Looking for input

[Orange Juice]

I know its not the popular opinion, but being a brand new Dad with a toddler, I absolutely love my Larsen 25' Deck Boat. It can be compared to the Monterrey, Sea Ray, and Ebtide deck boats.

The reasons this works for us right now is that its so roomy, walk off the front, fresh water rinse with tank, sink up top, removable tables, enclosed bathroom with porta putty and a gob of storage. Cruises at 40mph, top of 55mph, and I don't have a coronary if a kid dumps chips out in it.

Yes I know its slightly , but its hard for me to justify a bad ass performance boat right now!

View attachment 1239360

I think you did well.
Performance boating has never been about comfort and practicality.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Interesting find, at the very least gives me hope that there's something out there in our budget.

I know this sounds super picky, but exhausts above the swimstep with our intended use with young kids doesn't sound like the best idea.

I wouldnt be too worried about the exhaust being there. Nobody should be around them when its running and they are jacketed so they wouldn't be too hot to the touch and I'd be willing to bet you'd have to try really hard to try to cut yourself on them.

I work really close to Upland and can probably take a look at that Howard if you'd like.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I wouldnt be too worried about the exhaust being there. Nobody should be around them when its running and they are jacketed so they wouldn't be too hot to the touch and I'd be willing to bet you'd have to try really hard to try to cut yourself on them.

I work really close to Upland and can probably take a look at that Howard if you'd like.

It’s freakin loud is the problem.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

It’s freakin loud is the problem.

Correct noise was my concern.

However, I do love that howard....

Can a "captain's call" electric exhaust valve be added after the fact to divert exhaust below the water line when necessary? I don't want to scare kids away from water sports with un-necessary noise.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Correct noise was my concern.

However, I do love that howard....

Can a "captain's call" electric exhaust valve be added after the fact to divert exhaust below the water line when necessary? I don't want to scare kids away from water sports with un-necessary noise.

No idea on the feasibility due to space, but I feel like that would be an expensive endeavor.

Best bet would be reconnect the exhaust through the drive.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Correct noise was my concern.

However, I do love that howard....

Can a "captain's call" electric exhaust valve be added after the fact to divert exhaust below the water line when necessary? I don't want to scare kids away from water sports with un-necessary noise.

If you’re going to go through that then just have the exhaust re-ran below the waterline and have them fill and gel coat the existing exhaust holes.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Correct noise was my concern.

However, I do love that howard....

Can a "captain's call" electric exhaust valve be added after the fact to divert exhaust below the water line when necessary? I don't want to scare kids away from water sports with un-necessary noise.

would you be interested in an Ultra 247XS?

 

[Done-it-again]

If you’re going to go through that then just have the exhaust re-ran below the waterline and have them fill and gel coat the existing exhaust holes.

doesn't look to have room under the swim step... You either have the swim steep and the water line where its currently or 12" above and the exhaust under it.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

doesn't look to have room under the swim step... You either have the swim steep and the water line where its currently or 12" above and the exhaust under it.

@OldSchoolBoats might have input.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

@OldSchoolBoats might have input.

I think this example might be tighter on room that other 22 offshores because of the external hydraulic steering.

 

[DaveH]

Correct noise was my concern.

However, I do love that howard....

Can a "captain's call" electric exhaust valve be added after the fact to divert exhaust below the water line when necessary? I don't want to scare kids away from water sports with un-necessary noise.

depending on if the exhaust has gatlin type mufflers internally (which can be added), where the water exits, it may not be as loud as you think. i would bet they did the exhaust up high like that to lower the swim step as much as possible which makes it easier to get in the boat.

 

[Dannyo]

Not much of a poster, more lurker but was in exact situation with little kids and went from a 21 Ultra to 23 Ultra, open bow cuddy. Found it too rough in Havasu, Mead, and Mohave so got a 25 Shockwave Tremor and absolutely love it. Still have it in fact after 18 years. Kids are grown and now we haul all the nieces and nephews and handles like a dream, kids can wakeboard and tube, and feel very safe in all conditions. For little ones, the cuddy is perfect when they fall asleep!

 

[DaveH]

come to think of it, when my first was born, we had him on the lake every weeknd at 6 months old.

back then, i had a 21 schiada. Nasty 598, cmi headers, straight tube exhaust (thru transom) and the thing was LOUD. even worse, the motor cover had the intake sticking through it (see avatar) and it had straight cut super noisy gears in the Vdrive.

my kid would often SLEEP underway. never had one issue with kids and the noise. in fact, all the kid wanted to do was go boating. maybe cross the noise issue off your list.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

come to think of it, when my first was born, we had him on the lake every weeknd at 6 months old.

back then, i had a 21 schiada. Nasty 598, cmi headers, straight tube exhaust (thru transom) and the thing was LOUD. even worse, the motor cover had the intake sticking through it (see avatar) and it had straight cut super noisy gears in the Vdrive.

my kid would often SLEEP underway. never had one issue with kids and the noise. in fact, all the kid wanted to do was go boating. maybe cross the noise issue off your list.

That's good insight, my main concern for noise comes from our daughter getting startled and crying by a louder boat driving by us. How did you handle initial startup, did you warn them that noise was coming was it just not an issue?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

That's good insight, my main concern for noise comes from our daughter getting startled and crying by a louder boat driving by us. How did you handle initial startup, did you warn them that noise was coming was it just not an issue?

Some kids get used to it, and that will take as much time as it takes for them to get used to it. Maybe once, maybe years .

Some kids never seem to care.

 

[DaveH]

That's good insight, my main concern for noise comes from our daughter getting startled and crying by a louder boat driving by us. How did you handle initial startup, did you warn them that noise was coming was it just not an issue?

many times he was in my lap when reaching for a for the key...............trying to talk reason and sense into a 6-9 month old is futile.

as for the startle/crying..........let them cry. they do make liitle kid ear muffs that i see people using at large sporting venues and so forth.

but now we are on to a different subject...how to "protect" a kid from being "startled". you dont.

 

[Bpracing1127]

That's good insight, my main concern for noise comes from our daughter getting startled and crying by a louder boat driving by us. How did you handle initial startup, did you warn them that noise was coming was it just not an issue?

They will be used to it over a weekend

boat noises is not gonna kill them!! @LargeOrangeFont taught me that

 

[ArizonaKevin]

They will be used to it over a weekend

boat noises is not gonna kill them!! @LargeOrangeFont taught me that

Definitely understand it won't kill them, but also don't want her to be afraid of the boat and not want to go anywhere near it.

 

[Done-it-again]

Definitely understand it won't kill them, but also don't want her to be afraid of the boat and not want to go anywhere near it.

I would be more concerned about how hot they could get vs the sound.....

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Definitely understand it won't kill them, but also don't want her to be afraid of the boat and not want to go anywhere near it.

Associate the boat with fun.. then it becomes a non issue. Worst case, you start over next season when the kid is more mature.

If the boat was otherwise perfect, I’d go for it. If I had a choice with young kids I’d go underwater exhaust, simply because communication is easier at slower/no wake speeds.

 

[Bpracing1127]

Definitely understand it won't kill them, but also don't want her to be afraid of the boat and not want to go anywhere near it.

you are over thinking this my friend!!!! my son cant wait to go on the boat (its play time all day for him)

 

[DaveH]

you are over thinking this my friend!!!! my son cant wait to go on the boat (its play time all day for him)

this.

the younger you start them, the more they will enjoy it. besides that, later on in life to keep them on a straight line, you have this a a tool.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

Reviving this thread, as I said in the first post last year I overanalyze the hell out of these things and haven't found the right one yet.

After this past weekend, my needs have also evolved just slightly to have room to haul around some extra people. As many as 4-6 adults and 4 young kids. Which, after talking with @OldSchoolBoats and @Duck'ed_Up probably removes the howard from my list. Appreciate the insight from both of them. With needing to haul that many people, but not wanting to go much larger than a 25, all signs seems to be pointing me towards a 240. Just a challenge to find one in good shape and reasonably priced.

Also, as someone else in this thread mentioned the kids at this age love napping while underway, where I wish there was an option that had as much open seating as a 240 but had a small cabin where we can toss a sleeping kid while we are cruising up and down the lake. Seems like the boats in this size range that add a cabin, sacrifice seating in the rest of the boat. Other folks with kids, any bright ideas that I'm missing for naps? bring a collapsible bed or a Dock-A-Tot to put on the floor behind driver/passenger seat?

 

[gqchris]

Reviving this thread, as I said in the first post last year I overanalyze the hell out of these things and haven't found the right one yet.

After this past weekend, my needs have also evolved just slightly to have room to haul around some extra people. As many as 4-6 adults and 4 young kids. Which, after talking with @OldSchoolBoats and @Duck'ed_Up probably removes the howard from my list. Appreciate the insight from both of them. With needing to haul that many people, but not wanting to go much larger than a 25, all signs seems to be pointing me towards a 240. Just a challenge to find one in good shape and reasonably priced.

Also, as someone else in this thread mentioned the kids at this age love napping while underway, where I wish there was an option that had as much open seating as a 240 but had a small cabin where we can toss a sleeping kid while we are cruising up and down the lake. Seems like the boats in this size range that add a cabin, sacrifice seating in the rest of the boat. Other folks with kids, any bright ideas that I'm missing for naps? bring a collapsible bed or a Dock-A-Tot to put on the floor behind driver/passenger seat?

I used a small folding playpen when mine was a baby. worked well.

The 240 is a Unicorn. If you sit and wait to find a good one, youre gonna miss alot of memories.

With that being said, I kick my self in ass for selling mine.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

I used a small folding playpen when mine was a baby. worked well.

The 240 is a Unicorn. If you sit and wait to find a good one, youre gonna miss alot of memories.

With that being said, I kick my self in ass for selling mine.

Thankfully I have full access to my dad's Chaparral so I'm still able to go make memories

 

[gqchris]

Thankfully I have full access to my dad's Chaparral so I'm still able to go make memories

Nice!

Yea I watch the internet, and CLEAN 240's are just about Non Existent. Plan on 20-30k to update an older one if you find.

 

[240Hallett]

Don’t know about a price point, but a 255 is basically the same size as a 240.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

Don’t know about a price point, but a 255 is basically the same size as a 240.

Aesthetically the 255s don't do it for me. Great boats no doubt, but to each their own

 

[240Hallett]

Aesthetically the 255s don't do it for me. Great boats no doubt, but to each their own

Agreed

 

[Icky]

Pontoon

 

[RVRKID]

Reviving this thread, as I said in the first post last year I overanalyze the hell out of these things and haven't found the right one yet.

After this past weekend, my needs have also evolved just slightly to have room to haul around some extra people. As many as 4-6 adults and 4 young kids. Which, after talking with @OldSchoolBoats and @Duck'ed_Up probably removes the howard from my list. Appreciate the insight from both of them. With needing to haul that many people, but not wanting to go much larger than a 25, all signs seems to be pointing me towards a 240. Just a challenge to find one in good shape and reasonably priced.

Also, as someone else in this thread mentioned the kids at this age love napping while underway, where I wish there was an option that had as much open seating as a 240 but had a small cabin where we can toss a sleeping kid while we are cruising up and down the lake. Seems like the boats in this size range that add a cabin, sacrifice seating in the rest of the boat. Other folks with kids, any bright ideas that I'm missing for naps? bring a collapsible bed or a Dock-A-Tot to put on the floor behind driver/passenger seat?

A cabin for napping, shit when I was a kid my Mom thru me in the Kona and Dad would ski dam to dam in Parker with me in the back seat next to the 455 Olds. HAHA

 

[ArizonaKevin]

A cabin for napping, shit when I was a kid my Mom thru me in the Kona and Dad would ski dam to dam in Parker with me in the back seat next to the 455 Olds. HAHA

Have no issue putting them on the backseat, just that they would take up already limited seating space if we have a full house

 

[Bails]

well my 270 MCOB had a champagne room, once I had a kid it turned into the nursery.

It's for sale, check the classifieds

 

[BUDMAN]

well my 270 MCOB had a champagne room, once I had a kid it turned into the nursery.

It's for sale, check the classifiedsI

Was going to suggest looking at yours. Seems like a great boat for the money & meets his requirements

 

[ArizonaKevin]

well my 270 MCOB had a champagne room, once I had a kid it turned into the nursery.

It's for sale, check the classifieds

Is yours the one Paul just listed? I'd love to it seems like a great boat, just too big of a program overall for what we're looking for. I'm in a weird dichotomy where I need room to haul people, but also don't want a "big boat." Call me goldilocks.

Need family/friends to step up and get their own boat

 

[attitude]

I know they aren’t cool and I might get flamed for suggesting it but what about a smaller tri-toon? If hauling people in a compact package is your goal it might work even if it’s just short term.

If not I’d say the 25 tremor is a solid option. Fits your requirements, well built, and a lot are out there.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

I know they aren’t cool and I might get flamed for suggesting it but what about a smaller tri-toon? If hauling people in a compact package is your goal it might work even if it’s just short term.

If not I’d say the 25 tremor is a solid option. Fits your requirements, well built, and a lot are out there.

No flame from me, a toon or a "production" deck boat are certainly the logical choices. Just not something that tickles my fancy.

 

[C-Ya]

No flame from me, a toon or a "production" deck boat are certainly the logical choices. Just not something that tickles my fancy.

Here is a production deckboat with head and a cabin. It has a lot of features, including shower, twin motors, phone chargers, fold down tables, etc.

Its just slightly longer than 25’

You can see cabin at 11:40 on video.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

Here is a production deckboat with head and a cabin. It has a lot of features, including shower, twin motors, phone chargers, fold down tables, etc.

Its just slightly longer than 25’

You can see cabin at 11:40 on video.

At that size I'd rather grab the 270 that OD1 just listed

 

[BUDMAN]

Here is a production deckboat with head and a cabin. It has a lot of features, including shower, twin motors, phone chargers, fold down tables, etc.

Its just slightly longer than 25’

You can see cabin at 11:40 on video.

They need to fire the upholstery crew, Dam!