I owned a Heat and currently own a 32 Sunsation. That being said I really enjoyed my Heat, sweet looking boat excellent lines drew alot of attention. What I didn't like was the rough water ride, I boat on the Great Lakes and it can get pretty snotty out there. I have plenty of seat time in a 288 and its definately a better rough water boat. Both the 288 and the Heats have there postive and negatives. If I were going to down size I would buy a 288 before I bough another Heat.

Steve,
I hope the 288 Kid would be looking at your transom with the motor you have in your heat From what I have seen there are quite a few more big power Heats out there compared to 288's.

My .02

So can all of us agree here...since this is the Nordic forum...that Nordics rock!!! and that Baja's suck!

Chris

well all i have to say is bring it on down to nashville and out of the 19 heats we have here i am sure on of them have the same power as yours if not we will all wave at you on the way by.

19 Heats in Nashville. That's an impressive group.

Yes, it will run 70+ on GPS (best I've seen is 71), though I have seen more on the speedo when I did not have th GPS out. I guess there are a coule of reasons: It is a closed bow (better aerodynamics and less weight), and it is a 2008 (no wood, less weight). Running a 26p Bravo 1 at 4950 RPM's.

I owned two Baja's before buying my new Nordic and I can tell you first hand that the fit and finish on it is much better than either one (Baja); any one that I'd ever seen in person.

Any of the other boat owners, guys who really know their stuff who've been in the new Nordic comment on the fit and finish.
The elliptical grabs rails, the frenched-in Nav lights, their sweet windshields! Also a big difference is no shakes and rattles, its a tight, tight boat that's really put together solid.

I've never rode in a Sunsation but I have looked at them under tight scrutiny and they also seem like a step up, right there with the Nordic fit and finish that Baja seemed to lack.

I have always heard that the Nordic boats are more of a lake boat, not a true offshore but BUT I've also concentrated my extensive pre-purchase research on their smaller boats.
Also they don't seem nearly as big in the size class compared to the East Coast boats, none of the West Coast boats I saw in Havasu did. Their 25' is more like a 23' around hear, they are all lower, sleeker. Look cool but be prepared when you see one in person.

Either way if you can afford a newer used boat right now, be patient because there are SMOKING deals to be had. I bought my 2009 for way under what I would have paid 2 years ago, picked it right up in Havasu but I wanted to see that place anyway!! Chad Salter

Not sure I would agree with this statement. Maybe the newer Nordics but I have a friend who owns a 2002 Heat and the trailer is rusty, the windshield melted, screws and bolts pull out all the time and the boat just seems average quality lake boat. Probably great for a lake with small chop but anything over 2 footers and I would look at something different--it just rattles and doesnt feel solid like some others Ive been on.

Really, his windshield melted in Seattle? I live in Nashville where our average temp is probably 20os warmer year around than Seattle, and I have never seen anything like that, so I'm calling bullsheet. The company is based in Havasu, where it's even hotter than here, and again I haven't seen anyone's windshield melt .............screws and bolts will loosen on any boat that's run hard in rough water, including mine, but I haven't run into anything beyond routine maintenance.
Hey, how is Powerquest doing? Are they still in business? Nordic is and cranking out boats every week............
Steve

Now now Steve... It gets really hot here in Seattle too.



Chris

Actually Steve, the windshield melted in Havasu. My friend had towed it down there for their annual regatta in July when this happened. Im not trying to slam the Nordic brand and in fact I like their boats (best looking design out there IMO). I would like to mention that the next year when my friend was back in Havasu (for the desert storm poker run) he brought his boat into the factory and they offered to replace the windshield for free! Overall though most people here in Seattle that have been in his boat agree it doesnt feel like a very solid boat (just being honest). They look great but I wouldnt want one in any area which has big water.

In regards to your question on my Powerquest--its the best boat I have ever owned. Its a solid built boat and is tight as a drum even after 16 years of use (no rattles and nothing has broken on it). Im very happy with it and thanks for asking.