I had pretty much decided my next boat would be a 24/7 boat. But now a 25' boat with an 8' beam has got my attention. Both have a 24* deadrise.

I know the 7' beam is suppose to "slice" through the water better because it is narrower and the 8' beam will be more "stable" because it is wider. But what are the other characteristics? What are the pros and cons of both?

A 24' 7' beam boat slices through 3'ers like it's nobodies business. If you go too high on the power...like in the 600+HP range they can get a bit squirrley and that limits topend sometimes. They CAN go 100mph...but not with me in 'em. Not much surface back there to run on. Need good k-planes too.

The 30' Superboat supposedly runs real well at 100mph and it's a 7' beam V bottom

Isn't a phantom a 7' beam?

Yes it it.

I know the phantom tmp had would run!

As long as the deadrise is the same I'd take the 8' beam for more space....

With all else equal thats the way I would go also, however we know all else aint equal.
Which two boats are you considering?

24/7 would be a Pantera or Superboat
25/8 would be a Checkmate

They would all have full external steering, 280 K planes and a HP500.

I never even considered Checkmate until I got in one and checked it out. Huge boat for a 25'. So I did a little homework. I didn't realize that they had a decent rough water reputation, especially when set up right.

Personally, I would go with the Pantera or the Superboat, they are proven rough water boats.

The Checkmate, I haven't been on to many but wasn't very excited about the ride.