Just bought a house with my own boat lift so now I finally can get back into boating on the bay.

I have a 50K budget and want a single screw, gofast boat. The goal is to be able to run from my house to Baltimore/Annapolis/Kent Island and spend the weekend on the boat so I need an adequate cabin. My largest boat to date was a 28 Scarab Excel but that cabin was not deep enough. I also want to be able to run in some rough water if need be, although I don't plan on it. So that being said, here are my 3 choices. Please chime in with any pros/cons/comments.

29 Scarab (1998 to 2002). My favorite design and boat brand. This would probably be my number one choice.

29 Fountain Fever (2000 on up) Don't really like the "beak-nose" and the windshield design makes it look dated but from what I understand they are very good boats. No experience with them.

28 Nordic Heat (2002 on up/closed bow) This is my favorite look in all three of the boats. Beautiful looks with the rear cockpit. However, being a west coast boat, that means more than likely a trip to AZ to go pick it up and bring it back so would be an additional expense.

Thank you in advance for the comments and recomendations.

Not the Nordic. There are a few in the east coast that you may find, but they are really lake boats. They are sporty, roomy, and sleek with modern looks, but they have a 22 degree deadrise which is going to equate to a much harsher ride when you get caught in rough water. The other ones on your list have 24 degree deadrise which will cut/slice the water better and land a little smoother.

I can think of another you should add to your list, but I also think you can read between the lines.

There are several other boats in that category your describing with varying cabin/cockpit sizes. A couple others to look at listed below.

Active Thunder - 28
Pantera - 28
Sunsation - 280
Donzi ZX - 28
Baja - 272/29 outlaw
Checkmate
Formula

All of these boats are bay capable( most of the time) and all have there pluses and minuses. Some are cheaper, some are faster, some are harder to find etc...the good thing is at 50K you have quite a few options in the 28 foot size range. Use OSO Classifieds, do an advanced search and just leave category as "boats" and click search this will result all boats then sort by size. Then you can see all the boats in the 28 foot range in the OSO classifieds. Also, I can understand the desire to stay with a single engine boat for some reasons. But my last word of advice is buy all the hull you can afford! You will more than likely want a larger hull on the bay before to long!

John

This one......

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...2k-o58302.html

HUGE cabin, true 30' length, fast in the rough or flat.

Scarab! but I'm biased

text me at 516 318 0662 if you are interested in a closed bow 2005 Heat with a 525

I agree !

I have a 266 hustler for sale with a fresh 540ci blower motor. Has extension box, runs like a 29 in the rough. Text or call if interested. 302-420-5086.