Good starter boat?
 

Hello, I am looking for a good starter boat. Looking to spend about 10-25k. I am basically looking for a single engine boat that possibly needs new upholstery because i do boat covers & upholstery. Im 22, I dont need something that i am going to kill myself or go 100mph. Just something to buy, Fix it up a little bit, Use it for a little bit and sell. I was looking at older pantera's , Checkmate convincer, .Anything under 30ft. with a single engine I would be boating on Lake St. Clair in Mi. Any suggestions. Thanks Jordan

I'd be looking for a 25 Active Thunder Tantrum personally. Awesome boats. Well built, ride great, look great and will run 65-70 with stock power. There are a couple for sale. I know of one in Illinois that actually spent almost it's whole life on LSC. It's a turn key boat and needs nothing.

25 AT, 24-25 Baja Outlaw or a 25 Check Convincer are all worthy candidates. The AT would be my choice of the three.

I have had small fishing and crabbing boats, center consoles, Duck boats. But when I was ready for a all day boat I found a 1986 23 foot Wellcraft Nova II. The trailer needed brakes the clear coat on the deck was peeling the paint on the sides would fade within a week of buffing. But it ran great. It had a Merc 350/260 that would run 30 all weekend and 50 for a day. It was small enough to store and tow all over. But roomy enough to take 6 people out and the price was right. $4500 and got it for $3800 Over time it got new pumps, plugs, engine coupler and paint and the trailer got brake assemblies. It was easier to work on than the truck. So I would say what do you need it for, How many people, Fuel costs so your able to use it etc. I had it for three years until I saw a poker run come through and I just had to move up. But to this day I wish I would have kept her. So find the one that You like and look it over very hard. Good Luck in your search

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/29600

I have a 1998 Active Thunder for sale in Chicago, PM me or give me a call 586-651-7389.

23 ft Novas are nice boats. We had one when I was a kid. Very solid ride and plenty of room for a 23. However 23 was just a nova. Nova II was a 26.

If you're going to be boating on LSC, you may want to consider something from the brothers Schaldenbrand in Algonac (Sunsation). Similar to the Panteras in size, narrower beam and smaller cabin than the AT or Baja, but a ton of fun nonetheless. Check Craigslist, there's one advertised locally with K-planes recent Bravo rebuild, and fresh 454 (allegedly, with receipts). The AT is definitely the best choice mentioned thus far, but as you'll see, when you find one, it's going to be at the upper end of your price range.

But there's a reason that they will be at the top of your budget. They will rival most 28 foot boats

I have a 1994 Python with an HP500 and bravo 1. 283 hours (still using it) $16,000 OBO. Let me know if interested. Here is the link: https://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/4618283159.html

my 97 AT tantrum is for sale .