Recommendations of 16-18ft boat for speed, handle chop, stability.

[syclone01]

I live in Jacksonville FL, looking for some recommendations on a boat that will fit in my garage, limited to 16-18ft. I am mainly interested in something to use in the st johns river, and intracoastal waterway with outboard power. Boat I have now runs 62mph, want something that can handle some good chop, present boat is a vhull with 24* deadrise so it cuts through rough stuff very well. Would want something that is stable at high speeds, and I'm talking 75mph+. I would prefer something that I could put a new merc 250xs or 300xs on. I know this can be very subjective, but I'm just trying to narrow down to a few hulls/boats that I might purchase. I don't want something that has to be driven on a glass smooth lake. I have to drive in the river with 800ft long ships going by and they put up good wakes etc. Would also like something with a little higher sides than some of the smaller boats have in the rear...something when i stop I don't have to worry about salt water coming into boat etc...
fell free to send some pics if able as well.
thanks.

[Dutch]

STV Euroski
19', has the high sides you want, and fast.

[Dutch]

will also handle the weight of the xs. i have a 300x on mine now.
with any of the engines you picked it will easily go over 100.

[Hot Shot Merc]

www.fullthrottlepowerboats.com

End of story.

He is near you in Jacksonville and can build you either a Quartershot T-3 or a T-4.He also builds the STV line that everyone and their brother is going to advise you to get on this thread.:D

I own the T-3 and have been over 101 mph with a stock 200 carb merc.:eek:

[mrcrsr]

ck out the hydrostream virage, nice hi sides, 18 feet, it feels like a much bigger boat, pretty good in rough water(much better then the padded hydrostream v hulls), mine runs 95 w/ modded 2.5/ 200 power

[Little Jon]

Mirage, FTP ( QuarterShot and STV ), Allison XB2002 ( Bass Boat) The Allison may take the chop very well!

[Racemore]

I can tell you that you need a 18'Donzi with alot of hp to do what you want.A mod vp will run you all over the river untill the wind blows against the tide and you'll get beat up bad.I think you length limit is going to restrict your options.16-18 ft is more of a lake boat size.I did have a 16'v bottom Jetboat that did well in the rough but it was the weight and horsepower that helps.
It just depends on what you want.I think a 21 Daytona with a 300 would be a great boat for this river.Like Im saying when it's nice any boat is ok.Jack at FTP will build you a great boat but you won't go south of the Fuller Warren bridge on a windy day.:cool:

[Little Jon]

Whoops. Don't count out liberator's!!

[Racemore]

Syclone,were do you live here?I live on Mill Cove across from Blount Island.

[Racemore]

Whoops. Don't count out liberator's!!

yea i meant to put eliminators and liberators.:rolleyes:

[Little Jon]

hahaha. i meant that for me :| haha. www.liberatorfl.tripod.com (http://www.liberatorfl.tripod.com) is Randy's website.

[WILDMAN]

I have three 18ft cats in stock and I'm just down here in Daytona. I put 300's on most of them. I have mine built heavier than normal to take rougher water.

[syclone01]

I live off 9A on alta dr. I agree with the fact that I'm limited by the length, but I will not have anything that I can't put in the garage. I've been out in the st johns when the wind is going against the tide and it gets nasty. My 17 with 24degree deadrise and a very sharp bow entry cuts through it ok, but sometimes it's just too much and not fun at all. I just can't see how any of the FTP STV style boats can ride well in it at all. When I have to slow down for the huge tug boats that frequent the st johns and they put out those 3-4ft rollers, my boat has a hard time going through with it's high bow without the water coming over the bow..and at rest in the water it is about 2-3ft above the water.
Thanks for the recommendations, I would have to ride in one of the stv style boats on a not so calm day to see if it would do what i want. Sure if I had room for a 21-22 ft boat, I would probably get a cougar MTR22 or something of that size.

[Hot Shot Merc]

Well if that area is rough due to big boats I would say no T-3or4.But remember the St Johns river is a lot longer than the just the Town of Jacksonvill.I have been all over the St Johns river and most of it is very calm.Think about going out of town a little like to some of the gathering s that are held all the time.I dont take my T-3 in the bay here where I live either.I travel a little to have fun with it.I dont know of any 18 foot boat that will fit in the garage and run in tug boat rollers.

[syclone01]

I know it's going to be hard to find something to handle the big rollers these tugs put out. I usually put in at sisters creek and hit the intracoastal and go to st augustine, to conch house or caps etc....maybe run up to fernandina, or downtown jax to the landing to get lunch etc....don't really want to trailer my boat any length of time. Thats why I live near the water in the first place....if I only had built my garage a little longer........

[syclone01]

any recommendations on this boat? anybody owned one?

[Little Jon]

There is only a number of them i have seen, But i have never heard much of them.

[beer30]

PM Platypus here on the board. He got a beautiful 18 Skater with a 280 Merc on it.:cool: Chuck

[syclone01]

thanks, i'll do.

[Action Dave]

New style 18 Action. Mine takes chop better than any of the older Actions(even the 20) You can have it laid up heavier than normal if you really ride through rough stuff. You'll run 90+ w/250xs. Best thing about the boat is you can actually fit 4 full-grown people and a cooler without being cramped. Not too many others besides the Euro can say that.

[Hot Shot Merc]

..don't really want to trailer my boat any length of time. Thats why I live near the water in the first place........Man you are missing out on a lot of good fun with a lot good people.

[syclone01]

unfortunately i work every weekend......that's when 99% of most get togethers happen.

[RNM018]

SYCLONE , How about a trailer with a detatchable tounge . Would that help you get a 20' boat in your garage ? Rich Martin 018:cool:

[syclone01]

detachable tongue on my 17 gets me in garage with about 1.5ft to spare..have about 21ft to play with.

[Pro300x24LD]

It's all about the angles.

My garage is something like 26 deep, but corner to corner I go 32 feet

[syclone01]

believe me if i could give up the space i would, but with several cars and motorcycles, i have no room unless it's straight in. That is what i have to deal with for now.

[Racemore]

The best boat that I've had in the size range your looking for was my 19' Sterling for rough water and speed in the creeks.It's a true tunnel (no center pod) and it will amaze you in bad water.The problem is it's easy to run into water you can't stop in because of the low profile.I think your going to need to stretch your garage.The 18 skater will turn wicked on you.They are very flighty over 65.Iv'e seen several close calls.I won't get in one unless I'm driving and I don't want to drive one either.

[syclone01]

yes, i wish i could stretch the garage....next house...35 ft deep with 9ft doors and at least 10ft wide on the end garage door......I'm young and learning....will check out the sterling, i think it's too big for me now....

[Racemore]

They don't make them anymore.I've been looking for another one for a year now. There is a 18 Skater im watching on ebay cheap so far.

[Dutch]

nice looking boat racemore

[Racemore]

nice looking boat racemore

thanx Dutch.I had an opertunity to trade for a 23 Daytona and had to many things go backwards so I sold the Daytona.Now I'm just kicking my Azz every time I think about it.It had the T-3 12" mid that gave it a nice profile.