On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:01:33 -0500, HK wrote:

There are top-end sportfishing boats in just about every size category.
If I were in the market for a large Atlantic Ocean "battlewagon,"
though, I'd be visiting the independent Carolina builders.

You bet. There are a number of very high quality custom sportfish
being built just a few miles south of us in Wanchese, NC. These guys
have a lot of experience and build a top notch product at a very high
end price. You'd never suspect it just driving down the road looking
at the nondescript building sheds.

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:18:44 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

Are these custom boats or do they have a model line up of different size
sportfishing boats that one can see online or at a boat show? The
reason I ask is I normally think custom boats are more expensive than
similar boats using an existing mold and design.

You generally start out by hiring a naval architect/designer. After
they come up with a design you like, they will typically help you find
a builder. It's a bit like contracting for a custom house.

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:45:29 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

I have always purchased a boat from a dealer who had the boats already
in the water for a demo or they could easily get them to the water for a
test ride. I thought it was normal for a test ride until I heard Chuck
and others talking about not having a test ride until your signature was
on the contract.

The dealers would like it that way of course but if they are hungry
for business will be glad to take you out for a quick spin as long as
they think you're a good prospect. It's important to look and act the
part if you want attention from a dealer. They have no interest in
wasting time on tire kickers or joy riders so they develop skill at
screening customers, just like the real estate folks.

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:44:47 -0500, HK wrote:

My first sailboat on the Bay was from the wonderful folks who brought us
Tiara. S2 9.2. Just under 30', and a wide-bodied slowpoke. But it was
easy to sail.

It's hard to imagine you in an old slow boat like that. Our old slow
GB will run circles around a 30 ft sailboat, and do it with a great
deal more comfort.

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:37:28 -0500, Gene Kearns
wrote:

Who is the premier mfg'er of top-end sportfishing boats who has retained
it's edge.

Regionally...commensurate with what Albemarle was?

Grady-White, Parker, Regulator

There's a decent looking Carolina 28 docked across the marina from us.
I assume they are made somewhere around here.

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:35:20 -0500, HK wrote:

I have no objection to modern materials in the hull, but I'd not buy any
boat with foam in between the hull skins.

Why?

On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 16:42:14 -0500, " JimH" ask wrote:

Why? Is there no sport fishing on any other body of water other than the
Atlantic Ocean?

It goes without saying. :)

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:19:24 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:18:44 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

Are these custom boats or do they have a model line up of different size
sportfishing boats that one can see online or at a boat show? The
reason I ask is I normally think custom boats are more expensive than
similar boats using an existing mold and design.

You generally start out by hiring a naval architect/designer. After
they come up with a design you like, they will typically help you find
a builder. It's a bit like contracting for a custom house.

I was just reading an article about this - can't remember where.

It involved a custom builder in LA. What was interesting is that
these boats are spec'd out and almost always sold to another party
other than the original client even before they are built.

Apparently for more money than the boats originally cost.

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:01:52 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:35:20 -0500, HK wrote:

I have no objection to modern materials in the hull, but I'd not buy any
boat with foam in between the hull skins.

Why?

I've read that pounding eventually destroys the foam's
structure/strength, leading to excessive hull flex.
Yep. That's what I remember reading.

--Vic

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:10:00 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:01:52 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:35:20 -0500, HK wrote:

I have no objection to modern materials in the hull, but I'd not buy any
boat with foam in between the hull skins.

Why?

I've read that pounding eventually destroys the foam's
structure/strength, leading to excessive hull flex.
Yep. That's what I remember reading.

I've heard that before, but I'm not at all sure that it is true with
closed cell foam.

I saw a 12 year old Ranger 318 VS when it was being cut up and the
foam flotation looked brand new.