I'm stuck

[Fjandy]

Okay, I've been lurking and reading plus I'm a forum head for my other passion, FJ Cruisers. I'm leading up to the fact that I'm going to ask the ultra noob question.

Which boat should I buy?

I know, I know...it depends on what you're going to use it for. I was in the market for a cruiser until a friend approached me about buying a condo on a local lake. Now I'm looking for fun. I have two young boys, 8 and 12, and a wife so I'm looking for something to tow a tube or skis. It needs to have a cuddy so the wife and I can use it if we drag it to another lake for a weekend but I don't intend to use it primarily as an overnighter.

All brand loyalty aside, what would be my determining factors for deciding between these boats? Assume that they're all in very seaworthy condition with no rot and great running condition as well.

1. 1988 Wellcraft Nova XL 454
2. 1988 Formula 242 454
3. 1993 Forumla 271 SR1 Volvo 7.4L DP
4. 1995 Wellcraft Nova XL 454

Between the Nova's is there a major build quality difference in those years? The older Nova really interests me and the price is pretty attractive as well.

-Andy

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: I'm stuck

Ok so besides the fact you have horrible taste in 4x4's(sorry I had to) and were supposed to put brand loyalty aside, You appear to have looked these boats over and have determined them to be structurally sound which is no surprise if you wheel, you have narrowed it down to four boats so at this point I would say the dual prop has the advantage for your situation, I love mine even though it is a merc, better handling and better hole shot easier on the kids on the inflatables, big enough motor for those larger members of your boating party(I have that problem in my wifes family not mine!!) I don't think the difference in build is anything to consider between the boats you have listed, a Jeep versus FJ argument at that point, just personal preference.

 

[Fjandy]

Re: I'm stuck

uh...heep vs FJ...that's a slow pitch. Besides, I never mentioned the J word. I've owned 5 different ones. I now have The FJ and a Landcruiser 100 series.

Also, I got some better pics of the SR1. It's no longer in the running.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/arickosmo/FJ Stuff/DSC_0069.jpg

 

[cr2k]

Re: I'm stuck

The first time I went to Pismo with my FJ 40 I was pulling CJs out of bowls and back to the beach. So there!

But to answer your question, it's kinda like what 4x4 should I buy? Depends on many many things. Your intended use, family, size/shape of your most used water hole, available brand service, etc.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Leave it to a toyota guy to head a thread here with "I'm stuck" LOL... just sayin

have you considered the cost of fuel..... pulling tubes with a 27' bigblock boat will be EXPENSIVE...

1/2 mpg 20 mph $4.00/gallon 4 hr = $640

of course those numbers assume stopping and starting and at least some accelerating out of turns

 

[Fjandy]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Good point smoke. However, will a 350 be even remotely fun in a 27' boat?

BTW, no mud for me. Only rocks.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Ah we can get along ok then God Forgives Rocks don't!! uh no a 350 = no fun on a 27' boat!!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

rox rock.... I hate mud too..... the fuel consumption prob is more in the 27' boat than the 454...

 

[Fjandy]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Yeah, I'm really hoping that one of 24' boats will win my heart and the 454 will just be there if I need it for fun. I eliminated a Nova 23 XL today. She had been beached way too much and there was water standing in the bilge near the cuddy.

I did however add a Donzi to the prospects.

Been to Cruise Moab twice now, missed this year but they moved it back to the parking lot in town. I'll miss Area BFE for the camping.

 

[444]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

I guess it depends how large of a boat you really want and what kind of fuel consumption you can live with. They make cuddy cabin boats much smaller than what you've been looking at. If you're keeping it at the lake on the water full-time, then at least you don't have to worry so much about what your fj can tow.

 

[Fjandy]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

I'll pull it out every weekend. Tow vehicle is a Landcruiser not the FJ.

OMC is gone right? Did anyone take over parts for these things? That could be an issue with outdrives on the Donzi.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

landcruiser.... better stop looking at 27'ers....... those are dabbling in dually territory

I just noticed that you are in indy..... that's 100 miles away from me... check out kifourwheelersdotcom that's my 4x4 club

 

[Fjandy]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

7000lb tow rating

 

[scutly]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

hey andy
a couple of points i'll make. first, i dont think your towing any 27 footer with your truck. my donzi weighs 6500 lbs DRY. add fuel, stuff and a trailer to that and like smoke mentioned, you need a dually to tow them. second point is that you have to decide on cuddy or pocket cruiser. imho cuddys stop bein cuddys after 23'. bigger than that you do get more room down bellow but she gets to heavy to be practical for pulling tubes. my old 23' cuddy weighed in at 3900 lbs and with a 5.7 alpha 2 she hauled *** and pulled tubes great without killing me to bad in fuel. the cuddy was a little cramped for hanging out but it worked. and it had a pull out porta potty. now my donzi is a whole other world. shes a floatin condo compared to the cuddy what with a stand up head and a galley and all. but with a 7.4 bravo 3? while she does plane out quick, she a THIRSTY PIG and you need a lot more room to maneuver around pulling a tube. just sayin

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Andy try Dead Horse point, North of Moab about 2 miles off the highway, look for a well used cut in the scrub towards the south in the wash there is a wonderful camping area with shade and big enough for several hundred campers on the sand, mostly small RV through tent campers not many diesel pushers get in there.

 

[wbc1957]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Andy, check this one out. It has the cuddy needs and can be towed by your Landcruiser with no problem. And check out the extras! Sorry, it is a bit of a drive but I think it's worth it.
http://winstonsalem.ohsohandy.com/a/132158-rare-1984-cobalt-cs23

 

[QC]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

I have two young boys, 8 and 12, and a wife so I'm looking for something to tow a tube or skis.

I think you're looking too big for this plan, especially the 27 footers. How important is the cuddy? Also, there is nothing wrong with getting a season under your belt with something/anything to assess your love of boating and the match for what you truly end up liking to do. I would say the one thing that you will learn is that you do not know yet what type of boating and daily routine with a boat that you will gravitate towards. You'll figure that out pretty much only on the water, not on the net . . .

OMC is gone right? Did anyone take over parts for these things? That could be an issue with outdrives on the Donzi.

Do some searching on this topic. The short answer is do not consider OMC. Not because they suck, but because there are plenty of boats with Mers and Volvos out there so why spend any time considering stuff that is harder to get parts and service for and even have some issues to deal with. If you have one, great! If you don't there is really no good reason to get one unless there is some perfect boat, and there are no other options to find something similarly perfect with the other power plants.

Good luck!

 

[Fjandy]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

That Cobalt is interesting but at 3900 lbs it's only a few hundred lighter than the 24' boats I'm looking at. It's bottom painted too. Sure is a decent looking boat though. The only 27' I was looking at has been eliminated anyway. It was really a bit rough in the finish. I'm totally hooked on a 24' or under as they are usually only about 4200 lbs or less for a Wellcraft. Sea Ray and others are even lighter.

Lipp, I've been out to that camp site. You're right, nice place but they're holding all the festivities in town at the KOA I believe. Last year, it was down south in more primitive cammping. Much more fun. We were there for 5 days and experienced EVERY single kind of weather in the US. I'm not exagerating either.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

were there for 5 days and experienced EVERY single kind of weather in the US. I'm not exagerating either.

Oh yeah I do not doubt you one bit!! I have been there brother!! If your talking about EJS then I wouldn't go to Dead Horse point, Mile Hi Jeep Club also uses that area and well things did not go well with them, some good people but the Club Officials needed an attitude adjustment

 

[Fjandy]

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

Re: I'm stuck because I drive a toyota

I'm hijacking my own thread.

Lipp, the guys from Rising Sun 4x4 put this event on. I've never seen such organization. Sattelite phones for the leaders, spill kits, first aid training, pulling gear, etc. They are I think the first 4x4 club to mandate and supply trail leader training. It was incredible to say the least. These guys are very very good people. I can't say enough. I'm not sure how they feel about the chrysler guys but I know that we helped more than a few out of The Wedgie when we passed through on Poison Spider. Yes, a Landcruiser 100 series went through The Wedgie, it was impressive. I was really and truly amazed at the amount of planning and organization that went into it last year. Apparently though, not too many people like to primitive camp and be that far away from town so they moved it back to town. Oh, it's Slickrock Campground, not the KOA.

http://www.cruisemoab.com/

Back on track, I'm really leaning towards the '88 Nova. Looking at flights to go inspect it. I don't want to drive 10+ hours to see it and worst case, have to trailer it home if I do like it. I suppose this is where a survey might be in order. Problem is, the surveyor in that area is not available until 5/2 and costs about $200 more than the flight. So...for a $10k boat, do I spend the $550 to survey it and a few hundred to ship?

QC: Hell of a nice Donzi out in KC area but I'm shy of the OMC. The post by about not buying an issue really makes me sad. What a great boat. Oh, and I grew up on boats. I've been on them since I was 2 weeks old, literally. I have just never bought my own. Some of my fondest boating memories are of me and my friend at age 19 loading a 1978 28' Century at the very busy ramp between many very nice, expensive, beautiful, new boats. We always gloated a bit. I'm sure I'll be rusty now though.


Btw, You guys have been very helpful in making me think about my choice.