I have 2000 - 280 Velocity with a Mercruiser 454 HO MAG - Bravo Performance Drive in great shape - turn key after I put a whole impeller kit in - price $27.5K. I know your price range was lower than this but maybe something to think about it.

272 Baja, 25 Outlaw, and might be able to find a 27 Formula if budget is upper $20s.

Thoughts on this:

http://rochester.craigslist.org/boa/4502184158.html

27 fountain i was talking with the owner the conversation was in the 24k area
http://newlondon.craigslist.org/boa/4519918742.html

Formula single good boat beat down the price a little for just in case money!

Just bought a checkmate 251 in april and completely happy with it. and can be had for less than 20g for sure

Agree with the 25' bajas. We had a 25 ol coming out of a 22.5ft larson. What a difference, sucked up 1-2 chop where the larson felt every ripple. Full 25ft riding surface and in your budget.

That would be a great first boat for you.

Usually, when you have a "blue" (Mercury Racing) motor, one likes to see full Hydraulic Steering. But at the speeds that boat will see; (70mph tops), you are fine without it. Such would be a nice upgrade for you one day though.

Only thing I would be certain of is that the valve springs have been replaced on that motor. The original springs on those motors were only good for 200-250 hours, tops before getting weak and or snapping. It's not a bad job, and a mechanic that knows what he is doing could do the replacement without pulling the motor.

Remember: Fountains are ~3 feet shorter than "advertised" length. ~1 foot of beak, ~2 feet of swim platform, and some have notched transoms.

The 27' Fountain and the 28' Checkmate are not comparable.

Thanks for all of the input, I have heard that the blue motors are very maintenance intrinsic and should be avoided. Also, I recently looked at a 251 and the cockpit was pretty tight, would a 25' outlaw have more interior space?