Why? Even stripping the cabins to the stringers/bulkheads you might get 1-2 mph? Now you have a boat nobody wants to buy (raceboats are even lighter, built stronger and usually can be bought cheaper anyway) and you now have a boat nobody wants to go out on (cabin is fiberglass splinter heaven).

Great looking boat!

Dave what is the speed difference between the 600 and 710

We're in the looking stages of new boat shopping right now & I'm hoping to have one on order by this time next year. I'm getting it narrowed down and called my agent.

She said "Get what you want, you're insurable; if you have your heart set on Arnesons it's not that much more".

So I'm understanding that as there being a premium - however slight - for a hull equipped with Arneson(s).

They insure hi-po stuff so I'm assuming she knows what she's talking about.

Tracy,

I know you said you wanted a bigger boat, but looking is at least half the fun and the 24 Schiada is a "real" 24 i.e. no molded platform or long nose (that was NOT a shot at the Fountains).

Had this boat been priced where it is now I'd probably have bought it instead of the one I did buy.

They're heavy, build quality is nothing short of amazing, and generally the guys who have them take very good care of them.

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forum...-turbo-Schiada

Apologies if it's a party foul to post a link to another boating forum

First I've ever heard of this... There's no basis for a higher insurance premium though... ? They will charge you any way they can is how I see it.

I'll be talking to her next week, I'll ask for some clarification, but I'm thinking your analysis is probably accurate…"because they can" is justification enough for them.

Insurance certainly doesn't have to make sense. We have a Malibu ski boat with an LS3. The first couple insurance agents wigged because their "professional calculations" (more correctly precision guesswork) said it was a 70 mph boat.

They lessen draft so risk of underwater collision / damage to the drive is less than an outdrive, correct?

From what I understand the cost basis is roughly equivalent to a stern drive so that shouldn't be an issue.

They might be factoring the replacement cost of the prop(s) in case of theft? Or possibly a bit more liability from a risk of injury standpoint due to the location of the drives ?

Or, it could simply be that boats with Arneson's go faster or appeal to a certain "type" of owner. I remember years ago Ford made a 2 seat version of the Escort called an EXP. It certainly wasn't a "sports car" but because it was a 2-seater insurance rates tended to be inflated and contributed to Ford's decision to halt production.

I'll post what I find out.

For variety, I'd offer up the 28 Pantera as an option. Very solid hull, a big boat (really a '30' they way they measure things these days), can probably take any power you throw at it, can likely be found in your budget.

2 things:

1st -

A) I don't know anything about them, but I've heard some interesting things about Banana Boat Co. & they certainly look old school cool.
B) I think they're more of a rough water boat then you're after but Saber Marine in Gr Rapids, MI has - I think - some pretty cool stuff that looks well built.
C) Cant leave LaveyCraft out of the west coast mix. They've been around forever, racing heritage, and their stuff is supposed to be put together well.

2nd -

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread & this would make a great post all by itself, but look at all the suggestions; modern construction combined with engine and drive technology yields some pretty damn impressive performance. I think we've had 18 different manufacturers listed ? maybe 20 ?

The "good 'ole days" of performance boating are right now...

Yes on Pantera too! I agree with Slippery... I thought I was going to have a very limited market on what I'm looking for.... NOT! Lots of killer, very capable boats that my hot wife will look great in AND i'll be able to have a beast of a boat to boot, lol! Now the hard part will be waiting for my house to be built before I can buy something, lol!!!