I am looking to get back into the speed boat world after selling my velocity 280 a few years ago when we started having kids. We are buying a new house on the river (Tickfaw 200 area) where I will keep the boat on a covered lift behind my house. When I left the speed boats i went to to an offshore fishing boat. The plan is to keep the offshore boat, but will likely add a pontoon boat for family and friends days, but I also want to get a boat for poker runs and running the river, lakes and light offshore (biloxi and destin a couple times a year).

My velocity 280 had a blown 509 (build thread on this site) and ran a touch over 100. I loved the boat, but having outboards for the last few years I am spoiled with low maintenance. I have always wanted a 38/42 fountain lightning and that could be an option, but would not be the easiest boat for after work river and dinner cruises. I have been really interested in the smaller outboard cats like the 28 skater. It seems like a small outboard cat would be an easy and economical boat to lower off the lift and go for boat rides after work.

My velocity was able to handle all the lakes and water ways my house will connect to. How is the 28 skater in wind blow chop?

Any other options in the small cat world? I would like to stay under $100k if possible.

Thanks in advance.

28 Skater is a fantastic performance boat & will do great in legit 2' wind chop, capable in bigger chop also. Not the most family friendly cockpit for hanging out. They turn great, accelerate hard & a blast to drive.

Thanks. It won’t have to be the best family boat because we will still have a pontoon boat to cruise around on.

28 Skater is a fantastic boat. It's fast surprisingly good in chop and handles incredibly. If you want to stay with outboards I would look for one of these first.

The more videos I watch on YouTube and research on forums the more I like the 28 skater. Extremely fast and good handling is all I read about them.

a local guy here on the tickfaw had a 28 and moved to the 308 the size difference is big from a 28 cat to a 30. personally I would try to get to the 30'+ mark.

I'd first check out insurance costs and factor that in with the fast cat. Just something to think about.. Not saying deal breaker, but just realistic. Pay me know, pay me later sort of situation. Good luck with your search!

It's not a cat, but I looked at the 32 Velocity in the classifieds last week with a friend and it was mint. It's a fresh water boat that has been kept on a lift, very low hours, just more motor than my friend wanted.

I called for an insurance quote today because I heard they can be high. I should hear back tomorrow.

I saw the 32 velocity in the classifieds, but really want a twin engine boat. I don’t know the maintenance schedule for the 700 merc engine, but I’m sure it at least needs a top end gone through around 250-300 hours. Right?

I put a ton of hours on my current boat and I don’t even live on the river yet. I think for that reason alone an outboard boat will be the better way if I can find one.