Hi All,

I am finally in the market to purchase my first boat! I would like something around 20-23 feet. I really like the Donzi classic 22 and the Baja 232, but would like to know what else is out there. My budget is around $20,000 give or take a few grand. Thanks for your help!

Mike

it depends weather your a people person who invites the whole neighborhood or just a few friends because a 22 classic is really on suited for 4 people and a small cooler..it is the corvette of the water but the 22 has its limits..if it were me i would look for somthing bigger like a cruiser that you can stay over night on and not worrie about who's boat is faster then the other..
just my o2

thats what i figured with the classic 22, but it looks darn good! I would like to be able to invite a few friends, but do not need something to haul the neighborhood around on. I would like something that is decently fast and more reliable. The baja 232 boss seems like a solid option or the donzi 22zx. Any other suggestions would be great!

Nothing like a Formula!!!

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/boa/3140731356.html

I would look at the Velocity 22 also.

http://velocityboats.com/220.html

That Velocity is a Good looking Ride, but they limit the Factory Horses to 375 otherwise it voids the Hull Warranty. :-( No Fun!

Before I answer your question, I have a few for you:

1) How much boating experince do you have?

2) Where do you intend to use this boat?

she will go right along with 375hp

Personally I would go for something bigger. A 22 foot boat in most cases will be a rough ride and wont have much of a cabin..It also wont have drop down bolsters which are nice to have in rough conditions. I would look for a min of a 25-27 footer, single big block, drop out bolsters and a tandem axle trailer. You should be able to find something built between 1992-1997 within your budget.
Baja, powerquest, checkmate, donzi, formula, scarab are all boats I would look at. Just have them surveyed before you lay down the cash...I would look within 500 miles of wherever you live. Its worth the drive to get a solid boat within your budget.

i have many years of experience with small ski boats and a 21 foot sea ray.

I would be using the boat on fresh water lakes in Minnesota (lake minnetonka) and a few lakes in WI (Monona and Mendota).