Need opinions on a boat with a smoother ride for LOTO
 

Need some help in figuring out what I should be looking at to replace my Baja 272 that I sold this past spring. I am more interested in getting something with a smoother ride than the speed, granted pretty much anything will have a smoother ride than a 272 at LOTO. I spent the better part of the summer thinking I wanted to replace it with a 05 29 OL with a 496 single that only had 112 hrs but I have since given up on that boat. I have been looking at a couple Formula 312s, Sunsation 32 Doms, and a Baja 33 OL. The 2003 312s and the 2001 33OL are pretty much identical with power, 496HOs, @350 hrs, 280 K-Planes, and Hydraulic steering so it makes me wonder if the shorter/heavier Formulas would ride better than the 33OL equipped the same. After some of my searches on here I have also been looking for Active Thunder 32/33, Donzi 33, and Formula 353s, but am not finding very many ATs at all, and either of the others that are in my price range for their age. I was hoping to keep it 2000 or newer. Let me know if I should be looking at anything else with a better ride in the slop.

The boat will live at the LOTO on a lift so towing is not an issue. My covered slip is currently 30 x 12 so I may have to get it extended depending on what I decide, which will cut into the boat funds, and 36 x12 is likely the most I can go. I can probably fit a 312 or 32 Dom without modifying the dock much if at all, but I've been told the Sunsation will not ride as nice as these others given its lower weight.

I constantly see the statement of drive as many as you can before you buy, which I would but all the brokers/dealers at LOTO want to negotiate a contract and get a deposit before they will put it in the water for a drive. I understand they want to cut out the joy-riders, but that can be a pretty big pain for the real buyer as well. I tried not to make this a straight up VS thread, which I can tell by my searches that everyone loves.

Thanks,
Bill

The biggest boat you can afford, serious, any of the boats you mention would work, but if you can go bigger I would, at least a 35' of whatever kind of boat you like, just get a survey on it before you buy it, good luck.

38 Top Gun and I'll deliver it :santa:

Like a Sonic 358.....huh...huh.....hint.....lol


I do agree though, try and get to the mid 30' area or as close as possible. After riding in LOTO for the first time this year, I can say something bigger really is better lol.

30 Activator/Rage. Ride like a Cadillac fast like a Corvette.

I had a Baja 302 w/twins it rode pretty good for its size, was a great boat with lots of room in cockpit and cabin. Also had a Donzi 33ZX it was a really nice boat also. It rode and handled a lot better than my Baja. It weighs 9200lbs dry and is 9'3" wide so it really rides and feels bigger than its LOA. It ran 70-75mph with 502mags.

Any of the boats you mentioned would be good. Go look at them, ride in some if you can. My advice would be buy as big of a boat you can, you won't regret it.

Some Really good deals on Cigarette Cafe Racers Now. For sale way less then the equipment on the boat. They would handle LOTO

Here you go, all cleaned up and ready.

the guy who repainted the Cafe and posted the build on OSO is desperate to sell it. Looks nice in the photos.

Yes sir!!!!

:)