What would you buy?
A little about myself.
I live on the water in Sunny California's Delta.
Nearest restaurant by water is 20 minutes away driving 40mph in ski boat on a calm day. San Francisco... Well I haven't tried it in any of my current boats because it can get to be 3-5ft white caps in a hurry but it's 1.5 hours driving by car. It's not uncommon to get 10-15 mph winds most of the summer. Most of my trips would be 2-3ft white caps 45 nautical miles to grab some grub. I have put at least 50 plus days a year on the water for the past 25 years. Without even bending a prop. Ok maybe one or two dings. But I don't abuse **** and pay attention.
I have been dreaming of Daytona Eliminator since 2000 when I took my first trip to Havasuu. Everybody seem to have 25 footers. Now that I have the fishing boat, family wakeboard boat, it's time for Daddy's toy.

40% of the time there will be 3 of us in the boat
40% of the time there will be 6 for us.
20% however many we can fit.
Oh wait 5% of the time 2 of us.

Speed I would like to cruise 65-70 mph. But I am a dude so, hitting the 90 mark would be cool. Let's all be honest, once your going that fast do you wish for triple digits. Let me know if I'm kidding myself. I'm pretty mechanically minded.

I'm now thinking 27 or bigger daytona. I saw a newer 30ft sell for the high 60k recently. I was thinking single engine custom built motor.

Oh and I have a buddy that has a 29 fountain with stock motors and thinks he's super cool. So I really wouldn't want him passing me. I'm not opposed to older boat or deep v. Just looking for some input.

Once again my thought was 27-30 daytona single engine. I can always add charger or swap motor in future. Thinking final motor around 700 hp. I usually get a 20k bonus twice a year. Is there any V hulls worth looking at to reach my goals.

Just seems the cat hulls get's you more speed for the money. Is this a poor assumption? And how much ride comfort am I giving up with the cat hull or v hull?

This isn't a drill. I'm actually gathering data to make a decision in the next couple of months.

Thanks for any input.

My immediate reaction would be to get something with twins if you are going to be running "offshore." A 27 Daytona will get pretty small pretty fast in 3-5s...and although you can get a reliable 700 hp motor, why not get some stock power twins in a 30+ cat?...you'd blow the Fountain away and never have to worry.

My second reaction would be to tell you to look at my classified ad...lol...

My Fountain runs 85 (probably get a bit more playing with props)...its a FUN boat to drive, even on flat water...and you can run through 3-5s and not kill yourself or your crew. HOWEVER...fitting 6 people in there would be about the limit of comfort...the cockpit will not allow for more safely.

I too like the eliminator boats, but from what I gather they are better suited for small lakes and rivers. I've never been in one, but see them all the time were we boat and I'm not sure I would want to be in 3-5 footers with that boat. I've only seen the 27 and smaller so maybe the 30 would work great?? If your boating area has a constant chop and 3-5's regularly I would look for 35' and up. I've never been in a 35-38 lightning, but I absolutely love that boat!!!! I understand they are pretty good in the rough and fun in chop. Are capable of the speeds your are after. In this economy I'm sure you can get into one with your budget. What year....I don't know. Ultimately, a newer 35 lightning with staggered 525 efi's would be sweet. I think that boat and motor package is capable of 90's. I love that boat and hope to have one at some point. :-)


Good luck! Looking for and buying a boat is a ton of fun.

A 30 Daytona would be perfect and most are built with twins. Since they are a california boat there are more out there. They will handle 1-3 foot chop fine. Lets face it a 5 foot chop is STOUT and needs a Stout boat. There are used 38 Top Guns out there for 65k and they will handle that.

Wannabe

Being that it's going to be run "offshore" I would look to a twin engine V-hull as anything in a "Cat" style boat that will handle 3'-5' chop will most likely exceed the $65k mark.

Is this boat going to be towed, marina, or docked? This will matter for size and what your towing with.

I am right in your budget area as well and STICKING to 27'-30' with twins. I don't want to buy another truck just to tow my boat and I don't want to sell my current truck for something that will tow it but I don't want to daily drive. Make sure and look into things like this as well as many people over look them.

i met a guy last summer with a (dont quote me) 30 -32 eliminator V with a pr of merc 500's in it. bad ass boat that ran 90ish. looked like it had nice room in it too. he loved it and it looked great sitting in the water. sharp boat. i thought he said there werent alot of them made tho

Are you only looking for a i/o boat ? If not i would look at 28 Skater that will do all that your're asking for (3-5 will be bumpy though) It might take a while to find one at that price (unless you bump up like $10k) but that would be an awesome choice and will always have your money there as well

Thanks for the feed back. Just so I'm a little more clear. I won't be going outside the Golden Gate Bridge other then a couple of pics. So I'll be in the bay, which can still get pretty nasty. I would say 3 foot chop would be the norm where I live and the majority of my travels.

Yep you're right there is a bunch of boats in that price rage. I don't think that helps my thought process. Haha

I just started looking at skaters, there not cheap.

Sounds like everybody is on the two engine bandwagon. I'm listening.

And bigger is better. Just seems the bigger I go the bigger the engines need to be meet my goals. But I still listening.

thanks again for all the feed back seems like a great community.

Nice boat. What did you buy to replace her? I can't buy red it would clash with my house colors. lol