Best Rough Water Hulls 25' and under
 

New to the site so forgive the ignorance. I've read posts going back many years and I know the knowledge is all here. Ready to sell my Donzi Classic for a different hull and want good rough water performance (Long Island Sound) in a quality build. I like the designs of Activator, Kryptonite, Pantera, Progression, Superboat and Warlock but I'm sure there were other great solid boats. What am I missing that everyone knows about (except me)? Thx in advance!!

Active Thunder

we have an active thunder 25 and it is truley amazing in rough choppy water your welcome to come up and go for a ride...... lake ontario can make the sound look like a pond!

Try corsa 26 (actually 25)
New version Joker 26
Someone in NJ just bought the molds

Can you go to 28? Much better size for the Sound, been boating on it for most of my life.
Throw in AT, PowerPlay, Scarab,

Personally Id want to be in a progression, isn’t going to be the smoothest ride in rough, but I can guarantee, you will be out in front if your balls are big enough

I wondered if I would hear about Active Thunder in the responses. Good tip. And yes, my dream has always been to tackle big waves in fresh water but it's just too cold up there!

24 Pantera/Superboat

Do like the Corsa 26 but I think I'd like to stay seated at the helm right now. I was on a Superboat 24 a few weeks back and it seemed a little too short to stand in (I'm 6'1") and a little too tall to sit in. Corsa and Pantera look similar but tell me if I'm wrong. Eventually I may end up at around 28' and stand for sure.

Will look at those, thx. I may go larger in the future but would prefer to stay seated for now as its what I know. Went from Old Saybrook to Greenport two weeks ago in an old Superboat 24. It was fairly flat that day and my Donzi would have been better. Maximium time airborne is the goal. Honesty, I don't even enjoy it out there until it hits 3'. Afraid to lose agility and response in a big hull unless it has huge HP. I'm probably wrong about this but I will learn soon!

Don't overlook the Velocity

25 powerplay
25 Baja
26 Donzi zx

Since you want a sit down boat that handles rough water, I might suggest the 24LD Progression. Team Saris has one in the shop right now. Ask Johnny how he likes it. Wink, wink.

Great boat, blast to drive at 100+.
Will not run with a 24x7 in big water. Too light up front.

There is an offshore racing class called "Class 6". Its single engine vees 26 feet and under. Thats where your data needs to be collected. Real ocean racing...its dominated by 26 Jokers (Corsa), 26 Scarab, 24 Panteras, 24 Carrera, etc.

If you ever been in a nice sit-down boat, you might change your mind. I owned a 30 Superboat that was very comfortable sitting. I also owned a 24 superboat. It was a great rough water boat for it's size. I sat all the time. Did the boat you were on have the foot well insert on the driver's side? I built a foot rest for the passenger side too. It made a big difference.

234 edge
 

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ca2696d61.jpeg

Most 25 and under are production hulls for recreational boating. They will not last if you are looking to go wave jumping every weekend. You would be way better off looking for a used class 6 or 5 race boat. At least you may have a chance at not destroying you boat every time you go out.

Personally, I'd recommend Active Thunder, it's a great solid boat.

Definitely. 24LD is one of my favorites. Visited the factory years back and was impressed with the hand laid construction. However, I/O is what I'm looking for and it seems like they made one I/O for every 10 O/B's. Rare boat to find for sale.

.


checkout also Skater 24's

great in rough water but you gotta be careful not to stuff the nose

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...53220483b6.jpg








.

I boat in Lake Huron mostly and just did a tour of Pictured Rocks in Superior. I've had my 280 out in 8' on Huron and it's rare they are less than 2'. It loves to go 60+ in 2'+ and I have crossed the lake several times in 3-4'. My wife has a bad neck so I go easy for her, I've been 70+ in 3'. In Superior we were doing 80 in 1-2' and it felt like flat water. Find yourself a good used 260 and you will be happy. I took my daughters friends to Mackinaw City in 3' and her friend was so impressed that he sold his Baja and bought a Velocity.

Yep, a good foot rest make a big difference. My wife is too short to comfortably use the passenger side foot rest in the Velocity VR 1. I ended up putting a spacer behind and she can not believe how much more comfortable it is having a food rest she can use to brace her self.

Padraig

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0e79d344c3.jpg
Hard to beat a 24' Carrera.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...335aab29f2.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...aa38e49b24.jpg