Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Hi!

I just joined the OSO forum. I have been a boater since I was a kid (now in my 40s), and have piloted everything from flat bottom V-drives, jets, inboard ski boats, jet skis, outboard fishing boats, party boats, twin engine cabin cruiser, and even sailboats. The one boat I have never even ridden in is an offshore performance boat. I know, sad but true. :D This forum has been quite educational, and I am very impressed with the quality of the posts.

I live in Southern California, about 1/2 hours drive from the Channel Islands Harbor. Lately, I have been getting anxious about getting back out on the water, and in particular, out around the Ventura and Southern California Pacific. I have always enjoyed performance boats (and cars for that matter), so an offshore performance boat appeals to me.

My other dilemma is, while I have been on many of the lakes, delta, SF Bay, Colorado and Sacramento rivers, and the ocean outside the Golden Gate, I have never been on the ocean in So. Cal. (except for ferries, and they don't really count). I don't really know what boats work here.

So I was wondering if some members here could give me some advice.

1) What is the minimum size boat to get, and still enjoy yourself, not get beat up by the waves, and not be shut down at the first hint of wind?

2) Any particular models which work really well in the So. Cal. waters? I intend on purchasing used, and under $50K. I'd like something that can handle rough water, and probably twins (a little safer for the ocean)

3) It seems like most of the action is on the east coast. Anyone bought boats there and had them shipped back, or is it just not practical to stray out of So. Cal.?

4) Anyone mind letting a newbie tag along when they go out sometime, to show me what this is all about? :D

By the way, I will be at SEMA, if anyone wants to say Hi, or someone who can't make it wants me to look at something for them.

I look forward to getting to know you all.

Michael

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Welcome to the sickness called OSO! :D There are plenty of left coaters on this forum. I saw another thread asking about who's going to SEMA. You may want to search for that.

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

So I was wondering if some members here could give me some advice.

1) What is the minimum size boat to get, and still enjoy yourself, not get beat up by the waves, and not be shut down at the first hint of wind?

I'd say 27/28 foot. You can go smaller (I used to run my 20' Baja Outlaw all the time) but size does matter.

2) Any particular models which work really well in the So. Cal. waters? I intend on purchasing used, and under $50K. I'd like something that can handle rough water, and probably twins (a little safer for the ocean)


CIGARETTE! :D

3) It seems like most of the action is on the east coast. Anyone bought boats there and had them shipped back, or is it just not practical to stray out of So. Cal.?

I got mine from Ontario, Canada. Drove out and hauled it back.

4) Anyone mind letting a newbie tag along when they go out sometime, to show me what this is all about?

See below.

I've got this up for sale:

http://server1.offshoreonly.com/geoc...php?a=2&b=2521

I'm local to you (Simi). I may be going out of Channel Islands this weekend for a short run. Probably Saturday or early Sunday.

This is a great wave crusher yet still small enough to easily haul to Havasu. With seating for 11 it makes a great party / family boat yet it is a Cigarette and just do some checking here to see their reputation for ocean boats!

If you are interested in an acean run this weekend e-mail me at [email protected].

-Al

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Michael1, welcome to our mad mad world of OSO. Like "the Eagles" sang, "you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave".

Lots of good boats to choose from, I would spend the time and look for a very well kept older boat as you will be able to buy "larger" than a newer "smaller" boat.

Two older GREAT rough water boats are the Cig Bullet, and Formula 311 SR1.
With stock power neither are the fastest, but they handle the rough stuff as good as it gets for their size.

Lots of boat builders on West Coast that I'm not overly familiar with, others here I'm sure can post other valuable info.

Again WELCOME.....

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Welcome to the board. I would look at OSO Member "Lofty's" 29 Fountain Supercharged 454s or "THISISTANK's" 24' Baja Outlaw with a 525SC.

LS JR.

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Hey Lucky, How's it going? Been talking to Lucky Jr.....

Michael, welcome. This is a great forum and most of the people are pretty good. Don't worry if you can't understand Puders posts, you'll get used to it. :D :D

As far as boat? Cig Bullet is a big bang fort buck. Lucky has a sweet Top Gun for sale that would treat you well. An non-step Fountain 29 twin is another good one in your $ range.

Just make sure to get a survey before you buy. Nothing worse than getting home and finding that you have a punky transom!

Whatever you end up with you'll want something faster. :rolleyes:

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

I said that, sorry. I would actually buy Lofty's 29 Fountain. This way he can buy our boat. It's got supercharged 454s right?

LS JR.

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

:d :d :d

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Welcome to the addiction :D

Michael some of the SCOPE guys live and boat up in your neck of the woods, Phantom Chaos (Nort), THISISTANK (TANK, Tank is aslo selling a 24 Baja you might be interested in as a starter boat???

Anyway welcome aboard, I will be @ SEMA next week too, booth #42927 www.cecwheels.com maybe I'll seeya there, I will be at the show Tuesday and Wednesday.

You can also check out the scope site @ www.scopeinfo.com

:cool: Jimbo!!!

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Welcome to OSO.. I worked in Newbury Park a few years ago.. The Alamo and Sushi Oaks were great places there.....

Good luck with your boat shopping. I would suggest trying to get something 30+ feet with twins if possible.. I had a 29' Shockwave with a single engine and it worked well in the ocean, but I am now in the process of getting a 34' with twins..

Keep an eye out for that Bada Bing guy at SEMA.. Here's a pic of him working a deal at SEMA 2003.. :D

http://www.scopeinfo.com/images/2002...p/DSC00860.jpg

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Funny guy Greg :rolleyes: :cool: I guess it's better than the picture of me being loaded in the Ambulance in San Diego after the CB deal :cool:

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Michael, welcome aboard.

I've lived and boated out of the channel Islands harbor and Various other ports in So. Cal. for as long as I can remember. The one thing you need to know is the water gets unusually big between north of Point Mugu and south of Santa Barbara, from the shore to the Channel Islands due to the deep water channel and the wind whipping between the islands and the coast. 6-8 footers is everyday normal, then you have to add the wind chop that comes in afternoon. Makes for some good times! :D

I am currently selling my Baja that I've owned since new and was recently re-furbished w/a 525SC and new trailer. I've never had a problem running to the islands in it or up to Santa Barbara but it can get bumpy at times ;)

Theres some other boats we run with regularly around here but offshore boats aren't as popular as say the Newport Long Beach areas. I'd be happy to take you out the next time I run which will probably be with in the next couple of weeks. I have a full schedule prior to that. Email me or call and we'll set something up.

Tank

[email protected]
805-340-8847 cell

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

:D:D

Jimbo, it's also better than the pics of you walking up the launch ramp in Newport in your skivvies.. :D :D

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

True true :cool: Hey don't forget though my cell phone still worked after that :eek: :D

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Tank,

Are you around this weekend? I'm going out probably Sunday morning. Wanna go?

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

we're planning on a blow out, ragin deep into the night halloween party Sat. soooooo, needless to say, I wont be getting up "early" i.e. before 1pm on Sunday! :drink: :drink:


I'll listen for your boat to go out though and have dreams of Cigarettes dancing in my head! ;)

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Okay, Tank. I'll give it a few extra revs for ya as I idle through the no wake zone! :D

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

You runnin' with any other boats?? When do you want to do Santa barbara for lunch? Schulte said he's in and he'll get the guy that bought Clancy's fountain. I have another 42 fountain, a 38 Scarab, 40 Hallet, 42 Tiger and maybe Nort that'll run too. Think about some dates in Nov.

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Kevin may be out of town. He said he has a booth at SEMA but I'm not sure what day he is leaving. If he's around he'll probably go (I may have a little trouble keeping up with him though!). I just wanted to take mine out for a run because I didn't get too much at speed wheel time during the offshore races. Had a lot of time idling and floating around with the divers on board.

We're doing a Catalina run on Nov 13 with some guys from Hotboat.com if you're interested. Taking Kevin's boat and leaving mine at home for that one.

Maybe Nov 6/7 or 20/21 for SB? Any of those dates good for you?

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

the 20/21st sounds good.....I'm out on the 6th though

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

20/21 is okay with me. Sat or Sun better? Either is fine for me.

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Anybody at the sema show, how about taking some pictures of the show and posting them here on oso. Boats, cars, and new performance products ect

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

I'll take a bunch of pictures if I go. This is the busy time of year for my business so it's hard to get away.

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

I'll bring my camera to SEMA this year, and get some pictures to post on OSO. It's a good excuse to upgrade my membership on OSO, too. :D

Bada Bing, I'm afraid I'm only going to be at SEMA on Thursday and Friday. :(

I really appreciate everyone's advice. This is a big help. I was a bit afraid there wouldn't be anyone up in my neck of the woods. Glad I was wrong! Seems like there is some great camaraderie, too. :cool:

BIG THANKS to Baja Fresh and Tank for offering to "break in the new guy". Looks like I am going to be on the water this weekend! :D

Michael

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

That would be great Michael and Baja Fresh. Looking foward to seeing those pics. Welcome to OSO Michael
THANKS, Keith

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE :eek: :eek:

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

BTW. Michael, just thought I'd post a photo of Tank so you will recognize him when you see him! :D :D :D

Sorry, tank! Couldn't resist. :eek: :D :D

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Roflmao.... that's funny.......... :D

Re: Intro from So. Cal. Newbie
 

Baja Fresh was kind enough to take this newbie out for his first offshore performance boat ride. The day was perfect. The sun was out, it was warm, and there was virtually no wind.

We put the his Cigarette 28' in the water. First engine started perfectly. The second engine had a dead battery. Baja was equipped. He jumped the second engine.

Just as he was coming back from taking the truck and trailer to the parking lot. The first engine started sputter, "pop, d, pop, pop" and died. Then a few seconds later the second one did the same thing. :eek:

Baja took the spark arrestor off one carburetor. It didn't take long before we decided that there was water in the fuel. We didn't have a filter wrench to remove the water separator, so that was the end of our day. That's boating!

Here's the boat with Baja at the salt wash off station.

Michael