You should have little trouble finding something worth while with that budget.

Keep the eyes peeled for;

Eliminaotors, Carrera's, Sleek Crafts, Cole, Hawaiian, Advantage and so on.

You will want to keep it right around 20', longer and you get into weird performance issues, shorter and your friends need to be really friendly... LOL

If you are looking for reliability, go for Marine Power, Hardin Marine, Kodiak just to name a few. These engine manufacturers have "been around the lake a time or two" and have proven themselves repeatedly.

There are quite a few jet pump companies out there, you really can't miss with a Berkeley style pump. These would include American Turbine, Dominator, Legend and if you have extremely deep pockets, you can go with a Hamilton.

Good luck and hope to see you on the water.

GT

Here ya go not mine just a quick search on craigslist found this
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/4413817314.html

Here ya go not mine just a quick search on craigslist found this
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/4413817314.html

. Lol I just sent that boat to my buddy today it's clean and well taken care of hopefully someone picks it up at that price.


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Hey guys thanks for the help. That Caliber 1 is pretty sweet for the money but the wife didn't like the color scheme. Surprisingly, she digs the brown/yellow color combinations on some of the older day cruiser style boats.

I'm still hoping to find the right open bow boat but if I find a deal and everything else is right but it's a closed bow then I'd be stoked with that as well. Plus there's something special about your chick laying out on the bow of your boat.

I'm definitely planing on staying with one of the most reputable hulls and a lot of the Eliminators are catching my eye. Like this one...http://mohave.craigslist.org/boa/4402953064.html

That one seems to be exactly what I'm looking for, just a little above my budget.

I'll also say that I've flirted with getting a V'drive or an Outdrive boat but the benefits of them aren't outweighing what I see as the benefits of a jet.

Well thanks again for the help. Before I make a move on a boat I'll be sure to get your guys opinion first.

hows it goin bud, I live in gavalin hills/ lake mathews I have a carrera hull and a eliminator hull at the house that you are more than willing to come and take a look at and see these two open bows and styles up close and talk shop anytime im only about 20 min away from ya ones mine and the other is my cousins feel free to give me a call or text 951-675-0727 wes

hey pelican! Welcome.

I have a bahner 21' closed bow with an IO. It runs very well, is somehwat fuel efficient and rides great. It cuts through most chop and is a great family boat. Built a Vortec 350 for it and it still runs 60-65 with 6 adults on board.

With that said i for one completely understand the worries about shallow water and having a prop. I have never hit anything and ive been in Blythe, laughlin, etc. Though i am pretty good at reading water and finding the low spots. I dont know what my draft is, but i can tell you ive blasted over some sand bars and not hit anything, some pretty shallow water. I totally live by the "when in doubt, gas it out" motto.

My advice, if you aren't planning on spending lots of time in "skinny water" and want something turn key, fun for kids (tubing etc) and somewhat fuel efficient. I would recommend an outdrive. Though not that you cant do these thing with a jet it all seems easier with a drive. The Bahner is excellent for the local lakes.

Now if you plan on adding power, and abusing the thing go jet. dont even consider the outdrive. Im pushing about 450 horse through mine and everytime i hammer it i cringe. I try not to get on it hard until its on plane but still im living on borrowed time.

But if you are like me, and enjoy the long trips then the outdrive is the way to go. We typically launch in needles and cruise about 3200 rpm (roughly 40mph) to havasu springs. Usually have little less than a 1/4 tank when we get there. Switch to the other tank and cruise back. This last weekend, we didnt go all the way to havasu springs because the water was trashed and i had two passengers who havent been in a boat before. We launched in needles, drove to the bridge, grabbed lunch.  Went back to towards pirate cove found a beach. Hung out and still went out the next day to pirate cove for lunch. Barely burned through a tank (about 15 gallons) and this was with two ice chests, and 6 adults.

if you have any questions feel free to let me know. My cell is 909-705-9077

Hey guys, thanks again for all the help. I met up with Wes at his house yesterday and he did an excellent job of selling me on a Carrera! Seriously though his boat is sick and it was great getting to compare the Eliminator and Carrera side by side.

Steve, I really appreciate your input. I've considered that in both the river/lake boating world and the ocean boating world that a majority of boats have out drives. I'm sure their benefits outweigh their flaws. To be honest though I don't envision an outdrive when I dream about getting a classic river boat. If I were to get something other than a jet I'd probably go with something along these lines...

http://mohave.craigslist.org/boa/4425399900.html

As stupid as it may sound, I want to be able to throw big fatty rooster tails. I also look forward to learning how to drive a jet. My little whaler is about the easiest boat I've ever driven with the outboard. My direct drive ski boats would always swing the ass end starboard in reverse and I enjoyed learning how to master that. Though I'm leaning towards the jet right now, I'm sure I'll eventually end up with a v drive as well just to check it off the list.

I've never done really long runs in my previous boats. I've spent plenty of time on both Havasu and Mojave but I enjoy the moving water in the river much more and that's what I want the new boat for.

There's so many options it's probably going to come down to the best deal.

Can't go wrong with any of em! A v drive would be sweet.

I have the outdrive and its nice for a "family" boat in my opinion.

With that said I am in the process of building a jet boat. The places I would like to go more often I totally see the advantages of the jet. Plus I wanna add big power

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this is nice too... i need to stay off of craigslist

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/4406014242.html

last one i swear!

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/4353198935.html

here ya go!!!

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/4438652349.html

Damn Steve, I've been scouring craigslist for the past week and you keep coming up with boats I haven't seen yet!


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damn!

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/4398667055.html

This guy is the man! He has 7 boats? My wife would kill me....wait if I had 7 boats I wouldn't have a wife....hmm

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