need help with boat choice
 

hey guys looking at buying a new boat sold my scarab 22 and looking to upgrade. i lve in the clearwater beach, fl area so the gulf of mexico. it can get rough at time out here but usually not to bad. so here are my choices.

1996 sunsation aggressor hp 500 rebuilt to a 540 600 hp full hyd streering, imco lower its a nice set up $ 17,000

2004 nordic rage 496 whippled $ 30,000 < ------ leaning more towards this boat so far

1997 thru 2004 sunsation 288 single engine and im sure it will be supercharged 28,000 to $ 34,000 i know the boat will ride better because of the lenght.


any comments on the boats finished, quality, ride, pros and cons would be great

If you need someone to go on a water run with you I can help there lol.


I have heard great things and seen the Sunsations in action and they are great. I have never even been on board a rage so really all I know is what I have read. They look great and are more lake boats but that doesn't mean they can't handle the gulf fine.

Have a 25' Powerplay for $25k if that's in your budget. Currently its in MI but shipping shouldn't be too bad. Great boat for what you are looking for.

Agressor is a great 24' boat. Check the transom and stringers for moisture. Know nothing about the Nordic. I do not like nor reccomend a 288 and would not buy one.

Just my opinion but if I were to make a short list from all of the above suggestions it would be a very short list- the 25' Powerplay and done....

Is the sunsation the one for sale on US19 in the back of car lot?

joe its Aaron. kevins brother i do your insurance. yes it is that sunsation the bad thing about the sunsation is i know nothing about the motor except for the motor was rebuilt.

whats so special about the power play and whats so bad about the sunny's

also pm me some info on the power play i maybe interested.

Hey Aaron, let me know what ever boat your looking at and I can take a look at the engines for you!!! At least you have an inside deal with a engine shop....lol

I've owned both. Difference in quality is evident. PP was made for salt. Sun was made for lakes. I could go on butI'll stop before the sunny guys take offence...

Go twins!! Lol. I like the twins especially touching open water because you can almost always get back on one. In a lake or river no biggie because of the bank. In the open the other bank is a long ways away!! I have a 272 twin small blocks and love it.

No offence takin, Just remind me to B!*** slap ya next time I see you. LOL, I would agree that the PP was a salt boat.

Is that 496 built? If not its a ticking time bomb...

i like the power play but im not totally sold on the full sit down style. thats the one thing i hated about my scarab 22 was the small cuddy. i would assume the 496 ho is stock are they not a good motor in the stock form with low boost?

also can someone shed some light on why the 288 is a bad choice? they look like they run nice and can take some good chop.

Keep it!

The sunny doesn't feel any bigger than Neil's 25 when you see them in my opinion. I've only ridden with a sunny in a group, not in one, but they seem to ride like a Fountain in anything more than chop. They aren't real big as they are including swim platform in measurement. They are pretty good looking though.

Also if you can find an AT 25 they are big 25's and have a great rep.

288 isn't a "bad" choice and would likely work just fine but for the worst of days. But then your not likely to be out there anyways lol.
As for sitdown I wouldn't have it any other way! My 29 has drop out but never use em. As long as a boat is properly designed for it sit down is the way to go. Your 22' was probably like my 20' awesome and felt like I was sitting on the floor. Hated it

Thanks for the plug lol. We must have been typing at the same time.

Ha! Your new paint looks nice. Hope to be on the water soon. You doing any of the Wed pokerruns?

Thanks, Tryin to put a crew together for the 26th but we have LSCR the next day. Definitely still workin on it.

I would steer clear of a whippled (or any type of boosted) 496 unless the owner has a pile of receipts for internal engine upgrades and professional installation and dyno tuning.

The Aggressor would be my choice if it's clean, half the price and the right hardware, assuming it was properly built.

496 HO is a good motor in the stock form, But not the greatest if tinkered with.

The 288 is a great boat! I searched long and hard at most mfgs before making my purchase. There are distinct differences pre '05 vs 05+ hulls. They handle water conditions great. On plane quickly. Outstanding rigging and not to mention factory support.

Don't be gun shy to take a look at one or even take one out for a sea trial if you're interested.

Still today, if you put a PP in front of me and a Sunny, I'd take the Sunny. I like chevys but i drive fords. It's all in what you like and what meets your individual interests and/or needs!

I would say get a stand up/bolster boat only around here. Unless it was a big cat I can't see a sit down only boqt being fun in these parts. Nothing against them but it seems like a lot of the fun and enjoy is lost with them.

those pistons are going to explode...

I definitely wouldn't get a 25' sunny over a 28'. They are pretty well built, but are very small boats. They have flip up bolster seats but you will stick out like a hard on in sweat pants if you are over 5'6" and standing up. They ride good for a 3000lb 23' boat, which is what they are. Even a 24' outlaw would be a better choice. The outlaw is twice the size and will ride better than the aggressor. The build quality of the baja isn't even close to the sunny or PP though.

Judging by your avatar, you have an open bow, for what you're doing a PP or similar boat would be overkill. If at any point in your boating someone could safely ride up front get a stepped/pad boat w/ amenities and space for sure.