Re: Changes needed
 

Cool, customer input being requested :cool:

I've been boating for 20+ years and my next purchase will be a large, single engine, family sportboat. I've been watching the 290SC since it came out—it is my #1 choice because it is highly competent in many areas with the best combination of performance and features in its class. I believe that is why it is a popular boat. There are so many family boats out there without performance, and many 100K+ performance boats out there that aren’t good for much else. A lot of people might want a performance boat but can’t justify it without family or practical features. If I'm going to fork over serious dough, then buddy, it better be fast AND versatile!

Here’s a short list of features I want to see (in no particular order): a) A good sized swim platform for kids and water toy access, b) a large, flat sunpad that can lay out 2 for sun or sleep, c) large, open engine area with easy access to all components for easy maintenance/repairs, d) deep cockpit that can seat 6 people safely (gotta share with family and friends), e) front drop-seat bolsters for the rough with good footrests and back support, f) glass windshield that deflects the wind while I’m seated (so I can boat year-round—we don’t all live in south Florida), protects my face against rain blasts while underway (summer boat day = chance of thundershowers), attaches to a camper top (so I can see out the windshield with the top up), and doesn’t scratch or discolor, g) perimeter bow rail to keep me from sliding into the drink (and allows people to lay out on deck safely), h) bow anchor locker so I don’t have to drag the dirty anchor and rope all over the boat, i) large deck hatch that allows emergency cabin exit, j) sizeable cabin with as much head room as possible to seat 2+ and sleep 2, k) enclosed head (#1 female choice, and why would I want to share smells with the rest of the cabin?), l) pressurized water sink (brush teeth, etc.—female choice) m) normal performance features such as hydraulic steering, etc. There’s plenty more features that I can think of…

Here’s what I expect for performance: a) Very high top speed in calm to light chop water for fun and outrun (thank-you for proving this in Kilo runs), b) stable at cruise so anyone can drive there, c) good rough-water cruise for windy or busy days, d) fuel efficient at cruise (light weight and good hull design here), e) good acceleration, planing and turning for water sports and safety, f) reasonable dockside/trailering manners.

The 290SC has/does all of the above as standard or optional except for the anchor locker and the sixth person seat (I think there’s room though). Please don’t regress on these features! So for improvements I would request a molded anchor locker option in the bow. And if you allow a rear bench seat option I could probably put 4 people there, or maybe offer a 4 position molded rear seat or a jump seat option up front.

There seems to be a lot of opinions concerning the windshield. Why not offer all three choices and make them modular/interchangeable?: 1) glass windshield, 2) plastic windshield, 3) fairing. If a customer changes his mind, he can buy another choice and change it out!

I believe Velocity’s well-rounded performance, versatility, and willingness to customize boats to an individual’s needs are strong selling points!

Corey

Re: Changes needed
 

Corey, If you are looking for a nice 29, look at this one. It's a friend of mine, it shows better than new, it was at the Miami show in 05. It is a fresh water boat with very little hours. The guy is at Velocity today to try and put a new boat together.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-8372.html

Re: Changes needed
 

Velocity GM, I have had an idea in my head for over 5 years now on how to make a Velocity as fast or faster then the "stepped hull" and make it just as safe as they are now. I was gonna try it on a 22, but I haven't found one yet that is cheap enough for me to chop up and change what I want to do. I have never seen or heard of anyone doing what I have in mind and can't believe it...........I am not that creative. If you are interested give me a call or email me @[email protected] and I will give you some vague info and if you and Steve are interested we can talk.

Thanks,
Tony

Re: Changes needed
 

I'm almost speechless. :eek:

This is exactly why today's Velocitys are the asthetically and functionally confused offerings they are.

GO HARDCORE OR GO HOME

The order in which you denote your needs says it all...you need a cruiser but want performance. :rolleyes:

I can think of a few boats that are designed and intended to be the crossover boat you need.

Re: Changes needed
 

very, very few use the anchor locker in a performance boat. Do you know why?

Do you really think that having the piss filled portipotty holding half another 5 feet away in the cabin of a sub 30' boat is going to significantly effect the "sharing of odors" if you don't keep it tended to (daily or every other with a family)?

water toys? water sports? WHAAAAAAT?

reasonable dockside and trailering manners? Isn't this more about you than the boat?

Re: Changes needed
 

GO HARDCORE OR GO HOME

This from a guy with a "gentleman's sport boat" :D

Just yanking your chain...

I agree with a number of the items Suntimes listed. I'm only want to own one boat so it has to fulfill multiple needs. Nothing wrong with that and problaby why the 290SC seems to be very popular.

Re: Changes needed
 

yea, I'm just bustin' too...

Yes, I own a "gentelman's sport boat" because I did want quality (which Formula provides), and the price on this boat couldn't be beat. ;)

I'll tell you though, the canvas has never been up, the fridge never used, and no one has used a hair dryer aboard. :p I'm not a huge fan of glass windshields either.

I will say the boat does everything pretty well. I do really like it. It rides and handles very well.

I am just contemplating going back to a single engine boat more purely performance in function and appearance.

Re: Changes needed
 

Crossover Boat?

I AM looking for a "hardcore" performance boat WITH family boat features. They should not be exclusive. This is old think. Example: The new Corvettes are some of the best performing cars in the world today. Do they have heat and AC? Do they have radios? Do they have windshields? Do they have convertible tops? Hmmmmm...

No performance boats with bow anchor lockers? Then you don't think that Fountain, Formula, or Donzi are performance boats!

If the features are there and you don't want to use them, then no harm done! If you need the features and they aren't there, you go look somewhere else.

Wananewboat: thanks for the tip--I've seen that boat and if I was ready, would definitely consider it (not ready yet :mad: )

Re: Changes needed
 

the car analogy is ridiculous. Imagine a car with a windshield :rolleyes:



Uhhh...I own a 353.

Well aware of who has an anchor locker (or should I say line locker). The comment was that very few find them usable as... IF YOU RUN YOUR PERFORMANCE BOAT AT SPEED IN ROUGH WATER YOU WILL FIND OUT WHY THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH USELESS!!

Re: Changes needed
 

ahhh...but they are, by very definition!

Take that hardcore performance boat design (bottom) and load it down with wieght overall, wieght forward in the cabin(compromising running angle) and drag inducing tall gaudy glass windshields...

and at some point it is no longer the high performance boat it was intended. It's a Powerquest (RIP) or a 272 Baja.

this is exactly why the Velocity speed advantage has disappeared! They are no faster than (and sometimes slower) than a half dozen comparable boats! This is why the dollars' going elsewhere! People are buying boats that are more pleasing asthetically, have a more consistent build quality, are a better thought out combination of "everything for everybody", or more purely performance, and have better resale in a broader audience.

I guess that's what Velocity has to do, is choose a direction...a niche and stick to it.

Do they want to be PQ/Baja (amongst others in that world) or Thoroughbred? Lb. for lb., HP for HP faster?

I mean look at the new 27 Donzi. Minimized sunpad (engine vents) bolstered back seat, minimal cockpit floor, small companionway, low acrylic windscreen, flat-deck low headroom bare-bones cabin. 70+ on an HO. This boat will outsell all Steve's offerings below 30' 3 to 1...maybe 5 to 1 and out-resale them also.

You tell me what the masses want in a performance boat.