Looking for advice on next boat
 

Hey Guys,

I've been running my '86 26' Nova II for a couple years now. I like the boat and how it handles, and I have been working on cleaning up some cosmetics. Its got 2 stock 260hp 350s and fresh Alphas spinning 3-blade cleaver props. Overall I am happy with the boat but looking for more speed. I have been searching and reading up all over here about the hull and I know the fact is these aren't built for speed but it was a good introduction into this style boat. I know I could build some ridiculous engines and get into the 70's with it, but I'll never get anything out of it since it is a 26yr old boat.

So, with all that said, I want to start saving towards the next new boat. I know of all the big names, cigarette, hustler, outerlimits, etc that I could go with but we are all on some sort of budget and I have to be realistic with my other hobbies. I would like to get something capable of the speed ranges 70's-90's at least built in the mid 1990's or later. I want it to be able to operate in those ranges safely and still be fun for family and friends. It also needs to be towable and I am thinking no more than 35' or so long.

What sorts of hulls do you guys recommend? I would be boating in mainly rivers and occasionally a bay on the east coast. I've got a 1 ton dually so towing won't be an issue. Please let me know if I am overlooking something or if you guys need any other info from me.

Thanks for all the help and information that has been provided so far and I look to this site constantly for good advice friends.

-Josh

If you are going to be boating on rivers and in bays just about anything will work. You have the truck to tow just about any boat so this should really come down to price and style. Getting over 70 mph is easily done with most twin screw boats. Baja, powerquest, nordic, fountain...Take your pick.

Sunsation 32 Dominator might be something to look at. On most boats that are in the 30-32 foot range you could probably get into the 70's with twin small blocks. Cheaper and more dependable than a big block, IMO.

Thanks!
 

Thanks, I'd say price I would like to keep no more than 20K if that is possible. I know at this price there may be some work needed on the boat, which will be fine. Knowing that the speed bug bites (hence the current upgrade) would there be one better over the other in terms of approaching the higher end of the range? I accidently limited myself with the Nova in terms of speed and handling and I wouldn't want to do this again. Would a scarab be a good option, or should I stick to some of the others listed?

find an older 33 fountain.

Formula 272/292/311. Some of the best construction and quality. Low 70's isn't hard but they will run stable well into the 80's. The fountain 10m is going to be fast, but a bit less family friendly from a space aspect I think. The baja's aren't quite the quality of the fountain or formula, but they generally have large cockpits for their size, making the good for entertaining.

For 20K you are probably looking at something pre-1990, if you are wanting to be over 30 feet. Either that, or something with a ton of hours and wear and tear on it.

Other considerations...
 

Well, here is where I stand now. I am happy with the boat we have (nova referenced in original post) I am just wanting some more speed. I would say 26-29 would be OK It doesn't need to be over 30 as what we have now is fine space wise. I know some brands have more or less cockpit space, and I would say that is the area that is key for us. The cabin is only used to get out of the sun for a bit and to store stuff for day trips.

I know the Nova hull isn't really designed to be a speed setter, and from what I have read getting it into the 70's would require some big $$$ motors or conversion to big blocks. This is why I started this search for the next one.

What would you guys say is a good budget for something that is safer at speeds of 70+ not trying to hit 90s really, just be decently quick on the water. Trying to keep it in the mid 1990's I guess as I know anything over 2000 will be way out of my budget.

Older Velocity.
This sold last year for low 20s.
http://s359.photobucket.com/albums/o...30%20Velocity/

I think you need to adjust your budget to $30K minimum for a 26ft+ boat capable of 70+.

Formula, Baja, Fountain, Power Quest, are all boats that could be in your price range and year. All could get you to low to mid 70's. You start talking 80 and above your start talking big money.

Thats a good point 24ft and under you could do 20 but 26-30 will require a up to 30. I bought a 91 fountain twin 454 goes 70 3 years ago and was right at 30, now that same boat your still talking 25ish. 20 will probably not do it, but under 30 will.

Good Points
 

First off, I want to thank you guys for clearing up the budget, I wasn't really sure what that number would be and picked it on a limited search of what I thought was a good sample of boats. Looking back they were probably a little more "used" than I may want and were def. high hours.

One thing I hadn't considered was a smaller boat. So we went from a 19' cuddy to a 26' Nova II and saw little change in cockpit space,a minor change in speed and then a bigger cuddy/cabin. I hadn't thought of a 21-24' boat with enough power to run 70's and also wasn't sure if my running conditions would allow that for a comfortable ride. Any thoughts or opinions on this? Obviously I'm not running 70's with the family on board, but if my wife and I wanted to go out and run a bit would this be comfortable in this size boat? Our 19' was pretty rough riding at its 40's top speed.

a 21 ft boat going 70 would be insane and probably much the same on a 24 unless you got a better hull like in a powerquest or Baja. Remember you get what you pay for, all used boats have issues I dont care if it was bought yesterday or 20 years ago. Chances of a newer boat having issues should be less, but also with am older boat some issues might have been replaced already because of normal wear and tear where say a 5 year old boat could be coming up on some its natural life span repairs.

Personally for what you are talking I wouldnt go under 24ft. You could find a 24-27 boat all day for around 20 in a 90 or newer that goes 70 with something like a formula, checkmate, or baja. I would really set your goal for 70 as any higher than that you are talking above your budget and maybe your taste for maint cost

One thing to keep in mind you get towards 30ft in length you start talking needing a 3/4 ton truck/diesel to safely pull your boat.

I'd probably stay in the 25-27ft range. I mean true length. 27 fountain, 28 powerquest, 25AT, 25 Powerplay, 27 formula, 26 Hustler, 25 sunsation.