Noob needs help selecting first go-fast...
#11
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Narrow it down to the boats that you like. Have the ones you are interested in surveyed. Test drive if possible. Make an offer. The market is tough now, it is a buyers market. He who shows up with real money and no BS will get a great deal. You would be suprised to see how low people will go to sell. They will still be making more then if they traded in at a dealer.
#13
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if ur new id go with the donzi....
its sounds like ur not that hardcore... ( willing to pay 2x for an old boat with an indian on the side)
stock merc power newer and stepped is the way to go... newer interior and styling gauges and shifters....
and gas is gonna be way cheaper
its sounds like ur not that hardcore... ( willing to pay 2x for an old boat with an indian on the side)
stock merc power newer and stepped is the way to go... newer interior and styling gauges and shifters....
and gas is gonna be way cheaper
#15
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Those all look like nice choices. You would always have bragging rights with the Apache, even if slower than a beak boat with the same motors. The Apache is likely to hold it's value best, like a very special muscle car.
We have a 1988 Sonic 30SS, cruised all over the place in it, stayed on it up to ten days at a time. The sliding cushion that goes under the v berth is genius, and we prefer sleeping on that boat to sleeping at home. TONS of room with a separate head, and THAT is critical IMO. You might want to check those out, as most agree the Sonic 30SS is the biggest and most user friendly inside.
The Y2K 30 foot Superboat with a single in it is a great choice also, but a bit cramped inside. One of the newer fuel injected singles is going to be super reliable and much cheaper to operate. Hence the attraction of the Superboat if cruising long distances.
We have a 1988 Sonic 30SS, cruised all over the place in it, stayed on it up to ten days at a time. The sliding cushion that goes under the v berth is genius, and we prefer sleeping on that boat to sleeping at home. TONS of room with a separate head, and THAT is critical IMO. You might want to check those out, as most agree the Sonic 30SS is the biggest and most user friendly inside.
The Y2K 30 foot Superboat with a single in it is a great choice also, but a bit cramped inside. One of the newer fuel injected singles is going to be super reliable and much cheaper to operate. Hence the attraction of the Superboat if cruising long distances.
What is your boating exp. Is this your first boat or your first performance boat?
Jon
Jon
Of the boats you have listed, I (personally) would probably lean toward the Pantera. The Apache and the Pantera are both going to handle big water better than the Donzi, but the Donzi is probably going to be much more economical to operate given the 2xsmall block engines. Definitely have a survey done on any of them (you'll probably have to anyway if you're financing). It's true that the Apache will probably hold value the best, but most Apaches I've seen have been beat on pretty good. They are made to withstand it, though. Resale value is kinda screwy right now 'cause the boat market sucks.
My buddy had a 28 Donzi just like that (but blue..)
Morderate stock power was very reliable and bravo drives overkill for that power package (which is a good thing!). Great overall boat. I am not going to get in to stepped or non-stepped; just please make sure you learn how to drive it before really running it..
Fly around and check them all out in person- it will be less expensive than what you would lose getting a boat you are unhappy with and then having to sell it...
I am sure you know this but even if you buy exactly what you think you want, holding on to your 1st boat for more than 1-2 years doesn't happen very often...
Morderate stock power was very reliable and bravo drives overkill for that power package (which is a good thing!). Great overall boat. I am not going to get in to stepped or non-stepped; just please make sure you learn how to drive it before really running it..
Fly around and check them all out in person- it will be less expensive than what you would lose getting a boat you are unhappy with and then having to sell it...
I am sure you know this but even if you buy exactly what you think you want, holding on to your 1st boat for more than 1-2 years doesn't happen very often...
Budget will make or kill you on your first offshore. Be prepared for insurance, fuel, repairs, etc. Also, if you're towing, remember you won't be pulling a 30+ foot boat with twins all that safely or legally with an F-150.
Your listed parameters sound pretty much right on. Don't make the mistake of hurrying this process- unless you're prepared to write some big checks to bail yourself out. I've seen beautiful boats at nice prices that were nightmares underneath. A profesional high-performance survey is a must. You're at a little of a disadvantage since a sea trial isn't an option this time of year but a good surveyor will work you around this.
You're going to have to navigate a delicate balance between...
Year
Name Brand
Size
Power/drives
Condition.
Decide in advance what you're willing to compromize on and that will make your decisions easier.
Your listed parameters sound pretty much right on. Don't make the mistake of hurrying this process- unless you're prepared to write some big checks to bail yourself out. I've seen beautiful boats at nice prices that were nightmares underneath. A profesional high-performance survey is a must. You're at a little of a disadvantage since a sea trial isn't an option this time of year but a good surveyor will work you around this.
You're going to have to navigate a delicate balance between...
Year
Name Brand
Size
Power/drives
Condition.
Decide in advance what you're willing to compromize on and that will make your decisions easier.
Narrow it down to the boats that you like. Have the ones you are interested in surveyed. Test drive if possible. Make an offer. The market is tough now, it is a buyers market. He who shows up with real money and no BS will get a great deal. You would be suprised to see how low people will go to sell. They will still be making more then if they traded in at a dealer.
So, any other makes or models I should consider?
At this point, I think something like the Donzi or Baja would probably make the most sense.
#16
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Chris, I heard you were shopping! For what you want to be doing, I would suggest
Late 80's Formula 311. Good rough water boat, built well, readily available. With 800HP total , should be around 70mph boat.
Cigarette Bullet. 31ft, good rough water boat, and its a cig.
Older 33ft(10meter) fountain's were good, fast with mild power, and the ones I have seen hold up well on the big lake. Just ask Frank Holas from the CPC club, he has one that runs 100MPH, Ive seen him outrun lots of bigger badder boats with his boat.
My Excalibur is sold, and Im now shopping for something faster and smaller. Looking at 32-35ft boats. The big wave crushers are nice for cruising and looking cool, but they honestly get pretty boring tooling around at 55mph. Plus I want to do more poker run and loto trips, and its a lot easier with a 32 on the hitch than a 15k lb 40ft tank back there!
Late 80's Formula 311. Good rough water boat, built well, readily available. With 800HP total , should be around 70mph boat.
Cigarette Bullet. 31ft, good rough water boat, and its a cig.
Older 33ft(10meter) fountain's were good, fast with mild power, and the ones I have seen hold up well on the big lake. Just ask Frank Holas from the CPC club, he has one that runs 100MPH, Ive seen him outrun lots of bigger badder boats with his boat.
My Excalibur is sold, and Im now shopping for something faster and smaller. Looking at 32-35ft boats. The big wave crushers are nice for cruising and looking cool, but they honestly get pretty boring tooling around at 55mph. Plus I want to do more poker run and loto trips, and its a lot easier with a 32 on the hitch than a 15k lb 40ft tank back there!
#17
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By the way Chris, I know someone who has a early 90's like 91 or 92 28ft pantera with twin 454's for 25g with a trailer right here on the south side. Might be of interest to you.
#18
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You got that right... I certainly don't want to pull an abrams.
I'll look into those for sure. I really don't want to go much bigger than a 30, cuz I wanna have some trailering flexibility. I'll certainly be down to cruise to LOTO later in the year, when I get used to handling whatever heap I pic up. Ha.
When I pick it up, I think I am going to haul it up to twin lakes, WI, by my friend Pat's lake house, so I can get really comfortable with handling the boat before I get out on the big lake. His dad will laugh his ass off when he sees me doing circles on Lake Elizabeth. LOL.
I'll look into those for sure. I really don't want to go much bigger than a 30, cuz I wanna have some trailering flexibility. I'll certainly be down to cruise to LOTO later in the year, when I get used to handling whatever heap I pic up. Ha.
When I pick it up, I think I am going to haul it up to twin lakes, WI, by my friend Pat's lake house, so I can get really comfortable with handling the boat before I get out on the big lake. His dad will laugh his ass off when he sees me doing circles on Lake Elizabeth. LOL.
#19
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http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o20536-en.html
http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o19199-en.html
two here that seem to fit the bill.
http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o19199-en.html
two here that seem to fit the bill.
#20
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don't waste your time with small blocks. this is offshore powerboating here, leave your gas mileage concerns to your daily commute. not to mention the donzi is ugly.
i think a trip out by tommy houston will help with your decision. e-mail joe (mild thunder) for that info.
don't worry, we'll help you find the right boat when you're ready.
i think a trip out by tommy houston will help with your decision. e-mail joe (mild thunder) for that info.
don't worry, we'll help you find the right boat when you're ready.