Reply With QuoteThe Lavey was APBA Offshore Factory 1 World Champion, last year. The others aren't even homologated to race in Offshore. What does that tell ya?
I moving up, out of the river into the lake and catalina once in a while.. I've been looking at 26-27 max, 496 H.O... THis is my short list, talk to me, any info would surley help.
1. Advantage 27 victory
2. commander 26 signature
3. cobra razor
4. dana 27
5..lavey 26 nu era
I've driven the signature, and lavey, and too my suprise I liked the way the signauture handled and power better.. Thanks
The Lavey was APBA Offshore Factory 1 World Champion, last year. The others aren't even homologated to race in Offshore. What does that tell ya?
whut Scott said wink
Call me "old school", but I would be tempted to toss Eliminator, Formula, and Howard in there.
Caution, I know nothing,
Kelly Cook
Don't even consider the 27' Advantage. email me if you want to know why. But I can tell you the boat is of poor quality for what you pay and the bottom design does work worth a damm. It is slow and does handle anything like some of the other manufactors out there. If you do your homework you will buy the 28 Bullet by Howard. It simply is the best bottom on the market in that size range and the quality of the boat overall is among the best.
I happen to be a proud owner of a 2002 26' Lavey Craft. i have the 496HO in it. i take it mainly to Havasu and the Pacific. Awesome boat and totally happy with it. A buddy has a 26 Signature in which takes to Catalina almost every weekend. He is also happy with his. email me if you have any questions.
frank
BTW: I will be heading to Catalina this sunday the 11th, along with 5 or 6 other boats. meeting up at the YardHouse at around 7am.
My friend had a 27 Warlock that he used in the ocean alot. The boat handled the rough conditions and took a beating without breaking. The only downside according to him was the service from Warlock.
Definatly consider Scarab. I am not sure what they have in your size range. Buy used and go bigger for the same money. The bigger the better in big blue. I just bought a 33 scarab with twin 5oo efi's and am already feeling like upping to a 38. Scarab makes a great 28 with twin 350's. There is one available here in San Diego for about 65k with less than 100 hrs. A killer deal for a rock solid ocean boat. You will spen more than that for a new 26' river boat and get a lot less boat. The only boat you have listed that I would consider for the ocean is the Lavey craft. They have a very nice hull design built for the ocean and their gellcoat is second to none. Good luck
In your size range the Warlock is a great boat !!
Can I expand on his question because I'm contemplating the same.
What is a reasonable size to make the trip to Catalina? 26, 27, 30?? The ocean can be tricky, I'd like you offshore guys opinions.
Second, What damage does the saltwater do to a boat? If you flush freshwater right after pulling the boat out should there be no problems?
What basic safety equipment do you need over and above what you would want on the lakes?
What is more appropriate, open bow? closed bow? either?
I'd love to find a used Howard 28 bullet, but they only make 60 boats a year from what I hear and I've never seen a 28 ft. for sale.
Thanks for the input!
www.lasvegas***boats.com
as for the ocean the bigger the better of course. If money were no issue we would all be in boats between 38 & 50 feet. $500 a day for gas would not be an issue. And of course we would all have super models crawling all over our boats! The reality of it is how much can you afford to give yourself the comfort and assurance to go into big blue. Conditions change quick. Even in my 33 I feel best with land in site. I have only been in 6-8 foot seas and felt just fine. 4-6 foot is a kick in the ass when it comes to getting air. I have never been in a smaller boat on the ocean so I have nothing to compare to. I know in the Dick Simon poker run there was a 25' Baja that was 60mph the whole way. They were out of the water more than they were in it. It did not look to comfortable but I am sure they were having fun! If you are looking at new 27-29 foot boats, the minimum I would consider, you will find that there is a lot on the market used with low hours for the same money in the 30-35 foot range. Back in January I almost closed a deal on a year 2000 Formula 353 fastec with twin 500 efi's for 115k with 40 hrs. This boat new was 240k. for personal financial reasons at the time I had to put off my purchase. You can buy the Lavey 29 with a single 500 efi new for around 110-120k. In the case of the Formula you could use a boat like that for two - three years and not loose a penny. You would also have a very secure feeling in heavy blue water, not to mention a kick ass time. The only downside is the longer it is the more time to clean. I spend about 2.5 hrs each time out to clean my 33. I will not let salt destroy my boat! good luck!
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