18 vs 19 foot boat

[smithdj]

Hello,
I am currently in the process of purchasing an 18 foot sea ray boat, in fact, I have a deposit down on one right now and I have a quick question for the guru's out there......I heard over the weekend that I would likely want a 19 foot boat because it planes at around 14 or 15 MPH...does anyone know if this is true.

I was in an 18 foot boat all weekend and it's true that it's hard to maintain a speed of 17 - 20 MPH because the boat is constantly trying to plane at that speed.

Thanks,
Derek

[dirtysparks]

Did your dealer tell you that?

You'll be able to maintain 17-20 mph just fine with the right prop and weight distribution in an 18 footer.

[smithdj]

No it wasn't the dealer actually. I would obviously be a lot more skeptical if it was. The person who told me is actually a boat mechanic so I thought he might know what he's talking about.

What kind of a prop would I be looking at to plane at around 15?

Thanks a lot for your input!

Derek

[E.J.]

I think you would have the same trouble with any I/O....just hard to hold speed in the 20 range. They all want to go on plane, then come off....

BEST scenario is to get perfect pass installed, which would be much less expensive than jumping a foot I assume.

Perfect Pass is worth twice what it sells for. I will never have another boat that I hook a rope to that doesn't have it.

[dirtysparks]

Well it all depends on how you're set up. If you've got 4 people in the back of the boat, it's going to dog around for a bit. Depending on what pitch prop the boat comes with (i'm guessing 21P) you can pitch it down few notches. Your dealer should be able to help you out with the proper pitch. Also one of those foil thingers help you get up on plane too.



Why do you want to plane out at 15? That's starting to cut it close...you should be test driving.

[gmarkham1]

I dont understand why you would think that a larger boat with the same power plant is going to plane faster then a smaller/lighter boat???? that doesnt make much since to me. I would say though that if you can get a larger boat I would go at least 20 ft and as big a motor as you can get. You will find that you are going to run out of room quick in an 18 footer, especially if you start adding weight!

[smithdj]

I would love to test drive the boats, however living in Caglary doesn't allow for this. I just have to buy a boat and hope it does what I want. I would also love to go for a 20 foot boat, but my budget is under 30 right now.


I would also like to plane a lot sooner of course, but I didn't think an 18 foot boat could.

Sorry to sound even more like a knob, but what is a perfect pass?

Thanks guys

[E.J.]

It is like cruise control for boats. Comes in VERY handy for all boats, but invaluable for an I/O which are notoriously difficult to hold speed with.

30 K gets you A LOT of I/O.....and easily can get you into the inboard market....??? I wouldn't pay 30K for ANY 18' I/O......

[E.J.]

Okay….a quick search in Montana, Washington and Idaho….I am not seeing a great number of used wake boats for sale in your price range.

A few questions before you drop < 30K on a boat.

What do you want the boat for(primary use)?

Is it your first boat?

Do you have to purchase new?

[smithdj]

Hey guys, this is all very helpful.

The problem is that the boat isn't just for me, if it was I would look for a used tow boat. However, the boat is going to also be for my brother (his family) and my Dad. So, I am basically looking for a runabout boat that I can board behind.

Thanks,
Derek

[dirtysparks]

You're probably going to want to board a bit faster than 15 mph. One of my buddies has a Searay 185 sport with the 4.3 motor in it. We ride at 22 mph and it holds speed and planes just fine....that's with a 650 lb sack in the bow too. It takes a little fine tuning for the driver but it's manageable to hold speed with a little practice.

[smithdj]

Ya, I generally board at about 19 or 20, but I just figured if it planed at 15 that would be OK. I don't even think my fat azz would stay above the water at 15 LOL

BTW, that 185 sport is the exact boat I have a deposit on.

Thanks,
Derek

[abrider]

I also am from Calgary, and understand that test driving is next to impossible.

I also agree that if you must go with a runabout, the Sea Ray 185 is very good.

But before you pull the trigger, at least check out dealers in Saskatchewan (I think Yorkton). You have agood chance of svaing up to $5k for the same boat. Also, check out dealers in Idaho, Washington and do not be afraid to import. I did, and it saved me over $15k.

Lastly, I agree that the boat you are looking at is just a little under $30k, fully loaded with options. In my opinion, the best option is the EFI motor. About $2k, but provides a lot of zip out of the hole, and saves on gas too.

[E.J.]

Used Cobalt 190 on boat trader, throw Perfect Pass and a tower on......good as gold......and WELL under 30K. There are a few nice ones on there right now.

Love the seating. The wake is good(I use to have one). Nobody makes a better I/O(IMO).

Anyway, just something to look at if used is an option.

If not, I still recommend Perfect Pass with any boat, ESPECIALLY an I/O if you plan on towing people around. SOOOOO worth the money.

In closing....any boat is better than no boat.... Regardless if that is an inboard or I/O.....regardless if it has PP.... Just being on the water is where it is at....everything else is cake.

[gene3x]

Someone said that regals hold speed better than any other I/O. Or was it that they throw a better wake than the other I/O's?