magstang1
Active Member
What was your previous boat? What is your present boat? What is your desired, next boat?
What are your likes and dislikes?
What is your primary use of your boat?
If you could start all over, what would you do differently?
I started with a 21' cuddy cabin Powerquest with a single 350 Mag and an Alpha One. It was a great boat. I owned it for about seven years before I moved up. I trailered for a couple years and eventually found a cheap wet slip and kept it in the water for the last few years I owned it. It seemed I used it more if I didn't have to drag it to the lake. It was mainly a day boat for cruising the lake, tubing and wakeboarding.
Pros: Inespensive to operate and maintain. I could cruise all weekend on 40 gallons.
Cons: Let's face it. It was a 21 foot boat. Space was at a premium.
I knew we wanted a larger boat and with the addition of my son, it was time to move up.
I purchased a 97 Sea Ray 280 SunSport with twin 5.7s and Alpha Ones. I owned it for about two years and job uncertainty forced me to sell it. I loved the enormous cockpit area. The large wet bar behing the helm seat with the refrigerator up top was the key to the boat. The counter was large enough to place my grill on, and serve dinner once it was prepared. I had the version with the straight rear bench as opposed to the rounded one. I liked the fact that your could board from the dock and not need to step on the seat. It also left room to keep a cooler for the extended day trips. The straight rear seat was also a great fishing platform. Lots of access to the water.
Pro's: Huge cockpit. I could comfortably take 8 adults and a few kids out. Enclosed head that was just large enough to do your business. Large wet bar and refirgerator up top.
Cons: Small cabin, and no mid berth. Twin 5.7s was really overkill for this boat. It was a strong running boat, but thirsty. This was one of the considerations when selling. I felt that for the operating and maintenance costs, I could be in a considerably larger boat. No extended swim platform. It would have cost nearly $2,000 just to purchase an aftermarket platform. The swim platform that was molded into the boat was generous, but did not cover the outdrives.
All of which leads to one of life's great mysteries... Which boat next?
My eyes like the mid 90s 330, but my wallet gets nervous. I also like the late 90s 310. I think this would be a good compromise of space and operating costs. The cockpit is very generous. The cabin is managable for two adults and two kids for the weekend. All of the desired options are available. Generator, a/c, v drives...
I don't want to take too small of a next step, however, I want to be able to afford to enjoy it as well. Another concern is watersports. How large of a boat is too large to pull a tube? I realize wakeboarding is out.
Realistically I'm probably between a 280 and a 310 next.
I've spent countless hours reading, dreaming, and contemplating.
Any input?
What are your likes and dislikes?
What is your primary use of your boat?
If you could start all over, what would you do differently?
I started with a 21' cuddy cabin Powerquest with a single 350 Mag and an Alpha One. It was a great boat. I owned it for about seven years before I moved up. I trailered for a couple years and eventually found a cheap wet slip and kept it in the water for the last few years I owned it. It seemed I used it more if I didn't have to drag it to the lake. It was mainly a day boat for cruising the lake, tubing and wakeboarding.
Pros: Inespensive to operate and maintain. I could cruise all weekend on 40 gallons.
Cons: Let's face it. It was a 21 foot boat. Space was at a premium.
I knew we wanted a larger boat and with the addition of my son, it was time to move up.
I purchased a 97 Sea Ray 280 SunSport with twin 5.7s and Alpha Ones. I owned it for about two years and job uncertainty forced me to sell it. I loved the enormous cockpit area. The large wet bar behing the helm seat with the refrigerator up top was the key to the boat. The counter was large enough to place my grill on, and serve dinner once it was prepared. I had the version with the straight rear bench as opposed to the rounded one. I liked the fact that your could board from the dock and not need to step on the seat. It also left room to keep a cooler for the extended day trips. The straight rear seat was also a great fishing platform. Lots of access to the water.
Pro's: Huge cockpit. I could comfortably take 8 adults and a few kids out. Enclosed head that was just large enough to do your business. Large wet bar and refirgerator up top.
Cons: Small cabin, and no mid berth. Twin 5.7s was really overkill for this boat. It was a strong running boat, but thirsty. This was one of the considerations when selling. I felt that for the operating and maintenance costs, I could be in a considerably larger boat. No extended swim platform. It would have cost nearly $2,000 just to purchase an aftermarket platform. The swim platform that was molded into the boat was generous, but did not cover the outdrives.
All of which leads to one of life's great mysteries... Which boat next?
My eyes like the mid 90s 330, but my wallet gets nervous. I also like the late 90s 310. I think this would be a good compromise of space and operating costs. The cockpit is very generous. The cabin is managable for two adults and two kids for the weekend. All of the desired options are available. Generator, a/c, v drives...
I don't want to take too small of a next step, however, I want to be able to afford to enjoy it as well. Another concern is watersports. How large of a boat is too large to pull a tube? I realize wakeboarding is out.
Realistically I'm probably between a 280 and a 310 next.
I've spent countless hours reading, dreaming, and contemplating.
Any input?
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You have been reading about too many 28DA owners who think 35 mph is just dandy with a pair of V6's at WOT 
