Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

I've sold my 100mph 26' American Offshore in favor of a 28-30' vee to satify the family's cabin needs. I narrowed my search down to six boats I like the style of. The hard part is I must still have a good handling 90 mph boat so I expect to have 7-800 hp on tap. For those of you who know one of these boats please give me your input.

29 Fountain
28 Sunsation
29 Magic
28 Nordic
28 Pantera
30 Superboat

Re: Decissions? 5 boats, need more info to decide.
 

I have to assume you are a lake boater???am I right????
In that case the 29 Fountain will give you the speed you're looking for.

Re: Decissions? 5 boats, need more info to decide.
 

28' Saber
http://www.hallandhomes.com/saber/28_offshore.htm

Re: Decissions? 5 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Tim, Lakeboater? Yes, with occasional blasts to Catalina Island on the west beach and or Poker runs. Actually Pantera should be on my list.

Re: Decissions? 5 boats, need more info to decide.
 

My vote would be for the 29 Fountain with either a 525 if you can live with 80+ mph or 496 HO and "Procharge or Raylar" it till you hit 90+.

A Pantera 28' with Procharged T-496 H0's would work too!

Re: Decissions? 5 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Hmmmm ,,, Fountain, Sunsation, Extreme in this size. You ARE in for a difficult decision!!!!
Sunsation Mid cabin is a awesome family boat if kids are involved.
Every one has their own unique needs.
Of course I also like the Formula with the twin small blocks.
All are fast. All are unique and different. I guess it would depend on your priority list (Speed, room, family, number of guests, over night, etc.)

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

From that list - Pantera.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

If you are looking for no frills then superboat is the way to go. Ya just cant beat the price.... and the Cohen family has proven it is a reliable/strong hull on the race course.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Ya know I really love the Y2K Superboat but, I'm lookin at the cabin on the web site and it looks a little claustrophobic. The entry way also looks small. I would fly to NY to meet Mr Coen if I'm wrong.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

If I were picking one boat from your list, I'd go with the Pantera. Talk to Too Old (Fred) about the one he had with the Troy Dennis motor in it. I don't recall his top speed, but it was up there. I've riden on and driven a 28 Pantera (Griff's with a merc. 525 in it) and LOVE the boat. Handles sloppy water with ease. Decent sized cockpit and cabin. And built brick shi# house tough.

That would be my pick.

'Foul

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Teh Superboat's are really narrow, aren't they, like 7'4" or something??

I also like the Nordic.... fast for the power and handle rough pretty well. And they have a HUGE cabin compared to the others on your list. I watched a couple of them run with us at Smoke On The Water a few weeks ago.... they ran well with the big boys.

But I'd still go with the Pantera if I was making a choice.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Nordic's do run good out here. I heard there's some rattles in them but not verified by me.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

I've crawled thru several 28's at various boat shows. Not put together with tinker toys, but not on the level of the Pantera or Fountain either. If the Pantera is a 10 in build quality, the Nordic would be an 8 or so.

When I say "crawl thru" I mean it. I've been asked to get out of boats at boat shows because I stick my nose where they really don't want it!! LOL!! In engine compartments, under consoles, behind dash boards, etc.... I'm picky!!

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

31 american offshore........ low 90's on 496 mag HO's...
oh yeah... it wasn't on the list....
Don

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Sunsation or Pantera will both do well with the power you are talking about, and I have seen/been in both boats with that HP. Pantera will be the better rough water boat. Sunsation will rank better with the wife on amenities.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

The Fountain with the 525EFI

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Don,
Like I said before. If you (Ed) re-tool that 31 cockpit I would be all over that boat. I'm just not fond of the dash design. Now the 26 dash is awsome. I may be calling you for a new 26 if the V handling does'nt work out. :D

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

what happened to the rest of the posts in this thread :confused:

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

WOW...a ton of really great information was lost in this thread. Very unfortunate :(

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Funny, the guy clearly states his choices and that he will put 800hp in the boat. So why the hell is anyone suggesting 525's and 496's......AND suggesting boats that he hasn't listed?? Stick to the question!

Of your choices, the 29 Fountain with your 800+ motor will blow the doors off of any of the rest.

Happy hunting. :cool:

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

However, the cabin in the Fountain blows, and it's not 29 feet at the waterline, more like 26 after the bow, swimplatform, and notch. Hopefully OSO member Nordic Heat will re-post his detailed post from yesterday, he runs about 800hp in his and it handles the power well, and also has one of the best cabins in that size range.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

the 280/320 Velocity's have nice amenities..and would run awesome on a lake, and in the Pacific...

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Poker,
I think your right about the speed on that Fountain. Looking at reviews it seems fast. But like Indy said it's a shorter boat. How will it ride the big water compared to Pantera? Be easy guys I know thier two different bottoms.
By the way who messed with my thead?? Inside connection here somewhere?

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Hey FasterDamitt,
It’s a shame that all of the post were lost and I don’t really have time to reiterate all that I wrote but I’ll try.
First off make sure you answer all of “YOUR” questions regarding your needs before you make any decisions. A lot of people get side tracked so I’ll try and be specific as possible about what you are asking.
Here are some owner views on our particular boat only.
As you can see, we own a 28 foot Nordic Heat with a blown 540. We bought it because it fit our needs in some of the following areas.
· We are lake boaters in the Southwest region of the country…The Nordic handles the lakes that we see (Lake Powell, Havasu, Mead, etc..) with little effort. Would I run it in the ocean swell jumping? Probably not.
· We overnight always and there’s not a boat in the afore mentioned group with a cabin as big and comfortable. A very large part of our decision!
· Unique looks were a plus for us but strictly a taste thing. You won’t ever be confused with a different boat :)
· Overall handling until 3 weeks ago was marginal at best. With a Bravo One prop the boat does not have many good characteristics. It blew out every time we planed or turned and also the cruise speed was pretty deplorable at 3500 rpm with tons of slip. We recently purchased a Hydromotive P5-X (with a bit of added cup) and it has totally changed the personality of this boat. It has transformed the boat into an extremely well mannered boat that cruises quite nicely (+6 mph at 3500) and has generated some very good gains on the top. This could be a whole different subject so I’ll continue on with the theme.
· Fit and finish… read the magazines; very representative of what you’ll find. Very nicely done and up to date.
· Speed…well I can tell you first hand that it takes a bunch of hp to go fast in this boat which is somewhat of a disappointment; or is it?. I have the same blown 540 (548 to be exact ;o) motor that many of us here have built and it easily generates 800+ hp when boosted to do so. My speed at Lake Mead (1200 feet) has been consistently ~88 mph on GPS with a stock 30 Bravo. The generous speedo reads 95-97 at those speeds; gotta love those speedos ;o) I live at 5000 feet which is where I have tested the Hydro P5-X (27 pitch) and picked up 3-4 mph versus my home elevation 28 Bravo. My thinking is that if I swap out the 30 Bravo for a correctly pitched Hydro 5 blade (28 or29) when dropping down in elevation the boat will run in the 90-92 mph range. These are real GPS numbers BTW; no sales pitchs.
· Handling at speed…this where it might surprise you; it has me. It may take some hp to get big numbers but this may be the trade off. I have no tabs and when running at or near 90 mph the boat tracks and handles flawlessly. The boat does nothing but go straight like it is on rails. No rocking, no hopping, no nothing…quite boring actually.

Not so good…
· Ergonomics… Driving position is not very comfortable. This can be somewhat cured by when ordering that you specify the seat to be moved up 3” and have the throttle handle reversed. If you do this make sure you call them every week and remind them which brings me to…
· Customer Service…unless it has changed in the last 3 years, most calls fall on deaf ears. Also add a month at least to any promised delivery.
· Fully carpeted is kind of pain in the rear but I understand that you can now order the boat with a fiberglass liner. I will say however that spending every weekend possible over the last three years, the upholstery has held up extremely well.
· Storage could be better and can be if ordered as such I believe.
· Trailer pulls absolutely wonderful but is too low slung and drags on everything. Also as Indy mentioned, they are not for saltwater. They are actually painted and it would be very nice and 21st century like if they were to powdercoat the trailers.

Overall, a very striking boat that is built with excellent quality when compared to other(s) pricing. That meaning that I feel the price is right.
Handles extremely well if ordered with a P5-X prop and goes fast and stable with enough power.
Let me know if I’ve not touched on something you would like to hear about and I’ll try and answer.
Hope this helps,
Dave

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Why can't I post pictures anymore??????????
Here's two more links :blaster:

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Oops, guess I can...

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Thanks again Dave, Great write-up. That's the info I need to make decissions.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

REPOST
I think your right about the speed on that Fountain. Looking at reviews it seems fast. But like Indy said it's a shorter boat. How will it ride the big water compared to Pantera? Be easy guys I know thier two different bottoms.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Try to narrow it down to 2-3 boats, then take a ride on them.

Re: Decissions? 6 boats, need more info to decide.
 

Well,
What can I say???
I am happy with my Pantera...
But I can also help you out with a new or pre-owned 29 Fountain too...
It depends on where you want to run the boat.....

My Pantera is a '99 and it still looks like new... Quality build and very durable.