Good Boats < $18K
 

You have $20,000 to buy a good 22-27ft lake/river boat this spring.

You like going really fast and your significant other wants a nice place to lay down sleep. Location is insignificant as long as it is in the lower 48.

• What would you buy?
• Where would you find it and what would it cost?
• Why did you choose this boat?
• This is what is on my mind right now, i've found some

Thank-you very much for contributing to the selection of my next boat :-)

- scott -

24 foot baha , with a 454 mag .. 15 k

I've got a 240 Sport (same as 24 Outlaw) I am considering selling this spring. Documented rebuild on this site. Make offer?

The 24ft Baja with juice is a boat near or at the top of my list. c_deezy - can you send me a link to your rebuild thread?

Here are a few I found on the internet that peaked my interest but I know very little to nothing about these boats.

1988 SLEEKCRAFT ENFORCER 26’ (stock 454, bravo 1)
1988 Century Ultra II twin (454 bravos & bravo 1)
1999 Baja H2X (454 mag, bravo 1)
1991 Cobalt Condurre 222
1995 Fountain 24 comp series (502 ci Mag - 415 hp)
1996 scarab 22ft (stock 454, bravo 1)
2000 VIP Vindicator 2400 (496 mag, bravo 1)
1996 Caravelle 23 Interceptor (stock 454, bravo 1)

I do have a ~550hp 454 I can throw into any of these boats lacking power.

What are your thoughts on the boats above?

got a 1998 checkmate great boat under 200 hrs 15k

This seems like a good deal, Everyone has good things to say about Saber. I'd be interested myself but looking for something a little bigger. http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...E-24-102625520

another option http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...A-242LS-682671

we had a Baja H2X, was a fun little boat. never had it on big water, only inland lakes. spent many nights and weekends on it.
only problem I had was when I went to upgrade a few things, everything cut out at the factory. stereo, shifter ,throttle etc. all looked like
a 3year old went to town on it with a sawzall , with that said, id suspect most cheaper productions boats are the same.

What model is your Monza ? If it is a 26 it is the same exact hull as that Century Ultra II that you said was on. Your list..

I have a fountain like listed in your search , and while it fits my boating needs to a T, definitely not going to work for many. Small crawl in berth, prefers flatter water ect. That said , I love my boat and the wife likes the big sunpad.

Go as big as you can afford. A Formula 272 SR1 can be had for your budget.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/5484580351.html

I would go with this one. It's the most boat with twin 454 and bravos. Last time I talked to the guy he said 17000. I think it's a little over priced due to it being 28 years old. But it is one of only several made with that engine package

The Caravelle 23 Interceptor is a beautiful boat, one of the sleekest looking hull designs IMO and it does not look like a 20 year old boat. I just saw one at Grand Sport Center in Illinois and it is very clean. Best part is that they are asking far les than your $18k budget, they have it listed at $12k and I am sure they can probably ,move $1000 off that. It needs a stereo upgrade and the v berth cabin upholstery needs to be replaced but other than that the boat and trailer is very clean. With the money you save you can do the stereo and cabin upholstery and maybe some vinyl graphics and still have money in your pocket for fuel and beer.

Here is a link to the listing. My office is just a few miles away so if you have any specific questions or more detailed photos I would be happy to help you out. This is a super clean boat and if it were around last year when I purchased my boat I would have been al over this one.

http://www.grandsportcenter.com/pop-...23-interceptor

Here is a boat I saw on craigslist. These Formula twin 242LS are very hard to find and very desirable (well at least to the Formula group). I looked for a good one for 2+ years with no luck. https://yuma.craigslist.org/boa/5463097034.html
Good Luck

A "nice place" to take a nap, I would be looking 24' or more. Like what was was posted above, "go as big as you can afford", (then some more if you ask me HAHA)

H2X is to small, plus PITA to get into the cabin.

29 scarab (twin 350's) <---- Top of my list with that budget. Yes I have shopped them and was 1 flight away from buying before finding my 33 OL.

25 OL ( easy to resell once your ready to move up), Shop around

Formula 272 SR1, old bird but a good one .

Check out these places. They normally have plenty of boats for sale. This should give you a idea of what you like and ball park prices. Private Party sales will always be lower
lake cumberland marine
Grand Sport Center
Also remember LOTO boats and that area seem to carry higher prices then every one else.

Keep in mind the tow vehicle requirements with the bigger boats.

+1 on the 272 sr1. Gonna be one of the bigger boats in your budget that'll still run 60ish.

At that price you can find some bigger twin engine boats, I brought the search to $25K because you can most likely get the boat under $20K if the guy is asking $25K. But anyways, at that price point heres what I would look at:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...es-o64839.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...rd-o64318.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...rs-o60915.html

Tons of options on boat trader and yacht world:

http://www.boattrader.com/search-res...rt-Length:DESC

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...m=quick&N=1783

Wow - thanks for the great info and by no means stop adding to the list!

In response to some questions asked:

TOMMYMONZA - I have the 19ft w/ 550hp and am in need of a better outdrive than the old VP280 that is on there no.

DONZI MATT & 92nsx - I hear ya on the biggest I can afford (“go big or go home” :-) ), however, I am not looking to get a new tow vehicle, I have an F150 that was purchased to haul horses around and I think some of these bigger boats are way more than it can handle. It is also a lot harder to find dock space around me for the larger boats.

One other question I have is when doing this “internet shopping”? Getting a surveyor to check out the boat and a mechanic to check out engines I am guessing will cost upwards of $700-$1,000. Shipping (obviously based on distance) would probably be $1,500. fFight to see it around $300-$700. I’m starting to wonder if for a boat in my price range I should simply put “pre-purchase” inspection $’s and flight $’s towards potential repairs and simply buy something sight unseen? Obviously I would do as much homework as I could to mitigate risk. How bad of an idea is this?

Lastly, while checking out some of your suggestions I ran across I have never seen before a 1995 OBSESSION POWERBOATS 242 TORRENT - http://www.grandsportcenter.com/pop-...ts-242-torrent
Should something like this be added to my “for consideration” list?

As I said in my previous post I would be happy to check out in person anything you find that might be in the west and northwest suburbs of Chicago and give you honest unbiased information as to condition or anything of concern that catches my eye. Most reputable sellers will hold the boat or take a deposit that is refundable should you arrive and the boat not be what was promised, but then again if you are driving a long distance there would be time and fuel wasted. I traveled 250 miles to get my boat and I was able to sea test it in the Mississippi river before I purchased it which was nice.

Scott,
Your criteria was:
•What would you buy? As I stated in earlier post
•Where would you find it and what would it cost? As stated in earlier post
•Why did you choose this boat?

1) Location, Yuma would indicate a freshwater boat most likely Colorado river, no real wave bashing and low humidity.
2) Formula specked this boat stock @ 64 MPH
3) Twins Handling, maneuverability, redundancy.
4) Twin SBC will give great fuel economy over BBC
5) About the largest boat that can be towed with 1/2 ton truck
6) Price and re-sale value. Lots of initial money left over and these twin 242s hold their value.
7) Great riding boat plenty of room for overnighting and top notch quality with continued factory support.
Good Luck

A couple last thoughts. That 1995 Obsession is not that nice in person, it appears to be a very poorly constructed boat in the flesh. Grand Sport Center is a great dealer and they specialize in the performance boat category. Your idea of keeping a cushion for unforeseen and repairs is a good idea, a lot of these guys are telling to you go as big as possible or to go to your max budget or even beyond but keep one thing in mind, things break and we all have the modification bug so I personally would buy something a little under your max and have some spare change for little upgrades or any little problems that might crop up....but that's just me.

I have a nice 10 meter Fountain , its actually in the boat trader listing 302 sport put up, the one from Groton , Ct. $15,000 takes it , with trailer , spare drive and drive parts and lots of spares. Very good original gel coat, recent upholstery, very respectable boat. PM me if you have questions.

FLATLANDERBILL - thanks for the offer, but 30ft is just to big for me.

PARTLOWR - Thanks very much for your offer, I may take you up on it. I am in Minneapolis and there appear to be a great number of nice boats in Chicago!

Any thoughts on the 1989 24' Warlock 23? I found one w/o an engine and I have a fresh and beefy 454 I could toss in it. I think recall several years ago reading a lot of positive things about the warlock (but I don't recall specifically what they were.

I don't know if I am opening a can of worms here, but there seems to be varying opinions on the 1 large engine vs. 2 smaller engine options. Any preferences here and if so why?

Here it is: http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/b...ld-thread.html

I still have some finishing work to do in the cuddy, house project has taken priority but plan to work on it in a month or so.

.....double post....

I would skip the VIP and the 1996 Caravelle totally.

2006 Caravelle way better built. VIP do not have quality built into their boats. They do not even ride that well.

If I had a choice I would look for a 252 / 253 Cobalt 1997 year model range for the 18 to 22 k - if you can find one for that.

Find one with a Volvo DP outdrive and a big block, you would be doing well. Depending on shape of course.

Most Cobalt owners are proud of their boats money wise but keep them in good shape, once in awhile you can find at a steal because they bought a newer bigger Cobalt..

Alot of 80's boats can have wood rot issues and the same goes for early 90's boats.

For that kind of coin, and waterways mentioned, I'd look into an older Baja or perhaps a Stingray.

I understand your price range - haggle or look for this in your price range. Better than what was on your list and they run very well not the fastest but handle well in 3 ft and down rough. Try to look at the pics. The quality and fit finish for a production built boat is by far better than what was in your first post.

https://www.popyachts.com/boats-for-...alt-253-101432

The 25 Baja Outlawis a killer big little boat but man they command a big price even for the older ones.

The 25 Baja Outlaw is a killer big little boat but man they command a big price, even for the older ones.

I would go with any of the 24x7's...superboat, pantera, condor, avanti...easy maintenance, quick on mild power, hulls that can handle more, good in rough, easier cabin entry than bajas...good cabin space..12-25k +/-

Another vote for 24/25 Baja Outlaw, or 250ES/272/Shooter - Or Powerquest 257-270. Decent prices, and decent cabins for overnights.

Any boat that I have seen on this list is dated and is going to cost you a lot to make it okay. I think you can find a nice Baja within your price range that still has a modern look on boat trader. I would be looking at a single engine, stand up bolsters and stock, you can make the changes you want.

I think you first have to ask what type of boating you looking at doing

Are you going out in the rough and running the snot in 2-3s every outing or are you just cruising and looking for a bit more accommodations .

Do you want a standup bolster or a sit down arrangement where you have too look through a windshield .

I think you are going to have to raise your price a little to find something garaunteed clean and solid and reliable.

I think you would be money ahead using your motor you know and putting it in a hull. Advantage to buying a hull minus power is you can really inspect it for rot and other problems.

There is a big difference in usability when it comes to the 24's and the 25 Outlaws. Given the option I would take a 25 over a 24 any day of the week. Much easier cabin access.

BUP - I get cobalt is a great boat, I had one w/ the VP/duoprop, I had a crownline in an open bow again with the VP/duoprop...both of these were great "family" boat for me. I'm now looking for an "old boy's toy".

The couple that have bubbled to the top (for me) are the 24/25 outlaw and the Formula 242LS. I also have interest in the Sabre, a warlock 23 w/o engine, Scarab and Sleekcraft.

"The internets" seems to open up so many purchase options I would never have been exposed to 30 years ago. You have provided me with tons of information to help navigate all of this.

I think better known brands have pretty much been represented here, are there other lesser know brands to look at? For instance, I had never heard of sleekcraft before, they strike me as a fun and unique boat...but I have no clue how seaworthy they are or what fit and finish/construction of these is like. That is one reason I like OSO so much, there is a very broad representation of favorites, experiences and lessons learned.

Thanks!

- scott -

I'm committed to have made a decision by easter

I might let our 251 Checkmate go for near yor budget, check her out on powerboat swap Facebook . Fast and clean with a nice cabin, DVD player and awesome stereo. Listed by Krista Nykamp.

Had a 251, loved the ride of the boat. Great cabin, good fit and finish. Good quality build

can you lead to the info on the Checkmate 251 - what year and its on facebook ?

This 1994 24ft Baja Outlaw w/ the 500hp merc racing 502 is a few hours away from me and I am going to check it out on Sat . It has very low hours on it and I think looks pretty sweet.

I do have 2 reservations on the boat. First, I do need to see the cuddy to make sure it will work for the wife because if it won't, she will kill me, or make me wish I was dead :-). Second, I am a bit concerned about maintenance on this 502 "blue" engine, I have heard there is a rather costly maintenance schedule associated with it, whereas others have suggested that the upper only needs to be rebuilt every 150 hrs and this varies based on how hard it is driven. I can't imagine I would drive it that hard for very long (without piling up a ton of tickets).

Beyond those reservations, this look like a rig that would be wonderful on lakes and rivers, towable and I can possibly even find dock space for this (it is so limited or IMHO crazy expensive where I am - $9K for a 27ft).

Any good or bad experiences with either the 500HP mercruiser blue engine Baja's were using? or with the 94' cuddy vs. 95? (Thanks C-DEEZY - for pointing out this difference).

For now - I'm still looking, always need a contingency plan and every so often an even better option surfaces. I need to check out the checkmates I have completely avoided them and it sounds like I have a completely incorrect image of them. I spent a summer riding around in one a buddy of mine had in the early 80's and for some reason I always thought of it as the bayliner of go-fast boats...fast, flashy and you never know when it is going to fall apart.

Thanks!

- scott -