A Few Startup Questions
 

Hi, I am completely new here. The largest boat i've ever owned was a 22' fishing boat. Thanks for taking the time to read my post, I have a few noob questions:

1. I'm interested in the Scarabs and Formulas(thanks Thunder in Paradise). I know these boats are built for speed but how do they handle in choppy water? I live on Lake Erie and it can get fairly rough at times with no warning.

2. Can these boats be used for calm recreational purposes? What I mean is, can I anchor the boat and do some swimming off of it, scuba diving, etc. and sleeping overnight?

3. I have a wife and 2 smalls boys. Could we sleep in the cabin comfortably? I am 6'4" what is the headroom in the cabin?

Again thank you for your time.

Take time to look around
 

wow you have some requirements. First off most 24 degree dead rise boats ride pretty good. The more the weight with that a little better the ride depending on size. But, if you are that tall and expect to stand up in the cabin you eliminate most performance boats. Are you going to trailer or store in marina, that may eliminate a bunch more. Size and beam must be considered also if you trailer. You need to better define your requirements, ride is one thing comfort another. State them better and I am sure you will get better info. Also inboard or outboard? Don't forget the most important $$$$$$.

There aren't requirements, but just questions to help me get a better understanding of these type of boats, of which you answered almost none. Thanks though.

For overnighting look at Black Thunder SC series, Sonics 35 foot and up, Donzi ZX series 33 foot and up

Thank I'll look those up!

I've looked at many pictures. I'll try and hone in better of what i'm asking/wondering.

Is there a way to get a swimming ladder and platform on the side or back of a powerboat of at least 33'?

I've seen mostly one actual bed in most of these powerboats. Can the couch be converted at all like in an RV?

I'm 6'4" so i'm used to not fitting in things like these. But I would like to know what the height of an average cabin is. Say a 38' Scarab Thunder for example.

This Wwellcraft performance cruiser has 6'5" headroom in the cabin. I guess I should say cabins. :)

http://47excalibur.com/

What's your price range?

$40,000 would be max as of right now.

I love this boat!!!! It looks like they raised the price from 179. I guess it hasn't sold so you should ask more for it.:party-smiley-004:

Sports boats generally don't have 6'4" headroom. The bed area is usually enough to lie down comfortably but can't sit upright. Opposing lounges are common in the cabin area and many convert to a decent size berth for kids. As lounges, you'd be able to sit upright in most but standing headroom usually under 6'. Only a very few offer 6' or more and they're big boats like a Black Thunder 46 or cruiser style boats like Sea Ray and such.

Boarding ladders are fitted to the stern platform on just about all sports boats, they unfold and drop into the water so access is pretty easy. No side ladders unless you buy an accessory one that sits over the gunnel. Beware of props when jumping out off the back.

Deep V hull design will handle the choppy waters, the classic rule of thumb is a 24 degree deadrise but there's many boats around with slightly lower angles of deadrise that also perform well. In the rough, waterline length and weight will always help but obviously you get into bigger boats, more money, more maintenance etc.

Boats you've mentioned, 38' Scarab is an awesome rough water boat but in the price range, it's gonna be old and may need a huge amount of work. Many (most) older boats have suffered from water damage/rot in the hull core so soggy transom and stringers are quite common and a big job. Older boats also have older engines and drives so be prepared, all that stuff is expensive and can financially cripple a boating dream.

Old Formulas are great boats too but beware all of the above applies.

Scuba diving is possible but if you're trying to store tanks and dive gear for 4 people, there just ain't enough space.

Go and look at a couple of boats and you'll see straight away how much room they offer.

Good luck shopping.

RR

Rak thank you so much for your reply and addressing all of my questions as well as directing me to potential problems that may arise.

Is it possible to add a swim deck/platform to any of these powerboats that I mentioned or similar styles? Looking for something that can extend past the props.

Two styles of swim platform, many are incorporated in the existing hull design so they're sort of 'part of the boat'. The other style is an 'add on' platform usually tubular type and are bolted on to the flat transom of the boat.

Google Cigarette boats or Baja boats, lots of add on platforms there. Look at Donzi or Fountain and they're built in. Scarab and Formula early models were add on but later went with the molded in style. Boarding ladders can be fitted to either type.

There's no right or wrong, just different styles. Remember too, when looking at boats with the incorporated platform, many manufacturers include the platform as part of the length whereas those with bolt on platform measure to the vertical transom which many consider the true length of a boat.

Go and look at some boats, it'll answer so many questions in about 60 seconds!

RR

I own a 26' Powerquest Legend. My wife and two daughters have over nighted on it. I think of it more like glorified camping. I'm 6'6" so I know where you are coming from. My wife and I sleep in the V berth and we have a bridge and cushion that convert the couches into a huge bed also. The girls sleep there. There is a swim ladder off the back of the boat and we use it every time out when anchored. My kids can't wait to jump in. We even do some tubing off the back of my boat as well still. It handles the choppy water that kicks up in the Chesapeake bay just fine. Its fun and my kids look forward to doing it. Could we step up in size and get something more comfortable? Of course, but this fits our needs now. I have a small flat screen Tv in the cabin that keeps the kids entertained and a porta potty as well. Dont know if thats what you wanted to hear or not but we have a blast when we go out. Just be realistic and check out a few boats. Over night trips with the kiddos are as fun as you want to make them. We have a blast

For what you're looking to do I would be on the hunt for a Formula 336, 382 or the Powerquest 34, 38 - All of those boats will have the best headroom for the price range you are looking in along with being great boats for the rough Lake Erie.

OP,

Are you doing any work in the engine room yourself? Both of what you listed are VERY cramped quarters, engines pinned on top of each other at the centerline. Maybe something else you want to consider.

Along with the above mentioned boats I would also look at Baja 33 outlaw or 342, Powerquest 290 or 340, Formula 311 SR1, 303 SR1, 312 or 353 Fastech. All of these will give you a decent amount of room and twin big blocks. If you are wanting to stay with a singe I would take a look at a Powerquest 280, I would say it has more room that anything in that size range and will run 65-70 with a single 502 or 496.

If your on Facebook look into getting on the powerboat swap shop and passion for powerboats. There are always different boats for sale with many pictures so you would be able to get an idea of what you like. Go look at as many as you can and get a survey before you buy.

Another boat for the price.
 

You may want to look at a sonic 33, 35, or 38. They have the head room and there are quite a few in your price range. Another all around choice as a famley/ fishing boat would be a 35' contender split console, a bit beamy but all around serves many purposes. It was a 33 Cary copy. Check the boat trader.com.