lets say a 27 activator vs a 28 pantera for example

Stand-up blosters for me.

Not a fan of sit down boats unless we are talking big MTI/Skater type boats.

I prefer stand up. My back is pretty bad these days so I figured stand up would be better to maybe absorb the pounding. Last year I did it differently and I used the sit down position on my bolster and it worked out great, but I'm a stubborn prick and I have some issues running a boat while sitting down. I don't feel like I'm in control. When I'm out with my wife and just leisurely cruising, I can sit down, but when I'm flying around and in traffic, I have to stand up------ to hell with the back. lol

I have had multiple back surgeries and I can tell you a stand up position is much better for your back (as long as you flex your legs) as you can absorb the shock with your legs. I have been standing up for so long now, even on flatwater I find myself standing. I just don't feel I have the same range of view when sitting down...

I am a sit down guy. I had a 29' kryptomite before my comp and loved it. I raced years ago standing up and much prefer a sit down boat. It is important to have a good seat and it doesn't have to be suspension just high back and angled slightly back so when you do land hard it is an angled shot not a straight shot up the back. I have run some rough poker runs and my crew is always less beat up then a standing crew.
Most of the cats are sit down as are all the canopied race boats.
It is however personal preference.

27activator has a lower freeboard than a 28 pantera.
Almost all activators were built as sitdowns while the oposite is for the pantera.

Best advice i got when looking at these 2 boats was how are you going to be using the boat.
A sitdown boat is pretty boring running in the upper 30s to mid 40s.
I can see if you are running 60s plus consistently w/ passengers how a sitdown boat would be preferred.

My 28 has MUCH MORE room than a comparable sitdown activator, and my family appreciates it.
My back bench can sit 4+.

I have a 28 scarab that I installed high back sit down seats. Never again will I want a performance boat with stand up seats. Much more comfortable and stable in the seats and easier on my back especially in the rough or race conditions. My wife feels the same. But I would say it also depends on the boat. 27 activator / rage, kryptonite, 28 scarab, 30 super boat and similar boats have low freeboard compared to a pantera, active thunder, sensation or Baja. I prefer boats with a lower freeboard and sit down any day over a stand up boat. I run the boat at 55 - 65 mph cruse speed. Sitting down also helps keep the wind out of my face.

We share the same brain! Although its not a pantera it still looks awesome!
http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/Kr...tml?sort=3&o=8

In the activator I would go sitdown, 28 pantera standup. Originally I had sitdown in my 24, went to standup, and it was OK, but too tall for a 24, went back to sitdown, but highback Skater type this time.

Freeboard is something I've never used in conjunction with the name Pantera. Been in both the 28 AT and 28 Pantera and the AT has much more freeboard. Felt like I was going to fall out of the Pantera, always seemed like it should be a sit-down boat to me.