I'm looking to get a new boat, but cant decide what to get. hopefully you guys can chime in with opinions or personal experiences.
the boat must seat 10 people. bowrider for extra space. between 22-25 feet in length. must do 65 mph+ and handle the big wavy water of the great lakes. the boat will be pulling wake boards and tubes most of the time, the speed is for me. but it must be able to handle rough water. i have been looking at late 80's checkmates with 250 merc on the backof 21 foot boats. speed is there but, but not the seating. i dont know if they will handle the wavy water. i see the checkmates and big bass boats in one of the bigger lakes i visit(simcoe) the bow is pointed to the sky and they are not going fast. they must be getting pounded. i keep seeing a tuff 21 in the lake but i never see him going fast.

i have concentrated on baja islanders in the 24' range with a 496 or 502. i was told to look at eliminator and cougar boats as they have large bowriders. but i dont know if they will handle the rough water. can anyone comment or make a suggestion?

Seating 10 people comfortably - and legally - in even a 25' open bow is going to be tough. (Unless of course we're talking midgits here.) There are any number of boats that will handle Lake Ontario in the 22' - 25' range, but putting 10 people in one on an average Lake Ontario day would get pretty scary.

most of my time will be in lake simcoe, big lake and 1-2 foot rollers is normal. plus crusier wakes and what ever else comes at you. i had 11(4 adults and 7kids) in my 22.5' crownline bowrider last weekend. it was fine...capacity of 12 or 1725 lbs. just need more speed. 300hp 454 just doesnt cut it. i could rebuild(mod) the enginge, but im wondering if there is a better hull?

How about a Donzi 28ZXO will have the speed you want, the space and better rough water capability.

I would NEVER be looking for more speed with 7 kids aboard. But thats just me....

I think your expectations will not be met by much of anything, unless you get a tri-toon. Too many people for a bowrider IMO, regardless of the rating.

If you really need the speed, pick up a toon and get a fast boat on the side. You're also looking at old boats, so I assume money also figures prominently into the equation. You'll ultimately be safer, and so will everyone else, in a large, well-made bowrider from the likes of Cobalt, Formula. Perhaps a center console. You need a substantial boat, and speed should be your number 5 or 6 item on the list.

Budget would be helpful because you are looking for something that doesn't exist.... so it's a matter of getting close.

This is like the old systems triangle. Good Fast Cheap. You can pick any two. You can't have all 3.

Get a pontoon with a 525 in it. should do 60 no problem...

I think he is saying that he wants a boat to go fast to satisfy him and a boat that he can pack full of people/kids. But, not at at the same time. In other words he will go fast without the kids. At least that is the way I read it.

Not sure how much you're willing to spend. 2750 LaveyCraft fits your exact description. Awesome in the rough and will seat 10, albeit 5/6 of the 10 should be kids. Kick them off and go have fun doing 70 mph.