Worst "High Performance" Boats Ever Built?
04-14-2012 | 04:12 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Gold Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 214
From: Rochester, NY
Worst "High Performance" Boats Ever Built?
We’ve had some endless (and entertaining) debates here about the “best high performance boats ever built.” But today I got to thinking (after seeing something come in on trade) what kind of debate I could stir up about the worst “high performance” boats ever built.
Notice that I put “high performance” in quotes. I did that for a reason. Sure, we could talk about Aronow cats, 24CS Fountains and 18’ Skaters, but they were at least well built by respectable high performance builders. They just didn’t work for crap. What I’m talking about is boats that were marketed as “high performance,” but weren’t built for the task.
So, who wants to start the debate. I’m going to hold off on my personal favorite for just a bit because I really don’t think anybody can beat it.
Notice that I put “high performance” in quotes. I did that for a reason. Sure, we could talk about Aronow cats, 24CS Fountains and 18’ Skaters, but they were at least well built by respectable high performance builders. They just didn’t work for crap. What I’m talking about is boats that were marketed as “high performance,” but weren’t built for the task.
So, who wants to start the debate. I’m going to hold off on my personal favorite for just a bit because I really don’t think anybody can beat it.
04-14-2012 | 05:09 PM
#5
Registered
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 3
From: Bay City, MI
Man, I wish I could remember the name of the boat. Early to mid nineties, a local dealer was running around in a demo trying to sell them. Was a 26 maybe, and they offered a couple other sizes, looked a lot like a liberator. Got on the thing and started grabbing hold of winshield, gunnels, etc and everything flexed, I mean visible movement including the hullsides. Supposed to be "high performance offshore boat, very fast" LOL. I want to say Mirage but not really sure, been too many years.
04-14-2012 | 05:22 PM
#7
Charter Member #1055/Moderator
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 0
From: CNY
Campion Chase-swim platform ripped off when lifted by the lifting eyes
Profile- bouncy floors, then filled with foam to fix, then became convex floors
Switzer-I know of one that the bottem delaminated on 3x
Profile- bouncy floors, then filled with foam to fix, then became convex floors
Switzer-I know of one that the bottem delaminated on 3x
__________________
[img][/img]
[img][/img]
04-14-2012 | 05:26 PM
#8
Registered
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 2
From: Wyandotte, MI
I saw a newer Campion Chase out at PIB last summer. Really neat looking boat and it had a Merc 525 in it. I really liked the way it looked, but wondered how they stack up. They are Canadian Built, yes?
04-14-2012 | 06:05 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Gold Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 214
From: Rochester, NY
Still not going to show my trump card, but how about a VIP Vindicator. I've never seen more moving parts - that weren't supposed to move - in my life. The floor flex at 50 MPH would scare you to death.
04-14-2012 | 06:22 PM
#10
Registered
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 2
From: dallas tx.
Man, I wish I could remember the name of the boat. Early to mid nineties, a local dealer was running around in a demo trying to sell them. Was a 26 maybe, and they offered a couple other sizes, looked a lot like a liberator. Got on the thing and started grabbing hold of winshield, gunnels, etc and everything flexed, I mean visible movement including the hullsides. Supposed to be "high performance offshore boat, very fast" LOL. I want to say Mirage but not really sure, been too many years.
