Looking for boat ideas
05-03-2023, 01:31 PM
#21
Registered
Thread Starter
If you're looking for a well-built boat that is comfortable enough to spend the night on the water and falls within your budget of $50k, there are a few other options that you may want to consider in addition to the brands you mentioned.
- Checkmate Boats: The Convincor 300.
- Donzi Marine: The 29 ZF.
- Powerquest Boats: The 290 Enticer.
- Wellcraft Boats: The Scarab 302.
- Sea Ray Boats: The 290 Sundancer.
05-03-2023, 01:35 PM
#22
Registered
Thread Starter
If cabin space is needed I am surprised no one has said DONZI 33ZX, wide beam and lots of room. Like others have said SONICS have large cabins as well.
As for rot and issues. Let's face it, 50K and what you are looking for means ALL these brands are old, and all can and will rot.
I bet there are a tons of boats out there with wood rot and people never know because they have not taken them apart yet.
As for rot and issues. Let's face it, 50K and what you are looking for means ALL these brands are old, and all can and will rot.
I bet there are a tons of boats out there with wood rot and people never know because they have not taken them apart yet.
Good point about the age and my budget, I'd say you're probably right and wet wood is going to be hard to avoid. As long as it's not anything detectable I'll just have to plan for it in the future.
05-03-2023, 01:53 PM
#23
Registered
Cobalt 343, but you'll need to increase your budget.
The following 3 users liked this post by techman:
05-03-2023, 03:06 PM
#24
Registered
Thread Starter
Lakeglider,
I'm not a huge fan of the PQ 290 Enticer. I kind of feel it was one of their rare misfires. It's just barely big enough to warrant twins, but it doesn't perform like a twin. With twice the fuel consumption, it falls well short of the performance of the 280, and with damned little more amenity space. My recommendation would be a 280 if you're wanting to stick with a single, or a 330 if you're up for twins.
My dad had a SeaRay 260cc that slept pretty comfortably for such a "small" boat, and it ran pretty well for such a "large" boat. If performance is not on your "must haves", the 290 Sundancer probably can't be beat, as far as amenities and build quality.
As for overnight comfort level, it all depends on how you gage comfort. If you're looking for lodging, performance is probably gonna have to be scratched from your list of priorities. If you're up for camping on a boat, most boats of any real size can accommodate two adults well enough. My wife and I used to stay on our Rinker 236 Sport Cuddy overnight on Saturday night for the PokerRun on Cumberland every year. Our PQ 280 is considerably more comfortable, but still nothing like a real bed.
Everything about a boat is a trade-off. Space for something "here" is lost space for something else "there". We specifically looked for a boat WITHOUT a fridge because we didn't want to sacrifice that space, but we don't overnight much. We are primarily day boaters.
Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991
I'm not a huge fan of the PQ 290 Enticer. I kind of feel it was one of their rare misfires. It's just barely big enough to warrant twins, but it doesn't perform like a twin. With twice the fuel consumption, it falls well short of the performance of the 280, and with damned little more amenity space. My recommendation would be a 280 if you're wanting to stick with a single, or a 330 if you're up for twins.
My dad had a SeaRay 260cc that slept pretty comfortably for such a "small" boat, and it ran pretty well for such a "large" boat. If performance is not on your "must haves", the 290 Sundancer probably can't be beat, as far as amenities and build quality.
As for overnight comfort level, it all depends on how you gage comfort. If you're looking for lodging, performance is probably gonna have to be scratched from your list of priorities. If you're up for camping on a boat, most boats of any real size can accommodate two adults well enough. My wife and I used to stay on our Rinker 236 Sport Cuddy overnight on Saturday night for the PokerRun on Cumberland every year. Our PQ 280 is considerably more comfortable, but still nothing like a real bed.
Everything about a boat is a trade-off. Space for something "here" is lost space for something else "there". We specifically looked for a boat WITHOUT a fridge because we didn't want to sacrifice that space, but we don't overnight much. We are primarily day boaters.
Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991
I'll check out the PQ 33, I feeling better about 32-35' meeting my needs. Twins isn't a must but it would be REALLY nice.
Honestly, I keep coming back to a Baja 342. There are a couple for sale that meet my needs although out of my price range. I'm not a huge fan of Baja (no shade on Baja) just because of aesthetics I think. Everything else on the list is low slung and sexy but the Baja doesn't seem to have the look that I like. Again, no hate, just not my taste. It's not enough turn me away, just enough to be hesitant.
05-03-2023, 03:19 PM
#25
Registered
The 31’ sonic I had was a good ride in rough Lake Michigan water. The build quality seemed very good also. They are available with all the amenities you are wanting too. The seats in the cabin have a panel that pulls out from under the V birth to create a nice size bed too.
05-03-2023, 03:23 PM
#26
Registered
The Velocity's can take a beating and hold up well and are a light and efficient hull. I get about 3mpg at 55mph in my 280 and I've had it out in 8' waves, it's real solid. My wife and I spent the night in it and I'm 6'3", it was tight but I'd do it again. For what you want I would look at the 32 Velocity.
The following users liked this post:
Padraig (05-04-2023)
05-03-2023, 06:46 PM
#29
Registered
Thread Starter
The following users liked this post:
techman (05-04-2023)
05-03-2023, 06:49 PM
#30
Registered
Thread Starter
The 31’ sonic I had was a good ride in rough Lake Michigan water. The build quality seemed very good also. They are available with all the amenities you are wanting too. The seats in the cabin have a panel that pulls out from under the V birth to create a nice size bed too.
The following users liked this post:
ttuton (05-04-2023)
