Entry level boat
 

I was looking through the threads and noticed it has been awhile since an entry level thread was started. I'm wondering what the newest consensus is? I have about 12k cash and would finance the rest. I noticed people suggest a bone stock twin screw between 25-30'. Is that really feasible with someone that hasn't had a boat longer than a BR 22'? I'll be doing all maintenance myself, and I'm only wanting to hit 70. Any suggestions? I've been looking at the Powerquest, they seem to be a pretty decent boat. Thanks for any direction.

David

I went with a 288 sunsation , remember if you do a lot of trailering look at the weights of the boats and the capability of your truck.I would say most twin engine boats start about 6500lbs and no trailer. I went with a single due to truck size and less maintaince on the boat. After owning a single the upsides I can see with a twin is the ride and always being able to get back to the ramp if something happens and don't let anyone fool you size matters when water gets rough. This is the first boat I ever owned
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/...k/DSCF0174.jpg

Forsale

Don't think you could go wrong with a stock 496 Mag HO in a Velocity, Baja Outlaw, Checkmate or the 28' Sunsation. Buy the biggest boat with the biggest reliable power you can haul. Your goal is very realistic with many good buys out there. It's a buyers market. Check out the rates at Americu Credit Union. You can get around a 4.75% rate on a used boat 10 years old or less.

Love my Velocity 260 w/496 mag. Runs 70+ when needed, cruises at 50 sipping fuel. Very low maintenance, and being a Mercruiser not Merc Racing Blue motor, they can run upwards of 800-1000 hrs without major maintenance. Mine is just breaking in at 415 hrs. Easy on drives, easy to trailer. The Velocity 260 handles big water like a much larger boat. But does take a bit of seat time to really get it to perform and handle. The pad bottom does take a bit of getting used to, but once you do..... It is a ton of fun to drive and turns heads, because they do have a somewhat unique look.

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I suggest a 25 foot Predator with single 300XS http://predatorpowerboats.com/c25%20catamaran.htm

with $12K down, your monthly is $496

total package turnkey with trailer is $69,000

finance amount (less $12K) is $57,000

that includes:

aluminum I-beam trailer
PPI interior
300XS Merc Racing outboard
Dual Ram external steering


Check out this pic. This is a big 25 footer.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]504971[/ATTACH]

I'm not really looking into getting a new boat, only hoping to finance up to about 15k. I have a tuned and deleted f350 6.4, so size isn't really a problem. We don't have a whole lot of go fast boats, mostly bajas, scarabs, and a few formulas and powerquests.

I saw this http://killeen.craigslist.org/boa/3952246212.html and that is what got me looking. I did have another question, if I waited until the offseason would I get a much better deal with more choices?

69k for a 25 single outboard boat wouldn't be my first choice.

I too have a 280 velocity and can't say enough positive about it. We went to a run in Biloxi this weekend and it did awesome in the sloppy water in the gulf on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Coming back everyone was going slower due to the weather kicking up a bit. My velocity seems to smooth out the faster you run. Coming back we passed a 31 contender with twin 250's like he wasn't even moving. I know my boats faster, but I'm referring to the sea condition. He slowed down as I maintained 55-65 mph the whole 14 miles back to shore and seeing I just finished my boat and was being easy on the drive, I don't feel I was running the boat hard at all!


I love my velocity!!

For the money your looking to spend you can gets nice boat. Enjoy the hunt as its part of the fun to me.

Velocity, fountain, sunsation along with others are in your budget and are all nice boats!!

i would recommend a single for your first performance boat . 24 or 25 outlaw , 25 AT , 26 sonic , 25 or 28 sunny , anything like that .

There are a ton of nice boats that fit your bill in the classifieds on this site. If you know how to work on things dont be scared of an older boat that is In better condition than a newer ragged on one.

Now is a good time to start looking. Up North we are at mid to late mid season and prices will start to reflect that. Buying a boat at the twilight of the season has some great advantages for sea trial, price negotiation, etc.

Lol, the add says it goes 100 mph.

From a man on boat number 17, or so, start out with one that you can afford, that you can afford to take out each and every time you want and just have a f'n blast with. Owning a perf boat is all about the fun factor, If it just sits in the driveway, not a whole lot of fun. I have seen friends over the years get into some real cool chit that they could not afford to run, where is the sense in that?

Start out with a clean, well cared for single engine boat. Easy to maintain, somewhat easy on the wallet at fuel up time. Many out there these days will run you well into the 60's and even the 70's in some cases. Remember that the most important thing is the Fun Factor. Without that all is lost. I have always viewed my boating in light of "Am I having that much fun?"

Example here is this past weekend I was running with a close friend in some real mixed up slop, he runs 70ish wot, I'm 90 most days, just ran side by side with him all afternoon. We had more "fun" than I have had all season so far.

Yeah, I'm not really sure where he came up with 100.

I've been thinking of getting something a little older where i can just pay cash not worry about any payments. I really like the older style boats more so than the new ones, but I don't want to have to worry about the maintenance on something older. Really like the old formulas and chris craft speed boats of the 70's. I'll keep searching, maybe something will come available.

Last season I went from an 8' Achilles inflatable with 6hp on it (yep lol), to my first boat, a 28 Velocity with single 496ho and couldn't be happier. Goes 70mph, we tube off it, water ski, do an over night and it trailers easy. Engine isn't too bad on fuel taking everything into account.

Just take your time and find a clean, well maintained package. They are out there if you are patient. I drove 2400 miles to find a clean fresh water boat. I would do it again in a heart beat!

Good Luck

You're not going to find a 288 Sunny in your price range, Power Quest makes a great ALL AROUND boat, it does not do one particular thing great, but does everything really well. Handles the rough very well and are built solid. You can't go wrong with one as an entry level boat, go the PQ forum, lots of info and everyone there is willing to answer any questions you may have. Good Luck

I would give this guy $23k myself free and clear and he can keep the boat if it did 100. LMFAO, Do you guys think a step hull would be a good first boat for merkfalc? just sayin

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I think this 46" Skater would make a fine first boat.

Mid season? WTF is that?

Get an older formula SR-1..... !!!!!

http://www.kunkelsmarine.com/

Kunkels convincor 300

[ATTACH=CONFIG]504983[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]504984[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]504985[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]504986[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]504987[/ATTACH]I have a buddy with a 1987 Formula 242LS for sale asking 10K The trailer needs redone, It has a 454 with an Alpha drive. These pics do not do the boat justice. Randy

I like the older formulas, thinking about a 242 but I want one with a bravo for future upgrades. The SR-1 is pretty sweet, and I don't imagine it will lose much value. What do y'all think about just buying something with cash and no financing? Is it a good idea to find an older boat and just repair things as they break?

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/boa/3933275592.html This boat is really clean. It needs nothing done to it everything works. The last time I had the merc tool hooked up, it had 178 hours on it. If you want to upgrade it I also have a spare 502.

I will be taking some better pictures of the inside, the camera didn't like the sun

I will take 16k... You will not find one in better condition, It looks brand new

I would suggest something slightly smaller in the 26-28' range with a single BB.
There is not much extra room in a smaller hull when you start squeezing in two motors, which makes maintenance more difficult. Not to mention twice as expensive.
Find something with a 502 or 496. If it only runs 65 don't sweat it. It will have more room and comfort than your 22BR but you will not completely give up the ability to do water sports. (not that twins prevent watersports but they are far less common)

Get familiar with how a larger boat handles and swings at the dock then if you are financially ready take the next step into a 33ish with twins.

Mid/Late season is a great time to buy. People are motivated to sell, lake test is still possible (always lake test). You will be excited about the new purchase and probably use it later in the season anyway. It also gives you the winter to work on any bugs that are bothering you.

I just sold a 93 formula 271 Sr1 single 502 mag runs about 60 with the four blade prop it had
Good on fuel good looking boat lots of fun and can be found in good shape in the mid to upper teens in price
One of these would make a great first boat for someone.

Sounds like you need a 271 Formula with 496, 500, or 525. Just keep looking until you find the right one for the right price. Its a great single engine boat. I almost bought one upgrading from our '87 Formula 242LS. The 242 has a great ride for its size if you like it just be sure to get a survey because we had to fix a rotted transom. Instead of the 271 we ended up with a Baja 33 Outlaw which is a fine starter twin but yes its a twin.

As your first boat, I would definitely go with a single big block. I'm not disagreeing the benefits to having 2 motors, but 2 motors is twice the cost across the board. I have owned several single engine boats and 2 2 engine boats and am currently in a velocity 280 and I love it. It's got a blown 548 and a bravo Xr, it does 80+ when I want to and cruises at 50 and is relatively easy on the fuel budget. Good luck in your search.

Just an fyi on the financing. The Farm Bureau credit union has rates of 3.99% for 10yrs right now.

Don't know where you plan to boat, but you have the truck to pull a twin engine. Have you looked at the Baja 280's? 30 OLA with twins. Good boat for sloppy great lakes area's. Easy to drive as it is a straight v. Runs right around the 70 mark with 454 mags. Classic lines that you said you like and prices in the low 20's to high teens.

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/...airriver09.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/...ps13fbee5d.jpg

If I were buying an entry level boat, I'd look at how I was going boating.

If you are going boating alone, weekdays, or other times/places when there are not a lot of other boats out...
You need a single that is very reliable in both engine and drive. (This will probably be a newer and smaller boat and/or with lower hours)
or
A twin that is moderately reliable, enough that you could always idle home on the second engine/drive. (This will probably be a little larger boat, a bit older with more hours.)

I'd aim for something you will not outgrow immediately. My first was a 26' Sonic with a 500EFI. The boat handled water that a lot of others in that size range didn't do as well; and the power package was enough to excite me and keep me in it so I didn't rush into a 4-foot upgrade immediately.

Good luck.

Stretch of your budget definitely, but you will stay in this boat for a while:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o52485-en.html

26' Sonic in Texas and in budget:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o49080-en.html

I have a 25' checkmate convincor single 454mag for sale (nice boat)

I'll be boating with friends and family on lakes from 8500 acres to 139 square miles, lake waco to lake texoma. Wife wants a pontoon, but that just isn't going to cut it. Want to find a boat locally that will run at least 60 and hopefully 70. I want it to be able to be upgraded over time if I like the boat, or the ability to sell it easily if I decide to go bigger, smaller or whatever.

I haven't seen too many bajas that aren't decked out with some over the top graphics or some colorful interior. I like the checkmates, but I don't see them come up too often.

Thinking about a formula 252 BR. Not as fast I want, but I think it would make the wife happier and would allow to move up to a bigger boat in the future.

There is no question that powerquest's are great all around boats, I am a little bias though. 260,270 and 280's will all be in the 60-70MPH range, unless they have small power. Twins would be nice, but more expensive to run if you could find a nice 290 that would be a great boat. Here is the bad unless you live in the upper Midwest, mainly MI, WI and IL it is going to be hard to resell a powerquest unless you buy it at the right price.

So I have one last question. My wife is concerned that we will buy a boat and then never use cabin area. Is performance boat with two small children a stupid idea? How do y'alls wives and children feel about having a fast boat?

My wife and daughter love our boat. My daughter has been raised around performance boats.. Our Velocity 260 has a nice sized V-Berth bed for the wife and myself, and we put some cushions to connect the two couches and it makes the couches into a big bed for my daughter. the only time we spend in the cabin is when it is raining, sleeping or using the undersized port-a-potty.... My next boat will be a center console w/small cuddy. THis will actually be down sizing the cuddy part, but it is just a place to sleep... I previously owned an older Baja Force 250. While it was no speed deamon, it would ht 50 with a small block. The cockpit space was HUGE compared to most Performance boats. I truely miss the large cockpit, thats kind of why I am looking for a center consle. So if you like classic looking boats and can find a clean one, the older Baja's were really roomy. They handle big waterpretty good, but again won't be setting any speed records (even with a big block).

If you are planning on sleeping in the cabin during the summer in Texas, better have an A/C unit of some sort. Also consider the amount of room in the cabin you will need to sleep 4 and all your stuff. If your not planning on sleeping overnight, a small cabin will be fine.

Also consider financing a boat over 10 years old can be tough.

My wife and daughter love our boat, but doing 50+ and jumping over waves can freak them out if they are not used to it.

Most importantly, take your time and look at a lot of boats. There are a LOT of ragged-out boats out there, but there's also a few gems. Gotta be patient. Look for single owner boats that look sharp. If the prev owner keeps it looking good, they'll probably keep it running good too.

Insist on a test drive. Insist on a survey no matter how good it looks. Shy away from modified engines unless you're 100% SURE they know what they are doing. Look for funny wear patterns on the trailer tires. Make sure wife is happy.. If she's not happy, you won't be happy for long.

if you want to stay around the 12k mark, the older Baja sport 250/250 es/270 (all the same hull) are 27' and have allot to offer for the money. there was a amazingly clean one listed on LOTOs craigslist a few weeks ago for 12,900, if I didn't already have mine I would have been all over it, its already sold. there are allot of people on here that will tell you that you can not get a good boat for a small amount of money, if you do your research you can find some great deals. another boat worth looking into, and I know some people may disagree but a older mach 1 29 footer or the envision which is the newer version under a different company name, they may not be the fastest boats on the water but I have to say that they really pack allot of bang for the buck. my buddy has the 29 mach and we take it to the Ozarks for the shootout every year and it gets 6 full size guys around with no issues and plenty of space. I am amazed at the prices they sell for based on what they offer, tons of space for a family but like I said they are not super fast. I would almost call it a performance cruiser? I will say if you can find a single engine 27-29 I think you would be happy and away from wanting a twin since you are already close in size. I have thought about going bigger more time than I can count but for me the large single engine makes the most sense. good luck in your search

I actually agree with this despite being a big formula fan. Also consider the 235 and 265 force. Baja has a reputation for building big cockpits which is where you spend 95% of your time. The difference between the 235 force and 265 force is that the larger has basically the same cabin, but almost 2ft more cockpit space. The 250es is similar. Good old school lines and will run in the mid 50's or low 60's depending on the work done to the bbc. Good luck!

If you are stuck on twins.... A square window (older) formula 272 with 350's and alpha's will run 1000hrs if she gets good maintenance and has a huge cokpit, while being able to sleep you, the wife and both the kids in a pinch. Best part, is that in good running shape, those 350's will run into the 60's and have just a little room to work around. Cheap and easier maintenance

I know they're not a big ticket item on this forum but the older pachangas are solid boats, in your price range, and will do most of what you want.

There is a really sharp 27' pachanga w/twins at a marina down the road from me. It is all white with forest green sea ray graphics. While these boats don't appeal to me (style wise) they are solid runners and a nice cross between cruiser and go-fast.

Saw this baja on the dallas craigslist.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/3939059223.html

And this pachanga

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...anga-27-357747

The baja seems a little high looking at what all is available. Plus, something that old seems like rot would be a problem.

A member on the board offered up his '96 outlaw for 12K. Seems like a decent price but it doesn't have the mag and it seems like everyone recommends getting the mag motor.

The pachanga seems like a really good deal, but I can never get him on the phone to discuss it so I'm not sure about it.