Need Info. on Switzer Power Boats
 

I've been looking for a fast 24-28 ft. single engine ride in good condition. I've found a 24SS Switzer for sale in the area. I remember Switzer from the late 80's, but haven't been successful in finding any info. on them.

Anyone have input on the boats & company? Recommendations?

Thanks.
Ricochet.

I owned an '88 24' with a 454-365hp bravo. Fun little boat. That was the biggest boat they ever built (except for a one off 32') They went out of business around 94 or so. The 24' was a really fun boat however the fit and finish left a lot to be desired. It ran 68-69 mph with that setup. The boat handled fine as long as you were going in a straight line. In the turns the boat liked to slide pretty drastically then all of a sudden it would catch and outside chine and want to roll up to the out side. I put on way over a thousand ours on my boat and I would drive the hell out of it. The hull held up great. Alot of the hardware however had to have constant attention as they didn't thru bolt anything. they also don't like the rough water. Because of its bottom design if you got in anything more than a 1-2 chop it would just beat you to death. A really fun lake/river boat however.

I still have a real soft spot for the 24' Switzer.

I currently own a 1988 24' Switzer. Todd is right in that the finish leads something to be desired but I have been thoroughly pleased with mine.

It is for sale for $18,000 CDN (about $11,500US). It has a Ford 460CI with the OMC King Cobra drive, dual axle aluminum trailer, new tonneau cover and the upholstry needs a little TLC.

I am selling it because we are expecting our second child in March and I will not have time to use it next summer. You can see some pictures at http://home.cogeco.ca/~jcollins8/. The driver's seat is missing in these picture because I was having it rebuildt at the time.

Bam,

That is the exact black red and grey color scheme I had on my. Back in 88' was the first year for the merc Bravo 1 outdrive. Most of the 24's coming out then had the 460 King Cobra setup. I actually went to the factory ( it was only 45 min from home which made it easy) and asked them to build mine with the Merc setup.

Switzer
 

The company was a leader in the smaller boat design and racing mostly OB's in the 50's & 60's. From Crystal City (?) IN.

There is a thread with lots of info - try a search.

Unfortunately these 24 footers are not really big water boats, a 24 Pantera or similar is better suited. If you are looking to pick one up real cheap than that's OK. They really don't have any resale so just beware.

Wannabe in Motor City

That's cool, I was going to have the interior redone this winter and my wife wanted to keep the same colour scheme, but the baby is priority now. The OMC is my only dissappointment with the boat, if it had a Merc, I would keep it but I am nervous about the OMC breaking some day and not being able to get the parts.

Re: Switzer
 

Actually it's Crystal Lake, Il. - they were a fairly small outfit one town over from where I live, so we have a few Switzers here in the area.
Everyone I know thinks highly of the 24'....

My buddy Nick is selling his 24 Switzer as well. He's a trucker and has not used the boat in nearly 3 years. It's in need of some TLC and located in NY if you are interested, PM me...He's also moving so I think he's VERY motivated!

P.S. Ive ridden in the boat...it's got big block 454 and bravo drive with nose cone...and is FAST!

I have neighbor has a 24 Switzer, I have spent allot of time on, for the $ it is a really fast boat. His is purple and white, original. He purchased it about 4 years ago for 16K. Everyone is right though it doesn't take waves over 1.5-2 very well/

It sure was a really really fun lake boat

One correction, they did have a 25 ft as well. Mine was a 1990 SS250. And it ran pretty good in everything I through at it.

24 Switzer

A friend has an 89 modle,never seen so many blisters on one boat in my life.Stringers wrotted out,transom wrotted out,interior wrotted out etc but it is fast with a 502efi/415 hp in it.

The 250 Offshore model was exactly the same as the 24. They started including the swim paltform to call it a 25. Otherwise it was the same boat.

They did make a 22' that looked just like the 24/25' did.

Thanks everyone.

Sean - I just sent you a private message on the NY Switzer.

Active Thunder Todd - That slide/chine walk scenario sounds interesting. Not something I would look forward to at WOT. No trim tabs on the Switzer I'm looking at. It has a 454 bored-out to 468 cu. in. w/ a Bravo One. From thru-hole to carb, the owner says the engine is all high perf. and the boat will run low 70's. I'm definitely up for the speed, but not fit and finish issues. Those little (relative term) issues nickel and dime ($100 to $500)you to death.

Ricochet.

cont'd...

Bam Bam - That OMC would scare me too.

27 Fountain - What year was your friend's Switzer? The one I'm looking at is a '92 24SS for $15K.

G-Force - That's where it was. I knew they were close, but forgot they were in Crystal Lake. That helps.

Airpacker - So it was a piece of chyt, but it was FAST! I like that commentary.

Ricochet.

i was a switzer dealer from 1988 till they quite building boats in 1991.we sold a ton of them.they were very fast for the price.we worked with the factory on a lot of small improvements over the years.i designed the graphics that they went to in 1989.the 90 and 91 models were really quite well built.driven right they will run with any other 25 footer,just keep the drive tucked in.the same for turns,keep the drive tucked in and it will turn well at high speeds,but dont try it with the drive trimmed out.that can get real exciting.

I seem to remember a plywood version in the 60's in the Niagara River that had an outboard on it. I think it was an Evinrude 105, big in those days. I think it was only 17-18 ft and was a airplane going over cruiser wakes. I though it was called Switzercraft then.

sterndrivespec.

The guy who owns the Switzer told me his is a '92. If I read your response correctly, you're telling me '91 was the last year Switzers were made, correct.

Ricochet.

Hi guys-I'm new here. I just looked at a '90 Switzer SS 22 today and I was searching for some info. The one I looked at has a 350/330HP with an Alpha 1 outdrive and stern jack. The motor has been worked but is not too high strung. The boat is in mint condition and the guy wants 15K for it. Supposedly the motor puts out 330hp and will do 70 mph on GPS with a quarter tank of fuel. It is yellow/grey. Too bad I can't post any pics on here-I'd be interested to see what you guys thought of the boat. If anyone has anymore info or advice I'd be happy to hear it.