I am going to get into an offshore boat next summer. So this is my summer to research and figure out what to buy.
I am in Northern Mich so I will be on the Great Lakes and want to be able to trailer. I have 3 children so a family of 5
What would you recommend. Would like to be able to sleep for a night or 2 and run in the 70s
And trying to keep it under 80k. Was looking at donzi33zx but thinking it might be to small
Thanks for your help. My previous boating experience grew up sailing on the gulf (way to SLOW)
And for the last 15years inland lake skiing currently have a Moomba direct drive. docked at my home to ski off of during the week.
Kids are 4,6,8yrs old

You can get a lot of boat for 80k! You need a big cabin with separate area for the kids to be kids and a private berth for you and he wife to relax and do adult stuff . . . . . .

I think you are on track with the Donzi.

Also look at a Sonic 358, HUGE cabin area and beats up the waves nicely.

I agree that for 80K you should be able to get a very nice boat to meet your needs. Not that I have a lot of experience with lake Michigan - but I've seen people come in off the lake in larger boats that wished they had the Queen Mary. On the flip side I've seen the "death wish" guys in 14 aluminum fishing boats with the good old Evinrude heading out in 3 footers-- IDIOTS! Size is important but common sense will prevail - especially on lake Michigan. I've check out daily St Joseph Lighthouse live web cam to see the conditions of the lake by me. Really neat!

Regardless the boat that you choose I would strongly suggest to have it surveyed by a good surveyor in the area before you pull the trigger. I looked a very long time for a boat and it was amazing how people claim the boat is spotless only to see that it has been thru WW III. From my experience without even seeing the boat - pictures of the bilge and outdrive can tell a lot of how the boat was treated and maintained-- Dirty bilge - probably didn't give a rip what when on. Outdrives that have stegs knocked off- bent props or more scale than a fish also tell a pretty good story.

Since you are in Northern Michigan - I guess around July the ice is off most of the lakes??? -- only kidding. I have some fond memories of Crystal Falls, Alpha, and Iron Mountain.

All the best in your search and safe boating


3pointstar

I will check out the Sonic. I am not to concerened about privacy I am more interested in performance
With a spot to pile the kids together. Call it a midlife crisis LOL
If we get into it I can always switch to a cabin cruiser.

Crazy ? I guess on the sonic will the seating couches pull out into an extra bed?

No but the main bed is about a queen size. I think they make a cushion too that goes in between the seats and makes a bed like area

cabin stand room is almost 6'.

You can definately look at some nice boats in the 80K range that should meet your needs. Donzi, Sonic and Baja all make bigger boats that have nice amenities inside the cabins. You might also be able to find a Black Thunder or Hallet in that price range. You can also look at some of the crossover boats like the Baja 405 or Formula Super Sports like the 370 SS. I went with a 36 Baja Outlaw for similar reasons. Has a balance of comforts for ovenight stays but still has decent performance by topping out at 70.

Can't go wrong with a Sonic, AT would be nice, but getting one at that price my prove to be a challenge, I would give a 38' Powerquest a good look, the cabin is huge, and meets everything you're looking for, including price. Good Luck.

For a scoche more my friend can put you in a Mint fresh water, Twin Step 35' Cig with trailer. Beautiful boat that needs Nothing. two covers. Twin HP500's, Very Nice, Hardly a Scratch on it, will run 83 mph in fresh water..