TIME TO BUY A BOAT. Which ONE???
 

Some of you know me, others dont. Here is my background. Im an oldtimer round here and used to have a 1979 Scarab (the SCAR) 30 ft with 2x502. I finally sold the boat at nearly a 50% loss after MUCH agony. It was once suggested that I have my mailing adress changed to the bilge compartment of my boat, since thats where I was most of the time.

Anyway, Im a SCUBA DIVER. I run from Newport to Avalon and surrounding islands twice or three times a month.

I have my selection narrowed to THREE BOATS and cannot decide what to do. Please offer your valid advice! Remember though, that going fast is not necessarily the goal here, but rather, which boat is going to be easy to run, safe, FUN and comfortable... and have the best resale... tell me what you think!

BOAT 1> 28' Wellcraft 2800 Martinique $50000
http://newimages.yachtworld.com/1/1/4/4/8/1144800_1.jpg
Twin Mercruiser V6, Bravo II outdrives, windlass, spotlight, Bennett trim tabs, Ritchie compass, Quicksilver controls, Vaccu Flush head, full canvas, Microwave, alcohol/electric stove, Garmin GPS w/chart plotter. Complete outdrive service and new bottom paint this year. Only 245 original hours. Triple axle trailer included! 24 MILE RADAR INCLUDED.

Boat 2> 1994 Silverton 310 Express, 31' $50000
http://images.traderonline.com/img/6.../1924609_1.jpg

FRESH WATER USE ONLY!!, Completely SERVICED and Ready to Go!!, 310 Express Cruiser, Twin MerCruiser 5.7L Alpha, Cockpit Cover, Full Canvas, AC/DC Refrigerator, Ice Maker, Hot Water Heater, Depth Indicator, Trim Tabs, VHF Radio, Custom Stereo w/10 Disc Changer and MP3 Player, Remote Spotlight, Microwave, Anchor w/Rope & Chain, Bottom Paint

Boat 3> 1995, 32ft ENVISION ILLUSION $50000 firm

http://images.traderonline.com/EMedi...0317249907.jpg

twin 454 mags, 100 total hrs, drop out bolsters, silent choice, fume sensor, TV/VCR, 8' stainless Bimini, full & snap cover, trlr completely redone, SS props, 65 gps mph, priced to sell,

Please tell me why you think what you do!

thanks everybody, hopefully this voyage will be better than the last and I look forward to getting back on the water!

Are getting a slip or towing? Beam size may be an issue.

You tell us...which boat is going to be the easiest to gear up in, maneuver to the swim platform and dive off of? Are the drives in the way when you dive? How easy is it get back out of the water? Which boat has the storage for the gear? Tanks and vests especially...

i can do eithier. slip or trailer.

as you can see the wellcraft and the envision have trailers. i have my old spot no problem.

i also found a spot for the big boy for 9bucks a foot... which i can grudingly do. although i must admit, the idea of stepping on to the boat and leaving is appealing, although the rust factor scares me a bit... hmmmm.

i think the envision will be problematic for more than two divers... however its lines and speed are very tempting. the other two have more than enuf room. all three have adequate dive platforms on the back.

wellcraft > plenty of room. new engines, radar, trailer. can dive 3 or 4 with ease. 2nd fastest, but smallest of the three. of the three, least pretty. probably most reliable.

silverton> GIANT. could dive six. will ride in rough best of 3 no doubt. worried about ALPHA outdrives on such a big boat. resale? cant be trailered no way. nicest interior, most room by far, slowest. no electronics.

envision> BEAUTIFUL. FAST. MULTIPURPOSE. Of the three, the cleanest. Expensive to run. Probably most maintenance. Sucks gas. hull looks like it may not handle ruff very well, very pointy. least roomy. not an optimal dive layout.

ARGH!!!!

If diving is your main concern, I would choose the Silverton 310, hands down. Twin small blocks, good size, nice ride, nice cruiser.

I always pictured you as the perfect candidate for a Scarab Sport, Fountain CC, Concept, etc. For what you do, I can't think of a better boat.
(And if a CC is out of the question, I like the Silverton. I once checked out a smaller Envision that was around the same year as that. Let's just say I wasn't overyl impressed with the boat.)

i want something to sleep in. most dive trips are for lobster. this means night diving, and many times multi day trips. also, i want to hit some of the outer islands this winter, it gets COLD and WET. i definitely want a cabin!

Man, Good to hear from you Nick!!!
I remember when I first came here to the board and you where on here ALL THE TIME!!! I miss your daily updates!!

I would go with the Silverton!!
It's Bigger!!
Look's a heck of a lot better!!
It has more room!!
Bigger Cabin!!
Plus six people diving would be more fun than just two!!

31 Sonic, half-way in between, good creature comforts plus Pok-her Run ability : )

I vote for the Silverton:cool:

silverton,

envision and wellcraft you would be throwing your money away. plus the silverton is the better built boat. also more versitile for your needs.

Treadwell

slickster, welcome back!!!

i'd go withe th welcraft. The 3rd boat i never heard fo eth biulder. and silvertons are ok but i think the wellcraft is prolly better biult.

plus you got bravos on the wellcraft. yes it has smaller power but you are NEVER going to break a drive unless yous hit something.

for diving the main question is which has a bigger platform???

The Slickster is back...just buy anything so the new Board members can be entertained with your weekly Monday Morning Slickness Report!!!! About time you return to the action. That Silverton is a great looking boat...don't know anything about them but just has great lines!!!! Good to hear you are alive and well Slickster!!!

DMan

I looked at Silverton's before sweet setups compared to the wellcraft

Hi Nick, welcome back. I have a Silverton so I am kind of biased but I think it is the best boat for what you want to do. You might want to add a genset and radar but it looks like it's well equipped otherwise. Build quality on later model (90 and up) Silvertons is as good as any production boat. And they have a loyal following and a great owners group-see www.silvertonboat.com . The Alphas are not the best for a bigger boat but the engines are well matched to them so there should be no problem there. Plus it has those nice holders on the swim platform to hold tanks :D

thanks for the advice guys.

im going to look at the well craft tomorrow, and then depending, i might go look at the silverton.

the age and outdrives on the silverton kinda scare me, but im still considering it.

Nick,
Have you ruled out Center Consoles?
If not, how about a Concept?
It even has a transom door to get in & out with your dive gear.
:eureka:
http://www.conceptboats.com/

Ive had enuf of the spray over the side, tuff ride, sleep outside.

I want comfort, smooooth ride in rough water, and a nice place to burn a bug and eat it in peace, take a shower, and stretch out, for several days in a row....

keep the suggestions comming though!

Silverton

Get the Silverton and beat them down enough that when and if the drives blow you will be able to have the money to replace them with Bravo drives (direct bolt up no problem. Just pull out the motors and drill two new holes in the transome but there is no glass work). If they are proped low enough and I am guessing they are you will not have any real problems with them. So get them to take a couple grand off for the drives and you are set.

Jon

Nick, Last I heard your old boat
is still for sale :0 :)
Mike J.

Nick Welcome back to OSO, I still see ya over on CF.. How is that Busa comming? As for the boat, I would go with the Silverton for the pure factor of size and comfort. Those two things seem to be the most important on your list as I can see. You can get multiple divers on the boat comfortably for multiple days.

Nick, Good to here from you again. You were one of the big reasons why I couldnt wait to get to my computer on Mon mornings

I would go with the Silverton w/o thinking twice

Great alround boat

Bob

Nick, Drop me a line this weekend. A friend of mine has a boat listed down at the Dunes you may want to look at while you are there. Its about $15K less than what you are looking at now. And I think it has a Gun Rack!!

Matt
949-212-7275

get the Silverton.

Silverton a freind had one and it was a sweet boat. Good lUck Nick

I had a 26' Wellcraft. It was an ok boat, but it rode like crap. I would ride both the Wellcraft and the Silverton in some slop and see what YOU think. I think I would lean towards the Bravo drive though.

Silverton for what you want to do......

I second what BillR said. I rode in his Wellcraft and was amazed at how bad it rode. And it was a wet ride too. My vote is for the Silverton....alpha or not. But you need to ride them both. Then repost your thoughts.

Plus those Wellcrafts are all over the place, at least around here. The Silverton is a little more unique and stylish. Throw some Bravo drives on it if that is a big concern.

Well how did you make out what 1 did you buy if any yet ?

Nick, Just be aware though, unless you are just cruising at 10 -15 mph, most all cruisers ride like **** in the kind of water you boat in

I still say go for the Silverton

I'd say the Silverton, but would have reservations about the power. If you test drive it, take it out loaded like you'll be using it. 4 or 5 friends and a sh!tload of heavy gear, coolers will make a difference in the ride. You won't be thinking of how economical it is to run if you're loaded down and can't get her to plane. I also agree with Otis311. I've only been on a couple of cruisers but each time I was suprised at how they get pushed around and can pound in water that an offshore just cuts right through. They've got more weight, but they also have the big wide flat bottom...