Wanted: NICE open-bow outboard

[pyro]

3 kids now... Maybe it's time for a change. I'm looking for a super-nice condition bowrider with Merc outboard power. I need something more family-friendly, but I still want 80+ mph top end. Here's a few possibilities:

Checkmate BR, 18-20' range
Hydrostream Vassaret (new core or mint 1990/91)
Hydrostream Voyager ('88-90 with new core, or TN composite)
Triad V21 open bow (four in existence, good f***ing luck!)

Any other suggestions? If be open to a favorable sale or trade deal if the right boat becomes available. But I don't really want to go boatless while I search.

-Chad

[282]

Triad made an open bow? That would be a cool boat.

[noli]

.

I'll post some pics of Predator's new C25CC

this is a 25 foot center console cat with twin 200HP Merc outboards and will run 87+ MPH

great for beaching, and swimming off and climbing from the bow


.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Any Checkmate Pulsare 2100 bowrider or Checkmate Starliner with a Mercury 3.0L 250 and 12-15" of setback will run 80 mph..

[282]

3 kids and this is what I am using this summer.

[JWTjr.]

Pyro, for your needs as described, the Checkmate is far and away your best bet, and really the only choice. The Voyager would be a compromise in room, ride and comfort. The Valero YT/BR (Vasserette) is a terrible choice due to very poor ride (porpoising, pounding and wet in rollers and lake chop) and lack of room.

[pyro]

My only attraction to the YT would be the possibility of backing it straight into my 22' deep garage. Right now, my Vegas is parked diagonally, and both land vehicles are in the driveway.

A mint, used open-bow Checkmate is hard to find as hen's teeth.

[pyro]

When I was a kid, my dad had a Baja Sunsport 170 with a 150 XR2. It wasn't super roomy, but did the job. We pulled tubes and SKU's, and ran over 60 mph on one prop. This was the start of my outboard addiction.

[mikesufka]

Pyro, for your needs as described, the Checkmate is far and away your best bet, and really the only choice. The Voyager would be a compromise in room, ride and comfort. The Valero YT/BR (Vasserette) is a terrible choice due to very poor ride (porpoising, pounding and wet in rollers and lake chop) and lack of room.

Hey !!!!! Don't knock the Vasserette - that's how I got started - LOL. BTW - I agree.

MDS

[FUJIMO]

...drop the idea of speed. get the family a nice pontoon boat, with a nice boarding ladder, with a Merc of your choice...

[pyro]

That's what my wife said... Hit the pause button for a couple of seasons and get a beater pontoon.

[PaulR]

That's what my wife said... Hit the pause button for a couple of seasons and get a beater pontoon.

Or a tritoon with twin 300x' s. That's my idea of a family boat. I also like the idea of a YT bowrider with a Drag!

[JWTjr.]

Your wife sees the forest for the trees. Smart.

[pyro]

I have private lake access, we're across the street from lakefront. Launching the boat becomes an extra step to getting the family out on the water. Our launch site is a small property, and wthe association doesn't allow vehicle and trailer parking on weekends, so I have to bring the whole family to the ramp and back twice each day, or ask a friend to shuttle my car and trailer twice.

A pontoon would allow us to rent a dock slip down the street, or pay my neighbor across the street for docking privilege. My wife likes the idea of simply walking across the road and stepping into the boat.

[RIVERRUMMER 70]

Cut a big square hole in the deck of the vegas....... bang boom some glass and some wood and screws ....POW....... open bow !
throw a couple bean bag chair things up there and go to the sand bar. lol.