A little guidance on boats 22-25'

[Sumfoo1]

Looking to spend 20k to 30k
This is my first boat but the family has a 23' stingray w/ 454
that I've used a lot (speedo says 72 but its never been run w/ gps).
and grew up on an 18' sea ray (1985 and still kicken strong)
I've built many sbcs & bbcs for cars so i can work on the engines but i'm looking for something small enough to ski/wakeboard ok but will still hit high 60s low 70s when the need for speed hits (gotta be able to keep up with pops).
Model suggestions would be nice
i like the donzi 22 zx but i don't know if i should get a stepped hull or not
baja's look good but seem to be slow for their hp.
I would like the boat to have either a V berth or be a bow rider... the boats with just bow storage are un-acceptable.
Also it will be used on lake Norman which is a pretty choppy lake but little to no salt water use.
Thanks in Advance gentlemen

[MrBeam]

Lake Norman is very rough so I would go as big as I could afford in something with 23 or 24 degrees of deadrise. Steps or a pad will gain you a few mph on top if that is important. Baja 24 or 25 outlaws with a few years on them would be a good choice.
Another Stingray in the family would also work.
Kevin

[Sumfoo1]

So should i just wait a little longer and get something in the 25-27' range?

[MrBeam]

Don't wait. A 25 Outlaw is a very smooth riding boat. Even if you have to go with something smaller most of the lake is not a problem. The main channel on weekends is the only place you really get beat up. Start shopping, the season is upon us.:)
Kevin

[Sumfoo1]

thanks for the help
if you don't mind me asking what do you have?

[MrBeam]

My current boat is a Velocity 290SC. It will run 79 or 80 according to load and handles Lake Norman fairly well. Had a Baja 20 outlaw before. I enjoyed the Baja but took a beating on rough weekends. I have ridden in a friends 25 outlaw and the ride was very good. It was a 69 or 70 mph boat with a 502/415hp.
Kevin

[Sumfoo1]

Yeah my dream boats are the 27' fountain fever
and the nordic heat.
i also like that 28' donzi scorpion.
Velocity makes really nice boats if i decide i need a boat more than a new diesel
(which seems like a no brainer) we'll have to get up out there.

[Sumfoo1]

how much does the difference between the weight of a 377 and a 454 affect planing time?