The 312 is actually a pretty small boat when you're comparing to some of the others on the list.

The 353 will be a great boat that holds it's value while still being rather easy to get into from a price perspective. Luxury is way up there and the boat will definitely perform - moderate power, say from a 500 EFI, will get you comfortably into the upper 70's/80. There have been a few here that have touched the upper 90's with bigger power. The only wood in the structure is the transom so that's a bonus, too.

I'd also give Sonic a look. Nice rough water boats that are comfortable - and you can stand up in the cabin.

Always go bigger than you think - two-foot-itus sucks.

Lastly... how the heck did Sea Ray and Cobalt make it to the list?! This is OffshoreOnly, isn't it? :lolhit:Lol.

Happy hunting! :boat:

Yes, 312, not 311 for the FASTech. That is my bad.

I have a heat..older one with a straight bottom.97....as indy said the cabin is huge for a 28 footer but they are not great on rough water. The straight bottom seems to handle it a little better as compared to my buddy's which was as a stepped bottom. Takes a lot of power to get them to move being a big single....his with a stock 500 efi ran 70ish and was stepped. Mine with 1000 runs upper 80's but am still a long way off with prop testing/tuning. I'm expecting low-mid 90's all said and done but that's a big blown eif motor which is not cheap and not true turn key and go boating. I absolutely love the boat and have wanted one since the first time I saw one almost 20 years ago which is why I have put so much time and money in it but I would love more rough water capability. Being a big 28 it should handle true 3-4's but it will beat the sh!t out of you if you try it. I would say from everything I've seen and read that a 28 sonic or pantera or formula will do circles around mine in anything over 2 ft. It's hard for me to let mine go being I have put realistically double or more in it than what it's worth but I am looking to move into something more rough water capable with twins. A 31 sonic is on my short list...I think overall its not a terrible amount bigger than my heat but is much more capable with a good sized cabin and still runs decent with mild power.

Just my thoughts/experience. Good luck!!

That's a good point. That scarab is so far away from me though. There's not much that I'm finding in my area that's really fitting the bill. I might look at the 28 victory tomorrow, it's at a broker. The 32 is in Arizona. I'm not wanting to drive so far but I may have to.

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This one is less than your new $75K budget. Has A/C too.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2004...dster-8256459/

These boats have a big wide/tall boat feel. Not bad with 496's either.

You're going to buy a boat and than get a case of wanting something a bit bigger, usually it's about three foot longer. So why not go all in and look at this Cigarette. It may be one of the best boat available.
https://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...un-o83091.html

I'm on an inland lake so there's usually not too much chop, I would imagine any 30+ would smooth it out. My last boat was a 27 and it handled the chop fine until the lake got busy, then I had to watch it.

I'll probably stay away from the Nordic then, slow and smooth I can understand but slow and rough is not for me.

I'm going to take a look at a 28 victory tomorrow if I have time. The 32 is 14 hours from me so I'll look at the close one to get an idea of them. Thanks for the info

I hear you. The 312 in my area has twin 454 EFIs so that's a mood killer right there. I'm going to take a look at it since it's at a broker with the Victory.

I was was thinking 30-32 would suit me but taking your and other members advice I'm going to move toward a 35' with twins.

Sonic might be the compromise I'm looking for, comfortable ride, comfortable cabin that still moves at wot

I appreciate the real world and honest insight. Looks like I'm taking Nordic off the list. I'm feeling like twins are more of a necessity than a luxury at this point anyway.

I have this one saved and it's pretty cool. I was wondering if it feels like a bigger cruiser than more of a speedster, I assumed they do. As far as everything other than speed I would imagine this does it well. With 496 HOs I would imagine it's not too slow either

​​​​​​ I'm sure you're right, no matter what I get I'll want something bigger lol. I would consider it if it was close to me but it's just too far away. It's out of my budget and I think it's too much boat for my truck. Maybe even too much for my lake(nah). I've been looking for a scarab or cigarette around 32-33 but there's nothing in my area. I feel like I would be good with something like that for a while.

Anyone know this boat?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ibextid=dXMIcH

I'm going to look at this one next week, anything I should look out for? I see the hours shown on those 500efi motors are over 450... Maybe time for a rebuild? Or at least a top end? 502 mags are supposed to last longer than these correct?

Great Lake boats, really any northern fresh water boat usually well worth the drive. They really don't use their boat but for 3-4 months a year compared to like 6 for us and usually have heated storage. In TX we like to spend 6+ hours or overnight, we hang out floating like 85% of the time and the hot summer heat is more unforgiving so it's much harder on the cosmetics and interior. We also don't use heated storage most of the time. I bet you can get someone on here to volunteer their time to take a look before you spend the money to see it.

I know the boat. PM me your number and I’ll give you a call.

I hadn't considered that. There are a couple of boats I keep coming back to but the drive is less than ideal(possible 3 days each way).

Pm sent

I own HP500EFI's.

If top ends have not been done yes they are ready, head gaskets used to go along with springs but they did not have as big of a cam as 525EFI's so were not as bad. If the cylinders look good when the heads are off no reason for the bottom ends, that doesn't fail on low HP BBC. I did my top ends (New springs, seats, couple guides) at 320ish hours. They have about 780 now and run fine. Leak down and compression was good 100 hours ago.

I know I am getting near the end but have picked up some 525 long blocks so will be building those and the plan will be to have them ready for when ever these things go bad, swap and keep going.

This is owned by a very well respected oso member, “thisistank”. Low maintenance 496 power and hard to go past a Cigarette for rough water handling.

Cigarette Cafe Racer 35’

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d0af69140.jpeg


https://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...er-o82745.html

Happy shopping :)

RR

Good info. I'll ask if any top end work has been done. Puling heads and dropping them at the machine shop isn't too bad of a job. I would like to make it through the season before I do it though

That's a beautiful and looks to be well sorted boat. I like the power those 496 HOs make

Being a 496 snob myself, if I were in the market, that boat would be in my driveway already.

Tank keeps his stuff tip top is an understatement. If I were not $100k into the outdoor room addition on the house that listing would be gone but when the ol' lady wants something she usually gets it.

Someone tell me what's wrong with this boat. The upholstery needs to be replaced apparently but other than that I don't know why it hasn't sold. I keep coming back to it and if it were local I would already be there.
https://www.boattrader.com/boat/1997-donzi-33-zx-8489988/

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The boat has a name that's blocked out, maybe to hide it's history? The engine hours are unknown, is there a way to look at the hours through the pcm? Maybe a surveyor could do that

Lakeglider,

Find a surveyor in the area and have it checked out. The location would indicate a freshwater boat, which would be a make-or-break for me if I were looking. I believe Rinda makes a Techmate for about every engine Merc makes/made with an ECM, and hours should be readable.

Thanks. Brad.

The name and registration numbers are blocked out by the broker so it's harder to find/contact the owner directly.

Look for a PQ 320SC. I don't think they made a ton of them but the one we had was super fun with great amenities. Not sure what they go for right now but new back in mid 2000's was about $200k, so id assume you could get one close to your budget.

There may be nothing wrong with it but do lots of checks and homework before getting excited…..it’s listed with Poop Yachts!

Poop Yachts list 000’s of boats and some of their brokers are just clueless sales staff chasing a commission. They list boats through numerous websites all over the world and also multi list with other brokers.

As I said, it may be a great boat, just take some extra time. If it’s nearby, have look, or maybe a friend nearby can give it an initial once over.

RR​​​​​​…