I only want inboards. That’s what I’ve lusted after since before episode 1 of Miami Vice. I just need to do it. I’ve ridden on a couple and was in heaven. I’m expecting 5K-10K per year average maintenance. Some years will be much less, some will be much more.

I am looking for a 38’-42’. I’m pretty settled on a cigarette. I think if I get anything else, I’ll always be unsatisfied.

The best advice I can give you is pick the size engines you think you want and call a few engine builders to give you rough estimates on top end work and so forth. This will help guide you to knowing what things will cost down the road.

A 38TS with 500EFI’s and at least SCX uppers would be a good platform to start with

Since they didn't make 500 efi's in 2008 you are looking at 525's as the best choice, second would be 700's but lot more expensive to purchase

Check the headers

Call PBC and get the 38 w Zul motors and SCXs. problem solved.

then come have some Fun

If you're doing it right, it's more like "break out another ten thousand", in multiples.

Whomever decided that boat was spelled with a single "T" never had twins that would go over 60mph

Agreed. Had a Cig Cafe Racer for a couple of years, to scratch that itch. Got tired of being bent over a barrel to have work done on I/Os, or bending myself into a pretzel to get into the bilge for things like sea pump maintenance. Sold it and bought a 28 Manta with twin 250 Outboards, runs just as fast and I can stand on the swim platform/engine bracket to do most repairs or maintenance. My back and wallet thanks me.

I'd still consider another I/O boat but it would have to be a single, or staggered twins($$$) to avoid some of the issues with big twins in an 8' beam.

If it's an itch you need to scratch then by all means do it -- otherwise you'll always wonder. It's one of those things that you have to experience firsthand (the good and the bad).

If you’re buying a used performance go fast I’d recommend one that has recently been rebuilt by a reputable engine builder. You can call the shop that did the work and generally they can tell you what you need to know about boat as they just worked on it as well as an expected annual budget for maintenance/rebuild cycles etc. Definitely get a blue motor minimum, sound alone is worth the admission. As the others have all mentioned performance boating is expensive but worth it! So in conclusion the most reliable will be the one with the freshest rebuilds by a reputable engine builder.