Changes needed
 

Ok Velocity lovers and non lovers! In a perfect world, what do YOU think Velocity needs to do or change on current models? As the new GM at Velocity I really want to gather this info and put it to good use! Mild to Wild, I want to hear it all.

Re: Changes needed
 

I will start out by saying that I do indeed think that Steve has a product that is awsome,it is fast and it more times than not will out perform other boats of the same size with the same power in the smooth or rough water.NO steps or ventilated hulls just a good basic design that works.It is a boat that has to be driven not just pointed and steered like some others but I like that.One thing that is a major problem is when building high dollar play toys more attention to the small things needs to be addressed like making sure that the boat is sealed and prepared properly so that no water can penatrate and cause problems.Also I think Steve needs to market the product differently like Fountain,Outerlimits,Skater,MTI and even Baja do they advertise speeds,what power,usually a name brand that people trust.I also think that the company needs to make a statement about how well the hull works by putting togethjer a serious piece of equipment and put some serious numbers on the board so that people notice not a boat that has a motor home interior and wood grain dash,performance boat people could care less.One more thing when you kick ass on the OFFSHORE circuit apparently it works put together a factory sponsored team.a serious team in a serious boat and once again make a statement,apparently it is working for others.I will think of more and post later.

Re: Changes needed
 

To start I'm going to acknowledge that I am not a real popular visitor to this site, I do have a tendenacy to stir things up here. But I was a Velocity owner for eight years, owned what was and still is, I understand, the quickest 32 out there. I have spent time at the wheel of every model Steve produced with exception of the 36 and the new 322. I have been close to, or over 100 MPH in most every one of those hulls. I do have a lot of experience with the line, and some of that is from a perspective that few here have had the opportunity to experience.

My first suggestion to you would be to first decide where Velocity as a brand wants to go in the future. Are you trying to stay true to the roots of the brand, a slightly hardcore hot rod not intended for everyone ? Or is your intention to broaden the appeal of the brand and market it to a larger group of buyers ? What I have seen over the recent past strikes me that the company is somewhat confused in terms of it's direction. Formula for example has upped their performance level with their Fastech hulls, but has remained true to their heritage of having cushy interiors and lots of creature comforts, even at the cost of a few MPH. They continue to build a very highly detailed boat, quality materials executed with a great deal of attention to the details, aimed at those who appreciate the gentleman's approach to our sport. Fountain, not well liked here, has been focused on improving the performance numbers of the entire line, obviously Reggie feels that is where his line needs to shine to continue it's appeal to his buyers. But at the same time realizes that they want the speed in a hull that handles and rides well, and has some of the creature comforts as well, not as much as the Formula buyer, and not to the extent that the performance numbers suffer. He has recently begun to restyle the cockpits which have been the same for many years. My take here is he realizes his buyer is moving up in age and those buyers will demand these changes. You need to give the buyer a reason to want that new model. The quality control remains, attention to details as well. He has become more flexible in terms of some custom options, paint etc., but stays focused on the use of recognized Merc power, and stresses the performance achived with it. Has this worked, well he sells more boats per year than any other builder out there, and his customers keep coming back for another one, I'm starting to think a 38 or 42 might be in the cards for me now. Outerlimits has found success in the small niche at the high end of the market, they don't even wish to appeal to the masses, only the two dozen or so per year willing to ante up the big bucks to own the totally custom boat. I could never join that group, but for Fiore and his company it has been sucessful. Point here is decide where you want to be for your customers, then do it with consistency, quality, attention to detail, and most importantly back up what you build. Both on a consumer and dealer level. Baja has had great success as an entry level performance builder, primarly by sticking to the basics and over the years trying to offer their buyer a decent product at a modest price. Velocity's price structure over the past years has risen to the level of some of the other builders, but the build level has not necessarily come up to the same elevated level. Not being critical of a business attempt to get the most the market will bear for a product, I attempt to do that in my own business, but many percieve the cost to be not in line with what is being offered.

Should Velocity build a step bottom ? Maybe not, I know how Steve feels about this, don't totally agree, but if he choses not to that is fine. There is a market for his design, it's proven, he is still building boats. But you do need to step up the quality control. Pay attention to the details of whatever design you chose to build and stand behind the product. Velocity can build a better product, but to do so will need to start at the top and then be implemented all the way down thru the company, with every employee focused on the product being the best it can be. The bottom line here IMO is not as much to do with what you choose to build, but in how you go about actually building it. Styling is only on the surface, some will approve and some will not, but build quality and the attention to details are the backbone of any product and where you stand to gain the most. Come back to me with any questions you may have and I'll try to give you honest answers, I really am not the a$$hole many here think I am.

Re: Changes needed
 

Beating out Ragged by 2 minutes here. You're a quick one there Bill.

Re: Changes needed
 

Yea right Ragged.

I believe that if VELOCITY built a 41' with an enclosed cockpit, put two 1500hp engines in it that boat would break Fountains record. That would get everyones attention,but the qwestion is would Steve spend that kind of money.

We also need a VELOCITY on the race course,and not a VR1. A 41' in the Super V class. I for one would love to see that.

Re: Changes needed
 

Another thought here. If you were to post a similiar thread in the general forum you likley would recieve more responses from a broader base of boat owners. Just a thought.

Re: Changes needed
 

I've been a velocity owner for just a year now. But what drove me to buying my velocity was value for my dollar. For the amount of money i was willing to spend last year, the velocity offered (by far) more all around value than anything else that was out there.

I would like to see an updated dash on all the models. You look at some of the nortech and MTI dashes and they look incredible. Granted you pay a fortune for those, but it seems to be the way of the future for hi-perf boats. Every year i see more and more boats out there with the molded dash where it looks as if every gauge has its place. To me that immediately sets a boat apart from the pack strictly from a cosmetic stand point.

I'm also a fan of the formed rear seat with handles for 3-4 passengers as standard. Not only does it look nice, but its also much safer and keeps your passengers in their places on rough days.

We've argued over paint styles plenty in the past. I like what fountain has done in offering a couple different levels for different $$ amounts of paint jobs, and then within each level (maybe 2 levels, and a 3rd totally custom option), having a whole bunch of options. I would cover the gamut in styles that are offered then the argument over velocity paint jobs would end.

Also, it doesn't seem like many 360's were made. I'm sure theres a reason that i am unaware of. But 36' seems like a real popular size in the market.

I'm not a pro on the brand, but these are suggestions based just upon what i have seen. You may already be doing some of these things but i may just be uniformed. Which brings me to my next point. I'd like to see more press about whats coming down the line, and what direction the company is taking.

-Lance

ps- I also like the thought of making a canopied boat and putting it in OSS with 525's. Someone out there has gotta have the coin to do that. Anybody? Anybody? Would love to see Mr. Stepp back out on the race course teaching the young'ns a thing or two.

Re: Changes needed
 

I don't believe Mrs. Stepp would agree with you. ;)

Re: Changes needed
 

personally I like the flat dash, hell Fountain still gets away with it.
and no pods please, they were a bad styling cue/afterthought that did not fit the rest of the shapes on the boat from the start. Regardless of the rounded shape of the deck "brow", the pods were clearly a patch job/afterthought and looked horrible in profile. The rest of the shapes of the boats are pretty square/right angles.

I have given consideration of going back to a single engine boat. I'll tell 'ya the 26 (280) is a choice. I love the freeboard of the 26>>>

(let's call that boat what it is without an integrated platform, I mean who else would BOLT-ON an platform and call the boat a 280 :rolleyes: ) When that happened I thought "whats he think he's selling these things to people with a sixth grade education?

>>>and the helm position overall is very good. The allocation of space over it's length is good (sunpad/cockpit/deck,cabin length). It's a good working bottom. That boat is very capable, and responds well to power. As powerboat once said " it'll go anywhere a 30 footer will go and probably get there sooner". It's a big boat for it's size @ 26'3" as it carries alot of beam forward. It feels and drives like a bigger boat than it is. This is GOOD. Throw 600 and change HP at it and poof! 83-85 MPH...a nice place to be.

That hull flat out works if you've got the ballz to run it and DRIVE IT the way the bottom was intended...HIGH on the water with a keen eye for keeping it STRAIGHT and avoiding odd landings..'cause you'll pay for those!

I honestly miss the fun and skill integration to operation that his bottom requires.

so now we're not building them anymore??

BUT...


with all I've seen over the years being close to the brand... I would need to be literally wrapped in warm swaddling clothes to be assured a new improved stance on quality had been taken, and that the boat would be BACKED-UP. That I was going to get a boat that would take a workout (for it's size) in lake Ontario without breaking, (landings on that rolled chine forward put alot of stress into the hullside as it rises to the deck! this is where they seem to blow out! (or in) that it wouldn't delam, take water into the construction, and that the wiring and rigging was custom clean and stout as it should be from a small builder..

don't even talk to me about the 29's. I don't like the look personally, though the lines aren't bad. My interest would be in a hot-rod/flatdeck/pipe platform 26' probably without one of those afterthought acrylic windshields also. The absolutely grossest/goofiest looking thing I have ever seen is those tall framed glass windshields on that trademark Velocity deck. Absolutely f@cking disgusting looking...
that bolt-on fiberglass swim platform was pretty bad too...

no wonder Steve would spend more time golfing than looking at those visual abberations going out the door...
he was hard-core old school that I knew of. It would have to pain him to do this stuff to the design.
The only part of the offering he hasn't rolled over on is the bottom. Thank God.
Everbody who bashed the boats for a stiff ride has to realize this is pretty extreme pad bottom that works best at high speed high on the water, and anything below that there's a compromise!
this is where "confused" comes in (original credit to Ragged (Ragger?) an original HARDCORE bottom designed for speed with all kinds of add-on visually disturbing, fluffy crap and afterthoughts thrown at it to attempt a broader appeal...

HELLO...McFLY?? NOT WORKING!

about quality...

I understand that employee turnover is horrible for that size a builder...you gotta start there though, as they are the ones building the boats! Drilling the hole, mounting stuff, noticing DETAILS, maintaining the finish during completion.

enough for now, but if this sticks I'll be back with more commentary. I'm not a beginner to boating or the brand.

Re: Changes needed
 

and skip the "concept"/theme boats. Face it your not OL or NT

what a waste of time/money/exposure.
these boats typically get limited press and then grow roots somewhere unsold for a year or more.

put together some plain jane hot-rods in varying sizes with some current paint that's not awkward or off-the-wall, and not loaded down with fluff. Pantera does a good job with this more basic theme.

play on the performance, trustworthiness of the bottom. Play it up and look more traditional hardcore...get back to the roots as they once were early in the Thoroughbred days.

Bang for buck period. with a boat that makes good speed out of power, will take the punishment and not fall apart.

Re: Changes needed
 

I have a 260 and I like it a lot. However, I have to agree with Rippem on the windshield and the swim platform design. I struggled a long time to overlook the ugly windshield. I would like to see a windshild like the new fountains, donzi, or formula's. Make it functional, stylish and strong.

Re: Changes needed
 

I doubt it. yea he could put together a cut down boat (aka 390/Karl Koster type with a canopied deck) drop in some monster power and prolly cut a pretty good number...a pad is a pad is a pad...

but never get close to the record speeds. it takes literally millions of dollars and incredible resources that Steve doesn't have access to, and probably couldn't buy either because of cost or exclusivity.

do you have any idea what it takes? In terms of just the boat itself (hull/canopied deck), in terms of hydrodynamics/testing/mods,mods,and more mods (and the facilities to do them), even AERODYNAMICS to make a pass at those speeds? Not to mention the drivetrains? Testing power? Making power that'll live long enough to make two passes? (this isn't a 6 second drag race...and Reggies power was more than 1500 a side ;) ) Personel? Support equipment?

This isn't the 70/80's. This is the new millenium man...the days of budgets to make an effort like this that are more than the GNP of many small countries.

a renewed racing presence would be a good thing, but you gotta find customers willing to put thier wallets in bed with you even to do that.

Re: Changes needed
 

In order to have some customers willing to spend the money on a race program you have to have a manufacturer wanting to do this and be succesfull at it and I dont think that Steve has that drive in him for that goal anymore.As per the 320 against the new 322,I like the 320 and its lines and I can be one to tell you that the more power you put in it the better the ride and the better the handling in all water conditions I do not know that much about the 322 except that it does have similar lines but all I have read about are boats with the 496 package and that is pretty lame in that boat.The290 Sc should have a Bayliner badge on it when it wears the high framed windshield on it because it is well ugly,sorry.High performance and sleek go together not Motor home or house creature comforts,go fast and a place to get out of the weather and a place for the facilitys for the ladies works well for most performance enthusiasts.I think the number one thing is to start to pay more attention to detail and finish work as well modernizing all of the boats with the latest and greatest materials and hardware,as well as performance upgrades.Put a boat together with some big power and drives and see what you get,what the hell it is a great way to see how you stack up against as you would say the billion dollar budget manufacturers.

Re: Changes needed
 

They should redesign their swim platforms to me they are fugly. Velocity makes a good looking boat in the 36 and 39. To me more models should resemble those. A more sleekish look and a redesigned platform. I think with some changes Velocities could become even more popular. One last thing, the bows always look short and stubby on the smaller models, so maybe lengthen the bows a little to make everything more porportional.
Good Luck!!!

P.S. Do not do anything even remotly related to a speed record, thats Fountains stupid vee bottom thing.

Re: Changes needed
 

The original 41/32 integrated platform was BIG, DEEP, usably close to the water, and had a mild rounded shape. It "looked right" on the boat. That high off the water "batmobile" at the gunnel shaped thing on the 39'/36' is ugly, shallow in comparison, and not user friendly at all.

any winshield (particularly/especially the Taylors) make this exponentially worse in appearance, the boats are asthetically victims of the already high "brow"/fairing/rise area of the deck when coupled with a windshield. I'll tell 'ya the original 26 (as seen on the '90 up 22', the 24(260) :rolleyes: , first gen 32' and the 41') style deck looks bad-azz and just right without a w/s at all. The brow/deck is so high I can't imagine too many under 6' who would complain standing in the boat and certianly not sitting down. The shape and hieght alone takes alot of the air over you even without a w/s. I know all about it I'm 6'5" and had a 26 without any windshield at all....the way it was intended!

Re: Changes needed
 

We have a 22 and recently sold a 30'. They are great, fast boats. However, I think that the rigging needs to be stepped up a notch.

Re: Changes needed
 

Thanks for all the info!!!

Keep it comming!!!

Re: Changes needed
 

I'll vote for dropping the Taylor style windshield..... it does not look right on a Velocity. (290)(credit: Rippem)

Please..... start putting some ergonmically designed bolster seating in your boats!!
My biggest complaint with my Velocity is the uncomfortable seating position in the driver's seat. Now I realize that there may have been some refinements made since my '97..... but the 3-4 piece look to the new bolsters takes away alot of aesthetics to the cockpit, and just looks uncomfortable.(awkward looking?)(but, keep the awesome grab handle on the back :) I LOVE the powder coat railings!)

I do like the 2 plane dash on the 360 :)
But what is that flip-up piece over the cabin door? Get rid of it! I personally would not want that thing in my way.... or rattling around.... is there a purpose for it?

Thanks for listening!!!!

Re: Changes needed
 

Make a much larger version of the old Regal 230 Velocity. The look was incredible and would work well on a 30' plus boat. It also had a good looking incorporated swim platform, great headroom considering the size and the round windshield was great!! (unfortunately Regal's commitment to quality was not there).

Re: Changes needed
 

I am not sure if you are already doing this, but I think that there should be a stainless rubrail. The black rubber stands out too much.

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.

Re: Changes needed
 

I agree 100% with the statement. And would add that when you take the pad bottom design and begin to add weight it is not intended to carry the ride no doubt suffers, it is designed to run high and light on the water, not thru it. When you then also make the design taller, to add that cabin space, you are again asking the bottom to do something else it was not intended to do, in balancing the top heavy design, and then the ill handling (chine walking) characteristics begin to show. A pad bottom needs to be balanced in order to run properly, and the higher the balance point becomes, the more difficult it becomes to achieve that balanced attitude. The addition of weight foreward has the same basic effect, resulting in the hull wanting more positive trim in order to "sit" on the pad and results in more ill handling traits.

To handle properly the pad bottom design needs to run at a relatively flat attitude with a relatively neutral drive angle. No doubt the reason the unmolested 26/280 remains a popular model. No doubt the reason, opposite effect, that the 32/320 never made it. Too high a CG, too small and short a pad to balance the boat, thus the ill handling reputation. The pad on the 32/320 is/was smaller/shorter than that of the 26/280, it was by it's design and the manner in which it was constructed, destined to be a failure in some aspects right from the git-go.

Re: Changes needed
 

I agree that there will always be trade-offs--that seems pretty obvious. I can't agree that performance and features are mutually exclusive. The Corvette still stands as an excellent analogy--it is not a stripper car but is still one of the best performers. Would it perform a little better without a/c, cushy seats, etc--yes. Would I consider it--no.

Here's another example closer to home: Fountain. One of the fastest boats on the water and it has glass windshields, bow rails, anchor locker, etc. I'm not saying Velocity should copy them for the sake of copying, but put features on the boat to make it versatile.

Interesting that you picked the Donzi 27, it is a good example of what I am talking about. Comparing to a Velocity 290SC,
the Donzi is smaller and has fewer features than what I am looking for (I've already ruled it out), yet both boats go around 70 mph on an HO. Your opinion will vary!

On the topic of "tall" decks and trade-offs, Velocity offers both styles on the 29 and this makes a good comparison. The VR-1 is a little better performing and so it is closer to your idea of "hardcore", but the SC is a much more versatile boat with 95% of the speed. I think it’s great that Velocity can offer both boats and maybe that is a good solution. Just don't quit the SC version please :p

Re: Changes needed
 

I think a better analogy would be a BMW M5. :D :D 4 doors, luxury and plenty of HP. :D ;)

The 30' we had was a great boat. It was an 88' so it was a regal boat. However, the performance was un-matched to any other comparable boat with the same or slightly more hp.

The pad hull design with the off-set/step transom is a great design (My Allison has a very similar design. ;) ;) :D ) And like my Allison, it is a drivers boat. Don't change that.

Re: Changes needed
 

#1 The tall glass windshield is UGLY
#2 The 290 Sc,was a nice shot but in the wrong direction
#3 The 26/280 is the best bang for the buck
#4The 320.The more power the better the ride.
#5 The 22 thru the 41/Use caulk and seals on the transom.
#6 The pad design is not designrd to carry all of the extra BS that is being put into the new boats,if you want to put all of the other crap in a Velocity they need to design a new hull just for the cruiser minded people and the HOT ROD that Velocity is known for alone.

Re: Changes needed
 

Well Dave, It seems you have plenty to do with all this information. Sheez, are you sorry you asked? Good Luck! Dave

Re: Changes needed
 

Hopefully not. I personally think it shows a true interest on his part to make some changes to turn things around.

Re: Changes needed
 

Dave i saw your boat at the toys for tots run last weekend we were down from North Carolina was hopping to get to meet you, sorry we did not get hooked up after the run , made next time . Mike

Re: Changes needed
 

"Plenty to do" is a matter of opinion. Further more, no business person with a commitment to their product and customer would ask for suggestions and then be sorry for asking. There is much to be said for maintaining the core features that set Velocity apart from others, and ultimately maintain a strong following. I can tell you first hand that suggestions are being applied, while hanging on what we like. Nice job Dave.

Re: Changes needed
 

I have never owned a Velocity and the main reason why is the extreme light lay up. I have seen Velocity boats with tons of spider cracks and know of quiet a few that have delaminated or completly broke apart. Thus the term I keep hearing in the boating industry about Velocity boats is the term "potato chip boat".
VelocityGM I highly comend you for coming on here and asking members for there thoughts on Velocity. I hope you get them turned around. The 22 was the first performance boat I ever wanted way back when after I read a boat test magazine boat it. It was fast and I could of afforded it at the time but I went with another brand.
good luck, Mike

Re: Changes needed
 

Im glad I asked!

Hope all is well with you Dave!