Best 25' performance boat
 

Hey guys new to the performance boating scene. I have grown up on fishing boats my entire life. 50 mph top speed was the fastest I had ever seen! I buddy took me for a ride in his 19' action with a 200hp and we did 80mph by far the funnest ride I have had and since then I have wanted a performance machine. My goal is something big enough to do a poker run in, small enough to not require twins engines, and I want to build the power plant, so not outboards for me. After a little research the local poker runs in the Miami area all show a minim 25' length and a cruise speed of 60 mph i believe. I am trying to find a fixer up was thinking late 80's early 90 and maybe very early 2000's. I don't know all of the hulls and designs but if you guys could just chime in with a hull design and year range for each model that would be awesome! I have been throwing around the idea of building a twin turbo efi lsx based power plant somewhere around 1000hp, any comments or suggestions would be extremely helpful. I am looking for the knowledge that you cant read in a book but only in trial and error. Also last idea is does anyone have the cons to running an arson surface drive style drive over a convectional bravo drive. I will be running in the Florida bay and the upper keys. I would like to be able to make trips to bimini and back also. If you guys need any more info please feel free to ask and i will provide as much as I can!

thanks again guys and I look forward to your advice and experiences!

:food-smiley-007:

Hi GM383, http://www.predatorpowerboats.com/c25%20catamaran.htm


Predator has a 25 foot cat built for I/O that can take big block , high HP.

It's a cat with tall sides to go offshore. Was built taller to take a big block with scoops if needed.

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/..._IO/C25_IO.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...O/C25_IO_2.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...s/C25_IO/5.jpg

active thunder sonic velocity all great boats of course on a budget check baja and checkmate lots of boat for the money

This could be a good hull for you.

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/boa/4690594883.html

Warlock 25 sxt almost be cheating , lol maybe find a commander 25 open ,with bimini and all ,hop it up and go suprise some people . Plus you could do so much with it when your not racing

Maybe an old Corsa or a Joker, Do you need a Cabin?? if not, try to find a former Race Boat. I'd be careful about taking a Big power tempermental single across the Gulf Stream, Unless you wanted to see North Carolina anyway :) Or Only go with a Crowd...

Poweplay is the best riding and handling 25 I've been in. Trouble is finding one

My first few thoughts.

#1 Keep in mind the actual length(running surface) of most boats are not what one would guess based off their model number. Built in swim platforms are generally a good clue of this scenario.
#2 Buy as much boat as you can. Unless you have some other restraint besides money, bigger is better!
#3 Skip the 1000hp. Its unrealistic to think your ever going to effectively use it in a 25' boat. Especially in any kind of open water(assuming it gets fairly rough in Florida bay considering its the Atlantic Ocean). The HP will simply be good bar talk. In that size boat a healthy 600-650 will make the boat have enough power to cruise 60. Having said that being enough power, again in a 25' boat in open water I would argue that there are going to be few days when you will cruise at 60 and be very comfortable.

Agreed. I feel like that if the OP is looking for older boats he's probably on a budget, one that does not include fitting and tuning a #6, SCX, or ASD-6.

I would recommend against the Sonic. I had a 26 Prowler and the porpoising issue made the boat thoroughly unenjoyable for us. Mine was a 2000 with an HP500, hydraulic steering, and K-planes, still was a bear to deal with.

1000 hp lsx in a marine environment will be stretching the limits of the stability of the block.

Some really good options have already been mentioned. I'll add the 26 Sutphen.

a 25 foot is too big for a 1000 horse/number 6 drive combination. Instead put it in a sweet 16 Donzi and blast it to Bimini, carry spare props for when you throw blades and consider a tether..... :picard1:

29 Fountain. Someone was going to say it sooner or later... :cartman:

I guess I did not make any brand suggestions earlier...

Pantera
Sunsation
Wellcraft/Scarab
Back in the day Chris Craft
PowerQuest
Superboat

add was removed but if you could reference the hull and model year that would be awesome!

No the Cabin is not a requirement. Only people space for 4 or 5. I am a current seatow member (15+ yrs) now with a twin powered fishing boat, its always better to be safe than sorry.

If your looking to stay single engine I'd go as big as you can, 28 Sunsation, 28 Saber, 29 Outlaw, or 29 Fountain. All great boats and all could be had in single engine config. My friend has an 800hp AT Tantrum and another buddy has a 700hp 25 Outlaw and both run extremely well, well into the 80's.

l'm going with an American Offshore 26 modified tunnel. I purchased one this year and really like the boat. At speeds over 70 it is extremely stable and fairly economical for the performance. I had a nice 25 V a few years back and the hull didn't feel stable over 70mph (w/ full hydraulic steering). Just my two cents, good luck!

Is 100mph in a 25 V hull unreal of a goal? would i have to step up into a much larger hull to achive that speed or go with a cat or tunnel?

And big thanks to all the guys so far who have responsed! you have already named hulls and models i have never even heard about that are exactly the style i am looking for!

It is a Little unreasonable, A 100 mph V bottom with a Single of any size is rare. Sure there are Bass Boats but they usually don't attempt a Bimini Trip. The Non Bass Boats that do run 100 are expensive pieces.

28 saber would work.

Yeah no bass boats here, I know a few flats boat that reach triple digits but in a 10 mph wind you get soaked and beat to hell trying to do 30mph.

I have a 25 with 200 OB's. Cruise all day on a little gas.
I know you don't want OB but this is a good option to get you on the water for around $23K.

What he said. No reasonable way to do what you are thinking in that length hull Get a 25'ish tunnel with OUTBOARDS. Go fast, scare the **** out of yourself, have low maintenance and big fun. (I'm pretending this is a real thread. Don't any of you DARE tell me otherwise).

30 Activator...no single engine boat would compare. Fastest, best rough water boat that has run with the big dogs in the NYC poker run.

X2

Look at 28 Pantera, 24 Pantera and 25 Powerplay

1000 hp in that size boat is a lot, do a search on Bravo failures to get your answer on which drive will work best. Also that is very small to cross the Gulf Stream and running a fast boat in seas is a lot different than what you may have experienced before, find a buddy to show you how to throttle.
Good luck and remember you will spend more on performance boats than you ever thought!

The problem with a larger hull than a 25 or 26' is that then i would need a new tow rig and its more than just a one man show...

Pretty much all the 25 footers mentioned will cruise 60 in poker runs with the right power. Crossing to Bimini has been done many times in 24'+ boats with deep V hulls in decent water. There are times when 30'+ boats will need a lot of tab and slower speeds to get through. I've been in pretty rough conditions at times with my 257 [ 25'7"] alongside bigger boats and the only ones got through with relative ease were the like of 42 Outerlimits and Skaters.So ,you just have to deal with conditions and drive accordingly. My boat has twins [ I prefer the peace of mind not relying on Sea Tow and others ] , 6.2 MPI's with a 75 mp top speed, reliability and good fuel economy. Had twin 383's before with superchargers getting the boat into the 80's with 3/4 throttle but was a handfull without external steering and K-tabs.My boat with a single would do 80's with huge power [700HP+] handling better with balanced CG. Twins make the stern a bit heavy and landing not level that most prefer when running hard . I have Marine Machine dual external steering, 280 K-tabs, The boat handles well, super sharp entry and 24* deadrise that's a must running in rough water.

I dont plan to be running hard in a rough seas.

You Wait.....Once you've Launched it a time or two then the Bug will have fully Bitten you...Then you'll be sayin, "I need a Ballast Tank in the front so it will fly level" :)

thats probably a very true statement :picard1:

If you are looking for late 80's early 90's a Checkmate 251 would be a great choice, 90+ mph with 750hp
After those years any of the checkmates 253, 259, 270, 242 ect are good fast boats.
Cons to bravo style drives are anything over 600 hp you are on borrowed time.
Some advise i would give is, respect the power and speed, 80+ mph in a 25 ft v-hull is nothing to take lightly

Is that your current rig a late 80's 251 checkmate? How much power and which drive are you running? And what is your top speed?

If your main concern is speed I would take a good hard look at Velocity. I do not care for the looks of them myself but they can be very fast boats with modest power. I know a few members on here that have been in the low to mid 90's with around 750 hp.

Add was for a '99 Checkmate 259 27' with no power sitting in a field for $1500.00