Thinking About A New Boat

[dakota4ce]

Compared to a $65K Z3? Every bit as good.

New stuff, $95K (okay maybe 75-80K) and better? Your statement applies.

I need to go out with you on your boat sometime, because $30K worth of fun sounds like a riot!

[dakota4ce]

24ve is a hell of a boat... but out performing z3's? Maybe Pre-Avx...... and I would say that might even be a stretch..

I have surfed Convex VX Z3s....nothing special. Very good, but not enough to stick in your eye better if at all. And if you read carefully, with regard to Ve performance, I mentioned "as good as or better." I threw the "outperforms" statement out there to reference my philosophy in general, and for sure make reference to my Tomcat.

If you can find a good AVX Z3 for $65K, let me know. I will buy it, and sell it for a quick several thousand profit!

[dakota4ce]

But you're definitely right, it is for sure a matter of opinion. This really touches on more far reaching financial and social philosophies in general. I am a very objective, value minded, conservative guy. Boring maybe. Boring probably. My stuff looks great, runs great, performs great. BUT, its old. 2013 Tomcat. 2008 Sequoia. 2012 Honda Odyssey. 2008 335i. Combined value, less than a new surf boat. Of course, I bought it all used and at good deals after a decently long patient search. I decided what I wanted before I looked. But they're all cherry except the van, which my wife and kids have destroyed. Its a sacrificial lamb.

And, I completely understand if boat salesmen don't like me. Car dealers don't really either. Its because I just can't bring myself to go that route. One of these days, I might get stung! Hopefully not, but it for sure could happen.

So my opinions are boring and always angle toward the "bang for the buck" goal. In my opinion. Which, really if I/we think about it, is worth about as much as I charge for it.....nothing.

All I am saying is, a $65K anything vs the $38K 24Ve with regard to utility and surf wave quality is a no brainer--according to my boring old philosophy outlined above. The difference is negligible to minor, and the savings are substantial. But, its not a Z3--you aren't going to find diamond stitch.

[Germaine Marine]

But you're definitely right, it is for sure a matter of opinion. This really touches on more far reaching financial and social philosophies in general. I am a very objective, value minded, conservative guy. Boring maybe. Boring probably. My stuff looks great, runs great, performs great. BUT, its old. 2013 Tomcat. 2008 Sequoia. 2012 Honda Odyssey. 2008 335i. Combined value, less than a new surf boat. Of course, I bought it all used and at good deals after a decently long patient search. I decided what I wanted before I looked. But they're all cherry except the van, which my wife and kids have destroyed. Its a sacrificial lamb.

And, I completely understand if boat salesmen don't like me. Car dealers don't really either. Its because I just can't bring myself to go that route. One of these days, I might get stung! Hopefully not, but it for sure could happen.

So my opinions are boring and always angle toward the "bang for the buck" goal. In my opinion. Which, really if I/we think about it, is worth about as much as I charge for it.....nothing.

All I am saying is, a $65K anything vs the $38K 24Ve with regard to utility and surf wave quality is a no brainer--according to my boring old philosophy outlined above. The difference is negligible to minor, and the savings are substantial. But, its not a Z3--you aren't going to find diamond stitch.

I have yet to meet you yet but I would say you are far from boring, definitely one I would want to party with.. just a hunch..

[dakota4ce]

LOL, same. I have to use all that money I save for something......

I like a good discussion. For sure.

BTW, @rensink and I will be picking your brain regarding Z3 tweaking here in a week or 2 for sure, if you will have us.

[Germaine Marine]

But you're definitely right, it is for sure a matter of opinion. This really touches on more far reaching financial and social philosophies in general. I am a very objective, value minded, conservative guy. Boring maybe. Boring probably. My stuff looks great, runs great, performs great. BUT, its old. 2013 Tomcat. 2008 Sequoia. 2012 Honda Odyssey. 2008 335i. Combined value, less than a new surf boat. Of course, I bought it all used and at good deals after a decently long patient search. I decided what I wanted before I looked. But they're all cherry except the van, which my wife and kids have destroyed. Its a sacrificial lamb.

And, I completely understand if boat salesmen don't like me. Car dealers don't really either. Its because I just can't bring myself to go that route. One of these days, I might get stung! Hopefully not, but it for sure could happen.

So my opinions are boring and always angle toward the "bang for the buck" goal. In my opinion. Which, really if I/we think about it, is worth about as much as I charge for it.....nothing.

All I am saying is, a $65K anything vs the $38K 24Ve with regard to utility and surf wave quality is a no brainer--according to my boring old philosophy outlined above. The difference is negligible to minor, and the savings are substantial. But, its not a Z3--you aren't going to find diamond stitch.

I think you have hit on it... It really is all opinion.

I love heaters, a big stereo, taps 3 and many of the countless other options which include just the mere fit and finish of some of the newer stuff. To "me" those few things are worth every bit of the 30K. Doesent mean you cant find a bad *** newer boat for a steal like your tomcat, to be honest its mostly always timing.... When I was looking had a seen something that was what I wanted hardly used I would have bought it...... Just didnt work out that way..... with a purchase like that I didnt want to spend 50K and have regrets and feelings of settling, to me it was a lot of money regardless and I mine as well get exactly what I want.

As to my specific boat. I think its a good machine, and in my opinion wave quality and tech worth the money, but again thats just me and nearly everyone that has been on it

[Germaine Marine]

LOL, same. I have to use all that money I save for something......

I like a good discussion. For sure.

BTW, @rensink and I will be picking your brain regarding Z3 tweaking here in a week or 2 for sure, if you will have us.

Phone is always on...

[dakota4ce]

BTW, I will eat crow if someone feeds it to me. We will see what that baby will do tweaked elevated style!

[Germaine Marine]

BTW, I will eat crow if someone feeds it to me. We will see what that baby will do tweaked elevated style!

maybe my hull is one of those special ones... who knows but it kills thats for sure.

[boonecragun]

I think we should start a new thread "Philosophy Corner" by Dakota. I would subscribe. Seriously. Like your style.

[Bakes5]

The secret to having a great time on a boat is 1) Put hours on the boat. 2) Don't get stranded. 3) Don't get hurt or hurt others. Cost of the boat is irrelevant if your putting 30hr per year on a newer boat vs 150 hours per year on an older boat.

Also, way too much getting wrapped around the axle on getting the perfect surf wave. So many fun things to do behind a boat that are not surfing. Will always be chasing that 1 day when the moon and stars aligned to get that perfect wave.....unless your Elevated who gets that every day. I would say that 9/10 people I see surfing are just kinda standing there. Sure surfing is low impact but so are other things. That wakefoil looks way more fun than surfing. Important thing is to get out on the water, have a great time and not get hurt. If your boat surfs....surf. If it's a pain in the butt to surf then do some of the 15 other things that are just as much fun.

Anywho, I love every the $40k boat. Just the right bang for buck with reliability. It is hard to find one with a modern surf system for that price though. Hopefully you will get into something sweet soon. The good news is that the weather totally sucks right now. Seriously...6 inches of snow can n my backyard.

[Bakes5]

^^^and yes....I do love me some heater, shower, big engine, silver flake, sweet LEDs and diamond stitch in a boat rated for 16, holds 6-8 comfortably and sleeps 5 in the cove. So while I love the $40k boat...in the end I just threw that aside and got what really made me happy. But I would probably be in the $40k boat if I had not gotten the brother discount.

Boats are emotional decisions not logical ones. Which is why my posts are often not logical...so don't bother pointing out the flaws in my logic.

[Germaine Marine]

The secret to having a great time on a boat is 1) Put hours on the boat. 2) Don't get stranded. 3) Don't get hurt or hurt others. Cost of the boat is irrelevant if your putting 30hr per year on a newer boat vs 150 hours per year on an older boat.

Also, way too much getting wrapped around the axle on getting the perfect surf wave. So many fun things to do behind a boat that are not surfing. Will always be chasing that 1 day when the moon and stars aligned to get that perfect wave.....unless your Elevated who gets that every day. I would say that 9/10 people I see surfing are just kinda standing there. Sure surfing is low impact but so are other things. That wakefoil looks way more fun than surfing. Important thing is to get out on the water, have a great time and not get hurt. If your boat surfs....surf. If it's a pain in the butt to surf then do some of the 15 other things that are just as much fun.

Anywho, I love every the $40k boat. Just the right bang for buck with reliability. It is hard to find one with a modern surf system for that price though. Hopefully you will get into something sweet soon. The good news is that the weather totally sucks right now. Seriously...6 inches of snow can n my backyard.

Yep. For alot of people surfing isnt important. If it isnt I doubt I would buy a new boat. I think Josh and his family will be primarily surfing, not to say they cant have a blast on a 24ve, I love TheGermans boat..... Awesome listed wave.

But I too am like you......... I love the new vinyl smell, touchscreen's and all the stuff you listed. Love it, love it, love it.

[bsreid]

The new vinyl smell! Ahhhh don't bring back the memories. I loved those days. 300hrs later still looking pristine though, now I just get to smell babes cleaner.

As everyone has said above it doesn't matter how much your boat costs to have a great day on the water with the family, as long as things run smoothly there will be smiles. We started out with a 15k I/O and made some pretty amazing memories. Yes the fancy features are nice but they aren't needed. On the other hand if you can afford them, totally go for it. You only live once!

I say find a used Z3 and add taps 3 and follow @elevatedconcepts advice on wave setup. Has the hull changed over the years on the Z3? I'm wishing these boats down south were a little closer, I wouldn't mind a upgrade too.

[boonecragun]

Bakes5, you sleeep 5 people in your boat?