With a 40K budget.
New or used?
What model?
What motor?

I would go with fattys set up

Xpress 21XD with a 250 SHO Yamaha.... Zoom Zoom

Alpha 211 Legend with 250 XS Merc - New if someone had one for that money, but would buy a good used one..

Charlie,

You know me!! I run over to much stuff. I would have a hook in the aluminum hull with in the first week. I would also think my father would roll over in his grave if I bought anything other than a Merc.

You can get a decent 25 or 30 year old Catalina 38 for that. That is what I would get. I think most of those have Yanmar diesels.

If your truly serious,what ever you get new or used, make sure it has at least a 200 on it.Also keep in mind resale,what other people want.In case something comes up and you have to sell it. Theres alot of used good deals out there,just take your time.



By the way..Thats Buda and his old boat.He hit a stump and knocked the trolling motor off.

I'd buy the love boat and have Doc serve me drinks.

Mark

The Xpress 21 XD transom and hull is 1/8" Plate and is has 7 3/16" thick knee braces with 7 3/16" longitudunal stringers.. you aint gonna hook it.

A 250 Merc ought to push it just fine too... but man that Yamahammer SHO is the real deal.

Lannie,

I am serious. I have been eyballing Bass Cats PII for a while. Now with the New Ranger Z518 my thoughts are changing. I just can not stretch out in the drivers seat of the Bass Cat. I am not real fond of supporting Ranger due to their bankruptcy issues.

Charlie,

I have been reading up on the SHO hype. Do you think it would be able to run like dad's old Laser?

Just take your time,when you put the money down,make sure it realy pleases you.And performs the way you want.

I used to run a Laser,they had a fast hull.

Call Monte Coon

I thought he did automobiles.

On the Xpress 21XD without a doubt.. it weighs 1400#... out of the hole would be a rocket launch.. I get on plane in about 2.5 seconds with the 200 HPDI Series II 3.3Ltr.. with the 250 SHO it might be 1/2 second from what I have seen on the Skeeter Sled hole shot?

It wont turn 10 grand like Dirty Joe's Merc 150 XR7 but I don't think you'll need it.

See Sig.

or

Champion

If you are going to get a 20+ boat I would get a 250hp motor on it.

If you realy want to get a big and fast boat look at the Moodcraft(SP) ,one of a kind, its 23ft. long and it is as fast or faster then a Bullet. Althought the owner of the company died a few years ago his son or grandson is looking to starting the company up again.

I think that the toughest boat you can get would be a ProGator 3/4 inch hull and 1/2 inch on the side but it is a heavy and slow boat. You also get to pick what options and colors you want.

A new center console. Blackjack22 with a Yammy, or a 19 ft Kenner Vision, with max HP, loaded out with goodies.

That would be Monte Reagan at Fun-N-Sun he's the boat guy, a member of the forum, and a good guy...

I, like Froggie, would seriously consider a center console bay boat.

I have a ChampN (196) now and like it a lot, Just wish I had one of the older 22 footers or at least a Champion 210.

Merc 250 Pro XS.

Aluminum trailer.

On the center console thing ... I'd have to do my homework ... don't know what I'd take. Just something I can comfortably fish Rayburn and go offshore 15-20 miles (in good weather). So a 22'-24' something or other.

BassCat

Champion - IMO the best of the "cookie cutter" boats.

Stroker or Allison - The best of the "go fast" type boats.

225 or 250 for motor

With the way the economy is, all boat builders are going to be in trouble.

I'd go pick up a nice used Hurricane or Four Winns deck boat for $10,000 and spend the other $30,000 on a property I could either fix up and sell or rent out...

20' Alweld Jon with custom floors, open seating layout (no bench seat), and try to sneak a 200 hp Merc on it...... Put what's left of that 40 grand in the bank.....