Help Me Find A Boat....

[Tab]

The wife and I and our two kids(9 and 7 yr's old) need a boat to take to the Havasu, (ocean some?), Etc. to entertain ourselves and our friends. My friends have Lavey Crafts, Eliminators, Cobras, etc. that range between 24' and 28'. Some are v-bottoms and some are cat's. Engines range from 496-ho to twin 496-ho's. I'd like to get something along these lines but......V or cat?.....Open cuddy, open bow, or party deck?.....Who provides the MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK single engine boat in these catagories? Why is it that some forums discuss Pantera, Sonic, Activator, Joker,........Then others discuss Eliminator, Lavey Craft, Htm, Warlock....I realize that there is a East coast West coast thing But...because I'm on the West coast, should I ignore the East coast boats? Thanks in advance for any info you may have.

[fourspeednup]

What kind of $$$$$$ we lookin at spending?
(notice how I said WE, it's a big family in here)

[Tab]

I can't see spending more than $50k used, or maybe $65k new.

[Back To Havasu]

If you can wait that long, the L.A. Boat show is usually in early February, and has most of the brands mentioned on these boards. You and yours can look at your leisure, all under one roof, price the new rides, and go from there. Just a thought.:)

[phebus]

Originally posted by Back To Havasu
If you can wait that long, the L.A. Boat show is usually in early February, and has most of the brands mentioned on these boards. You and yours can look at your leisure, all under one roof, price the new rides, and go from there. Just a thought.:)
The L.A. boat show is early this year. Starts Jan. 24th.

[Tab]

Waiting is not a problem......I'm looking for sweet deal so I must be patient. The big question is what boat is the best value given what I've described my friends are in?

[V-DRIVE VIDEO]

Once you figure out exactly what you want the boat to do for you...example; fishing, skiing, haulin your buds, haulin ass, haulin ass in the ocean, whatever the case may be....you should be able to figure out what kind of boat would suit you best.
That being said,,,BUY USED heres why,
Unlike the sound of a 10 year old car, (which are usually driven daily) its not uncommon to find a 10 year old boat with very low hours and a much nicer price tag.
Check the listings 50gs will go a long way.
Just my .02 cents.

[77charger]

24-26ft v bottom will do the job for both ocean and havasu.A cat will be good for strait line speed in the lake but the v will out do it in the ocean.Engine bigger is better for a big boat

[Tab]

The attributes you mention are those I'm interested in. And I agree.....I'll probably do better buying used.....But....shy of acutally riding in all of the boats I mentioned(and those I haven't),...should I be looking at v-bottom or cat? Then....who's boats are the best value?(silly question... I know, but let's bat it around a little.

[LeavinOn6]

check out www.boattrader.com you can do a search and put in what you want, even a few bank repos on there, best advise is to have your funds ready so you can jump on a sweet deal, but don't get in any hurry, get what you want

[25 Eagle]

I can put you and your family in a nice used Eliminator.

[Skaterfast]

Two words.Cat and Skater.If you want to go faster on less horse power,get better gas mileage,and handle the rough better,get a cat and the best cat out there is a Douglas Marine Skater.If you want to go one up on that then put a couple of Merc outboards on it.Everybody has good advice here and I espeacialy like having a boat load of cash in hand and going low ball when you first see the boat.Good luck.

[LASERRAY]

Originally posted by Tab
I can't see spending more than $50k used, or maybe $65k new. That's alot of money to pay for a used boat when you can get a new one for less then that depending on your requirements. Asking someone to recommend a brand of boat is like asking someone about their child, It's hard to get an unbiased opinion. Everybody loves what they have (most of us do anyway). Just take your time and do your due diligence, research each boat throughly, visit the different companys several times, ask questions, wait until you can't wait any longer, and then wait some more. Pick up a copy of this months and next months ***boat and read the evaluations, and vist these forums daily until you feel that you can make an informed decision.
And by all means, GO TO THE L.A. BOAT SHOW! Alot of your questions will be answered there. As far as east vs. west, I tend to lean towards the west coast builders. I just prefer them overall.

[Havasu Hangin']

Originally posted by 25 Eagle
I can put you and your family in a nice used Eliminator.
But does it have the Checkers option?

[Tab]

Thanks for the REAL feedback guys. Your right.....I'm kidding myself thinking that I might get some sort of "this boat is the only boat for your needs" response to my inquiry. I'll keep asking questions, go to the boat show and when it hits me I'll buy. In the mean time, I'll be tuned in for any you suggestions you all may have. Thanks

[TCHB]

1. The bigger the boat the better.
2. Stick to name brand boats for resale.
3. 496 HO
4. The cuddy is nice for the kids
5. I would stay with a V bottom (Insurance Cheaper)
6. Deck Boats are nice (Conquest & Eliminator)
Buy a used new boat if you can. Good Luck!
Hey guys how are the tunnel deck boats on insurance $$$$$$$??

[LASERRAY]

Originally posted by Tab
Thanks for the REAL feedback guys. Your right.....I'm kidding myself thinking that I might get some sort of "this boat is the only boat for your needs" response to my inquiry. I'll keep asking questions, go to the boat show and when it hits me I'll buy. In the mean time, I'll be tuned in for any you suggestions you all may have. Thanks
GOOD LUCK!:cool:

[PerfectionDtail]

I have this for sale!!! It's a good deal and a super clean boat with not problems. I have a thread in the Hot Boat section named ------- "Baby on the way, must sell 2001 Magic Wizard." ------ Take a look and let me know if you have ANY questions. These boats do great at Havasu and the ocean, however this one has been in freshwater only!

[rivercrazy]

I was basically looking for pretty much what you are describing here. We ended up with a Shockwave 25 Tremor. Its pretty much the biggest 25 out there and performs as good as any other competing 25. Tons of room and very versitile. We've had it in big water in Mohave, Havasu, Parker, and ocean run to Catalina.

[shockwavebd]

You will get a better deal if you buy before the boat show,
Plus I know where theres a very nice 25 for sell....03.. 496 ho with all the bells and whistles :D

[Starloans]

Personally, I like this one. :D
Nice Boat

[MRS FLYIN VEE]

:confused: :confused: can't see anything..

[Starloans]

Let me try that again. This is the one that I like.
Nice Boat (http://server1.offshoreonly.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?db=boats&website=&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=3858&query=retrieval)

[MRS FLYIN VEE]

much better.. thanks.. :D

[Starloans]

Make sure you scroll down.
:D

[Starloans]

Please be careful at the boat shows. You can get a "good deal" but you can also get the "high hard one". I know people who claim that have gotten both. I have never bought at the show. But I recommend you still shop and ask all the ?s at the show that you would at the dealer. My .02.
Whad da ya think the gas mileage is on the triple 575s?? :confused: Hey, but it has corian counter tops!! :D

[TrojanDan]

Originally posted by LASERRAY
That's alot of money to pay for a used boat when you can get a new one for less then that depending on your requirements.
Spending $50k-$60k is not alot of money at all for a used (year or two old) 28'+ boat considering they are in the high $70k's and up range brand new.
Tab, if your going in the ocean, get as big as you can afford. You won't regret it. PerfectionDetail has a very nice boat listed for sale.
Good-luck. :cool:

[CALIFORNIA PERFORMANCE]

Dana Boats. I like them pice sounds right, new boat, close to you. Sorry pic so big but this way someone can read it. Nice boatshttp://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/519/499dana_27_boat.jpg

[Havaparty]

Are you interested in new or used? I have several of both.

[LASERRAY]

Originally posted by TrojanDan
Spending $50k-$60k is not alot of money at all for a used (year or two old) 28'+ boat considering they are in the high $70k's and up range brand new.
Tab, if your going in the ocean, get as big as you can afford. You won't regret it. PerfectionDetail has a very nice boat listed for sale.
Good-luck. :cool: You're right! That's my bad. I thought that he was looking for 21' to 23', not 24' to 28'.:o

[Tab]

Havaparty.....I'm probably looking at used. If for some reason I could get a great deal on new, I might go that way. What do you have. Tab

[PerfectionDtail]

Tab,
Would you be interested in a very clean 2001 Magic Wizard 29'?
500HP, boat is loaded with options and high perfromance accessories. Boat has 100 hours.

[PerfectionDtail]

Here is another picture...

[PerfectionDtail]

Damn, here it is....

[PerfectionDtail]

Cockpit

[Kachina26]

I shopped everywhere and spoke to a lot of builders, there are many quality boats to be had. I found Kachina and really liked what they have to offer (26 foot starts at 65k fully equipped). One thing I liked about Kachina was that they offer unlimited colors and any design you can think of for interior and exterior.But, like any of the builders mentioned I would check it out for yourself. There's a boat show coming up in January in Phoenix, Kachina will be there. As to new or used, I like the idea of picking out everything for myself and knowing the full history of the boat is mine. I've seen people do many questionable things with their toys and swear that it's had the best care. Maybe it's just the control freak in me but I want to be the first owner of my boat. That being said, there are many good, well maintained and cared for used boats out there. Have fun in your search and Good luck.:) Check out Kachina out of Phoenix (http://www.kachinaboats.com)

[PerfectionDtail]

This is the perfect big, but not too big boat. Trailers well too.

[Havaparty]

Tab I have not heard back from you about what type of boat you are looking for? Let me know I have several

[OGShocker]

Originally posted by CALIFORNIA PERFORMANCE
Dana Boats. I like them pice sounds right, new boat, close to you. Sorry pic so big but this way someone can read it. Nice boats
http://www.danaboats.com/images/27_1.jpg
The boat in the brochure is for sale! I posted it in the HOT BOAT (http://www.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36751) section. Check on that post for details.....
OGS

[Tab]

Thank God for patience and T.V.....Today I found THE boat....I'm going to get me one of those Italian fiberglass and baloon diesel powered bad boys that ran in on of the P classes in the APBA finals that were on the tube today. That thing hauled ass and boy is she purdy to look at.........