What boats have you had, which one was your favorite?

[Shlbyntro]

Dad thread got me thinking, Ive had a bunch; most of them not even worth mentioning except if were counting. Im sure if were measuring d*cks, mine would come up short

anyway, in order from first to last to the best of my memory:

1989 17' Sunray 3.0 Merc
1964 18' Howard split deck Ford 390
1981 18.5' Challenger 100hp TOP
1999 21' Air Nautique 351W PCM
1981 17' MonArk CC Johnson 110vro
1997 22' Larson 221lxi Volvo 5.7
1987 35' Formula F35 PC twin Merc 454
2000 24' Ultra 247XS Merc fi 454
2010 25' Stingray Volvo fi 5.0
1997 19' Sunbird Volvo 4.3
2014 21' Moomba Mondo Indmar fi 5.7
1973 18' Hallett Long Deck Chevy 454
1997 33' Searay Sundancer 330 twin Merc 454

I loved the Nautique, but the Ultra is still my favorite. The MonArk is the one I wish I never got rid of and the Challenger is the one I wish I had more time with.


whatcha got? whatcha had???

 

[PlanB]

1997 DCB 21 Daytona (DCB rigged Eliminator) with a 502.
2000 DCB Mach 26 twin Merc 2.5 (280's).
2001 DCB Mach 26 blown 509 (850 hp).
2001 Cigarette Top Gun Twin Step Merc 500 EFI's.
2004 28 Skater twin Merc 300x's.
2005 Bennington 28 RLXIO Merc 350 Mag
2014 Bennington R25 Merc 300 Verado.

These are the non fishing boats I have owned. Favorite would have to be the Cigarette but the boat I wish I still had is the Skater. The Cig was just too big for the lake IMO.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

1974-1983: Eliminator 20’ day cruiser jet (stock power?)

1983-2022: Eliminator 20’ day cruiser, full Banks/Teague TT with race prepped Berkeley Jet with all the goodies. Multi year NWRSA class champion.

2005-present: 2005 Malibu 23 Wakesetter LSV (Havasu). This one has the 8.1L engine.

2010-2016: Eliminator 23 Eagle XP with Merc 600SC and TCM Bravo 1 XR. (Arrowhead)

2016-2018: 2006 Malibu 23 Wakesetter LSV (Arrowhead)

2018 to present: 2013 Eliminator 26 Eagle XP, TCM 985 and IMCO SCX (Arrowhead)

2018 to present: 2018 Outerliminator 30, TCM 1200QR, six drive (Havasu). Big water boat. Used in Catalina ski race a few times.

Of all of them, ski racing for like 10+ years with the Eliminator 20’ jet was the most fun. It was quick and fast as could be and took some skill to drive in race conditions.

I do like the 26 and 30 we have now but they are a lot of maintenance compared to the others and that digs into the overall fun.

 

[H20 Toie]

18' Rayson craft v drive
21' Taylor daycruiser v drive
20' Commander jet boat
35' Cigarette Playboy
32' Celebrity express cruiser
40' Formula 400SS
38 Cigarette top gun
42' Cigarette 42X

The Formula would be my favorite if i never had to tow it,
38' top gun for all around boat,
Money no object than nothing i would have over the Cigarette 42x

Worst boat was the Commander, Not because of the boat as much as the manufacturer and the terrible support

 

[Deeznutz2]

19 Eliminator sprint jet
205 advantage classic closed bow jet
21 Eliminator daytona jet
240 hallett closed bow
20 Howard jet
205 Carrera elite jet

Fav was the Hallett 240

 

[HNL2LHC]

Only have had one boat and love it so far. 1999 210 Hallett.

 

[Kenboat]

1956 Yellow Jacket with 30hp Lark outboard smooth Plywood hull boat. Roy Rogers used one like it in his old TV show
1980 16' Checkmate Bowrider with 225 V-6 OMC outdrive.
1984 20' Checmate Bowrider with a built 350, thur hull exhuast, Alpha One drive.
!989 21' Checkmate Plusaire Bowrider n Lime Green with Merc 225 EFI.
1990 22' Talon with 2.5 Merc offshore, nice boat!
No Boats for 15 years
2017 18' Zodiac Rib with Yamaha 115 Outboard
2012 20' Ski Natique 200 Andy Maple Edition with 343 PMC. Great ski boat but slow!

 

[River Runnin]

@ 16 a 10" wooden jon boat with 3hp Johnson - fit in pickup.
wooden Lady Ben 17" 50hp Merc
20' 66 Pacific Mariner 4 banger Iron Duke
16' 66 Starcraft 30hp Johnson
Tracker Targa 18 125hp
Custom Weld 21' storm A/T SD 309 pump HTR II reverse (Run for 13 years)
Custom Weld 22'Storm Hamilton 212 pump (Didn't win Havasu's Coolest boat fer nothing!!)

 

[HighVoltage329]

3) 19' Hallet SS V-drives
Hallett Vector v-drive current
Hallett 240 closed bow
DCB F29
DCB M31
Skater 28
MTI 340 w/450's current
Formula 310ss current

The Hallett's were from our ski racing days and was able to keep the best one.
I miss the 28 Skater for its speed, handling & economy. There were a bunch of us with similar boats at the time and we had a blast running together.

 

[dave29]

16' 1971 Hondo jet 460 Ford
18' 1975 Hondo T deck Pantera v drive 460 Ford by Dick Landy
18' Cole TR2
18' Canyon Runner Blown Blown Jim Shewbert motor, Baca paint
Mastercraft Prostar 190
20' Campbell Banks 850HP Turbo Charged
22' Campbell V drive 454
Another 22' Campbell v drive 454
Schiada 21 RC V drive !000 hp Blown Teague motor
Schiada 24 IO 500 EFI with Whipple
16' Hobie cat Wind powered
28 Eliminator Daytona twin 500 Mercs
F29 DCB Twin 525 Mercs
M35 DCB Twin 700 Mercs
M29 DCB twin 300hp Merc outboards.
Miss the most.......M29, 21 Schiada, 18' Canyon Runner

 

[pixrthis]

18’ Cole TR2
24’ Valco pontoon
10’ Steven’s hydro
21’ Lavey Craft
42’ Fountain
18’ Mandella
19’ Ski Supreme
20.5’ Stoker
1963 Hydro Swift

A favorite is hard to pick, the Cole was by far the most fun to drive and the Lavey and Fountain were the most fun to use.

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

1994 Malibu skier
1998 Baja hammer
1994 Ski Nautique 196
1991 Hallett vector
2002 Nitro nx882
1994 Formula 271
2014 Skeeter Fx20
2014 Triton 220 Escape
1975 Schiada 21' RC




Best all round that I get most use out of is the triton...





Boat with the most cool factor (especially with the story behind it) is definitely the schiada

 

[warpt71]

'71 Hondo straight deck true flat
'89 Carrera Elite jet boat
'81 Hondo t-deck runner bottom

The newest Hondo has not been in the water yet but I'd wager that it will be my favorite. The Carrera just plain works good with the family and where we boat. The '71 Hondo was my first boat and I hope to restore it again some day for my kids to drive around.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Wow, some of you Guys are real boat ho’s. And I mean that in the best way possible. I see myself at my age being lucky to have a total of 4 boats before I die. THis is the way that I see it going.

210 current
26+ deck
maybe if lucky a real nice boat
then a boat with couches

oh, maybe a 5th one that I can be buried in. LOL

 

[Todd Mohr]

1969 Tahiti 16 with 115 Merc TOP
1986 Eagle 19 Bubbledeck with 150 Johnson
1995 Ski Sanger DXII
1976 Cole Tr2
1971 Sidewinder 18SS jet
1991 Warlock 21 tunnel with blown 454 bravo
1999 DCB Mach 22 with twin 2.5’s (current)
2006 Dana 20.5 with 350 Mag bravo (current)

 

[az4lyfe]

'70 Weiman jet boat
'76 Eliminator Bubbledeck jet boat
'81 Eliminator Bubbledeck jet boat
'02 Schiada RC

 

[Boatymcboatface]

1995 Mastercraft prostar190. It’s the only boat I’ve ever owned and thats only because I’ve got to many other hobbies and toys.

If there was a boats I want thread that would be a much looonger list!!!!

 

[DWC]

3) 19' Hallet SS V-drives
Hallett Vector v-drive current
Hallett 240 closed bow
DCB F29
DCB M31
Skater 28
MTI 340 w/450's current
Formula 310ss current

The Hallett's were from out ski racing days and was able to keep the best one.
I miss the 28 Skater for its speed, handling & economy. There were a bunch of us with similar boats at the time and we had a blast running together.

Damn, nice lineup.

 

[dribble]

My favorite was my 1978 Southwind 18.5 Berkeley Jet with a 454.

 

[DWC]

Only owned 3 boats.
2000 Air Nautique. - Best boating memories that we have. Can’t even imagine the number of miles that thing towed tubes up and down the river.
2004 Magic with a 496. Great boat. Sipped fuel. Bullet proof engine. Only had an impeller go out (tried to get a second season out of one).
2006 Eticket 525’s. Love everything about it. Maybe except the maintenance x 2, Nothing better than early morning start ups.

 

[The Capt]

Heck, I feel like a newbie. Been running boats everyday of my life for 45 years for 12 to sometimes 48 hours strait with no sleep. But I have only owned 7 of them
12 foot Gregor with a 15hp
19 Bahner jet 454
19 Carrera jet 454
21 Ultra Stealth 496ho
Donzi 22 Classic 496ho
Eliminator Daytona 25 Icc with 525
34 Sabre yacht with twin D6 Volvo diesel
Still have the Daytona, keep it in Havasu
Sabre keep it in Sausalito yacht harbor
Gregor keep it at Clearlake house
Still need another jet boat maybe next year?

 

[Bakotrash]

18 Hawaiian jet 460 bbf
18 Earl Smith gullwing 460 bbf
18 Hondo GT deck runner 468 bbc
24 Sweetwater pontoon 40 Merc
21 Eliminator Daytona 225 Promax
20 Eliminator Scorpion 200 Merc
240 Hallett 468 bbc
19 Eliminator Sprint 540 bbc (current and in pieces)

By far the Hondo runner was my favorite! Beers + up pedal = mass amounts of fun!

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

1986 20" Eliminator Sport Cruiser - 225 Promax
1998 Howard 22 Offshore - 502 MAG
2018 Shockwave 22 Deck - 400R
2004 Hallett 255 (MCOB) - 525 EFI (current)

I love the Hallett, that's all I have to say. Boat is perfect and I don't see us needing anything else going forward.

Only thing I would consider getting rid of it for would be an out of this world 270 and I am talking sanitary clean, blue/silver/white colors and stock 525 or bigger motor.

 

[Paradox]

Wow, some cool boats. The variety is impressive as well.

I came to the party late (we were pretty poor growing up so we didn’t have toys) but, I have made up somewhat for lost time…

23’ Wellcraft with a 454
25’ Eliminator with a blown Teague Big Block
35‘ Fountain Lighting with twin 496 Mag HOs
33’ (really 38 measured) Tiara Sport Fisher with twin Big Blocks
28’ Warlock Cat with twin 502s
23’ Scarab STS with a high performance 555 ci BB (that I had built) and Imco drive.
28’ Donzi with twin injected small blocks

Ive enjoyed all of the boats we’ve had. They were fun at the time and served their purpose well. No regrets selling any of them since it was always with the anticipation of getting something new.

I will say the Scarab was pretty sketchy at speed. It weighed nothing and I was putting about 700 HP to it. Probably wouldn’t do that again.

My first boat was the 23 Wellcraft. I had a young family back then and not a lot of dough so I split it with a friend. I think it was $2500 each. We had it airbrushed by a guy selling T shirts on the Venice Board Walk for $200 plus material. I entered my first Poker Run with it. It was a SCOPE event out of Long Beach in (I think) the later part of the 90s. We were runner up for the smallest HP award..

This is a pic of us returning..

 

[old rigger]

Still my all time favorite boat. Built 1000s through the years at Tahiti, Hawaiian, Rogers, Advantage, Howard, Warlock and a few others.
None come close to this one.

Although my old Howard runs a close second. Recently came across a pre '65 Howard sitting and rotting in a storage yard. Pretty rare too as its one Howard built in his first shop in Paramount.

 

[riverroyal]

Favorite is the always the next one.

 

[TBI]

I've had two Sleekcrafts and my favorite was the Sleekcraft

 

[HST4ME]

12 foot mirrocraft and a 15 Merc. Had more fun with the kid in that boat and could go places way off the beaten path.

 

[mobldj]

1970 16 ft tahiti
2 older bayliners
24ft cheetah deck
2001 rinker deckboat
current 25 ft xcursion tri toon

my favorite but would sink

in todays wake monster river........the 16ft tahiti

 

[hman442]

I'm way behind... only 4 boats. The 1st was the 71 Sea Ray '20, that my Dad turned over to me, had it till 87 or so. Spent the 80s & half the 90s buying houses, making babies, & working hard, but not necessarily smart. Couldn't afford basics some months, much less a boat. Got about half fat along the way too. In 02, I got on the low carb deal and lost 50 pounds, & bought a 97 Malibu V drive. It didn't even have a tower, it was just before that fad started. I drove 6 hours to Seattle to buy it, stopped in Portland on the way home and filled it with skis, jackets, ropes, fenders, and even one of those "new fangled wakeboard thingys". Had to buy multiple tow ropes, as the sales guy pointed out that you can't ski with a wakeboard rope and visa versa - something about the stretch . We took it to the lake the next evening after work, it was 90 degrees, I remember it like it was yesterday, the warm air, jumping in the water, the smiles on the kids faces, the smile on my face. After a bit I asked the Mrs to drive, I kicked back in the observer seat, I remember the warmth in the air, the sounds, I remember thinking to myself, hey, we're making it, I'm back! I only had that boat for a couple seasons, moved up to a Malibu 23 Escape V drive, as it had more seating, a cruise control, a Wedge, and a frikking TOWER! I've had a zillion good times in the Escape, still have it 18 years later, 10 of those years I also had a 52' houseboat that we had moved up from Shasta. That houseboat was a kick in the ass, great times, kept it along with everything else during my divorce. But, my favorite was the 97 VLX, as it was the boat that I taught both my kids to ski & wakeboard, myself to wakeboard, and the boat that brings back that feeling that we were "doing good".

 

[hman442]

I still want to get a Donzi...I still have the brochure from 1985 that I got from a dealer in Phoenix, a Cigarette, a Sanger, and a Shiada. I guess I better get busy!!

 

[Music to my Ears]

98 Omega 21 350 mag
99 Essex Monarch 454 mag
03 Nordic Heat 496ho
07 Conquest Topcat II 525

They we’re all fun but my favorite was the Conquest, it just covered all of the bases so well. Currently boat less - gonna have to do something about that soon!

 

[X Hoser]

1974 18’ Sanger V-Drive
1976 21’ Southwind Day Cruiser
1994 22’ Eliminator Daytona Outdrive
2002 26’ Advantage Party Cat Outdrive
2004 25’ Eliminator Daytona Outdrive
1996 21’ Schiada RC V-Drive

Most Liked: 25’ Daytona
Least Liked: 26’ Advantage Party Cat
One I wished I still Had: 21’ Schiada RC

 

[Shlbyntro]

1974 18’ Sanger V-Drive
1976 21’ Southwind Day Cruiser
1994 22’ Eliminator Daytona Outdrive
2002 26’ Advantage Party Cat Outdrive
2004 25’ Eliminator Daytona Outdrive
1996 21’ Schiada RC V-Drive

Most Liked: 25’ Daytona
Least Liked: 26’ Advantage Party Cat
One I wished I still Had: 21’ Schiada RC

did you sell it because it only had a 2 axle trailer?

 

[Ace in the Hole]

I think it was a 1990 master craft...that was a money pit lol
Procraft 210, 185
Champion 181
Ranger 520
SeaDoo's x about 10 lol
Celebrity cruiser
Regal 3360
Ebbtide Mystique Cabin
SeaRay 270
SeaRay 185
Advantage x-flight 29.

I regret ever selling my SeaRay 185....its was a versatile fun boat, cheap for maintenance, great fuel economy, handled the ocean well, and was simple to clean up. If we ever get serious about selling the x-flight...probably buy the new model of that and be happy as a clam.

 

[Good Stuff]

07 Bayliner 185BR 3.0TBI Mercruiser
Super fun and reliable first boat but underpowered with 6 onboard.

06 Larson 228LXi 5.7 Volvo Duoprop
Another great boat that actually ran very well with 6-8 on board. Busy weekends or windy days would really beat us up and my wife fell in love with the open deck feel of a friend’s Magic.

2010 Domn8er 265 deck 548ci 8/71 Larry Peto with Imco SC
Really amazing boat. Handles rough water very well and has plenty of room and power. I’m pretty sure it was actually one of the last Next boats laid up at Eliminator and Domn8er got it with the purchase of the molds. Seat bottoms and several spots inside the boat that are out of view have “Next” written on them. Brent Leach really designed a hell of a boat and the build quality is great. First time I saw one on the water I thought it looked stupid with the double stairs down to the water on each side of the transom but they are so nice to use.

 

[Jonas Grumby]

20 Baja open bow
Eliminator ski open
Carrera 205 elite
Eliminator 21 Daytona
Eliminator 25 Daytona
Eliminator 21 Daytona
312 Thunderbird Fastech twin 502 mags
Eliminator 26 Daytona ,current.

Favorite. 2 different 21 Daytonas with wackers.

I want another 21, but a blown jet.

 

[Morehart]

My first was a 1969 Larson shark. It had a selectric 55 hp evinrude. Push button forward and reverse. My wife and I cut the floor and transom out, re did everything. It was a tri hull open bow runabout deal. The lower unit went out twice and was a pain to repair the shifting solenoids. Not to mention RARE PARTS. Loved the boat. Put a 100hp merc and it ran 55mph. Not bad for a 500$ boat with a 700$ repower. Wife did the interior. I'll try to dig up pictures.

2nd was a zodiac 12ft with a new 8hp evinrude. FISH KING with no trailer to the high Sierras. Still have it for beach trips.

3rd Klamath 12ft fishing boat

My end game and pride and joy is my 1984 stoker

 

[bowtiejunkie]

1971 19’ Sanger flatbottom
2005 Sanger V-210

Friends/Family always had (still have) boats, so didn’t really need to own one. ‘71 Sanger was favorite. Went nice with my 1971 Chevelle. Sold in 2010. I miss it.

Boatless since 2020. Waiting for my RDP eviction notice…lol

 

[Magic Mike]

1971 Campbell 21’ great with girlfriend. (My avatar)

1996 Magic 29’ great with wife. (Same chick)

2003 Suntracker 22’ party barge
great with kids and dogs.

Had a blast on all of them for a lot of different reasons, a lot of the same too though. Never forget leaving SFV Fri. night, launching pretty much everywhere between Bullhead city and Havasu marina at least once. First time seeing the gorge, floating down from Laughlin etc. Always HATING driving home Sun. night sunburned and hungover to be at work Mon. morn.

 

[2Driver]

1968 small runabout forget the name, I/O
1980s 19' Riviera Jet
1980 21 Spectra Jet
1990 23.5 Carrera Viper
1994 Tritoon pontoon
1990 Carrera 20.5 elite
1994 Carrera 20.2 jet
1997 21 Advantage 21Sr
1997 Seadoo twin jet
1997 Tritoon pontoon (2nd one)
1999 20’ Searay
2004 21 Chaparral
2007 Yamaha 210 HO
2004 Ultra 21 Stealth 6.0 jet.
Bunch of stand up and 2 sit down jetskis.

 

[farmo83]

1977 cvx 20
1996 Schiada RT

Given the dial in issues I've had over the last 1.5 seasons my answer tothe favorite part may surprise you.

 

[Goodtime$]

89 eliminator 205 skier jet (dads)
03 Sanger v210 v drive 350 mag
04 Orion 24 cat 496 mag
06 genesis 22 warrior 6.2 mag
08 genesis 247 xs 6.2 mag
07 genesis 21 skier jet 454 indmar blue
longest kept at my house.
92 Cole 22 jet ( uncle ) was stashed at grandmas house never knew bought it 2015
17’ Tahiti 177 surf skiff 70 Suzuki
18’ Tahiti 21 skier raptor 440 jet first hulls made
22’ 19 winger - sold pre rig never got to finish
20’ Tahiti 21 skier raptor 440 jet
22’ Tahiti 177 surf skiff
Next one is beer budget deal when skiff sells

 

[steamin rice]

I grew up around boats, most of the time around a 1979 24 Spectra that my parents still own.

For my own boats:
1995 Hallett 20SS
2002 29' Shockwave
2005 34' Shockwave (current boat)

Each boat has been great, but the 29 Shockwave was my favorite.

 

[LHC Kirby]

1998 Mariah 18’
2001 Mariah 24’ - Volvo Penta I/O love this boat. Bought it new, still use it, last used - Havasu Christmas Boat parade last night.

 

[bonesfab]

Wow. I am still on number one. Bought it in 96-97. 22 Schiada step deck. Old Banks turbo set up on a 496. It’s only on a two axle trailer. I am not worthy. Now if we want to count cars, I am in.

 

[bonesfab]

I want a 20 Schiada with a Sonny’s hemi for a fuck around boat.

 

[HPBoats83]

3 boats so far that I've personally owned:

1st) 24' Team Hawaiian Volvo Penta
2nd) 29' Fountain 500 EFI
3rd - Current) 25' Shockwave 496

Shockwave does great but I miss the Fountain. With the 500 EFI I was told it had better internals and it was designed to live at the higher RPM so I could push it a little harder whereas the Shockwave I usually keep it below 3500 RPM in the slow lane but it does a lot of things really well so we'll keep it for now.

 

[C_J_J_C]

1995 Carrera 205 (454 w/ BerkleyJet)
1989 Scarab 22 (350 w/ Bravo 1)
2010 DCM 21 (Built w/ Bravo 1)
2000 Cole 250S MCOB (502 w/ Bravo 1)

Best boat was the Cole.
Most sentimental boat was the DCM.

The Favorite: The Scarab.
Bought it for less than 5K, put a battery in it and gas. Nothing, not one thing else, in 3 years other than annual service. Didn't even wipe it down once and sold it when the Covid market whet crazy for 15K. Something about not worrying about keeping it perfect made it easier, relaxing, and enjoyable.

 

[farmo83]

Eliminator seems to be the most popular brand.