Interceptor 25 V bottom?

[Dirty Daytona]

Hello again everyone!! I sold my 27 Daytona a couple of seasons ago and haven’t been on here since. I’m in the market for a boat again and I’m really digging the Interceptor 25 foot V bottom with an outboard. From what i understand it’s the old Cole 25 mold? Here are my questions, hopefully you guys can help……
-How would this boat handle compared to my 27 Daytona? I’ve never driven a v boat.
-Anyone have experience with a 25 Cole or this Interceptor? Roomy inside? Handling?
-Is the 300r enough juice for this boat? I want the walk through open bow and to bump up to the 400r I would have to do a mid cabin and not walk through.
I would appreciate any input, thank you.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I rode in the first one they made with an OB. It was very roomy with the outboard vs IO.

The 25 Cole is not a wide boat so can feel a little cramped at times with an I.O. but OB gives you more room between the front and back.

Is the ride going to better than a 27 Daytona? I feel like it is a 50/50. Probably won't see a huge improvement.....possibly worse riding IMO.

A 300r should push it into the high 60's - low 70's. Will be a great boat to do water sports behind, just make sure to get a ski pole.

 

[Dirty Daytona]

I rode in the first one they made with an OB. It was very roomy with the outboard vs IO.

The 25 Cole is not a wide boat so can feel a little cramped at times with an I.O. but OB gives you more room between the front and back.

Is the ride going to better than a 27 Daytona? I feel like it is a 50/50. Probably won't see a huge improvement.....possibly worse riding IMO.

A 300r should push it into the high 60's - low 70's. Will be a great boat to do water sports behind, just make sure to get a ski pole.

I appreciate your input. We don’t plan on doing any watersports, just want to downsize a little and go with the reliable outboard. How will this boat handle rough water compared to the Daytona? Plan on using it at Havasu only.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I appreciate your input. We don’t plan on doing any watersports, just want to downsize a little and go with the reliable outboard. How will this boat handle rough water compared to the Daytona? Plan on using it at Havasu only.

Personally I would rather have a 27 Daytona for Havasu, but this will do fine. Not going to be the smoothest ride ever but will be ok.

 

[Thunderhead1]

your comparing apples and oranges.... You cant compare a 25ft narrow V to a 27ft Cat... then OB vs IB . if your expectations are to down size and retain ride quality you should look for a Mach 26 with OB's... that will get youa smaller boat , good ride for Havasu and get you in the OB game.

You may be very disappointed if you think you can compromise yourself into a 25ft V on Havasu on a weekend.

 

[Dirty Daytona]

your comparing apples and oranges.... You cant compare a 25ft narrow V to a 27ft Cat... then OB vs IB . if your expectations are to down size and retain ride quality you should look for a Mach 26 with OB's... that will get youa smaller boat , good ride for Havasu and get you in the OB game.

You may be very disappointed if you think you can compromise yourself into a 25ft V on Havasu on a weekend.

I loved how the 27 Daytona handled, especially rougher water. That’s why I was asking on here. Like I said, I’ve never driven a v . Thanks for your input.

 

[shueman]

Completely different boats … no way to compare

 

[aj923]

I thought the interceptor 25 was the old eliminator eagle 250....

I currently have a 250 eagle. It works well in Havasu. Its not going to ride like a 27 daytona tho.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Why would you be limited to a 300 with a wtob but able to do mcob with a 400?

The narrow v has its advantages and is a great ride, but it’s a different ride all together than a cat in similar size.
Kinda sort almost like a skateboard vs a unicycle…. not comparable.

 

[FROGMAN524]

I thought the interceptor 25 was the old eliminator eagle 250....

I currently have a 250 eagle. It works well in Havasu. Its not going to ride like a 27 daytona tho.

Owner of ICB showed me the red one they did with the 300 in person and told me it was the Cole 250 S mold.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

It's the Cole mold. I poked around the one they had at the boat show a couple of years ago. Nice boat that seemed to be well put together. Not sure why they would require the wtob with the 400 lots of Cole 250s were running more power than 400. Not sure how many were open now though. Could it be an x dimension issue with the boat riding better with some additional fiberglass up front? No idea... I was told high 60's low 70's with the 300r. With a 400 it should rip pretty good.

 

[Backlash]

A lot of good points already mentioned. I wouldn't consider that hull with an outboard any smaller than a 400. The 300 will work and you could get on the water for a little less money, but I think you'll get bored with the smaller motor rather quickly. It's an efficient hull, but it was designed around an I/O. I'm sure an outboard could work, but I'd want to take a test ride in another one first to make sure it handles how you'd like.

Since you're used to a cat, why not find something smaller like a 22 Daytona or a Mach 22? Either of those would be more familiar to you and will run MUCH better with an outboard. Regardless of which direction you go, I hope you put together a build thread. We all like watching/learning as others travel down this road.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

I know of a very nice twin OB WTOB Mach-26 that’s for sale.

 

[Dirty Daytona]

Why would you be limited to a 300 with a wtob but able to do mcob with a 400?

The narrow v has its advantages and is a great ride, but it’s a different ride all together than a cat in similar size.
Kinda sort almost like a skateboard vs a unicycle…. not comparable.

Hey Peter how’s everything going? Long time no talk lol! Let me clarify about the mcob vs walk through. When I spoke to ICB they highly recommended going with the MCOB if I went with the 400 for the additional lateral strength. I can’t see it making that much of a difference on a boat that narrow, but who am I right? If I go with this boat I’m definitely leaning toward the 400r. Like Talledega nights……”I wanna go fast”.

 

[ahavasu]

Rode on one a few times. Handles rough water ok but I'm not a fan. There are many other better boats at that price point. JMHO

 

[bagged97taco]

I have a Cole 250, same hull. I absolutely love the boat. It handles great (like a smaller boat) and will always look good. That being said, I feel that it is a small 25’ boat. Not a lot of room inside. Does not handle big water very well. I have boated in many lakes and rivers and it will do just fine, but Havasu on a big weekend and you are feeling it the next day. Also would like to add that it is a drivers boat. Always have to be on the trim and tabs. We ski, tube and wakeboard with mine. It’s a family cruiser. This is just my opinion so take it as needed.

 

[ahavasu]

I have a Cole 250, same hull. I absolutely love the boat. It handles great (like a smaller boat) and will always look good. That being said, I feel that it is a small 25’ boat. Not a lot of room inside. Does not handle big water very well. I have boated in many lakes and rivers and it will do just fine, but Havasu on a big weekend and you are feeling it the next day. Also would like to add that it is a drivers boat. Always have to be on the trim and tabs. We ski, tube and wakeboard with mine. It’s a family cruiser. This is just my opinion so take it as needed. View attachment 1369406

Very accurate and fair assessment.

 

[cole_skier]

I have a Cole 250, same hull. I absolutely love the boat. It handles great (like a smaller boat) and will always look good. That being said, I feel that it is a small 25’ boat. Not a lot of room inside. Does not handle big water very well. I have boated in many lakes and rivers and it will do just fine, but Havasu on a big weekend and you are feeling it the next day. Also would like to add that it is a drivers boat. Always have to be on the trim and tabs. We ski, tube and wakeboard with mine. It’s a family cruiser. This is just my opinion so take it as needed. View attachment 1369406

Cole Regatta what a great weekend

 

[Dirty Daytona]

I have a Cole 250, same hull. I absolutely love the boat. It handles great (like a smaller boat) and will always look good. That being said, I feel that it is a small 25’ boat. Not a lot of room inside. Does not handle big water very well. I have boated in many lakes and rivers and it will do just fine, but Havasu on a big weekend and you are feeling it the next day. Also would like to add that it is a drivers boat. Always have to be on the trim and tabs. We ski, tube and wakeboard with mine. It’s a family cruiser. This is just my opinion so take it as needed. View attachment 1369406

Thank you for responding. That’s exactly the review I was looking for, from someone who actually owns the Cole.

 

[bagged97taco]

Thank you for responding. That’s exactly the review I was looking for, from someone who actually owns the Cole.

I love my 250. I had a superhawk (little sister to this boat) before this that had a blown 525 in it. Absolutely a blast to drive but also a handful at higher speeds. I want to put big power in my 250 but don’t need it and don’t want the worries. This boat is turn the key and go. If I want to go fast I’ll just get in a flat!

 

[CLdrinker]

Why not go with a I/O? That way you know it would handle well it would also look much better in my opinion.

 

[Backlash]

I have a Cole 250, same hull. I absolutely love the boat. It handles great (like a smaller boat) and will always look good. That being said, I feel that it is a small 25’ boat. Not a lot of room inside. Does not handle big water very well. I have boated in many lakes and rivers and it will do just fine, but Havasu on a big weekend and you are feeling it the next day. Also would like to add that it is a drivers boat. Always have to be on the trim and tabs. We ski, tube and wakeboard with mine. It’s a family cruiser. This is just my opinion so take it as needed. View attachment 1369406

As I've stated before in other threads...... Cole has always had some of the best gelcoat layouts out there. Case in point!!

 

[throttle]

I have a Cole 250, same hull. I absolutely love the boat. It handles great (like a smaller boat) and will always look good. That being said, I feel that it is a small 25’ boat. Not a lot of room inside. Does not handle big water very well. I have boated in many lakes and rivers and it will do just fine, but Havasu on a big weekend and you are feeling it the next day. Also would like to add that it is a drivers boat. Always have to be on the trim and tabs. We ski, tube and wakeboard with mine. It’s a family cruiser. This is just my opinion so take it as needed. View attachment 1369406

This is on point! What a great looking boat and rad shot!

 

[Dirty Daytona]

Why not go with a I/O? That way you know it would handle well it would also look much better in my opinion.

I still might go the IO route again. I’m just doing my research. I don’t mind how outboards look but it just depends on what boat I end up going with.