upgrading soon...

[ETsubchief]

Will be upgrading soon. My 17 foot bowrider just aint cutting it outside the ICW( and some times there too).
So what I am looking for is something that can handle the ICW as well as some swells.
Something abit bigger,but can still be trailered
Has day head, maybe a cuddy.
I know, i know, i want it all.
But who doesnt?

 

[bahamabreisus]

Look at a 24 Sundance. Every thing you need. Should be able to get a nice one under 20K

 

[Chris Nowell]

Even a 24ish weekender of the same era that you have now would work, and may even be more affordable. They're comfortable and safe.

 

[CliffA]

i am partial to the 215EC since i have one......the 215WE and 225WE are all very similar boats the the 215EC.....they are all easily trailerable and have a decent size cabin and a separate head (porta pot) compartment......i have no real experience with rough water in this boat but i have taken it to the ICW several times and it has done great.....i would not want to cross a big, open sound if the wind was up and the waves got much higher than a foot or so....the boat can probably handle the waves just fine, but i don't have the skills to captain it safely through rough conditions....


cliff

 

[ETsubchief]

Thats about what we were looking at, about 24 footer. Will have to look at the specs and see.

 

[Bald Mike]

I have had the 1995 240 OV with a carbed 454, 2001 260 Dancer with 350 carb, 2006 260 Dancer with 350 MAG, and 2006 240 Dancer with 350 MAG. And believe it or not, but that is in the order of my preference, if I had to pick one right now.

It really depends what you are after. If you want any performance at all, I would go the cuddy route...preferably with a big block. You will have a nice cruise speed at 3300 rpm and not burn a ton of fuel.

The 01 260 Dancer was the next best performing, even though it had the carb motor. That's because the next newer style 260 Dancer added a LOT of weight, so the performance suffered even though the motor had more HP. On the newer version, you will be into quite a bit of rpm just to achieve 28 mph.

The 240 Dancer was WAY to tipsy and required a LOT of messing with tabs. Again, a lot of rpm for not much speed.

Long story short, I like to cruise at 35 mph so I can make up some ground (water) and not burn a ton of fuel doing it. So, that is what I am basing my opinion on...having had a variety of boats that you are considering.

If you want cabin headroom, then you need to go cruiser.

Good luck!