The best midsize sport boats available? 25-27'

[WavetoWave]

We did a write up on some of our favorite and one not so favorite in the midsize, 25-27' single engine category. A mix of boats on here, so many it was hard to leave some out.

My personal favorite is the 25 Howard, so rare to see when I spend most of my time in NY or Miami. But, it's an amazing boat. I do like that Hustler 266 Classic as well.

What's your favorite on the list? Favorite we left out?

I love the look of the Hallett 255 closed deck too, classic. But definitely better suited for lakes. Since Nordic bought Hallett, I wonder if Nordic will continue making all the Hallett's?

[rockyone]

280 velocity and don't look back

[David]

Tuff 28. I'd get one with a mother in law seat like the Ditchburns had in the 1930's.

[WavetoWave]

280 velocity and don't look back

They don't make them anymore, a little too big for this category too.

[mjw930]

They don't make them anymore, a little too big for this category too.

Yep, not made but nope, its in this size category as its really a 26’ boat. Steve just made the swim platform part of the bottom instead of bolting it on in the early 2000’s so he could rebrand it a 28’ and charge more for it since all his competitors were doing it.

[WavetoWave]

Yep, not made but nope, its in this size category as its really a 26’ boat. Steve just made the swim platform part of the bottom instead of bolting it on in the early 2000’s so he could rebrand it a 28’ and charge more for it since all his competitors were doing it.

Ya, I've always liked his designs.

[WavetoWave]

We added a little video clip of the Nordic 25 at 80 MPH.

[David]

This is a 26 Butson. The mother in law seat is covered. Mother in law seats were common in the 'sport' boats of the 30's, at least in the Muskoka area. Since Tuff sells a lot of boats in that region, a mother in law seat would make sense, at least to me.

[WavetoWave]

This is a 26 Butson. The mother in law seat is covered. Mother in law seats were common in the 'sport' boats of the 30's, at least in the Muskoka area. Since Tuff sells a lot of boats in that region, a mother in law seat would make sense, at least to me.

The mother in law seat is cool in old cruisers but on a true performance boat, I hate any type of bowrider. Poor weight placement, visibility blockage for the driver and if you bury the bow, you're going to fill the boat up. Plus, way easier to get pitched out of the front.

[David]

My actual mother in law is a fond memory so I'd stash my brother up front. My brother would be sitting way low in my hypothetical mother in law seat and tending the lines when we went through locks. At 200 lb, the seat would be big enough for just him. 200 lb mid point in a 28 foot boat should not put off the balance much.

I get the drawbacks of bowriders and wouldn't buy a conventional bowrider.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Checkmate OBX 2800!!

[FUJIMO]

Checkmate OBX 2800!!

...Always the salesman...(lol)

[AZMIDLYF]

This is a nice 2750 Lavey that I've been watching come together with twin 300s...

This pic was before the modified well was finished.

[half fast]

I'd like to see an azzurro up close and take a ride in one with twins . Hf...

[Mange]

27 Activator w/ 740hp EFI runs rite on 100MPH. It's A clients boat. We build it 2014.

Would say the 27 Activator is one of the best mono hull designs I've been on over all. The size of 27ft and beam about 7ft is perfect if you don't like that logistic thing with bigger boats. People who knows Activators know what I talking about. The fact is they out run much bigger boats in real rough sea