You guy's are describing exactly what I am building right now. I have an old sport hull that I have put on a new 2003 starfire deck on that I got from the factory. The interior will be a three man high back bucket seating across the front and a bench in the back. I however converted it from a twin to a single Bravo with an I.T. S. transom assembly. The power is a 548 cubic inch big block. Right now I am working on putting the new Gell coat on the boat. It will be solid black with White and Red interior. Look for it soon as it will be raced in P-4 and hopefully a few magazines. You guys are going to love this thing. It will be raced under the "Pirate racing team"

Well bird,

My boat started out as the "team Deranged boat that won the 2001 Championship for P5. Then I bought the hull stripped and brought it home. The deck was in poor shape and so was a couple of bulkheads. So I cut off the deck and replaced everything in the hull including the tanks. I got in touch with Magnum and for some reason they had this starfire deck that was a couple of months old and had not even been trimmed. I was able to get it for around eight thousand I believe and took a trailer from TN to Miami one weekend and picked it up. The guys down there were great. Well I brought it home and started the rebuild. I trimmed the deck, fitted it to the hull and used stainless screws all the way around every six inches and then glassed it all the way around the inside of the boat and across the front and back of each bulkhead. I had to fabricate the back seat for the new deck, The back bulkhead was replaced and made into a firewall. New are tunnels were made on each side. A new engine hatch was made with a tunnel ram. The bilge was completely changed and re glassed. I also made a unique console up front for the Navigator and throttle man. I also had to fabricate new vent plates for the tunnels on each side because Magnum did not have any nor the casting to make them. The hull was completely sanded and smoothed out and is starting the gel process,(No imron here) only gel coat will be used on the entire boat. Two layers of black and two layers of clear gellcoat and it will be awesome. There are not many boats out there that look good black but there is something special about a black Magnum, kind of a throw back to the smuggling days. I will get you some pics soon. Thanks for the interest.

I have a '78 Cigarette 28 you could have for a LOT less than $50k. Call Doller Marine!

Looking at 1998 28 donzi - the one that prompted this post - 350 mag's with 330 hours - When would I have to plan to rebuild these motors? Any issues with 350 mag mpi's with bravo drives?

I have 320 hours on my AT with the same power package and have had zero issues.
I think the roller valve-train gives a great deal more longetivity on this engine than say the old 260's. Keep good, clean oil in them, do an occasional leakdown comp check to make sure they are in good health (I do every season), and they will last you a long time.
If you do a lot of cruising like we do, I think they will last a lot longer than if you do a lot of WOT. It certainly is not uncommon for a marine SBC to go 1000 hours+.
Hope this all works for you- we love ours, and get incredible economy for a twin set-up.:) You will be VERY hard-pressed to break a Bravo drive with those engines.
Jim

Jafo-
I am planning to have a compression test next week. What is involved with the leakdown test? how long would it take a mrecruiser tech to do? Reason I ask is that they are $70 per hour.
Thanks

The 28' Sonic Origins...
 

Believe it or not, came from lengthening an old 24' Donzi hull. The proof of this is the rounded vee, just the same as all the other original old Donzi's. Ed:)

Interesting...

So:
Now that the dust has settled a little bit, is this deal really gonna take place? I did my part and mapped out the course a couple of pages back. Who will do the rest?

BJM's got me all psyched out with that monster motor he's rounding up, so I've gone and recruited a throttle man to help me out. His initials are BM, too, and he used to work out of the building where T'n'T is now...:p

Chuck, just tell me when we should all meet at Turkey Point.;) You caught me on a good summer.Nothing like a fresh repower.

Come on spring!!






PS... Bobby S. give me a call on my cell, i think i might need a hand;) Preferably your right hand!

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Hmmmmmmm. The computer debate continues!

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

OK, gotta toss in my .02. I am looking to build a 28'-ish V but with outboards - basically I want turn-key, low maintenance, good performance and most of all... to keep my balls from getting busted by the local MP for noise. And on top of that, I just want something different that you don't see everyday. With that said, I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone yesterday with Brian - aka, Joker Powerboats. If you are going to buy a boat based on the builder - you'd be missing out if you don't give Brian a call, not to mention his boats have a reputation of being seriously well-built azz-kickers!! We went over them stem to stern and they have all the right stuff, and then some. I, along with a lot of others have watched them run and they can run! He's a stand-up no BS, kind of guy - and his boats are built the same way. You can get it custom-plush, or stripped out to just run hard like a scalded dog, it's up to you. Give them a good look, you might not know what you're missing.

BTW, this was NOT a paid endorsement, just my opinion on the subject.

(Brian - I'll get you that address where you can send me that new 60" plasma TV :D :p ).

Mark.

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

DTM, Saber will build you a 28 ob too... don't see that everday either.

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Thanks for the kind words Mark! I have you some pricing and I'll call tomorrow!

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

How about something like this?
http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-5521.html

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

DotheMath, is correct about Joker. Also when ever there is a rough or choppy race and a Joker boat is out on the course..that boat is always up front.

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Krptonite????? Progression??????

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Wow - let the flood gates open - thanks for all the suggestions guys. A bit more on what I am looking for... I want to buy new, yeah I know - great idea on a boat, depreciation being what it is and all, but... I just like new, get what I want and know the history of the boat, yada yada. I looked at that Pantera - but it is just a bit too "fishy" for me, I have a wife and 15mo. son to work with. The best part, my wife's comment about our next boat, "I miss going fast and picking up that occasional let's-see-whos-faster race...". So, I've got that goin' for me ;) But, I need a few amenities - cabin to get the boy out of the sun for a nap if needed, and gear stowage, maybe a port-a-potty, (although being on a lake I always took them out), and some decent freeboard. also want a good-solid ride, I'll even give up that last couple mph on the top for it. I've had two Formulas and a Donzi for my last three boats, I love Progression, but not crazy about the cockpit and helm set up. I didn't know Saber would do a 28 O/B, worth a look for sure, Kryptonite is awesome, just not sure about the narrow beam. Based on what we have for dealers and fuel on our lake - service thinking here - I'm prob. going to go with Merc's, like the 250 xs Opti's, and I guess if I wanted to I could go to the 300 xs Opti's as we do have a couple stations with super available. This time around I wan't turn-key, low maint., gas-n-go boating - and not have to worry about getting thrown off for noise. I'm also looking at center consoles - like the 30' Concept, kind of the best of all worlds for a big lake like ours.

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Dothemath did you look into the Adrenaline's at all, try taking a look at them you wont be disapointed they have an awesome boat. www.adrenalinepowerboats.com www.uniqueperformancewest.com awesome boats.

John

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Thread says 28 ft. Tell Mike Layton his buddy says hi!

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Cigarette

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Amen to that. More specifcally, this Cigarette:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-11648.html

:drink:

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

That Cig should sell easily!

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Give me a call at 616-437-3852 Parnell

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

This is 28' :D

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Thanks for the compliments. :drink:

Re: Best 28' performance boat for rough water?
 

Parn. - will do... thanks.

Mark.

Which is the best rough water boat out of the 28' Pantera and Superboat 30' ? Both rigged with outboards.

i'm not too sure JC will rig a y2k w/ obs.
Pantera will, may not be as fast, but its a heavy 28 and will crush waves.
In lieu of a Y2K, a joker w/ twin 275s would be a nice option.

JC has and will

ff2, ya know, i stand corrected.
I do remember a thread about one. No pics posted.
Do you remember how it ran?

Austin. I have attached the link about the Y2K outboard.
Not sure if you are talking about a new Y2k, or an older tempest boat.
But with the info in this thread, i'd go w/ the Pantera hands down.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=148638

28 in rough water? Ask Boatfreak28 about our trip to Islemoralda and back to Pompano in January.

The 28AT was eating it up.

I like a 28' Cigarette, but the 28' Apache aint' no slouch either.

High 80s with 300s i think

Activator 27s run well with eggbeaters as well

I see you are in the Bahamas. Do you rack store your boat in a high and dry place or trailer it? The reason I ask is that if you get a boat with steps in the hull most high and dry palces tend to tear up the steps when the fork lift picks up your boat. A conventional deep V might be your best bet.