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Originally Posted by Lakeglider
(Post 4866579)
A 353 is getting to be a little big, in the fastechs I'm looking at the 312. The new budget is probably $75k max and I'm going to need a trailer included in that. I'm currently looking at how hard it is to retrofit an a/c system that can run off battery power. If I can save $20k+ on a boat and install my own a/c that would open my search quite a bit. A/c seems to be the hardest thing to find in this size/budget.
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: |
Originally Posted by TomZ
(Post 4866618)
I think that's supposed to be 312 FasTech - the 311 is a much older boat as is the 303 (both SR1 straight-bottoms).
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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!! |
Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater
(Post 4866602)
For what you want be careful about spending $50K or will find yourself wrenching instead of boating. Recently saw a 33ft Scarab AVS posted on Powerboatlistings.com with new transom/stringers lots of work done, well worth the asking price IMO. Nice cabin for what you want to do and good size not too big for smaller TX lakes like Lake Travis. West coast boats don't do great resale around here. Velocity 29 not a bad choice for these lakes either and usually priced well. Formula pretty popular, 353 good choice, cabin little small on 292 for overnighting.
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Originally Posted by Lakeglider
(Post 4866568)
This is cool but yeah, a little out of budget. There's also a 293 that's more in range. I'll keep an eye on these, thanks for the suggestion.
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 |
Originally Posted by Indy
(Post 4866607)
I had a 28 Heat, west coast boat in an east coast environment. The Heat has the roomiest and best cabin in any 28 I've ever been in, it was even better than my 33 PP. They're kinda slow, only got upper 60s with the 496HO no matter what prop I used and that included labbed. In the end a stock 24 worked best with leading edges sharpened and balanced. It liked some cup.
Not my first choice for chop, taking that out in 5s is a laugher, OSO 5s or real ones. Tried it and turned right around. Nice workmanship being a west coast boat, side saddle gas tanks kinda bothered me. I liked it a lot but only kept it 3 years before I moved to a boat more suited to my waters. If you're always boating in chop you're better suited to some of the east coast brands. I'll probably stay away from the Nordic then, slow and smooth I can understand but slow and rough is not for me. |
Originally Posted by snapmorgan
(Post 4866615)
I have had 2 Advantage Victories, a 27' and a 28' and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. I also owned a Nordic 35 Flame. The build quality is definitely better with the Advantage boats. The 32' is their fastest hull and handles the rough much better than the 27 or 28 which have the same bottom.
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Originally Posted by TomZ
(Post 4866620)
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: 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 |
Originally Posted by BBYSTWY
(Post 4866635)
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!! |
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