[ringkingpin]

Hey guys,

As my family grows, it's clear that I need to get a larger boat for us to entertain on, take guests out on, enjoy more days on Lake Michigan, etc. I have an old school restored Donzi which I'm going to keep as a thrill ride, zip around boat but want to get something that will essentially be a large day boat. I'm trying to stay at 100k or less.
I was set on the 2900 Coronet. There are three or four power options it looks like, the 5.7, 6.0, 7.4 and the 8.1's. What is the ticket power wise? Are the 5.7's just enemic?
Now I'm starting to look at the 2900 open. I would prefer a 99 or newer. I think 99 is when they started roudning the stern like the coronet and I like that look. I am not a fisherman but could imagine myself perching from time to time. When I see pictures of the open vs the coronet, it is obvious that the aft deck is larger on teh coronet BUT is there really that much more "day seating" on the coronet vs the open? I know that we could test the cruising waters in either with our small family of 3 but the open would be better for cruising. If they both seat the same in the cockpit and aft deck, I'm starting to think the open might be a better boat for us. Any thoughts from you guys would be highly appreciated.

I WILL be a member of the family by Spring

Thanks

RKP

[momentum]

I will sell you my 40 express with cummins for less than 100 K .

[skmon]

I have 6.0's in my 3000 open, not under powered at all.
engine options should not be a problem for the 29.

[Northporter]

RKP:

We boat along the western shore of lake mi. Primarily traverse bay area and strictly day boat use. We purchased a 2001 Coronet at the beginning of 2013. It's very comfortable with 6 adults out for a day of cruising. We did a half dozen 80 mile round trips. We have small block mercruisers. The cruising sweet spot is somewhere just over 20 miles an hour. Speed up to about 30 is quite comfortable. Top end is about 35. The boat does not like speeds between 10 and 20.

Travel into weather with waves which NOAA describes as 3 to 4 is uncomfortable but the boat behaves well with a solid feel.

[Chris Burkard]

The Coronet 29 was originally powered with Crusader 7.4L. These engines were 320 H.P. and had tones of torque. The Coronet ran well with this power. Sometime around 2000, the 7.4L was discontinued and Tiara made the decision to switch to the 5.7L (sometime around 2000). The 5.7L is rated at 320 H.P., the same as the 7.4L, but it lacks the Torque. The 5.7Ls will push the Coronet just fine, but if you have ever run a Coronet with the 7.4Ls, you will notice a big difference is power. Tiara then offered the Crusader 8.1s (2002 or 2003) which are rated at 385 H.P. and they turn the Coronet into the equivalent of a Muscle Car on the water. Sometime around 2003 or 2004, Tiara began offering the 6.0L Crusaders which were rated at 375 H.P. The 6.0s are similar in power to the 8.1s in a smaller package.

Which engine you choose, it likely going to come down to your what you are willing to spend. The older boats (older than 2000) are going to have the 7.4L and are going to be priced the lowest due to age. The 5.7L will allow you to purchase a newer boat at a lower price and the 8.1Ls and the 6.0Ls are going to be the newest boats and of course will be priced the highest. The 29 Coronet ended production in 2006.

All of the engines are good, it just depends on how much money you want to spend and how fast you want to go.

I hope this helps.