Which 38 V-hull with twin 525 EFIs?
 

I am new to this forum(was turned to it by The Dirty Duck) and need help with choice of next boat. I am looking to step up from a 29 Donzi to a 38 V-hull. I have looked at Fountain, Hustler, and Velocity so far. I need to see at least 85mph and have up to $250,000 to spend. I would like to stay with the non-aspirated motors for reliability issues. If you have any other boats to look at please recommend. Most of my boating is done in the Gulf of Mexico.It needs to have a decent cabin for wife and child. Thanks for your time

I would lean towards new, since I would rather not buy someone elses headache. But if the boat was mint and I could save a large chunk of cash I would consider. I have never seen an Active Thunder or the Formula in person. I saw the two Active Thunders for sale in the classifieds. Both looked very nice but I do not know how reliable the KE motors are. I do not know anyone with these motors personally.

hustler 388 is a great boat, I had one, and would buy another

I sent you a private message. When you buy new there will always be warranty issues, look at boats with break in time and where all warranty issues were addressed. Good luck to you
I own Radio active, 37 A.T. http://WWW.MSNUSERS.COM/JASSMANSRADI...oactive2.msnw.
also a 2000 Sonic 42SS and a 2000 Top Gun, which are friends of mine. see ya on the water soon, take care Jeff Jassby 228-216-0900 cell

Thats a wide swath, you can get a lot of things in that price range.

Pantera builds a nice 36 and will do about any custom thing you want. The one with cobra's ran in that speed range and JO will put anything you want in for power. It's a custom build boat.

Personally I dream of a 36 pantera and I would like to try the new Vortec 525s

Used Cigs run in that range and there are a lot of 1-2 year old cigs out there for sale.

The AT's look nice and they would also be on my list of boats to look at.

Finally the new 38 Powerplay I think I would also have to take a ride on.

That is the 4 that would be on my list, the other brands are nice but I put these 4 at the top of my quality of construction list.

Your mileage may vary :D

Thanks guys for the reference to AT.

The D Effect,

I am the factory rep for Active Thunder. I am a two time Active Thunder owner and believe in the boat that Active Thunder builds. The beauty of buying a new boat is you can customize everything any anything from paint to carpet and everything in between. As for power we are building a new 37 AVH all tricked out with 525 motors. This boat will run a solid 85 mph all day long with all of the cabin ammenities, hot water, corian countertops, leathertech surface full stand up head etc...

Being one of the owners of the 37 with KE 675 motors I can tell you that they are one fine motor. I have over 55 hours on them and they are exteremly reliable.

I am working today, so feel free to call me (856-912-0850)and check out our website at Active Thunder

cigarette... tried and true w/ the best resale value... if the cabin is important then look at fountain... all others are good/great boats but dont have the resale...

Sonic 386 By far the most room in cabin as far as head room and the size of the head. Can sleep 4 no problem, the boat your wife would want if she saw it. 80-82 mph with 525's not steped all around good boat for the money.

Active Thunder 37 AVH if you buy one get the AVH ( steped bottom) they make it both way's and the non steped is the same speed as the Sonic but with much less head room in the cabin. The AVH will run mid to upper 80's all day with 525's if you play with it some you may see 90. They build a nice boat.

The Velocity and Hustler are about the same as far as cabin size, they say inclosed head but I doubt a man can get into it. The boats ride and drive nice, if I had to pick one I would go Hustler I feel it's built better. They will both run mid to upper 80's w 525's


The Formula 382 nice built looks good more room than the Velocity or Hustler but not as much as the Active or Sonic. I have driven two and didn't like the way they felt, not enough feed back.low 80's mph w 525's

Donzi 38zx Nice boat. kinda funny lay out I looked at one before I bought my 42 Sonic didn't really like it didn't drive it so I can't say.

OUTERLIMITS My favorite (this will now start a big fight) I feel the best built boat being made now. I have not seen the new APACHE boat but they have only made 36 footers as far as I know now bigger ones to come soon. But you are not going to get a new one from either for 250k. Maybe close on the OUTLIMITS but it's going to be a striper. But you can find real nice used one's that will be just like new. They will not loose as much as the other's either. Upper 80's with 525's.

You need to start traveling and looking and driving there are many more brand's out there the one's I listed are just one I have driven owned or looked at to buy. I am selling My 2000 42 Sonic for an Outerlimits, my Sonic is a Great boat but only a 75 MPH with 500efi's But it has everything you could want and more. For me if I couldn't afford an OL I would go Sonic they just have a ton of room in the cabin the OL has a big cabin too just cost a lot but you get what you pay for.

I for got about the Fountain I allmost got a 32 fever if your left handed and 5'6" take a look you might like it. I'am not going to say anything else for the safty of my life.

He said 38, not 28 :D

That means a 42 Fountain to fit the bill.

Nice boats too

Definetly check with Magicfloat (Robert). He is a dealer for Formula and Donzi, and a great contributor to this board. I know he is at the races in Daytona this weekend. I wonder if he's rooting for Donzi or Formula?:confused:

Von Bongo you said it not me, I only wanted to speak about boats that I had first hand info on. After the 32 I didn't want to look at anymore.

:p

It's all in good fun, I used to have a beaker so I feel I have earned the right to poke a little fun at them.

Still nice boats though.

The D effect

All the boats mentioned are great boats, you need to ask yourself if you want cabin room or top end speed. Hustler, Velocity, and Fountain are going to be the fastest only by a 1-3 miles per hour, but you sacrifice the cabin. If you are not over nighting its not a problem, but for weekend trips you may want to look at a more spacious boat like a Cig, AT, or Sonic.

Will:p

Take a look at the 41'velocity the velocitykendo has posted in the classified section. I know this is more boat than you have listed that you are interested in but it can be bought for $194,000. that is less than what you want to spend a a great boat. I have personally ridden in this boat it is awesome and only has about 50hrs on it so it is not hardly old enough to be used.

a Sonic.....

Great Boats
 

Everyone of the boats listed would probably fit your profile. I personally would have to go with the Velocity because I have been in each of the boats listed and I can say that the Velocity has the cabin room that will compare or exceed most other boats of equal size. Also, don't expect to pay the prices you suggested. I am sure if you are interested in a 39 or 41 Velocity, you should call me or Ken @ Velocity or PM us. Speed will be up there with the best of them, I guarantee

A 39 or 41 has the same you as a Sonic????? no Velocity has near the room of a Sonic, a good boat but not roomy.

I personally have not been in a Sonic so I could not say. I have a friend who has just bought a 42 Sonic and will have it home soon, so I will have the opportunity to check it out. They are very nice looking boats.

Ok then I'll go easy on ya, I'am 6'6" and can almost stand up straight in the head. if your 5'5" you can walk around in the cabin no problem. I have been in the 39 and 41 they are nice but the low head room and small head is what kept me from buying.

I have driven a 2003 Sonic 386 with the new Infused (lighter, stronger & faster than previous) hull. See my link below for more details on my test drive. This boat ran a solid 80 MPH on relatively smooth Ches. Bay waters. This is not a stepped boat, and has NO handling quirks. It does need a bit bigger water to air it out and see 82 on the GPS. Like everyone said, your better half, will want this boat when she sees it. You will want this boat after you drive it. IMHO, it is the best all around performer in this class with the enormous amount of ammenites you get; bearing in mind price. You will still stay in your price range for a new Sonic with all the toys. Anything else and you are going to have to go used.

http://offshoreonly.com/forums/showt...ove+2003+sonic

And all you folks that think Sonic is ailing when it comes to performance in the hull...

I have confirmed info that a stripped 386 Sonic is being built for F-2 competition as we speak. I do not know for who, what dates are expected, or where it will be raced, but watch out when this boat splashes. It will probably run mid-80s, and some may be faster, but races aren't won by straight line speed in F-racing. This boat will run 80+ the entire length of the circuit, including the nasty stuff and the turns.

Thank you for all the feedback
 

I got way more responses than I thought I would get(Very active board). Does anyone live in the Tampa area that would want to give a test ride in some of these boats. I think I will look at the Sonic first since we all know if the wife does not like the boat is a no can do. I also would like to look at the Velocity since they are built within a 2 hour ride from my house. Thanks Mike

MIKE,

We have a Active Thunder factory rep in the Tampa area who will be more than happy to give you a ride in his Active Thunder. He has a 2002 496ho boat. His boat is the older version with the lower deck and older style cabin. He is selling it and replacing with the new taller deck and millenium cabin. Give me a call at the above number and I will hook the two of you up this week. Then I can send you some pictures of what the new cabin looks like. 856-912-0850

Since everyone is chiming in and no Powerquest owners have said anything, I will. Look at one! It is very fast with stock engines. Handles great. Has a huge cockpit and cabin. Their pricing is better than most and probably the best support from the factory. I like to run hard, and the boat does not mind at all. It will cruise all day long at 70 and take you over 80 with 500 efi's. Like everyone else here I am biased, but they are definately worth a look if you need to keep the family happy with space.:D :D