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dockrocker

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Things are looking up in the boat-buying arena, we're hoping to be back on the water this spring. That being the case, I'd like to pick Speedwake's collective brain...

We're looking for a 30-35ish deep vee.

  • Needs to run 70 or so
  • Would prefer an enclosed head.
  • Needs to be reliable - though I tell myself I'd like to "work on the boat" the simple truth is that I don't have time to mess with it on a regular basis.
  • Boat needs to ride well in sloppy conditions - our home lake averages around 13' deep and is shallower in many parts. Add in lots and lots of boat traffic and it is the proverbial washing machine on a busy weekend.
  • Needs to have decent freeboard - we have two young children.
  • Price range is in the 50K to maybe 70K for the right boat

Given these requirements, we're looking at the 32 AT (the Mrs has loved this boat ever since Joe Skrocki took us out on his old Audacity boat), 31/336/357 Formula, 31 Bullet/35 Cafe Racer, possibly a 31 Sonic or 33 Powerplay.

Now comes the dilemma. For the same dinero, I can pick up a 32 AT that is anywhere from 7-10 years newer than a Cigarette. But... guys like Midwest Power Boats have a number of Cigarettes that have been completely (or substantially) redone - in fact, there is a 31 Bullet here on the board that I really like.

What do you guys think? Newer means less wear and tear, years less pounding, generally fuel-injected modern powerplants. OTOH, some of these redone older boats look stunning - better than they came from the factory. And there is that big red 1 on the side....

Advice/thoughts/comments?
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
32 Sun is too small, though I really like the looks. I'm hoping for more of a wave crushing deep V, rather than a "fly over the tops" ride like a Sunsation.

Not really interested in an off-brand like the Sea Ray - they may be good boats but they haven't been made for years, Sea Ray is out of the performance business, and I really don't want a boat that has a 1980's black dash, etc (one of the reasons the 311/357 Formulas have kind of fallen off our radar - too expensive to properly update one, and you don't see too many that have been updated).

Keep those thoughts coming!
 
#6 ·
I think if it were my decision i would first look at power and drives.....Older boats = TRS drives = a bit harder for parts etc
Newer boats = bravo drives = every shop in town should be able to get parts

I personally would lean more towards the bravo drives only because they are more available. But that alone wouldnt make up my mind as i have owned a boat with TRS drives and didnt have any problems with pushing 500hp through them :D
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
turbo2256 said:
Since I cant seem to sell my motorcycle or my Sunsation I may have to sell my Apache price would be 52K
Click to expand...
Details?

-----

Wally,

Good point on the TRS drives. I've tended to avoid them for the same reasons. I like to *think* that if I found the right boat I could always replace them with something like Konrad 540's, but in all honesty I doubt I would drop another $20K on a boat old enough to have TRS drives, unless it was a Cig or Apache, something with staying power.

Bravos certainly have their faults, but limited availability is not one of them.
 
#9 ·
I was in your EXACT situation about a year ago, looking at the EXACT boats that you have on your list.

I looked for 4 months.

Couldn't find any AT's to be in my price range.
Powerplay has no enclosed head.
All Cafe's i came across in my range needed to much.
Couldn't find a 31 Sonic in my range that was above a 1989.
There was only 1 or 2 Bullets around when i was looking and i was concerned about the age factor vs the amount of $$.

I ended up being persistant in my everyday (10 times a day) internet boat shopping and stumbled upon my boat when i did a general search for Sonic on boattrader.....before i was only searching for "31 Sonic". Found a 35 Sonic at a price better than any comparable boat i was looking at. Had Rchevelle and TimG go check it out for me before i spent the $$ on a flight to go see it. After they gave me the OK i went and bought it.

Moral is, be patient and something will come along. If it is out of your area, there are some great people here that will help you check it out.

P.S. the bullet that is for sale now was not fully finished when i was looking, and he wanted alot more $$. Now it is done and he is blowing it out. Seems like a pretty good deal!!
 
#10 ·
I don't know what your financing needs are, but some lenders won't finance boats older than ten years. Or they will, but the interest rate is higher or the term shorter (or both).

We're extremely happy with our 336. It has the enclosed head, sink, place for toaster oven/microwave, refrig; the face-to-face couches convert to a full-size bed (read: 2nd home). The stock HP500s have us going low to mid 70's.

Last summer we came home from Cedar Point in 5-7's and we knew the boat was capable of handling it.

~Christine
 
#12 ·
A donzi 33ZX would be a great boat, and I have mine for sale though its a little out of your price range. Donzi make a great all around boat good freeboard, rides rough stuff great, and has a nice cabin, my 33ZX has twin 496HO'S runs 74mph speedo all day long. Good luck in your search :D
 
Discussion starter · #14 · (Edited)
35 Fountain is a nice boat, I'm sure it's well-built, obviously fast, but... but... I'm sorry, Fountains are ugly. I just can't get past the "octagon" styling, especially in the cockpit and cabin, and don't get me started on the dune buggy steering wheel and left side throttles. I know lots of folks like them, but just not for me. Different strokes for different folks, as they say.

Same for the Donzi. Nice boat, but looks-wise, it just doesn't get my blood pumping - I hate the "bulbous" look around the fairing/windscreen area. And if you don't like how your boat looks, does it matter how well it runs? Again, your mileage may vary, but that's how I feel about it.

** edited 'cause I is not so educated on speling
 
#15 ·
I would lean toward a 336 Formula. a buddy has one. They can be had in the 60 k range easy. Most had 502's. My only issue with the mid 90 is the dash, but thats not a big deal to redo.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Lucky, I'd be all over your boat, but I just don't think we could reach your price point. And it is very difficult to find a place to rack store a 38' boat around here, one of my other headaches.

Believe me, if things change for the better, I'd be all over your boat!
 
#18 ·
Don't let the black dash scare you off. I redid black Formula two years ago and it wasn't all that bad. Mark at MearImage has great prices and is a heck of a nice guy to deal with ;)
 

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#19 · (Edited)
I've got my eye on a new open fisherman-
Very motivated to sell my 31 foot Bullet-
Drives and engines new this year-
1st class looking boat with a classy cabin space and
that enclosed head for the ladies.
Check out the classified section for photos and details-
 

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BajaIceBreaker
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