Need help choosing the best boat
 

I've been reading the forums for a while and found a bunch of information, but I figured I would post for some specific opinions.

Over this past winter I had a second child join the family so I am looking for something with a bit more space than my current Stingray 658zp 21' cuddy. While I'm upgrading I'd also like to get myself into something for the long haul that will hold up well. So far I think I have the following criteria:

- as much space in the cockpit as possible, room for my wife and I along with 2 children, occasionally a couple friends
- 25' - 28'
- single I/O
- good in rough water, I want to be able to run across Lake Ontario to Toronto, with a group
- cuddy for the kids to nap in

I have a budget of roughly 20k and have been considering the following though some aren't available in the price range
- formula 271, probably an sr1
- donzi zx 26
- wellcraft Excalibur 26

I've considered the 25' Sunsation and active thunder, but they are tough to find in this price range.

If you have any opinions or recommendations on what to look for I would really appreciate it. I spend most of my time on the finger lakes, but as mentioned if like to be capable of running Lake Ontario.

Thanks,

Craig

Personally I would stay away from a 25 Sunsation. A 25 Active Thunder will be hard to find for 20 but the formula and possibly a 25 Baja Outlaw or a 251 checkmate

The zx r relly roomy and varry well built boats. I love my 33 but would be out of your price range but the 26 would fit your needs

Regarding the formula 271's, when they changed to the Fastech hull, was there still much wood used? I have seen a few for sale at lower prices that seem too good to be true. If I knew the hull was sound on something like that it seems like it may be worth takeing a risk.

Checkmate 251 could be had in your price range.

Sunsation 25 is a nice but small boat

A Formula 242 may be another option. They are pretty roomy for a 24' boat. Quite a bit more room than the Sunsation 25.

I would guess that a 271 Formula Fast tech in the $20000 would be pretty rough.

I would also consider a Baja they are usually a bit cheaper to buy than the other brands.

I'd be willing to spend closer to 25k if it got me into something I really liked. Not sure how much that really helps from what I have seen.

If you could find a 26 Hustler in good shape, they were good rough-water boats. They're tough to find, but a couple of Long Island built brands such as Superboat and Progression handle rough water very well.

Make sure you "use the same yardstick". Some boats have a molded in swim platform and count that as overall boat length when it's really not.

The "25" Sunsation is really a 24x7 hull, which is only 23' and change long. (There are many derivatives of the 24x7 hull. You can search "24x7" here on OSO for more info.) They are great boats, but they are not of the same size as say a 24/25 Baja or Checkmate, 25 Active Thunder, 26 Sonic, 26 Hustler; etc. even though the naming convention might make you think so.

Be certain you check out plenty of boats, Sit in them. Crawl through them. Ride them if possible with out wasting a seller's time.


Another couple threads to read:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...at-advice.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ion-sonic.html

A 283 checkmate could fit your needs, the same mold they use for the 300 now. It has a good size cockpit and cabin and from being on Lake Ontario the 283 has a much smoother ride than the 251s do.

Not mine, but maybe/possibly could be bought close to your price range...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-SONIC-2...wer_Motorboats

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!:whistle:

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?

these look like decent deals
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/4482251907.html
http://chambersburg.craigslist.org/boa/4487813242.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/boa/4517105642.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/4524982925.html

They are actually pretty easy when it comes to maintenance. Valve springs were the only issue. You're not going to get a big cockpit in any 25-27 foot boat. Powerquest probably has the biggest cockpit in that class

I just bought a 271 fastech and its a lot of boat. Mine has the 502 Mag, but have seen them with just about all power. Its a solid boat, and you might could snag one up for 25k. I paid a bit over that, but mine was super low hours and indoor stored its whole life.

I'm going to look at a 271 sr1 this weekend that has been repowered with a 496ho. What should I look for on this particular boat? Are their any known problems to be aware of?

Performance boat and "roomy Cockpit" don't really go hand in hand. Roomy is a relative term in the performance world, especially in the 25-26' range. If you want a really roomy cockpit, you can get some decent performing large bowriders or something like the Formula Sunsport line. But if you want a true performance hull, you are pretty much stuck with 2 bolster seats and a rear bench for 4 or maybe 5 people. You can also look at the mid cabin/open bow models from the likes of Sunsation or Nordic. They offer some compromise between a bowrider and a performance boat. Another model to consider is the Donzi 28 ZXO. They are rare but a nice ride.

Looks like a nice deal on a good size boat.

Not so. Great motors outside the valvesprings. I love mine. 500 hp out of a 502 isn't too much stress on the motor in my opinion. Rebuild at 4 to 500hrs.

i have a 25 AT for sale not 20k but open to offers...

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o57596-en.html

What are the thoughts on this boat? It has more hours on it than I would prefer. I s that a valid concern?

What about a baja 272, family friendly boat handles chop good all around versatile boat

+1

A PQ 260SX has a large cabin and cockpit for it's size. It's a 62mph boat, THAT'S IT, however, the boat does EVERYTHING really well, it's good in the rough, and handles well. You can definitely get one that's in your price range.