Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Last spring I purchased my first offshore boat ('05 Fountain 29 Fever w/ single 500EFI). I am now hooked. I am thinking of moving up to a 35' - 38' boat with twin HP525's. There are so many different high performance boat mfg.'s that I need your opinions on who makes the best quality and fastest boats. Also best VALUE!!!

I want a V-hull boat, the cabin is very nice to have. Some of the boats I have been looking at are the Eliminator Eagle XP 380 and Fountain 38 Lightning.

What do you guys think??

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

38 fountain is a very good boat. But I am a little prejudice.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

New size thats out or marketed is the 39. Cigarette, Outerlimits, and Nortech come to mind. All excellent products. I am partial to Nortech for a few reasons, Quality being #1 for value recieved, Excellent service during and after the sale. Their dashes are very unique, raised pods, carbon fiber panels, very upscale. The stitching is first class, all done in house. The headroom will be the most of the three. 6' as you walk in and in the head, thats hard to beat, very comfortable. www.Nortechpowerboats.com

Here are few pics of my 4300(next size up) cabin.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Thanks, I will check out the Nor-Tech boats.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Hey Jeff, tell Trond to spend some of the money he makes off your new boat on updating their web site. Awesome boats and company, but so-so website at best. :)

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

I agree!! Very little info on their site.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

I third it, I'll send Terry an Email. Jeff

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

386 Sonic; been in several, and they are rock solid.
37 Active Thunder AVH; own a 2003 and could not love it more.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Check out the Formula 353 or 382.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

10-4 on the Thunder... One hell of a boat, and the price won't blow your mind like a Cig, or.... Nor Tech... :cool:
The Thunder can be built as simple or as elaborate as you like. The Thunder will be on my list when I'm ready to buy.

Sonic is also a god value, but there is little technology in the bottom. I wonder when they'll update???

Look at Pantera's 36. It's every bit as fast as ANY other boat. They too a re a custom builder... anything you want... They're a small company, so time to get a new boat will be awhile..

The Fountain is a good boat as well. You'll see more of them on the water than a Thunder or Nor Tech... Fountain has possibly the most technologically advanced hull out there.
Call Hideaway Yacht Sales... Ask for Eddie. Tell him Tim G. sent you, and he'll set you up with a Fountain just right...

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Wow, you've got a lot to choose from. I think it really depends on why kind of boating you intend on doing.

Do you want to go fast without needing a lot of power? Do you want to be comfortable in rough water? Is cabin space an issue? Do you want a boat with a lot of freeboard that usually make for a deeper cockpit and dryer ride?

When I was searching for a new boat I put together a list of everything I wanted in a boat then did my home work. I'm sure if you let everyone know what kind of boating you do, and where you're located, we can make some suggestions.

BTW, it looks like you have the five foot disease all boaters catch.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Thank you for the pointers. I want a boat that is very fast (without adding a supercharger), has a great cabin (one you could spend the night in) and has a smoother ride in rough conditions.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Sound like you want a Sonic. Best in class cabin, very well built, great coustomer support from the factory and best value out there.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

When are you looking to purchase? I may put Monsoon up for sale in the spring.
37AT with 496HOs. I am about to purchase 5 years of additional Mercury warranty on the motors/drives. I know it does not have 525EFIs, but one call to Raylar Marine, and you have 525HP out of the 496 for a song. http://www.raylarengine.com/

I absolutely LOVE the boat. I will cry if I part with it, but would only sell as enabler to either go back to school, or take a pay cut and change industries and move to FLORIDA. Whomever I sell it to will be signing a contract that I get first dibs to buy it back someday.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

37 OL stilleto or GTX
36 Cig gladiator, now availabel with a cabin i hear.
Donzi 35 ZR - real nice cabin, fast, looks awesome

that about covers the price range too,
what were you looking to spend?

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

388 Hustler,very well built. fast hull. cool lines.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

38 top-gun...

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

I have a 38 Fountain Lightning, an 04 with staggered 525s for sale and have a friend looking hard for a 29 Fountain, give me a call if your interested. Dave B 810-650-5107

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Ohooohhhh boy here ya go :evilb:

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Cigarette Top Gun. Fast, great looking, cabin to sleep in (GL does every weekend!), and great re-sale.

Here is a 2004 38' Top Gun, 525EFI's, Bravo XR's with ITS, Fresh Water, Aluminum Myco Trailer, $290k. I think it's a good deal and great looking. It's in the classifieds and by the way it's not mine.

LS JR.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Top Gun all the way.

Choose the year to match the budget.

Everybody wants one!

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

you could be the first to own one of these :cool:

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Get a room to sleep in :evilb:

Click on the link in my signature.

G

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

There are a LOT of great boats out there...but remember there is only one in the end :D

The chit

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Slingshot has a large cabin, and is very fast with stock power.

Same with the OL, but they are pricey machines.

Full cabin cig TG TS would be one to look at also.

Fountain makes a great boat, but if you are over 3' - 9" (Norty), the cabin is tight.

Sonic has one of the best cabins in it's class, but not as fast as the boats above with equal stock power.

How fast are you looking to go ?

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Save yourself a lot of time and money, buy a Nordic Flame.

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

This is some great info. I may even look at some of these used boats.

Keep the info flowing!!!

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Gary I love the looks of that boat!!! The paint really sets off the lines of the boat!! I saw it in a magazine and it seemed a little $pendy.....But it is AWESOME!!

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

Well of course I'm biased. The new Donzi 35ZR or 38ZR look great (I personally want the 43ZR). They are much faster than my ZX and still have a bigger cabin than most of the other manufacturers. I believe a 35ZR with 496HO (525 is available) lists for around $180K Here is a link to the Donzi 35ZR.

http://www.donzimarine.com/DonziWebs.../35zrpage.html

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

How fast is the 35 Zr w/ 496 ho's?

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

also look at a 40 hustler with twins, a sonic. What type of baoting do you do, would you trtailer it as well?

Re: Recommendations on purchase of a new boat 35' - 38'
 

I saw the 35 Donzi at the nyc boat show last weekend. nice boat, but the cabin was not all that impressive. First problem is the cabin entrance.....door is so low, you need to crawl into the cabin. Once i fumbled my way through the door, i found it similar to the fountain cabin.....low head room and an un-usable enclosed head unless you are a 4 year old.