I am looking to buy another boat pretty soon, and I finally narrowed down what I really want- 1990 or newer, tunnel hull, 22 foot or less, 3-4 seats, and as close to 100 mph as $35000 or less will buy.

I have looked at STV 's and they look like a lot of performance for the money.

Does anyone have any good/bad opinions about them? Suggestions on models/brands to look at?

Thanks-

I like Skaters.These guys at screamandfly.com get real excited over STV's though.

I've been in a bunch of STV's and own a Mirage.

Best bang for the buck that you're gonna find.
100mph in them is kind of boring though. No chinewalk. No edge of death feeling.

I like 16' padvees, myself, but they aren't for everybody.

I have a customer who owns an STV, that is for sale. I would be happy to put you in touch with him for questions or possibly to buy his. I know he is particular in how he kept this boat, and I am pretty sure he just put a new engine on it. Don't know much else but if you are interested in talking or buying from him let me know.

[email protected]

Don

I've been driving a Mirage lately.

2.5 Merc, 7,500 rpm, 111 mph (gps) with a three blade 29" cleaver. The Yamaha propellers accelerate bottom to mid range better but cannot take the abuse of slamming the boats in the turns.

At 80, lift throttle, tuck the engine in, turn hard right/left, and stab the throttle and hold on. They are a big bang for the buck.

They do not turn with the engine trimmed out.

Speeds above 90 the boats do not want to turn really well, a 28' Skater can really kick its ass in the turns at speeds of 90 and above. But what can one expect as there is no boat in the water and the sponsons are not designed for the high speed turns.

Boats are very trim sensitive. You will need to boat with two people on board to keep the boat from kiting (even then it is possible)

They are easy to swamp when crossing rollers, I strongly advise bilge pumps!

Brace the seats for the side loads in the turns and hold on.

good boat Ive been in one and they ride good. 35000 k is outa control. under 20 is obtainable if you shop. get the 2.5 and efi if y0u can. 225 horse or up. Its a fun ride even in a mild state. Greg

a good friend of mine has a 20' ish mirage that runs 100 he is asking under 20k for.. it is late 90's or early 2000's.. VERY VERY clean boat.. 419-509-1882 Scott

Which STV are you looking at? Pro comp? Euro or River racer? Which bottom, race or ski?
The boat with a 280 hp 2.5 will run in the 110 to 115 area. Awsome handling and acceleration,amazing turning ability.
check out the stv owners web site for more info. You can find a link at www.screamandfly.com

www.Screamandfly.com has a alot of members with the STV's. Rork Summerford sold the molds to Triad a few years ago. Triad is making them now.

The Triad hull is a drag race hull. My buddy here in MS won the SE championship in pro fuel 2 years.It was on alcohol with sometimes up to 36%nitro methane It would blow a flame out of it at night when the tested here.Pretty sharp



They are a dealer for both boats and he might know on some boats for sale.He has sold and race the STV's.try em

http://www.boatworks.net/

His club

http://www.dockrocker.com/index2.htm

Wallys page **STV

http://boatworks.net/stvTriad.htm


Ck out the Motec dash they put in the $$$$$

check over at HOTBOAT,stvkeith has a very fast one ,115mph,NOW.he just rebuilt it