Need help with next boat

[Nosocks]

Since my boat has sold, I have to keep an eye out for the next one over the winter.

My primary grievance with the last boat was that it really couldn't handle an average weekend at Havasu above 25mph without a very rough ride.

The next, relatively minor, grievance is that it was a bit hard to enter from a beach over the nose for both my athletic dog, and my much less athletic self.

Top speed is cool, but my primary goal is to be able to zip along the lake on a normal weekend at 40ish mph, reasonably comfortable, without having to back out of the throttle for fear of something going flying out of the boat. Let's exclude the worst weekends, I can just accept those really rough days for what they are.

Here's the list of boats I'm considering - only purchasing used, and ideally something model year 2010+.

Trying to stay under 100K, but could go higher for something exceptional.

V-Bottoms

• Nordic Rage/Heat
• Howard Bullett 25/28
• Lavey Craft 2750
• Shockwave Tremor
• Hallett 255

I'm also interested in some deck boats (Conquest, Magic, come to mind), but most will crack my 100K goal.

The Nordic Rage is at the top of my wishlist, though I know it isn't the best riding, can it at least hit my goal listed above?

Last resort would be a tritoon, but I don't find them super exciting and I think even with a single 400r, I'd be really riding the engine hard around 40ish mph.

 

[DWC]

For ease of boarding I’d do the deck boat or toon all day long. Toon’s biggest advantage is being able to run it up any beach, anywhere. Deck Boat has a little more cool factor IMO

 

[Backlash]

Of all the boats you listed, the Lavey Craft will probably ride the best. That hull is a proven winner. The Howard is also nice but I think it's a little less deep than the Lavey. It will be the faster of the two boats with comparable power.

And I agree with you. A tritoon would be my last resort too.

 

[Nosocks]

For ease of boarding I’d do the deck boat or toon all day long. Toon’s biggest advantage is being able to run it up any beach, anywhere. Deck Boat has a little more cool factor IMO

I do always envy the toon folks just running those things up on shore without a worry of punching a hole in the hull.

 

[HocusPocus]

I have a Heat and we love it, owned it for about 8 years or so. Getting in and out of the boat from the front while beached isn't easy, we have a small step that folds flat that helps. 496 HO, solid mid 60's, handles chop very well, reliable.
You have a great list there, hard to go wrong with any of them.

 

[Nosocks]

I have a Heat and we love it, owned it for about 8 years or so. Getting in and out of the boat from the front while beached isn't easy, we have a small step that folds flat that helps. 496 HO, solid mid 60's, handles chop very well, reliable.
You have a great list there, hard to go wrong with any of them.

Are you able to hold that 40ish speed most of the time? What’s your typical cruise?

 

[FreeBird236]

I'd add the Nu Era 24 and 26 to your list, less finicky than the 2750.

 

[riverroyal]

Since my boat has sold, I have to keep an eye out for the next one over the winter.

My primary grievance with the last boat was that it really couldn't handle an average weekend at Havasu above 25mph without a very rough ride.

The next, relatively minor, grievance is that it was a bit hard to enter from a beach over the nose for both my athletic dog, and my much less athletic self.

Top speed is cool, but my primary goal is to be able to zip along the lake on a normal weekend at 40ish mph, reasonably comfortable, without having to back out of the throttle for fear of something going flying out of the boat. Let's exclude the worst weekends, I can just accept those really rough days for what they are.

Here's the list of boats I'm considering - only purchasing used, and ideally something model year 2010+.

Trying to stay under 100K, but could go higher for something exceptional.

V-Bottoms

• Nordic Rage/Heat
• Howard Bullett 25/28
• Lavey Craft 2750
• Shockwave Tremor
• Hallett 255

I'm also interested in some deck boats (Conquest, Magic, come to mind), but most will crack my 100K goal.

The Nordic Rage is at the top of my wishlist, though I know it isn't the best riding, can it at least hit my goal listed above?

Last resort would be a tritoon, but I don't find them super exciting and I think even with a single 400r, I'd be really riding the engine hard around 40ish mph.

My toon goes 44 all day regardless of conditions. Good, bad, wind, glass.
300 verado. Affordable maintenance, ridiculous actually.
It's also for sale
47.7 is coming back from topoch. It goes 43ish going to topoch

 

[Jay Dub]

Since my boat has sold, I have to keep an eye out for the next one over the winter.

My primary grievance with the last boat was that it really couldn't handle an average weekend at Havasu above 25mph without a very rough ride.

The next, relatively minor, grievance is that it was a bit hard to enter from a beach over the nose for both my athletic dog, and my much less athletic self.

Top speed is cool, but my primary goal is to be able to zip along the lake on a normal weekend at 40ish mph, reasonably comfortable, without having to back out of the throttle for fear of something going flying out of the boat. Let's exclude the worst weekends, I can just accept those really rough days for what they are.

Here's the list of boats I'm considering - only purchasing used, and ideally something model year 2010+.

Trying to stay under 100K, but could go higher for something exceptional.

V-Bottoms

• Nordic Rage/Heat
• Howard Bullett 25/28
• Lavey Craft 2750
• Shockwave Tremor
• Hallett 255

I'm also interested in some deck boats (Conquest, Magic, come to mind), but most will crack my 100K goal.

The Nordic Rage is at the top of my wishlist, though I know it isn't the best riding, can it at least hit my goal listed above?

Last resort would be a tritoon, but I don't find them super exciting and I think even with a single 400r, I'd be really riding the engine hard around 40ish mph.

We have a Hallett 255. We absolutely love it. Entering from the nose may not be the easiest. We do it on rare occasion. The 255 handles the Havasu chop very well. The deck boats are a different animal versus a V hull. If going that route, we have always admired the Conquest.

 

[27Daytona]

For <$100K you should be able to find something like a Magic or Conquest Deck Boat. Yore not going to find any V-Bottom that’s easily beach accessible. They’re just not made for that.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

We have a 255 Hallett and it's been my favorite boat so far. It is not too big and rides like a dream in the chop. It is very stable and predictable at speed. Cruise easily at 40 - 45 MPH in any reasonable conditions, all day.

Getting in and out with a V will never compare to a deck boat. Getting a little plastic ladder helps a ton.

 

[Nosocks]

Looking at the 255, looks to be almost a foot lower. Than my previous boat, or it could be deceiving pictures. I haven’t seen one beached next to me.

My previous boat had a bow that was about waist high on me when beached. So about 3.5 ft.

 

[QC22]

All of the V-hulls are going to be tough to get into off the beach. I do think the 255 is lower in the bow, and I would think the 2750 as well. In ALL cases I would test getting in and out of the cabin if it is MCOB. They're all a squeeze from the bow. Halletts and Howards, with the proper hatch door thingy deal in the cockpit, are way easier to get in and out of if not going all the way through.

 

[rivermobster]

It's not going to solve your ingress/egress issue, but an Eliminator Eagle is probably the best rough water hull/ride I've ever been in.

 

[Nosocks]

My toon goes 44 all day regardless of conditions. Good, bad, wind, glass.
300 verado. Affordable maintenance, ridiculous actually.
It's also for sale
47.7 is coming back from topoch. It goes 43ish going to topoch

View attachment 1276446

Very nice boat. I think a 400 is needed if I went that route.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Looking at the 255, looks to be almost a foot lower. Than my previous boat, or it could be deceiving pictures. I haven’t seen one beached next to me.

My previous boat had a bow that was about waist high on me when beached. So about 3.5 ft.

What was your previous boat?

 

[Nosocks]

What was your previous boat?

Yamaha 242x. Great boat, highly recommend, just not for Havasu, and it didn’t pull at my heartstrings.

Doesn’t look like it, but there’s an awful lot of freeboard.

 

[RiverDave]

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[Nosocks]

Facebook

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Nice boat. Little older than I want and I’m not a fan of the top cat 1 because of the asymmetrical design. I have the same issue with the 27 Fundeck.

 

[HocusPocus]

Are you able to hold that 40ish speed most of the time? What’s your typical cruise?

MId 40's all day long easily. Even with a good group it will go 60's but I don't normally run like that. If it's just the wife and I, we normally cruise 45-50 with the bimini up.

 

[fishing fool]

This right here fills all your requests.

https://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/threads/2015-avalon-25rl-ambassador.274341/#post-4928603

 

[Ballyhoo]

Since my boat has sold, I have to keep an eye out for the next one over the winter.

My primary grievance with the last boat was that it really couldn't handle an average weekend at Havasu above 25mph without a very rough ride.

The next, relatively minor, grievance is that it was a bit hard to enter from a beach over the nose for both my athletic dog, and my much less athletic self.

Top speed is cool, but my primary goal is to be able to zip along the lake on a normal weekend at 40ish mph, reasonably comfortable, without having to back out of the throttle for fear of something going flying out of the boat. Let's exclude the worst weekends, I can just accept those really rough days for what they are.

Here's the list of boats I'm considering - only purchasing used, and ideally something model year 2010+.

Trying to stay under 100K, but could go higher for something exceptional.

V-Bottoms

• Nordic Rage/Heat
• Howard Bullett 25/28
• Lavey Craft 2750
• Shockwave Tremor
• Hallett 255

I'm also interested in some deck boats (Conquest, Magic, come to mind), but most will crack my 100K goal.

The Nordic Rage is at the top of my wishlist, though I know it isn't the best riding, can it at least hit my goal listed above?

Last resort would be a tritoon, but I don't find them super exciting and I think even with a single 400r, I'd be really riding the engine hard around 40ish mph.

Insurance will likely be more $$ with deck boat. IMO most are underwhelming-people carriers.

Hallett - Timeless design, fit and finish and a roomy interior. The ride will be what you are looking for. Not many on the lake adds to the appeal for me. Solid resale.

Howard - Very nice design, sleek fast hull that will always command top resale $$$. They don't seem as roomy as others but the are rare and that adds to its appeal.

Schockwave - These are under rated imho. I have ridden alongside them in some nasty water and they seem to handle it just fine. The interiors are roomy.

Nordic and Lavey - I don't know enough about these to comment.

As far as beach entry goes, just get a small folding step and you are good.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Yamaha 242x. Great boat, highly recommend, just not for Havasu, and it didn’t pull at my heartstrings.

Doesn’t look like it, but there’s an awful lot of freeboard.

Hallett is such a better built boat. It will be night and day the difference in ride / handling.

 

[River Dirt 2]

Check with Mike @ Conquest, he knows of a nice one for sale, not sure if it’s a TC1 or TC2. Probably more than $100K but can’t hurt to ask.

 

[C-Ya]

Here is my recommendation………

Why?
Front boarding ladder
Bathroom
Power Pole (you will love this)
Sink
Trash can built in
front anchor with pulpit
fantastic rear boarding ladder!!!
Fresh water shower
Drafts only 11” of water
2.5 to 3.5 miles to gallon at cruise speed.
foam filled, so it’s unsinkable.
Twin motor reliability. Also makes for easy maneuvering in tight spaces
This one is only 89k. Maybe because it doesn’t have hardtop or arch Bimini.

Compared to your previous boat……… this will feel like a Cadillac!

Oh, btw, I own this model. I love it! You can easily take it in the ocean too. Mine seats 10

Used 2019 World Cat 230 SD, 78418 Corpus Christi - Boat Trader

Check out this Used 2019 World Cat 230 SD for sale in Corpus Christi, TX 78418. View this Power Catamarans and other Power boats on boattrader.com

www.boattrader.com

 

[Nosocks]

Hallett is such a better built boat. It will be night and day the difference in ride / handling.


View attachment 1276506

That definitely looks lower than the Yamaha. Probably a lot easier for a 50lb dog and myself.

 

[Flatsix66]

We had a Yamaha for a while. The layout is fantastic for the size, still miss the back seat area. Handling is like a wave runner, fun. Top speed is only 45-50mph, it rides horribly in Havasu chop, it actually gave my wife back and boob pain. Slow-speed docking or maneuvering is unpredictable at best. So happy we sold it.

We went to a Lavey 29, solved the ride problem in pretty much any water condition in Havasu. Ours has a Teague 825, speed is not an issue.

 

[Shane54]

This one looks like it checks some boxes of yours.

Stock No. 668

www.coastmotorgroup.com

 

[Jay Dub]

Looking at the 255, looks to be almost a foot lower. Than my previous boat, or it could be deceiving pictures. I haven’t seen one beached next to me.

My previous boat had a bow that was about waist high on me when beached. So about 3.5 ft.

At Pirate Cove. I'm about 5'10". the front of the bow is a little lower than where I am standing

.

 

[Nosocks]

At Pirate Cove. I'm about 5'10". the front of the bow is a little lower than where I am standing View attachment 1276617 View attachment 1276618 .

Very helpful. Looks like it’s actually about the same height.

Where did you get that cover for the nose? Is that to prevent scratches?

 

[Jay Dub]

Yes, to protect the area. Especially from sandy bottom coolers. It came with the boat. The company is "Just The Tip Bow Covers"

 

[yard dog]

https://justthetipbowcover.com/. This is the web site . I have one , it covers the bow and does prevent damage from entering and exiting the boat.

 

[riverroyal]

Very nice boat. I think a 400 is needed if I went that route.

Eeehhhh. Maybe. After owning a toon im not sure I'd haul ass in one.
A 400 over 300 is probably 6mph. Not life changing.
The zero to 40 is ridiculous quick with outboards.
Good luck with the search

 

[TCHB]

I would go with thre Tremor.
‘Deck boats are very windy. You sit with your knees up in the front area because it is shallow. The Magics that I have been in were rough riding on Saturdays especially up front.

 

[GR8WHITE]

Facebook

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I saw that boat and just wondered how long that Bravo 1 is going to last behind that large of a boat with a 598" BBC.

 

[Nosocks]

I would go with thre Tremor.
‘Deck boats are very windy. You sit with your knees up in the front area because it is shallow. The Magics that I have been in were rough riding on Saturdays especially up front.

I’ve ridden in a top cat 2 several years ago and didn’t find it that windy as long as you weren’t in the middle back seat. But my dog lays on the middle floor when moving so she’d probably notice it.

Still curious to hear from rage owners. Gotten mixed reviews in searches. Folks kinda glaze over cruise speed and such so I’m not sure what they’re commenting on.

 

[TCHB]

My toon boat at speed was windy. After riding in the DW 32 or MTI it was great cruising at speed with very little wind. I could not believe how quiet it was at 70mph.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

I have spent lots of time riding on and driving my buddies 242, I will say, I really like the 242 and would not hesitate to own one. I have a 24 Lavey, I know it’s not on your list, but it is a true 25’ boat and is very easy to climb in and out of the bow- mine is an MCOB.

It is a good riding boat, better than a 242, it does “fly” a bit when it gets rough (think mouth of river on a busy weekend) but it lands solid and never gets out of shape.

It never bothers me, it does gets a little bouncy for my 11yo up front- I was never worried about him flying out or anything like that. In the back, it’s better, but when I’m running 40+ through the slop my wife begins to complain a bit- not uncomfortable, just bouncy. She’s not a big boater however. This is without tabs, as I don’t have them.

It gets complements on the ride from others who are boaters. I would imagine a Tremor or Hallett would fly a little less while giving up a little speed.

454 Mag MPI I can cruise 40-50 no issue, I get low 60s loaded (5 people, full fuel, summer heat) and can almost touch 70 under ideal conditions lightly loaded (2 people, half tank on a 80 degree afternoon)

I say this to give a comparison to a 2750, which would ride better for sure, but not be as easy to climb in and out of.

For Havasu, my dream boat (and likely next boat) would be a 2750 MCOB with a blue merc motor. Although the 27 is supposed to run close to the same speeds as a 24, I do not think I would purchase a 2750 with a black motor. Having come from a 21’ production boat that ran similar speeds as your 242, up to the Lavey I have now, I would prefer to be able to bump the cruise up to 50-60 and top speed up around 80. 40-50 mph seems to be the speed everyone ends up going, it would be nice to get around them quicker at times.

That being said, a 2750 (or anything that size) with a blue motor would be at least double what I paid for my 24.

Here is a shot from Pirates with my 24, a 29 Shockwave, 260 Cobra, and to the right a Magic Deck.

Here is a pic I found here on RDP comparing a 24 to 2750.

 

[Motor Boater]

This is a 2004 so older than you want but I’ve pretty much decided to put this up for sale. 28 Bullet with a 525. I can’t believe I’m typing this but I only used it two days this year.

 

[Nosocks]

This is a 2004 so older than you want but I’ve pretty much decided to put this up for sale. 28 Bullet with a 525. I can’t believe I’m typing this but I only used it two days this year. View attachment 1276645

Pretty boat. I'm a few months out from putting out offers.

 

[Rondog4405]

This is a 2004 so older than you want but I’ve pretty much decided to put this up for sale. 28 Bullet with a 525. I can’t believe I’m typing this but I only used it two days this year. View attachment 1276645

Damm that's nice!!

 

[svlperry]

This is a 2004 so older than you want but I’ve pretty much decided to put this up for sale. 28 Bullet with a 525. I can’t believe I’m typing this but I only used it two days this year. View attachment 1276645

Price