Since I graduated HS in 87, I don't feel classic yet, lol...but, is a 1988 Eliminator Daytona 23' old enough to be considered a classic? With about 2 days of research under my belt, I am surprised at how many one-foot increments Eliminator produced in the Daytona model. I am currently shopping for a new hole in my head with freshwater lake/river in the Southwest Region in mind. I have never ridden or drove a cat, well, my Dad's 14' Hobie Cat might count, haha! I guess my 2nd experience question would be if a 20-25' Cat will cut the Havasu chop mid-to-late day? Or if anyone wants to tell their Cat tales, that would be great also!
Cheers,
Chris~

34 year old boat would have to be considered a "classic". I'm the same age as you and don't feel much like a classic myself. More like a beat up old piece of junk.

"Classic" is a relative term to today's offerings. When the word classic is used to describe cars, I immediately conjure up images of '50s and '60s era custom and muscle.
My snowmobile which I bought new in '99, now qualifies for a "Classic Permit" at a reduced rate, so kinda like a seniors discount. Makes me feel old!
My girlfriends son (who is 20) thinks anything from the '80s and '90s is a classic. Makes me feel old...... again.
By definition it usually refers to anything 25 years or older.
Welcome to OSO!

Yes it is, but getting any respect at a classic at a boat show is more of a challenge. If it isnt wood it gets looked at like a red headed step child, but that is slowly changing.

If Donzi can build a 2022 model boat and call it a “Donzi Classic” then I guess an Eliminator from last century counts!
(Yeah, I know tne Donzi has history for 50 plus years, just saying…..)

Spent some time in an Aussie built Sportscraft Daytona 21’ (built under license from Eliminator) fantastic boat, handled 1-2’ chop but anything bigger was rough, unless you want to hang on and fly over the top of everything. Hulls with a full center pod are generally not great in rough water. A full tunnel is better. I’m sure someone with more smarts than me will jump in.

BTW, nothing wrong with your Dad’s Hobie 14, I had one myself….(Back when you were in primary school. )

RR

sailtexas, it just happens to be a red boat also, lol...

Thanks rak_rua! Good info, just what I was looking for from the crowd. Is there a stress cracking concern on the bow-deck/pontoons joint, maybe the "leading edge", not sure what the proper term is?

Just to clarify, my experience is only with the 21 footer, not sure about larger models.
I’m not aware of any significant inherent problems with Eliminators, other than age related things like moisture/soft transom, stringers and floor, which you could find in any boat of that age.

OSO is by far the best boat forum around 🙂 but if you do some searching on another place called scream and fly, they have a lot of knowledge on boats that size.

RR

This is the Sportscraft Daytona (red/white with Yammie 220 special) I mentioned previously, running in what I call 1-2’ chop at 50-60 mph.
Ffwd to 3.25 mark (unless you want to hear about boat racing on Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne Australia. 🙂


RR

Yes classic!