Water sports or hauling ass.
keep in mind this will be used on a moderately choppy lake.
I can't decide if i want something with a step in the hull or something with a v-drive.

5/28/2007 2:09:54 AM

Don't drink and boat.

5/28/2007 10:10:31 AM

omf! you're funny!

5/28/2007 10:36:07 AM

http://www.craigcat.com

5/28/2007 11:16:25 AM

I would say water sports only because I have never seen the appeal of hauling ass on the water. Buy a fishing boat, you will be much happier.

5/28/2007 12:08:13 PM

^ I agree with. I used to have a 17' Winchester center console that I would take out on the Pamlico sound. 40 mph on the water feels like 90 in a car. Theres really no need to go that fast.

5/28/2007 1:26:13 PM

speeding on the lake can be dangerous... no seatbelts unseen objects lurking under the water... instability problems... but I mean its not much different that speeding in a car...

A run about will suite all your needs... Most boats that are setup for water sports have big engines and can haul ass... however usually have a lower pitch prop for torque rather than speed...

From the chick perspective most(not all) chicks aren't going to want to set foot on a fishing/speed boat... But want to go layout on a run-about (and look good doing it )

5/28/2007 1:33:58 PM

i have girls ask me if they can go out with me on my fishing boat. they like the fact that the decks are flat and they have a nice spot to lay out comfortably. and since i know all the secluded spots, they can lay out topless. i love fishing.

5/28/2007 3:25:11 PM

Water sports.

Everyone pretty much just laughs at the guy who runs back and forth laying on the throttle for 15 seconds whenever he gets some smooth water.

5/28/2007 9:49:19 PM

^^ i want a boat so bad



next year maybe

5/28/2007 9:58:43 PM

Yeah I am dying to get a good all-around boat, and I too wonder whether I should get an open-bow variety or a center-console fisher. I know fishing will work from either, but I do want to do saltwater fishing as well.

I need a pricerange too, and I'd rather just get used and save $$

5/29/2007 3:06:38 PM

It all depends on what you want to do on the water.

A boat I like can do the following things:

-go in the ocean on reasonably calm days
-be reasonably comfortable/tolerable in 3 foot seas
-top out at ~45 mph, and cruise easily at ~30-35 mph
-be at least passably 'fishable', meaning it has a baitwell, livewell, and some rod holders, a fish box, and a good depth/fish finder
-have ample other storage room for life jackets, provisions, tackle, etc.
-have accomodations/space for a party of at least 4 people
-be at least somewhat easily trailerable
-have an outboard motor, because inboards are a fucking pain in the ass

I spend much (maybe most) of my boating time in salt water, either fishing, booze cruising, or anchored/moored in a place like Shackleford or Cape Lookout Bight.

My preferences run along the lines of boats with deep vee hulls in the 20 to 23 foot range. I prefer walk-around/walk-through setups over center consoles on account of somewhat greater accomodations when you're doing anything but fishing. And even when fishing, a center console can make the ride out there a wet and windy affair.

I currently have an old 20' Trophy walk-through open bow deep-vee with a 150 Merc outboard. While it's not everything I want by any stretch, it does the job well enough until I buy something else.

5/29/2007 3:58:20 PM

If I made a boat wish list, it would be 2 pages long.

5/29/2007 8:13:13 PM

hahaha ^ word
thats the problem... i want it all
money fast cars diamond rings gold checks an champaign shit every damn thing

I want a 30' fishing boat which i cannot afford
and i want a 20' ski/wakeboard boat. which i can afford
but on Lake N skiing/wake boarding is dumb cause its so friggin crowded and choppy and it will beat a 20' boat to death in the main channel.


and i despise the noise of outboards (especially when the noise of a 5000rpm big block is possible)

not to mention a 25' stepped hull will get better mileage than a 20' v-drive ski boat.

5/30/2007 11:51:25 AM

Quote :

"not to mention a 25' stepped hull will get better mileage than a 20' v-drive ski boat."

not when the 25' boat is paired with...

Quote :

"a 5000rpm big block"

When I worked at the marina we had a guy who would blow through around $500-$600 in gas per weekend on a baby Fountain with a blown 510ci. This was 1997. I still see that boat around the lake sometimes. I'd imagine his gas bill is close to triple what it was back then.

5/30/2007 12:59:10 PM

^ now that is awesome

5/30/2007 1:19:43 PM

^^i still dont see the appeal of that, its like a super expensive jetski...wow im doin 70mph on the lake....it would get old after about 3 minutes

5/30/2007 1:32:57 PM

if you can do 70 on lkn between the hrs of 10am and 8pm on the weekend on a jet ski i'm friggin impressed and you'll be dead soon.

and there is a huge difference between a 330hp 454 and a blown 510 making more than twice that
not to mention that if he drives it around on the lake much @ all thats not too bad my friend pays 400/ weekend in a 20' searay

not to mention that cruising in a ski/wake boarding boat is like driving in low range everywhere.

i think a 23' something with a 377 scorpion would be ideal (i know not a big block)

5/30/2007 2:56:49 PM

^im just sayin i dont see how haulin ass in a lake would be too much fun, especially considering the cost of fuel.....
hell, our 22 ft searay with a 350 mag gets 3mpg and thats at 3300 rpm and like 30 mph....

5/30/2007 3:03:29 PM

Which proves my point

a nordic rage (25') gets

Fuel Economy

At 35 mph - 4.0 mpg

At 45 mph - 3.6 mpg

At 55 mph - 3.2 mpg

At WOT - 2.7 mpg

http://www.powerboatmagazine.com/2000tests/mar5.php

and here is a gekko 22' ski/ wakeboard boat
w/ empty ballast
Fuel Economy

At 25 mph - 3.9 mpg

At 35 mph - 3.2 mpg

At 45 mph - 2 mpg

At WOT - 1.9 mpg

[Edited on May 30, 2007 at 4:41 PM. Reason : .]

5/30/2007 4:37:40 PM

youre best bet would be to look into maybe a stingray or something, fairly fast, yet still watersports oriented enough to make the boat actually fun

5/30/2007 10:08:53 PM

^^I would love to see #'s like that on our boat

5/30/2007 11:03:34 PM

2 drives in the water takes about 1 mpg off instantly

6/1/2007 3:22:12 PM