30-33' powerboats?
 

Not planning on this happening anytime soon but I like to dream and have something to look forward to. That being said, I love my 25 Outlaw but I obviously want to eventually upgrade to twins at some point and would appreciate any opinions. I think my next boat will need be in the 30-33' range due to driveway space and budget. I have looked at the 30 Outlaw, 33 Outlaw, 32 Sunsation Dominator and 32 Active Thunder. I like all of these boats however I am concerned with some of the older models needing motor upgrades soon after purchase. Are there any other models I should be looking at? What are your opinions of the listed boats? We mostly boat on a smaller lake with occasional trips to LOTO. I know that even a boat that size will not quite be adequate for LOTO but it will be better than what I have now. Thanks in advance.

33 Powerplay!

33 outlaw. You will love it

+1 on the 33 PowerPlay. Also, a 30 Activator is a pretty mean boat that can handle rough/choppy waters, but it is more of a sit-down (single-engine) style boat.

33 AVS Scarab 33 Powerplay & 38 Fountain!!

I am looking in that size, need it to handle the gulf, and want twins....here is what we are shopping or have found that seem to be great soild boats.

31' Sonic
32' Sunsation
33' Donzi ZX (boat is a big 33 though)
35' Fountain ( running surface is on par with low 30' boats)
35' Hustler
32' Active Thunder

All seem to be in a near price range of one another give for take for fit and finish of some boats.

I have spent a lot of time on a Donzi 33zx and it definitely is the biggest 33 out there both in size and feel. It runs like a 38.

Don't forget about the 30' Cigarette as well.

Only issue here is they are like gold. I think the cheapest one around is still over $70. Beautiful boat though.

32 Active thunder

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PREDATOR POWERBOATS

motors: twin outboards or twin small blocks V-8 I/O

C30 Open Predator ( w/cabin )
C30 Canopy ( w/cabin )
C306 with Aero wrap-around windshield ( w/cabin )


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[ATTACH=CONFIG]502006[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]502007[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]502008[/ATTACH]

I think some of these may be way over my presumed price range. I am wanting a newer, say 2002-2007 boat. Also, I think the left hand drive Fountains may not be my thing even though I have never driven one.

I guess I should also say that for my wife and I and hopefully some kids soon I think I want to stay with a v-bottom over a cat.

What rough budget area?

You kind of sound like us. Our MUST are....

V-Botom only
Stand up/Bolster boat
twins
30'-33'
1999+
EFI engines (strong preferance but not in stone)
No blower Eng

PowerPlay 33 would be top of my list

I'm in your same boat! Lol want a bigger one!! I have a 29.5 scarab that's all been redone motor to interior! and love the Scarab cuts ruff water well, boats nice room, cabins or fair for the price, and I do have kids (2)but for my price rang I want the 33 AVS big boat for what it is and cuts some good seas! Just my .02!!

Basically exactly what I'm after. I'm imagining I will have to stay under $70-80k max. Also, if you guys own any of these, would you mind posting the length on trailer? I have to store in my drive on a trailer so overall size is a factor.

Nice. You are a touch higher than us. We are staying away from banks or loans so that puts in the $60k MAX area.

If you can stretch into $70k-$80k a 30' Cig is a GREAT boat.

As stated though, that is presuming that my income increases and we never know what the future will bring. Like I said, just day dreaming for now but trying to focus my efforts so I have a good idea when the time comes.

34' Powerquest would make an excellent choice for rough water and family fun

I moved up from a 25 Outlaw 3 years ago. Went through the same process you are. My needs were for twin 496 Ho's (reliability), ability to do 80mph with a load not just empty. Ended up with a 2007 32 Sunsation. Great boat that we have enjoyed immensely. There are some other good recommendations above but it may be difficult to find a late model in good shape. Have fun with your search.

this one just came to mind....94' 283 Checkmate Convincor (click on link)

for the price i think its a nice reliable boat, its 30' and a great hull. i have been on a few and they run strong

33 Powerplay. Tough to find but not impossible...

My wife and I love our Sutphen. There aren't too many around but if you can find a nice updated one it is definitely worth a look. Roomy, handles the rough very well, and reasonably priced. Ours is 31' but they also make a 33/34 if you are looking for slightly bigger. The 31 handles rough water like its much bigger though. Very family friendly cabin as well.

Superboat Y2K is nice

33 outlaw. Huge cockpit and does everything else great.

You go any bigger you wont be able to fit in our tiny lakes... LOL

Yeah but all or small lakes are ruff as hell for or little boats, lol especially Conroe lol!!

Really liking the Sunsations the more I look at them. Do all the 32 AT's have the exhaust on top of the swim platform? This seems like a strange design to me.

Disregard that AT question. Not sure which boat I was looking at but it wasn't an AT. I wish there were any used 33 AT's in my price range.

A few of the 32ATs did actually have the exhaust above the platform, depends on the year and engine/exhaust config.

You're right. Just found it again on a 99's that's for sale in OK.

I would have to put a 33 Powerplay at the top of the list. Has the best ride in that size of boat I have been on.
Next would be the 33OL tons of room and far more freeboard than the Powerplay. Ride is a little rougher but handles water well.
The AT would be pretty equal to the 33OL in size a water handling, not as much room in the cockpit thought.
The 32 Sunsation is nice boat, but I have only been in one in flat water. It is far smaller than a 33OL. I ran with one in Lake Michigan one time when it was tossing 4' and it was getting thrown all over the place. Actually the guy turned around and went back in.

Having spent fair amount of time in 32ATs and friend/neighbor's 33Baja, I will strongly disagree with the statement of similar ride quality. I'm not knocking the Baja; as I really do like the large cockpit and layout; but the AT will handle the rough water better--hands down. They are both 24 degree deadrise hulls measured at the transom, but bottoms are completely different.

Also, make sure you take into account the ease of working on any boat in that size range; i.e. changing out a SWP impeller. There are some boats in this size range (with twin BBC) that you literally could not pay me enough to try and attempt short of pulling an engine.

My 32 AT is about 38'-38'6" on the trailer. I have extension boxes so that does add about 8" at the stern.
You can buy mine and have plenty of leftover $$$:D :D

All but mine :D:D

1997 was the last year of the flat transom. This allowed me to have a custom platform made to go over the exhaust tips/mufflers.
Here is an in water pic

I dont see a latter to get on that platform. Defently could be a pita. But good idea.

31 sonic! Big enough for big water (lake michigan) not too big for smaller lakes/rivers. Plus the cabin is unmatched in this size boat.

April 1st was the one year mark for me. I moved up from a Baja 252, to a 342. (342 and 33 OL have same hull)

LOVE the move. the hull handelsd the bigger water great. the room in the cockpit is hands down awesome. its HARD to beat.

Hard to knock a 32 Sunsation. They are really bling out, especially over the past few years. Just make sure you look at true waterline length when comparing these boats.

32 AT
32 Sunsation
33 Donzi ZX
33 Scarab
33 Powerplay..

...are all quite noticeably different in size. There are also 3-4 different 32' Sunsation hull/deck model combinations over the years; Dominator, Innovator, S/SS, XRT. Good luck with your pursuit!

My recommendation...33 Scarab AVS. I bought a 99 last July and love it. Has 502 Mags...handles any water great..has the twin step hull and great performance. Cabin has AC and shore power. My wife and I like to overnight. Previous boat a 252 Formula and found really to samll for where we boat (Chesapeake Bay, Va Beach) There are several on line for sale 99-2000 from 48K to 65K I think. Good luck with your search.