[Blake]

before i moved to FL, i would have never considered a comfortable cruiser. i've always wanted a big, loud, obnoxious, and fast baja or similar boat. but now that i'm here and have the potential to take boat trips to different areas of FL and beyond, i'm stuck between choosing the go-fast boat or a cruiser with a/c, generator, sleeper, fridge, tv, all the bells and whistles. obviously, i won't be making these long boat trips often, but that would be something fun to do occasionally. i do, however, plan on using said boat often...i'm on a canal with easy access to the intercoastal and gulf of mexico. so what would you do? get the go-fast boat and just use it around the area or get something more practical that i can take weekend trips in?

[Blake]

here are the boats i've been thinking about:

for the crusier:
2006 or newer sea ray 260 or 280 sundancer

it has literally everything you would need to be comfortable on weekend trips

go-fast:
something like a 2006 or newer baja outlaw 30 sst

fast and fun, but not very comfortable to travel in

i do have a middle-of-the-road compromise in a sea ray 290 slx

it would be cheaper to operate, good island boat, and has some comforts like good toilet, stereo, fridge, and freshwater sink, but not very comfortable on longer trips

[quagmire]

Being a sailboat person myself and always hated the jerks in the loud and obnoxious boats, go for the cruiser.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by quagmire

Being a sailboat person myself and always hated the jerks in the loud and obnoxious boats, go for the cruiser.

i used to sail, but i want a power boat. here, i can take a boat from my house to downtown restaurants, etc. sailboat is a PITA.

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by Blake

i used to sail, but i want a power boat. here, i can take a boat from my house to downtown restaurants, etc. sailboat is a PITA.

I understand. It is nice to get there fast. Just I have always hated the people in the loud types. They would always pass us close by and take no consideration to others. It isn't like they had no room to be considerate. They had the whole Chesapeake Bay to go around us.

[MontegoGoGoGo]

That's so funny you're looking at Sea Ray.

I've written a lot of their print ads, so I know A LOT about these boats. More than I want to know, lol. I've also done a few campaigns for Baja too.

So with that being said: Sundancer, HANDS DOWN.
Amberjack if you're an avid fisherman.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by quagmire

I understand. It is nice to get there fast.

indeed. but nothing is as satisfying as sailing. it's involved and once you get it going configured perfectly in good winds, it's just a breeze to operate. not to mention free.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by MontegoGoGoGo

That's so funny you're looking at Sea Ray.

I've written a lot of their print ads, so I know A LOT about these boats. More than I want to know, lol. I've also done a few campaigns for Baja too.

So with that being said: Sundancer, HANDS DOWN.
Amberjack if you're an avid fisherman.

Here are two that will appeal to your exact psychographic!
It was run in Car & Driver. They're not Sundancers, but still fun.

nice! got any hookups? i would take an slx, too.

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by Blake

indeed. but nothing is as satisfying as sailing. it's involved and once you get it going configured perfectly in good winds, it's just a breeze to operate. not to mention free.

Not exactly free. Need a motor to power the thing out of the marina and then the maintenance on the sails and boat itself. Also as with us, hauling the boat on land for the winter. But, once you do get the sails out and in good wind, yes it is free.

One bad thing about the Bay is that it always seems like it is 10 knots or less. Our Island Packet needs 10 knots to get moving and 15 knots to go at a good pace.

[MontegoGoGoGo]

Originally Posted by Blake

nice! got any hookups? i would take an slx, too.

Go for the Sundancer! Yes, I may know a few guys here and there, lol.
PM me later. I gotta run for the night.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by MontegoGoGoGo

Go for the Sundancer! Yes, I may know a few guys here and there, lol.
PM me later. I gotta run for the night.

sweet!

[MontegoGoGoGo]

Duuuuude.

[DarqueFun]

blake, I have the perfect boat for you bra...let me know if you want it, I sell them.

[jibaholic101]

go fast boat for sure

[Dan in PA]

I know ZIP about boats, but I'd go with the cruiser.

[Eliminator XP]

My choice is the go fast boat

Here is a pic of my stress relief fix, nothing better after working your ass off, than to launch your boat....no lanes, signals or stop signs! WOT!!

[lucas.kent]

I've actually had a Sea Ray 26 (1986) and have been around boats all my life. I currently have a small sailboat, 23' walkaround, and a 17 center console. I'm not a huge fan of cigarette-type boats (and as a matter of fact I have a friend that is in intensive care after rolling one over recently).

If I were you, I'd go with option 3. A nice middle-of-the-road boat that has a lot of creature comforts but goes pretty fast. Going fast for long periods of time can just get bored over time. Plus, when it comes time to sell it can be a harder boat to get rid of because it's more specialized. My neighbor has a Rinker Express Cruiser 260 with a Mercruiser 377 Mag and that thing flies.

Also, have you checked out www.boattest.com? Great site with a lot of good tests.

[RRGOO7]

It doesnt have to be one or the other. It can be both. Ive owned my Sunseeker Superhawk for eight years now. Im actually considering putting it up for sale because it doesnt get used as much now that I picked up a new boat. It really is a fantastic boat. Cruise at 40kts easily and goes 50knts flat out, Sleeps three comfortably, toilet, shower, fridge, tv, stove, AC, Generator, everything you need. Its got twin yanmar 420 diesels, no worry about the gas fumes and sky high gas prices. Only burns about 25 GPH too. It really is a great boat. Shes only has 340 hours

[fun ticket]

A. Go with a cruiser type boat. Sure, the hotrod is like a blonde with big boobs (fun to ride and all that but the accompanying noise gets old fast)

B. Consider something with outboards since you are in saltwater. I have owned 8 eight boats. All combinations of I/O's, inboards, and outboards. Outboards are the winner hands down in saltwater. There are many boats out there that offer some level of cruiser type comfort with outboards (mostly "Walkarounds" which attempt to strike a balance of function and comfort). It just comes down to your budget.

PM me if you want more information. Not interested in getting into a public pizzing match about outboards vs. inboards....done that way too much. Good luck with your search.

[Jaypod]

I had a 29 ft Baja Outlaw SST and loved it - very fast boat and a lot of fun to drive although a little thirsty - would I buy another, absolutely however, the Sunseeker Superhawk like RRG007 has is much more practical which means you would get a lot more use out of it. I sold mine as is wasn't getting much use after a couple of years, oh and it wasnt much fun getting caught out in the rain with!
GL with the purchase, boating is too much fun, I need to move close to the ocean.

[chango335]

Definitely get the Sea Ray Sundancer. It's more comfortable and definitely more practical. Plus resale value is much better than a go fast boat. However if you can get your hands on a good used Sunseeker Superhawk or Predator, then that owns pretty much everything SeaRay, Cruiser Yachts, Regal, Carver, Marquis has to offer in that type of boat you're looking for.

Not too sure how many places in the U.S sell Sunseeker. The only one I know is Jefferson Beach in Michigan.

[Scorpion]

Speed speed speed, go with the fast one lol.