Advantage,
I would definitely put some weight into the location of the nearest dealer. We bought a 1999 Lavey Craft and though we've been generally happy with the boat and its performance, there were a few things where it would have been nice to have a dealer nearby.
Just something else to think about! Good luck with your decision!
Advantage,
I have a 27 Fever and love it. I am running a 500 EFI and the boat will run 74 full of gas and friends, no gas two people 77-78. I have ridden in my friends 27 Fever with a 502 mpi. Great ride but the boat was topped out at 71. What ever boat you get I strongly suggest the 500 EFI with XZ out drive. This package is great, and will perform. Also I love passing the Baja's
Advantage,
I can understand your need to be unique. That was a concern of mine last year when shopping for a boat. You don't necessarily need a unique brand, but some unique paint can work, too. I am new to the board, so hopefully I am not reiterating things already discussed. We live close to where Powerquests are made. They are very well built boats. I looked at those and Baja and the PQ seem to have better fit and finish and an edge in quality, although having owned a 27' Baja, those are great boats. I never had a lick of trouble with mine with a 454 mag.
Sunsations are painted by a guy not far from us, Mitcher T and boy does he do awesome work. If you are looking at a Sunsation, make sure you consider having him do some custom work, it won't cost much more. He did a 27' Profile (the guy that owns it says they are junk, FYI..he's ready to move up or on) with a beautiful tiger cat type paint job on a yellow boat. It gets more looks than anything else around, people look away from huge Cats and the like at Poker runs and take pictures of his boat instead.
Anyway, in a nutshell, what I found to be the case is the Sunsations are a little narrower beam, so tend to be less stable, Fountain, well you deal with the whole loss of length issues, Active Thunders are great rough water boats, but someone in our area has had their new 37 in the factory for hull cracks mor than on the water. That really bites with a 200k boat. He's bumming rides in Nordics, which seem to be great boats. 3 people here have 35 Flames with 500EDFI's and they are fast and realiable. The 28 Heat I would think would be the same and ride well. (We have a dealer in town here with a left over 28 from 2000 yet with a 502 and triple axle trailer). For your boating, a Sunsation would be a great boat, PQ, Baja, Nordic, or Fountain (but I'm biased here..LOL).
The drawback with boats, especially here in MI, you just can't go to your dealer and hop in for a test drive anytime you want. It's a pain to go for a test in a new boat.
My advice is to opt for the best engine you can, 500 EFI or 500HP if you can swing that. It's well worth the extra money. I have 2 502's in my boat, and Fuel Injection is the hot ticket. Turn and go. I'd get 500 EFI's or 575's in the next time. You can say you will add stuff lster to go faster, but if you can't afford it now, it's not usually any easier later.
Remember, a lot of the fun is just in looking at all the boats!
PS..Formulas are also awesome boats if you can afford the extra prices, but they do have some special rates right now.
Mark
[This message has been edited by 32fever (edited February 10, 2001).]
I have gotten 67 on gps in the salt water. i ususally boat around the Long Beach, CA area. I tend to get close to 64 at Havasu like the others when I run the river. One thing is that the conditions are much different in these two places, Long Beach is 65-75 and at sea level and Havasu is usually 100-110 and at a higher elevation so go figure. All I have to say is that I am very please with the performance of my boat. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif
Advantage27 and Fever32,
Thanks for the replies. Your information is appreciated. I am still shopping around and have not yet made a decision. Like I said before, I want something that's different than everyone else's boat. Like Fever32 said, perhaps a custom paint job would satisfy the uniqueness bug. You're right, this would be a great way to stand out among the run of the mill. Thanks again for the information and I will keep you guys informed of my progress. All I need is a unique boat that hauls ass! Why the heck is this so darn difficult, ugh!
[This message has been edited by Advantage (edited February 16, 2001).]
Advantage, try looking at a Nordic. I just bought a 2001 Nordic 28' Heat. It has a 502 for power. It will do 70mph, (only in chop) and about 64-65 in smooth water.
The reason why the Advantages are slower is because they are a heavier boat. Don't get me wrong, they build a nice boat but if you are in Havasu looking at boats, go down two blocks and visit Nordic's shop. They do everything in house and have complete quality control over everything from the trailer to the interior. I love my boat. I traded in a '96 Nordic 22' foot for the new one. Just beware of the promised delivery dates, no matter who you go to. If they say they can do it in four weeks, go somewhere else. A quality boat can't be built in four weeks. Just be patient, it will be worth it in the end! Good luck with your purchase.
Advantage,
Hey, I know where you are coming from. Sure is hard to find the right boat. It's like I tell my wife, no one boat is ever right. That's why we need more than one. Right now, we only have one, but I'm working her on a second. If we ever have the money, I gotta make my move.
In 5 years or so, she may have to sleep with one eye open. hehehe
Mark
32Fever,
Yeah, it's hard to find that perfect boat. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/frown.gif I find something I like about each manufacturer. However, it's been fun looking, dreaming, and discussing options with this board. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif The more research I do the more confused I become. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/confused.gif Now I'm not sure if buying a 27'-28' new boat with a big single engine (say 500EFI) or a 30'-32' used boat with twin engines (454 or 502 Mags) is the best bet. The boats I am looking at are approximately $70-$79K. Any suggestions would be appreciated? Thanks. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif
My 28' Nordic was $79 out the door. Loaded w/ a 502. I love it. But it all comes down to personal opinion about style. If you don't like the way it looks, you won't buy it. Then you have to see how they build it. Good luck w/ your hunt. It is fun. I shopped for two years for my boat. I had to wait for the new step bottom, and I am glad I did. Let me know if you have any other questions. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif
My 28' Nordic was $79 out the door. Loaded w/ a 502. I love it. But it all comes down to personal opinion about style. If you don't like the way it looks, you won't buy it. Then you have to see how they build it. Good luck w/ your hunt. It is fun. I shopped for two years for my boat. I had to wait for the new step bottom, and I am glad I did. Let me know if you have any other questions. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif
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