Which boat should I buy??????
 

I will be buying a boat later this year (For next season). I am looking for something around 25' with a single engine big block. It needs to sleep 2 adults and a 3 year old. Budget is around $15,000 - $25,000 depending on financing. Should have around $8,000 to put down on it. I have never owned a speed boat before and not sure how the different models handle. I will be using the boat in the Chesapeake bay and surrounding rivers. Of course I want it to be fast too! Here are some models that I think would work for me. Please feel free to comment and share you experience.

Sonic prowler - nice looking, roomy cabin, and matches my father in laws 45' SS

Checkmate 251 - roomy cabin, nice lines, and fairly cheap, have heard they porpoise a lot at cruising speed

Baja outlaw 24' - good looking boat, but so many people have them. Not much cabin room

Velocity 22' - to small

Cigarette 25' - heard good things, but can't find any

Donzi - not sure what models are around 25'. Nice boats, but really expensive

Anybody have any opinions on these boats or some other ones I should look into? Hopefully I won't have a problem financing. My credit score is above 700.

I would add 25 outlaw to your list. Nice cuddy and room. I sold my 99 25ol last spring for less than 25!

Never knew they made a 25' outlaw! I'm a newb to speed boats lol. I googlem the images and looks like a nice boat. Definitely worth adding to the list. Thanks.

You might think about adding a couple more to your list the bay can get rough at times, like a 25 Thunder or a 24 Pantera,

I know. I used to have a Bayliner 21' trophy. That was fun in the bay! I never see any panteras. Do they have a cabin? Never heard of thunder. Will take a look and see what I can find.

We mostly boat in the rivers when it gets rough.

Just looked at the 25 thunder. Good looking boat, looks similar to the sonic prowler.

25' Active Thunder is the answer!

The 24 Pantera has a cabin the Thunder will have a bigger cabin. Both boats love rough water.

280 Velocity. Nice deep cockpit and a decent size cuddy for a 28 foot go fast. Handle good and fast.

Padraig

Make a list.... And start going to look at anything near you that fall on that list. Condition means a lot on a boat.... Don't let older boat scare ya. If they are well maintained they are more times than not the better decision over a newer boat that was not taken care of

That's what I plan on doing. I could go up to 27', but I feel like I would be sacrificing to much speed at that point.

I have seen a couple Donzi 26ZX for sale recently. Nice looking boat but I can't speak to how they handle rough water. Checkmate also has the ZT series in 26 & 28. There's also the older Baja 250 and 252. Lots of choices.

Take a look at Baja 272 also. Bottom is close to same length as 25 Outlaw.

Here is what I have found so far......

http://rochester.craigslist.org/boa/4546805702.html


http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/4499479957.html

http://annapolis.craigslist.org/boa/4524419274.html

Little over budget but might come down in offseason
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/4549778790.html

http://cnj.craigslist.org/boa/4512154821.html

http://longisland.craigslist.org/boa/4488044476.html

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/4493651345.html


http://www.boatquest.com/listing/131...l#.U7laSmt5mSM

28 Pantera with twins

I wish I could buy a pantera with twins. I need to try to stay single engine and something that can be trailered.

My Infinity is still for sale. :) Got everything you want. $8500 (26', nice cockpit and cabin, 454 Mag, bravo 1)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]525725[/ATTACH]

Doesn't look to bad. What year and model is it? Is the bottom painted?

1994 Infinity 265 CC. Originally the boat was all maroon color, gelcoat. (Like the bottom) The deck faded out so I repainted it white, with epoxy paint.(It was easier to repaint then to buff with my shoulder) It does not have a "anti fauling bottom coat". Nothing to do just add gas, and may be some detailing to make it "pretty" :) I can offer some warranty of a sort. I ordered the boat new in 1994. Or you can buy the Avanti. lol I don't want two.

The scarab 29 with twin small blocks is a great boat. Great layout both cabin and cockpit.

Pm 88 Bullet he has a 24 Pantera that he might sell.(he's in the Pantera & Cig. forum section)

If your referring to the 29' scarab I showed in the link it only has a single 496. I bet that's a pretty slow boat.

I doubt you will still have that boat when I'm ready to buy one. I have not when and looked at any yet because I hate tire kickers. Once I get approval for the loan or save some more money I will go look at some and buy one. Your boat seems like a pretty good deal though depending on the all important cruising speed.

Thanks. I will contact him when/if get approved for the loan. Right now I am just looking more for suggestions on what models would work best for me.

Got it narrowed down to 3 boats. I'll just keep an eye out for them and grab the best deal

Sonic prowler
25 active thunder tantrum
251 checkmate

Thanks for all your suggestions guys

There's a 28 Saber with a single I think 525hp in Cleveland Ohio Craigslist.

26 Sonic prowler
25 active thunder tantrum
28 pantera
28 velocity.

Those ring my bell!

Are the 28's single engine? What kind of speeds will they produce?

A 280 Velocity with a 502 mag will run 70/72.

Padraig

Good info. I will definetly look into them. I will be towing with a 2004 GMC sierra or an 04 Toyota 4 runner SR5. Any problems towing any of these boats?

It's actually the old 26 hull with molded platform

You can't tow much more than a PWC or two with a 4Runner, no matter what the book says.
Tow ratings info:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/t...er-thread.html

The 1/2 ton truck should tow just about any single engine BBC boat without a problem as long the hitch/setup is properly rated. Some will claim more, but not done so safely or legally.

I have no problem towing my 280 with my half ton chevy.
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps224d0c15.jpg

small side note here,... uhhh
i'm on a 28 now and my next step oughta be a activeTH
I like the 2 man bench seat at the helm,...
any body know of similar brands with that seatin arrangement?

Hustler
Sonic
Cigarette
Outerlimits
...all have made side by side front bolsters in different model years and sizes. Probably a few more that I can't think of at the moment as well.

I like that saber. Am I the only one that thinks the velocity oats have a weird look? Not sure if it's the windshield or what.

I`m not sure how you`re going to sleep 2 adults and 3 year old on any of those. Id look for a model you can modify so you can connect the 2 benches maybe. I can hardly fit in the v birth of a 25' A.T. much less 2 people comfortably.

Good to know. We would not be sleeping on it regularly. That's why I sold my crownline 25' aft cabin. We just never spent the night on it. I can tell it won't be comfortable by looking at the pics. I guess it might not happen at all.

Oh.. well then thats low on your priority list. I figured it was high since you said 'must sleep 3 people'

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...538380295.html

1993 Wellcraft Nova Spyder - This seems to fit your criteria pretty well and looks to be in great condition. I have the same year/model boat. It is really a 25-26' boat and has a very large cuddy because instead of two benches and a v-berth it has only a large v-berth. You could fit 2 adults and a child in it comfortably.

Good all around boat. Not exceptionally fast (Right around 60 on GPS with 454/Bravo 1 and 23 pitch Mirage Plus prop.) but that should be plenty fast since it's your first go-fast. They are a pretty heavy boat with a lot of freeboard so they ride well in rougher water.

The price is less than most of the other boats you mentioned so it will leave you plenty of money for gas and the zillion other expenses that come with owning a go-fast.

This one looks nice, too:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/an...519496362.html

This one has a newer engine and outdrive. Would certainly be faster:
http://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/4506609294.html