Boat shopping again. Advice wanted.
 

So after 8 months I sold my most recent boat, a 2007 Checkmate Convincor 270 with a 496 mag. I bought the 270 after owning a 22 foot Convincor, turns out it still wasn't enough for the bay. I want boat that can Handle the Chesapeake bay. By that I mean handle the days that is perfect but boat chop beats you up, or days that its great on the ride out but 3 footers on the ride home. I looked at a 1989 31 Cigarette bullet today which I will be taking for a ride on saturday. I want to make sure that I am not upgrading again in another 8 months. Advice and wisdom welcomed.

31 should start to be a good boat in 2-3. Choppers imo but 35, or 38 would be better!!!

Go big or go home, you can never have too big a boat. After having a 25 footer and 2 405's I am now looking at something around the 47 ft range. When will this crap end?

id like to stay under the 50k mark. so that i can still afford to use it and not just stare at it. hoping to be between 30-33 foot so its still maneuverable around the docks. and before people start recommending Fountains I'm not a fan of them. and doubt i can get used to the left handed controls.

I have a very clean 29' Shockwave 29 Magnatude with 500 EFI , twin step, rock solid ride...

A 31 Sonic would be a great boat and in your budget range.

Definitely like the 31 sonic a lot. Also the 312 formula. those are my top two choices right now actually.

You should check out a Powerquest 340 Vyper. Lots of room up front and handles the big water quite well with respectable speeds.

The 31 Sonic would be perfect for what you want out of a boat. It rides great is snotty water. I use mine in Lake Michigan and it rides great. http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...-4-o66372.html

A couple of my favorite timeless classics are the Formula 311 and 357... Problem.... Good luck finding a good one. But if you did you'd be under your budget.

We love our 33 Outlaw... Straight bottom and hull is 33' plus the 2' alum platform. We go out in the gulf and ran into 3-4s with the occasion 5' rollers when a storm blew in. We had 9 people seated in cockpit (6 adults, 3 kids) and we ran about 35-45 plowing through and kids weren't even scared. Handles 2-3's with ease and we don't run hard.

not me.

went from a 20 to a 35 and will never own a 35 again. i will say 30-32' is all i ever want these days.

A 35, what?

I think a 30' boat is good for the Chesapeake Bay. If it's too rough for a 30, stay home or duck into a river. If you have the means to go bigger, sure

Sonic 358

the boat in my avatar

We just listed a clean 312 with closed cooling 454 horizons and aluminum trailer for $44,950.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...ns-o66416.html
[email protected]

Single or twins? Stock power or built motors?

Ive had a 20-22ft boats, a 26ft boat and a 29. I can tell you high 20s is big difference between low 20s. Now so sure your going to see a huge difference between 27-30 unless deadrise is different. Really if it were me Id be looking at 27-30, and if not 35-40.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]557198[/ATTACH]

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...ed-o66230.html

Stretch your budget a little bit and it can be yours. After owning a 311 Formula and now this I can tell you I noticed no extra challenges with docking the Cafe over the Formula.

I know a goy that is goin to sell a 02 baja 342 boss wit 496s an gen. 300hrs that's a very nice boat that's jus a touch over ur budget but think of Lower mantiance on lower hr boats. Cost to own it 5 yrs could be the same

I've found a low hour Formula 312 fastech with twin 502's im going to look at on Saturday.

Just put my 33 powerplay up for sale in the powerboat swap shop. 525 EFI's with 190hrs, new livorsi gauges and throttles, new Garmin 7610

My Formula 336 may be for sale if you are interested.

You wont be disappointed with this ride.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...28-o65977.html

Your Checkmate is under powered that's why it beats you up. 8-900 hp in a mid 20ft boat gives them a whole different ride when it's nasty out.

we had a 32 sunsation dominator twin 496ho 425hp it ran low 80's Very easy boat to dock and trailer.

baja 30
 

How about a fresh 30 Baja fresh motors 35k, w/trailer

Lot of good choices mentioned. I'll through out another that may be an alternative to Fountain and fits size/price range. Velocity 320- large cockpit and efficient solid hull design. 85+ boat with fresh stock HP465/502's, 1 yr old cockpit upholstery and a lot of boat for 45k.

What's the news on this one?

I ve got my eye on that one. Optioned up real nicely.
Whats the story behind this boat?

I brought her home last night. Went out for a short ride today she runs great. I spent some time cleaning on it today and will spend most of tomorrow cleaning more.

Here she is. https://www.facebook.com/bernie.neuh...09689690739529

I'm going to update the interior and the paint this winter. And it has 32p bravos not 30! I was shocked how well it turns them.

Congrats!!! Looks great!

Not sure but next weekend if the NT is ready I'm sure I'll hit up Redhead Yacht club and could walk over to PBC and look at it for you.

Nice, congrats!!! Someone who started a buying thread and actually bought something! Lol. Fast turn around. Good luck with the new ride

Yes sir. I can't be boatless long. It's my sanity.

That is very kind of you. If we would buy a 312 it would be with 6.2s in it. Thank you for the offer though. That boat is very temping...