Best Value Based Performance Boats
 

Landlocked today due to rain. I thought it would be fun to start a value based performance boat thread. I'm biased being from the Midwest as to what brands I've been exposed to. I'm sure the West Coast, East Coast and even the Midwest boating communities will have different opinions based on experience. Here are my nominations for best value based brands.

Best Overall Value Based Performance Boat Brand
Baja-the overall hull designs, performance, graphics, gauges, and layouts are hard to beat for the money.

Best MPH per Dollar Ratio
American Offshore-100mph from the factory for 76K in 2002. Check out this article from Powerboat Magazine in 2002.

http://www.american-offshore.com/reviews/2600-nsx.html

Those are my nominations, looking forward to reading yours.

Cheers!

Value & boating :confused::D

Heck of a deal for that AO. Those are good looking boats.

Phantom MTI?

By far this is the best deal currently for a brand new 2017 boat on the market. 25.2 ft overall length all custom gel cote hull and NO CHOPPER GUN construction. Plus it comes with a big block and brand new trailer for a great price.

Scroll down to view all plus the pics of craftsmanship along with the quality. The special pricing ad currently is in the link as well.

https://www.laveycraft.com/models-24-nuera

Nice boat but I feel AT'S new 29' boat is a much better over all value. that said neither is a bad choice

There is 100% NO Value in a performance boat , They just went threw the roof in price in the last 10 years . I guess a value is different for everyone :) The older I get The less value I think these boats are worth. It's like buying a exotic car , do you want the $ 80 k Vet or the $ 700k Lambo :)

Excellent example BUP! 77K for that girl in 2017, incredible. That's one hell of a deal. Value based or getting a great product for a reasonable price was the intent of this thread. Not looking for an appreciating asset. Great find!:ernaehrung004:

I believe any of the new 28-33 ft cats with 400s would be the closest thing to value in a performance boat. Yearly oil changes, 2-3 mpg fuel economy and 6-800 hrs between rebuilds with 120 mph capability.

Well not that hard of find for me - some will know what I am talking about haha

Anyways what I am saying and THE TRAILER is included and 4 get cote colors NOT paint at doing the math 3 K per foot for this boat. With that said how much is others and include a custom trailer in that price for a custom sportboat ? And Lavey Craft is not some no name either.

I am not saying that there is no deals nor no other quality built boats - but I am saying 3 K per foot with a trailer for a brand new 2017 custom boat - hmm that is a deal especially when some chitty 10 year old 25 / 27 ft used boats with asking prices of 40 to 60 K.

so whom is offering a 3 K per ft custom boat with a trailer included ? And a big block all brand new 2017 ? I would like to know - Hell a cheap chopper gun built - with one color and stick graphics lets say Crownline is that price. Agree anyone ?

First, I agree with you, the choice of closed deck, open bow or mid cabin and the build quality and other choices and included options(especially the trailer) is a good value for a new boat in that length. But it is possible elsewhere too, for similar money.

An example below.Their webpage is getting out of date, but Checkmate will get you there too, both quality level, options and price, but I think you would have to call them and nail it all down.

http://www.checkmatepowerboats.net/C...ts-ZT-260.html

28 skater with 300s. Used are around 80k, run 100 mph, rather low maintenance and not the worst on fuel usage, insurance isn't killer, and only need a F150 to tow.

Good find as well and a real good name on top of. Sold great on the eastcoast and Midwestern areas. See no trailer mentioned unless I missed that. So if no trailer and one is buying retail for custom fit trailer == lets say 5 to 6 K for it brings total to - 91 K give or take a little here ---- for the 26 Checkmate in which comes out to 3500 K per ft. Thats good as well. Still like 3 K per ft in the mix even better for the buyer. Just saying and again good find there as well. Checkmate is a good boat and has always had a good name..

No the trailer is not included, but I think you don't have to pay MSRP and could negotiate a deal with some extras and a trailer and be in the same ball park.

Which is best priced? They seem a bit expensive for what they are imo. I have also never built a boat though.

What's price on the 28 evo?

Super cool boat and runs like a bigger boat in the rough.

This ----- take a look in the links below ------

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQjK60nCCnQ

And this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhBXS9lldj0

long version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51g4wktW4zM

give them a call to work out exactly what you want.

www.laveycraft.com

contact # 951-273-9690 and ask for Chris.

I just seen the 340 MTI posted for sale with 400's and I think it was listed at $450k. No where near a bargain.

There is also a TON of other companies that build great o/b cats in the 29-32 range that are a LOT cheaper.

You honestly used the most expensive example of the group..

Ya, guess what? The 340 MTI with 1350s is closer to a million!!

I'm a millennial with an aversion to talking to people IRL. How much for a barebones evo or one I provide power and drive for?

This is a great opportunity for you to conquer your fears.
Step up and make the phone call. :)

I think online, the usual answer of 'semi custom build, too many variables, no such thing as standard' is a bit of a cop out but nearly all manufacturers will stick to it. They all want the chance to start high and then negotiate, it's tough times for boat manufacturers, I'd play along.

RR

Bup,

What is "chopper gun construction"?

Doesn't need to be the rich are getting richer.


As far as the thread goes, was it not the OP's intention to discuss used boats? Also price range would have been a helpful add to the query. It seems most here paid 10's of thousands for their boat not 100's of thousands and above.

Using a chopper gun to lay out FRP or composite material is a very efficient way to to get the job done, However the strength per weight of finished product suffers compared to hand lay up with any of the various choices of woven fibre materials.

I think the OP was talking new boats, used boats it's often about timing, you need to have cash and be looking when someone wants out really bad, then you do really well.

I hate to say it but seems the Checkmate brand boats are not holding much value - many 65-75mph 22-28ft boats can be purchased in the mid to high teens. Checkmates quality is overall good along with some relatively fast hulls in the size range compared to a Baja, Formula etc.

IMO one of the best "bang for the buck" used brands at the moment

Few questions on the 28 Evo-R. How does it turn at speed? How does it run in the rough? What does it weigh with say a HP 525, last question how long to get one built? Thinking about building a good P-4 race boat.thx

Anybody?

Good points here Tractionless. The original post's intent was to get some opinions on a brand of performance boat that would be considered a good value (strong product for a reasonable price). I was thinking new but never made that clear. My examples were Baja and American Offshore. BUP and altamate nominated Laveycraft and Checkmate (both great examples in my opinion of value packed performance boats). Price range was not mentioned but to keep some legs on this thread let's say less than 100K. Comments have been made that value and performance boating don't coexist (fair point). Comments have also suggested outboards may be the answer (also fair point, with drastically reducing maintenance costs). Collectively as a group managing spending costs on this expensive hobby appears to be relevant by the number of posts on this thread. If we're looking for the best value on a used performance boat brand maybe the answer is a brand name that will most likely hold a value the longest (Cigarette, Formula, Skater to name a few).

The Doug Wright designed 28 built by Fat Cat is the best deal out there if someone is looking for a new boat that will run 120 with stock 300XS power. I have a group discount in place for the first 10 hulls and have a few slots left.

If anyone is interested, feel free to give me a call
Joe
386 527 1845

Send me an email and I'll sort you out on all your questions.
Or give the shop a call, 951-273-9690

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