow big boats. There are nice big ramps at LOTO so it's really not an issue. You just have to plan ahead.

With all that said if I were you I would look at a nice 38 Cig (cause I like them;) ) and go enjoy the he'll out of it! Then if you want bigger speed and you get a decent buy on the boat you can always trade up to more power/a cat on the future.
Just my personal experience, yours may vary.

If you don't know whether you want a 35ft V or a 50ft CAT then I think you need to do some research. You're criteria is so wide it is scary.

200k buys almost anything from a canoe to a 50ft Nortech.

Ask yourself some questions:

Am I going to Trailer
If so, do I have the appropriate truck
Am I going to overnight
How am I going to use the boat in general
What arrangement will I have for keeping the boat in the water (if any).
Are you comfortable jumping in a 50ft boat (or 35 for that matter) with no real experience

I'd bet that you can't even get insurance for a Cat. It's hard for me to imagine any insurance company whose underwriters have a product for "ZERO Experience, first time 50ft cat owner"

What have you ridden in? Usually a ride along is how I love or hate a boat. Thought some time riding shotgun would narrow most everybody's wants, needs, likes, dislikes?

Good luck

Lake Boat vs. Offshore,,,,,Hmmmm.

40 would be good MAX for lake, 400 ft good for getting caught offshore in a storm, and sometimes that won't cut it either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhBBbxY72Xc


This bad boy is 900 feet long and still not long enough or enough freeboard.


But then some would say the CV63 has entered Apache water.

First off, thank you everyone for replying.

I have read through the responses and feel in need to clarify some of my statements.

As for towing, I have a dually that sole purpose is for towing. And frequently tow a 45ft trailer, and have towed a lot of boats for friends and family. So I should be good there. Sorry for not mentioning that before. But yes I do plan on trailering the boat and towing it myself.

Yes, I have owned a powerboat before. My last boat was my biggest, it was a fountain that had 575sci. The problem with this was I didn't own it very long. I made the mistake of splitting the boat with a friend, we instantly butted heads, lets just say he had a different idea of what care and maintainance means for the boat. He didn't believe in it as much as I do. Even though I have been around boats my whole life and have owned them, I didnt want to get to big to fast. I'm at the point where I want to get as big as I can without going overboard (I know everyone has a different definition of overboard).

I have never owned a cat but have driven one (probably not enough for the insurance company to care about). Even if its a cat that has say 525, is insurance still going to be that much more than a v bottom?
But I do fully intend on taking a performance boating class. That is a great idea and I should of mentioned it on my first post.

I shouldn't of said up to 49ft, I have no intention of going that big. Truthfully up to this point the 38 and the 42 cig have been my front runners. But I have to admit I have always loved cats. But Im trying to figure out the point where power gets to expensive. I know that higher the power the greater of chance there is for something to happen and it cost more to fix. I'm trying to figure out where that point is. I didn't know if there was an unspoken rule that if you go over a certain point its going to be a lot more maintainance.

So let me answer Seafordguy's Questions:

Am I going to Trailer: Yes
If so, do I have the appropriate truck: Yes
Am I going to overnight: In the boat, probably not, but havent thought about it. Good question.
How am I going to use the boat in general: Relaxing with friends and family, and poker runs.
What arrangement will I have for keeping the boat in the water (if any). I have a garage that could store it, and I am currently looking at houses at LOTO.
Are you comfortable jumping in a 50ft boat (or 35 for that matter) with no real experience.: I do have experience but still have a lot to learn. Would I want to get into a cat and go 150mph, no (well yes but you know what I mean), but would I feel comfortable in a 35ft cat and going 100, yes probably after I got in it, and had some practice, and got a good feel for the boat. I love power and speed as mush as the next guy but Im not suicidal, and have no interest in hurting other people.

I am trying to do research that is part of the reason I am on here asking you guys.

But I would be interested in seeing a 200K canoe :eekdrop: 200K is my limit not my goal, that is what I saved to buy the boat. But I know I can get a lot of boat for that, that is why Im asking other people's opinions that have more experience than me.

I would definity try to avoid being on seas like that!

Just my 2 cts on towing. You can tow a longer V bottom boat and not get intoo a hassle with needing permits etc due to the beam of the boat. Cats are wider so therefore even a 35' cat could put you into the needing permits catagory. Wether or not you feel you need them, if theres an accident and you don't have them? Well you get it? Like others said, cat insurance being new to cats would be killer. It's great that you have a 200k budget for your boat purchase. Also consider what your anual boat operation budget might be as for maintenence, insurance etc. Fuel in your area is important too. With the big HP engines quality fuel needs to be available. Big HP engines need more tinkering with, blowers etc. Do your homework, theres tons of boats out there to fit your bill. Trick is finding the one that fits your needs. I'd love to have a bigger cat but for the boating I do it's not practical. My next boat will most likely be the same size just better comforts. It suits my needs perfectly.

I think a 38 cig would be the boat your looking for. 525s an do a survay. They draw a crowd an handle rough water well. Add a myco trailer an your set. Just make sure the headers are checked. Iv'e been in lots of boats over the years I'm 52 an the cigs is My choise. Artie

We have a couple of 37 Active Thunders listed in the OSO classified that fit your bill very well. I've spent time on my own personal 37AT on LOTO, and it does very well in the sloppy/choppy waters.

Drop me a line if you have any questions--happy to chat!

there you go, see if you can go for a ride in a AT. they ride nice in the rough too.The new 33 with 525s should hit 90. for 200 k or less there should be some nice deals.

It sounds like you really are wanting a cat. If it were me I would first call Sy Goldberg the insurane guru on here (total dollar insurane) and inquire about insurance cost/qualifications. Then find a boat with mild power and #6 drives to have a bulletproof drive train and spend the next couple years learning and having fun! Then when (not if :) ) you want to go faster and the insurance allows it, either upgrade the power or trade up to bigger power.
Just an opinion from a guy that isn't trying to sell you a boat or engine upgrades.

We usually have a nice assortment of boats here at Performance Boat Center, LOTO. Come by and see us.