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I retired recently after 35 years as a rep for various marine related companies. Started with Suzuki, then Evinrude(RIP to the knuckleheads at BRP) then OMC Boat Campanies, & Crestliner, Triton Aluminum, reinvented myself to move to marine electronics like Navionics and various other. I was laid up with various health issues this past summer and started watching You Tube. Wow, what an eye opener. However, I just discovered your channel, and immediately subscribed. You did a great job with this review. Looking forward to more info!!! Great Job!
This the first video of yours's that I have ever watched. I've been a boat owner all my life and I agree with your insights completely. This is the most informative and accurate video on you tube. I'm going to try to watch a lot more of your videos.
2019 Robalo r247 owner here. 300 hours, absolutely flawless. Dual console , good wiring, some lack for maintenance acces in the rear. gel coat very nice, solid no crack. Some fastener had to be retighten on the first couple hours. Hardtop mounting was not great in the fit and finish department but structural is good. Overall, can’t be happier and it’s a fricking tank
Ive run a Robalo Cayman for 3 years after examining several of the brands you went through. I think you hit the nail on the head on everything. Great overview. Ive been very pleased with the Robalo thus far.
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon I have a 222 and the forward opening head is awesome in such a small boat. My only complaints of it is the handle in the front is rubber and gets dirty quick. Allot of Robalo owners add a gas strut to keep the door from slamming shut if a wave hits and you have the door open - should be standard from the factory. Your video made me want a whaler :)
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon mine is a 206 so no forward opening head entry. Otherwise, wiring is really well done. Love the yamaha power plant. Very nice finish on gel coat. Hardware def in the middle tier, could be better but totally unfazed after 3 years in freshwater. I considered the whaler Montauk as well, loved it but couldn’t justify the extra expense for my usage. If I lived closer to the salt it take the plunge for Grady White. The ones I looked at, old and new, were what you said heavy duty TANKS!
Ive got a 2006 Robalo r245 walk-around that is an amazing offshore rig when it gets a little nasty. The only thing I dislike about it is the speed. It's heavy and has a single Yamaha 250. I wish it had twin 200's. It's rated Max 400 hp, but I wonder if it would hurt to exceed that just a little with another 250? 😁
Great analysis, I love videos that go in depth when you are thinking of spending tens of thousands of dollars. Research like this is best to decide before hand so the very last step of the buying process is looking at the boat yourself.
The best part of your video you could do a hole show on. It’s all about service! Finding a shop with real experience not just a salesman. If the shop has a new mechanic every two years, stay away, go with the old guy and family owned business
Bought a 239 SeaPro Deep Vee brand new last year and so far so good, ive been pretty impressed with the wiring under the console on these boats, very clean and organized, zip tied and tidy, been very happy so far.....
You are definitely the best out there when it comes to reviews and recommendations. Thank you for your videos & giving people knowledgeable. Buying boats can be a huge money pit !!
I own a Tidewater 220 Adventure for two years now. I agree with your assessment of the boat. First thing I did was tear out the wiring in the console and rewire it. It was cheaply done and though the boat was only two years old, switches were bad. It was sloppy to say the least. Fit and finish was subpar. The finish in the small cuddy of the center console was poor. No gasket material in fish lockers nothing stays dry and gets moldy. Really had higher expectations. Company is difficult to deal with.
For my budget and family needs the best option/price/quality/size etc was the KeyWest 239fs and very happy with it. Windlass, Hard T-top, lights package, bow filler, ski-tow bar, head, and very solid ride in rough chop with 250 Yami. Only thing I may add is a Sharrow prop.
Bought a NauticStar 22 bay boat in 2006(brand new). It was garbage compared to my 2018 SeaHunt(also bought brand new). I'm completely sold on SeaHunt. Their customer service is also impeccable! Great video, dude!
You forgot Sea Pro it is a Great mid tier boat. I narrowed my purchase of a 24ft cc down to a Robalo 242 and the Sea Pro 239. I purchased the Sea Pro 239 It has all composite construction no wood. The fit and finish is very good. All compartments and hatches finished in gel coat. No raw fiberglass. The T-Top is integrated into the console and all power coating is very clean. It has all 316 gemlux hardware. The wiring is very clean and the Upholstery could use improvement. It the best standard equipped boat. Fusion, Simrad, rigid lighting, gemlux are just some the equipment used. Powered with a 300hp Suzuki and the Carolina flare is a awesome ride. Great video your thoughts. I purchased in 2019 new.
From what I've seen, small local builders produce boats that far surpass larger manufacturers at a much better price and build quality. Here in eastern Canada there are a wealth of builders who have all built thousands of boats over decades for the local market that are bulletproof. They generally have less bells and whistles and are closer to commercial fishing boats than luxury cruising boats but for the lack of fancy extras you get a much more robust boat at a much better price
@@riazwalji3417there are many but to name a few....sea serpent (Green Bay fiber), coastal vokey, miramichi vessels Ltd, sea breeze. There are many more on the east coast of Canada. Then there are all the small down east style builders in Maine. Basically anywhere there are local commercial lobster and crab fishing communities you will find builders who build small local 3-4 man crew lobster boats. Those builders often offer smaller boats as well.....usually they will only build a handful of smaller ones a year but reaching out to them in October will usually get you a newly built boat by May of the next year. They usually build/sell direct to the customer, very well built boats based around materials and designs coming from working vessels at a cost that's way below anything found in the recreational dealer network. Less bells and whistles but lower cost and more robust than most brand name boats found at dealerships.
I think your opinions are spot on. As you said, There is a huge price point difference between say a Blackfin, Everglades or Regulator and Sea Fox, Sea Pro, Sea Hunt and Robalo. One you didn't mention that's also in the upper echelon is Contender.
Having a 2023 Robalo R180, i absolutely love the layout and the front opening center console. Yes thay have it in the 18'. Im fact 8t one of the onlt 18ft boats that does. Super dry boat .
Something that should be said: The Whaler, Edge Water and Everglades were designed by the same person - legendary Bob Dougherty. He designed the 'unsinkable' hull on the Whaler 40 years ago then started Edge Water. He sold Edge Water and started Everglades. All three boats have similar hulls and styling. I personally own a 2016 Everglades 325 and it is amazing. People who come on board immediately notice the quality. Tons and tons of compliments. Its a very dry boat and handles waves with ease. Unfortunately right now the price of these boats (all 3 brands) have sky rocketed. My boat today is over $400,000 new. I bought mine new back in 2016 for under $300,000. I keep it on a lift in my back yard on Marco Island and have it waxed 2 times a year. It still looks new. Maintaining both the boat and the motors are vital for the longevity of the boat. Make sure you do the 20 hour, 100 hour, 200 hour, etc. engine maintenance by a certified mechanic for your specific brand. Yes it costs a few more bucks but it's well worth it.
We bought a 24' with 225 Merc OB. We're on a BIG lake 44,000 acres. No I/O for us! At 1st oil change the marina offered us more than what we paid, this was 2020 & COVID crap! We have ours in High & Dry! Probably 200 hrs on it now. It's as shinny as the day it finished being built! BTW we live Marco! We spend a month there in winter. Used to go to Clearwater. Marco is laid back vs Clearwater! I miss my boat when we're in Marco!
@@kCI251 Maybe some older used Express Cruisers but not Center Consoles. I just did a price check on a new Everglades 335, which is the same hull and size of my 325 just rebadged to add in the length of the motor transom. It is $640k with the same options I have. I was like 'Wtf"! I paid $285k in 2016. 7 years later a new one is twice as expensive. There is no way they can sell them at that price so I expect dealers to be offering it at around $500k .... but still!
Having never owned a boat (but wanting to buy one in the next 2-4 years), I find this video a little disappointing. Not the video itself, but the lack of detail, fit, and finish on some of these boats. If you were to spend the same amount of money on a new car as you would on one of these economy or middle-tier boats, you would have a perfect, pristine car rolling out the door. When I see scratches in gel coat, chips in powder coating, and components forced to fit together, I may have to second guess my desire for boat ownership. $60,000 to $100,000 is not a good deal for a vehicle hobbled together in my opinion.
I would suggest since you’ve never owned a boat and are looking. You definitely need to buy a cheap used one to practice. Cause the first time you take out a new boat you will probably scratch it or nick it. I wouldn’t spend that kind of money either. I’ve been boating since 1994. And I’ve driven all kinds of boats up to 50’. You will have challenges no matter the condition. Everything this guys is talking about makes since if you’ve owned a boat before. Most of these boats at shows are SHOW boats that get drug around from show to show. People don’t respect them at the events. My 2 cents. JF
Buy yourself a cheap used Sea Fox or something similar that won't cost an arm and a leg. See if you like it. You will notice things rattle and it will tell you how far up the ladder you want to go with your next boat. I owned an old Sea Fox I paid $16k for and then went to a new Mako. After using the Mako for a couple years I made the leap to 27' Everglades and what a huge difference in quality. I then traded it in for a 32' Everglades. Now you're getting into some real money but it's a tank and the quality is second to none.
Sounds like sound advice. I have owned a fishing boat for 10-12 years and think I will skip the wish I went bigger step on my next purchase. Most likely 26 ft. or more. I must trailer mine since splitting time between cabin in Michigan and Florida in winter, thus upgrading my truck too.
Boats are expensive, compared to cars. They aren't built on mechanized assembly lines and are very labor intensive. It makes even the cheaper boats still expensive.
This was an awesome and informative video, I would love for you to do more that include The Invincible, Blackwater, Seahunter, Contender and Cobia brands if possible. These inspections and reviews you did probably save many people many headaches and a bunch of money. Thank you!
I have run and worked on. Invincible, SeaHunter, contender. SeaHunter is just plan sloppy. Fit and finish goes from bad to worse the more you look at it. But they are big. Nice if you just don’t look hard. Contender almost has it together. But some things leave me scratching my head. Need better fitment with. Things look they should work but just don’t work. All hatches wet. Some hatches do not drain and just hold water. Needs better hardware. Anchor hinges are ridiculous just stick out in the way. The console is nice but the door needs help. Invincible, every hatch hinge will rip out. They are riveted in. Livewell gasket are a joke. Bilge area is crap. Console door needs help. Stainless parts are bad. Dive door is just horrible. Really everyboat has its ticks it’s just a mater of identifying them before your purchas and deciding if you can live with them. Go look at Bahamas for a top tire boat
@@brandonbeers7923 I will agree about the Bahama, their 41 had probably the nicest finish especially in the hatches and under the deck on a boat I have ever seen. I just wish they made it a bit more family friendly with a nice berth cabin in the console.
@@theGovnr1 Maybe an option they have or you could request , I’m not sure but think they’re pretty open to custom work. Also at their price point I think they’re suited for families that probably already have a place to stay in the islands so it’s more about transportation in style. One of the only vessels I’ve been on with truly dry hatches. I like that boat. It’s a bit narrow but they’re continually innovating and finding more practical cleaner ways of construction and build. They do ride well.
Mate thanks so much for this video! It has been really instructive and helpful. I live in Australia and I’m in the market for a US made bay boat. This kind of knowledge is invaluable. Great job! Cheers.
Really helpful information. Been around and worked on boats for half my life. Now looking to upgrade to a CC in the 23-24' range so I created a spread sheet of 17 brands sold in New England with 44 columns listing the things important to me but the columns also cover the trailer. As for front entry to a head, I have Robalo, Cobia, Blackfin and Pursuit to be the only ones currently. Access to a head is important to me being 6'3" at 290 lbs. As we boaters get up in age, a head becomes a bit more important then having 24 rocket launchers on a 24 foot boat. I saw someone buy a 42 foot CC for offshore fishing this year. Showed the whole boat on You Tube and will likely do charters.....no head. I commented on that and he replied "We have a 5 gallon bucket". LOL
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon Column titles. I won't list them all, but it gives you and idea; 1. Length, Beam, Weight, Fuel 2. Porta Potti or Porcelain 3.Pump out, Holding tank, Over Board 4. Head Height 5. Entry to Console (Front or Side) 6. Helm: Center or Left mount 7. Bow Cushion: V or U Shape 8. Seat backs for bow 9. Seat back stow away or stay in place 10. Seating in front of console 11. Windlass option 12. Hardtop option w/powder coating 13. Hard top width in relation to Gunwales & Helm seating 14. Leaning post or Helm Seating 15. Storage in leaning post or Helm 16. Full Windshield or Half windshield 17. Glass or Plexiglass 18. Title Steering w/knob 19. Binnacle angle: Up & Down or Forward & Back 20. Ergonomics of helm for tall people: Excellent, Good, Bad 21. Rear seat fold up 22. Stand on rear seat for fishing 23. Ski pylon option )Telescopic or bolted in place 24. Transom access for boarding (flush or off set) 25 Type of transom ladder 26. Trim Tabs: Add on or Integrated into hull 27. Suzuki an option 28 Engine Options (Brands & Hp) 29. LED Lighting on boat 30. Battery Charger: 1 Batt, 2 Batt, 3 Batt The rest of the columns are covering the trailer - Aluminum or galvanized, # of axles, brake type, LED lights, bunk or rollers or Hybrid, Fresh water wash down on brakes, Price of Boat and trailer combo or sold separate, Dealers name, Financing type available (term, deposit needed). I was a rigger for several years for a big boat dealer installing O/B motors, controls, harnesses, full electronics. I am not sure if I'll have the dealer/ manufacture install my electronics or do it myself. I am a bit picky on how wiring is done when it comes to neatness, supporting, routing and access for it to be repaired or replaced. I hope this list helps others out there but these were the items important to me. Newport RI International boat show is this weekend. Time to exam all the boats I have listed. :-)
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon Sure, do not mind using the list at all. Its funny when a sales person sees a "potential" buyer pullout a list of boats they are there to see. They suddenly get stumped and work hard on pushing selling points of the boat your on. Newport International Boat Show was all right. What stands out from this show, will be the same on the next boat show is inventory. It is still very little to nothing. The hot market is still trailing boats and there was little to see in trailing boats. Granted it was a in-water boat show but still there was room for smaller boats and there was only a dozen boats under 25 feet not counting tenders. Other stand outs, if your a big person, side entry console will be a struggle to get in and out regardless a top tier boat or a value priced boat. You have to try each boat. Take the time to look and observe how things are assemble. Material used plastic vs stainless steel, starboard vs a plastic board, etc. I would have liked to record the boats I was looking at but the crowds were out of hand. As I explained things to my wife, I found myself also explaining things to by standards as well. Which is fine with me. :-) Knowledge is a powerful tool when looking at big ticket items.
Awesome video! I'm new to boating and I want to buy a new boat and you laid out on what to look for when checking out a boat. Remember that the economy tier you're looking at over $100k and those flaws that you showed really matters.
Insane video!! Thank you for taking your time to do this, I’m sure you’ve helped many people. Where would you rank Wellcraft, if you have any knowledge of them?
Wow I appreciate your attention to detail in this extremely comprehensive rundown. Simply wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to put this together.
Thank you for this video. It confirms my decision a year ago to spring for a new Whaler Montauk 190. I heard the other day that it has finally shipped, so I’m getting pretty excited for its arrival. I’ve known for decades how great Whalers are, but have only owned secondhand ones. Your commentary is spot on: build quality, fit and finish, high-grade hardware, etc. are all top notch. Thanks again.
To me, Boston Whaler seems to be bringing Old School methods of boat manufacturing to the modern world and they've been successful in combining the two. You sure won't see them skimping around on quality, which is why the price is very steep. But in the long run, you know it won't suddenly spring a few leaks and leave you with thousands of dollars in damage.
@@largol33t1 I concur. During the yearlong wait for mine, I’ve steadily reminded myself that part of the reason it takes awhile is that BW was willing to wait for the hard-to-find pieces they needed to build my boat. Though I do not know exactly which pieces these were, I’m certainly happy that they didn’t just source some second tier, more easily obtained bits from someplace else. Whaler has earned its reputation honestly, and it seems it is doing whatever it takes to maintain that reputation.
Bro, I love all your knowledge!! Thank you for taking the time to make this video. To the untrained eye, these boats look awesome....Thank you for helping me understand so much...
Great information! I have a ‘19 Sea Hunt 235. You’re spot on with your evaluation and recommendations. The Sea Hunt is a solid, safe boat. It offers a lot of value for the money along with bigger boat features in a smaller boat. For example, my 23’ has a side entry door and a fully enclosed T-top helm. The fit and finish could use improvement. I’ve had to re-caulk and secure different items to make the boat better. Again, you can’t beat the Hunt for the money!
Lots of detail...good for those new to the market. Don't disagree with top tier picks. I've owned two Key West CC's and IMHO are a good value. Totally agree with finding a good dealer/service tech to handle work and, most important, take care of the boat! Biggest unforeseen problem for boaters in general (at least in FL) is finding a spot in a marina to store/launch. Trailering type boats could be a subject for the future.
Nicely done. I have been a boat owner for 40 plus years. I just sold a Beneteau Oceanus 41 and just bought a Boston Whaler Montauk 170 for a lot of the reasons you discussed as well as the resale value of a quality built boat. In most cases, you get what you pay for. Being penny wise goes a lot further than the initial purchase price. Boston Whaler says quality everywhere you look.
I kinda wish Cigarette and Wellcraft had boats there. They've been building racing boats (like the ones seen on "Miami Vice" ) for decades so I have little doubt about the strength of the hull. It would be interesting to see how he rates them, most likely, they'll be classified mid-range or upper-range boats. Racing boats MUST have thick, strong hulls to withstand the abuse they're put through so I'd like to see how well a brand like Cigarette holds up after a few years in choppy waters.
I purchased a brand new 2021 Trophy Bayliner 20 footer with which I am very happy with.. the issue I have is the hardware used is not great.. started to show rust already.. the dealer however, said they will clean that up for me.
Well I'm glad you put key west as a mid tear boat I have a 239 and enjoy it very much I do like all the hatch lids gelcoat both sides as parts go bad I replace it with an upgrade it's a fishing machine and I run it pretty hard the only drawback I wish it was bigger there must be a tremendous profit to be made with all those manufactures in the business now
That's some hard work too putting that stuff down.Captain Matt did you know that in the the state of Florida they have over 150 different boat repair shops that do work on fiberglass repair, stringers,transom repair and the like?
By far the best reviews….I did the exact same research and came up with the exact same conclusions. It’s like he was reading my thoughts. Excellent work!
Great videos. I was in the market mid tier but had some budget tier ones in mind. Tidewater was definitely budget as its hatches weren't even finished on the edges. Looked at some Key Wests and they seemed nice but they were not at the Boat Show this year by me so I didn't get to looks at them. I wanted a Robalo R180 but they said no more in production until maybe summer of 2023. I wandered around show. Looked at some Whalers and Grady Whites but they were a bit out of my budget. I was downsizing from a 25 foot cruise to have a more versatile boat for both fresh and salt water. I came by Pioneer and gave them a look. I didn't really know much about them but with a first glance they were put together really well. Attention to detail and components were impressive for its price point. Priced at the top of mid tier lines and the quality seemed to almost exceed it. 90% foam filled, all hulls felt solid, the transoms were gel coated in and not capped. Looked great. Stainless hardware all good well thought out. Heck all hacthes fit right and even in the hatches everything was gelcoated. No paint. I was really impressed and remembered a lot of things from your videos to look for and other videos and tried to compare from the higher tier boats I looked at the same day. I ended up putting a deposit down and should be getting it in the next few weeks. Based on what I have watched form you and looked into, I think I did alright with this brand. Seems other owners I have. talked to are all happy with their Pioneers. Thanks for your videos. Have you had a chance to look over Pioneer boats? Heard anything negative?
Great video man and thank you! The dollars are in the details, and being able to scrutinize the various aspects of a boat prior to purchase is absolutely necessary. 😬
Thanks for making this video. Sold my first boat which was a smaller Key Largo Center Console. Going to be upgrading to a 22-25ft CC. Every man in my family has always had boats and I've been around them my whole life. That being said, I still learned some new stuff in your videos! Keep up the good work!
Great reviews and great journalism with your in depth analysis and pictures of the details most people miss! Lots of great boats in here! However as a Florida man, there are 2 boats that are truly king, and those 2 are contender and seavee! I guess those 2 are already pretty well known to be too tier though so even for me it was great to see some of these production boats I always see everywhere. I was really curious about sportsman mostly. They seem to be blowing up here in North Florida. They look amazing and I wanted to see more of their craftsmanship. I think they're great boats! Also I could be wrong but the cuts in the tee top canvas on the mako I think could be purpose cut slots for fishing rods, maybe not, but I have seen them on I think Pathfinder. I'd be curious to see if that's what they were supposed to be. Thanks for the great work and photos and videos!! Great info!
Ran a 27 scout from miami to Nassau and then to staniel. Did not like it. Also cleaned it for a few months prior to running it. A lot of the metal hardware was not properly seated to the Gel coat and promoted rust. When running the boat all sorts of things were making noise all over the place but basically I did not feel like the top Cap the stringer system or properly adhered together and they were independently moving from each other. Plexi glass windshield system was never mounted correctly and the tolerance was or poor so it’s squeaked the entire way. The bow flare which you would think would direct water away from the pilot did not work as such. it blew all the water to the underside of the top of the ttop and then that water trickled through the gap between the windshield and then fell directly on your head I got absolutely soaked
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon Scouts are beautiful but too light weight for what they try to look like. Not good in chop. They lowered the weight by having the gunnels lower. I had a 22 well 21 without the platform at the stern and really loved the finish and how things were placed that made it very usable for both fishing and family sand bar stuff but as soon as the wind blows they cannot keep with a heavier boat of the same size. Also the deck was quickly filled through the scuppers with 3 adults in the cockpit and live-well filled. Still a great boat and one of the most beautiful lines. Kept it super clean which is easy cause everything is high quality including gelcoat and sold it for good money in 3 days. Now replaced with Mckee craft freedom 24. Solid, good lines, 3 piece build, 24.5 deg dead rise at transom, exceptionally good in bad weather. Like the Boston's it is foam injected and has the same benefice with noise reduction. They are out of production so rare and keeping high market value.
Thank you so much for this educational video. I’m looking for a 20-21 foot center console and I’ve narrowed it down to sea Hunt ultra 219, Key West 219 and a Robalo.
glad you looked into a tidewater. for the price of a 256LXF (120k starting, 149k max) is actually not bad for a 26’ that accommodates family and can also be used for fishing. if we do get one of these, we’ll probably have to talk to them about sealing everything and making sure everything is screwed in properly; neatly. we are thinking about highly customizing this boat if we buy it. im talking a single mercury 400R verado, tons of speakers everywhere, front sunshade and a rear pullout sunshade, detailed stitching on the seating (nortech and midnight express inspired layout/stitching) so we’ll make sure everything is done perfectly, IF we look into buying one.
Great stuff. After comparing bay boats by Sea Hunt, Key West, Tidewater Sea Pro and Sportsman, Sportsman won. Signing on the dotted line for a Masters 227. Thanks for the insight!!!
Thanks for your comprehensive review. Before watching I'd gave had Boston, Everglades and Scout in the top tier, so good to see your research mostly agrees 👍
The sea hunt. I got one in the 23’ and the only problem I have run into is with the stereo speakers. The 4 should’ve been in a better location because all my have broken at the speaker covers. So if you don’t watch how you walk and any coolers sliding around and hitting there goes your cover. I since put on better covers and all is good. Thanks for your video.
I know it is a bit late but youtube just sent me here. I enjoyed the video and learned a lot. Now I know for sure that the overpriced old second hand boat I bought 6 and a half years ago is complete garbage (but the yamaha f50 motor has been totally solid!). Thanks!!
I wonder if built quality has changed much in the past 2 years +. Would be great if you can do another one of these great and informational videos to help make a more informed purchase decision 😊
I have owned 6 brands on your list and I believe my Everglades was the best built of the six. I also think the picture you showed of the yellow hull and deck going together was in the Everglades factory.
@@stephenmitchum5864 yessir bob was a brilliant man. I actually started with dougherty marine when it was a little shop building small boats. Marlins they called him. We were really turning out junk in those days.lol
I have looked very closely at Everglades and I am extremely impressed. I owned two Boston Whaler 240s (see my prior post) and wish I would have gotten their bay boat. Also, I love their sliding windshield. Ingenious, and patented. I also looked closely at their 34 dual console. Another well built boat.
Love the video and appreciate your time putting this together. I too am in the market for my first CC boat. I'll be moving to SW Florida soon, so this helped tremendously. Where do you see the Sailfish brand CC falling into place?
I just went to a boat show last weekend and watched this video before. My hand is killing me from knocking on all the hulls. I started with Steiger then went to bayliner to establish high and low. Surprisingly the Robalo r207 hull sounded like it had better construction than the 21 foot greaty DC and Monterey ss boats. Looked in all the bilges too, bayliner uses the chop gun a lot, robalo looks like they use it in non structural area like fish boxes.
...have a 2015 Tidewater Bay Max, quality looks much better than the one reviewed & even though it’s in your “value” class, I’m satisfied with what I use it for. luckily haven’t had any issues with the hull or hardware, but a few items were swapped out for what I wanted. as far as dealers go, you are absolutely right! do your research as there are good & bad dealers! I mean really BAD dealers, meaning once the boat is off their lot.....they don’t care. “Marker 17 Marine” is one of the dealers I would definitely avoid!!! other than that, I really enjoyed your video & found it very informative.
I think you were spot on with the ones you reviewed. We chose a mid tier boat. I had my choice between Robalo and Wellcraft. I think Robalo has the best gel coat. But the fit and finish of the Wellcraft won me over. The Wellcraft was the best to mount a windless and I didn’t like the position of the steering on the Robalo. I also liked the opening to head on the Wellcraft over Robalo. Also the hatches were finished much nicer. Wellcraft factory is in Cadillac Mich. I was comparing the 222.
I thought your video was super informative but noticed a few errors based on my latest purchase. I’ve owned boats my whole life and just bought a 2021 Trophy T22CC. I agree with some or your points about overall build quality and hardware. The torn T top you referred to was not the current Trophy model as the one in your photo was chrome and appeared older. And the “light socket” was a rod holder. But the stainless steel quality you referred to was accurate…lower quality and rusts a little easier. I’ve noticed some poor wiring (heat shrink butt joints that were never heated) painted fibreglass, no seals on speakers and cup holders, and some future “access issues” for maintenance. Time will tell but I feel it’s a good overall mix of quality and price.
There is a bunch of boat manufacturers based in South Carolina. My favorite hands down is Key West. We recently bought a 1999 196 Bay Reef and it is the smoothest riding boat we have ever owned. The thing slices through waves like butter. It handles rough water very well. On top of that it accelerates like a jetski. Which is great when you are chasing schooling fish like striped bass. These boats are also very upgradable. Even though we have a 23 year old boat its like new. You can put any kind of electronics you want on them if space allows, any kind of 24 volt trolling motor you want, and any engine you want up to 175 horsepower. Really the only problem we have had with it is that the swim ladder kept coming unbolted from the transom. It was not a manufacturing defect though. The guy that owned it before us royally fucked it. He had huge holes drilled into it and it was jerry rigged as hell. Luckily we were able to fix it. I weigh 300 pounds and it holds my weight just fine. If we didn't pay $6500 for it (they are worth $12,000-$14,000 we got an incredible deal) that would have been a deal breaker. We would have looked for another Bay Reef for sale. They continue to improve these boats every year. They just keep getting better and better. I've had the chance to go in some newer Key West boats and they ride even better than ours. Also the build quality of them has gone up tremendously too.
Robalo's is nice, but the best design example of the forward opening console/head that I can think of is Cobia. I believe Contender & Pursuit do it on some center consoles although Pursuit may be like Yamaha's with the access swinging up rather than out, hence blocking the view from the helm. Edit: correcting myself, I see from the stock photo you used for the Pursuit, that their console door opens laterally and not lifting up like on the Yamaha CC models.
Cobra is on the rise. It has taken cues and features from its cousins in the Maverick and Pathfinder brands. Older Cobias aren't anything special, but these new ones are getting better every year.
Pro-Lines feature nice forward doors with access to pottys, way before Cobias. I believe since late 90s. I'm not sure about their true quality just not my cup of tea.
I’ve spent many hours at boat shows, looking at 23 ,24 center consoles,before pulling the trigger.all mid tier boats is what I could afford. I would strongly recommend walking thru Marina’s, with boats on trailer and in water. Checking the vin number to see how old boat is, and look to see how it’s holding up , I’ve seen some very telling signs on boats that were only 2 and 3 years old. For what it’s worth had a 2015 21 tidewater 5 summers in the water,at marina 500 hours ,did all maintenance and checked things before they broke. Taken that boat 30 off and handled well ,and did some pounding. No stress cracks or any major problems. I can honestly say the only thing I replaced on that boat was the screws that hold the back rests in on the bow, and both spreader lights. Maintenance goes along way. Got top dollar from private buyer, and ordered a. 232 Tidewater and put 90 hours this summer with some minor problems, but same ones you would get on any mid tier boat. ( Just my personal experience )
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon probably ,everyone was ordering boats all dealers were out of stock and the manufacturers were pumping them out , seen some fit and finish issues at the Atlantic City boat show this month on a few boats.
Id really love to see a video of a Sportsman vs Pathfinder and anything comparable. We just can make up our minds. Im leaning towards Pathfinder bc of life by the bow.
As a super meticulous boater, do it yourself or, engineer, hard charging outdoorsman, this was a super valuable, in-depth, insightful and fun video that can help anybody in the used or new market and/or anybody who likes boating!
Good overall review. I should have seen this a few boat purchases back. I think the review on the Sportsman might not be based on the best model, and didn't look like on offshore type. Would have liked to see what you thought about the Sportsman Open 252 or 262. Those seem to be better built.
What a great resource! I own a 2003 Yamaha outboard in Michigan, which is Mercury country. The part at the end about not being able to get service if no-one around your area services that brand is spot on. I simply can't find a service center that knows anything about Yamaha within a 2 hour ride.
Some good advice about what to look for in this class of boats that can be useful when looking at any type of boat. I wished you had talked some about the Creavalle boats. Their factory in Wildood, Fla is only about ten miles from my house. The factory looks to be squared away and of high quality. From looking at their boats from a distance, they seem to be a quality boat.
Great comprehensive video, really appreciate the time you put in. We have friends who have a Sea Hunt Ultra and love it, so my wife wants us to get one, but was surprised to learn it is a mid tier boat. Also really liked your advice at the end about buying used and which engine to pick, and importance of the dealer.
The thing is even the mid tier boats in the production center console lineup aren't gonna hold up 10-20 years and just wouldn't be a long term boat worth repowering. Much better off to go with something like a parker or may craft that can still look brand new 20 years later if taken care of.
Videos like these make me keep raising my price point. Unfinished fiberglass just looks so cheap and this video shows me how common it is. You'd think they'd coat it with line-x or something.
Dan, you get what you pay for. Price point is one thing and that doesn’t always drive quality. Read other peoples experiences and assess from their. Also, keep in mind that you are only paying for the depreciation for when you own the boat. A $50k piece of crap that is worth $25k in three years is more expensive than a $150k boat that is worth $130k in five years. Comes down to cash flow and what you can afford.
Hardware quality is important. I consider it more so than the finish inside compartments. The neatness of wire runs etc. In other words, a compartment must seal well, have good hinges and latches and the cover or door must not be flimsy. I'm ok with an unfinished look inside compartments. As long as it's not terrible. I can even see myself doing a little tidy up work inside but those hinges and latches and what they hold closed, or open needs to be of good quality. Steering wheel and instruments and controls, drains and upholstery quality. All the gear that attaches to the basic components, the hull and cockpit/ deck cap attachment all important. I could accept rolled down mat, roving or boat cloth but that compartment door better not be flimsy and better seal well. I won't buy crap but i realise that out of all the details that are less than perfect that some things matter more than others. Boat builders will have to get pretty cheap and shoddy to sink to the quality of the typical over the road R.V. Which is pretty dismal at present.
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon I don't really go off shore or have not nearly as much as a fresh water river. I hope to more as the proud owner of a new (to me) 29' Lancer sailboat. I've worked in industrial fiberglass and i know enough to know that if you don't like some of the things you can see on a boat, such as flimsy hatch covers and substandard hardware you are almost certainly not going to like a lot of the stuff you can't see. Or can't see easily anyway. I figure most people to feel the same. If they are not at least pleased if not out rite impressed by cockpit and interior appointments on cabin boats i really don't see how they sell. It just shows me that particular builder does not give a damn. Not if he has cheap crap right out there among the stuff you use everytime out.
IMHO it's better to find an older Whaler Hull in good condition and restore it. Get exactly what you want, highly customized in a better Hull, for less than the price of a new boat.
two things not mentioned.... how they ride in sloppy seas and how durable are these transoms, so many fail when powered by bigger motors that will twist, and push on the transoms with a lot of force specially in rough waters also, Cape Horn was not mentioned, they have a good warranty on their hulls
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Enjoyed the video. I sell tracker nitro ranger mako Tahoe. Again some but only a name not quality . Good job !
Been a marine mechanic for 18 years. YOU are 1000% correct. Thank You so much
Had a Sea Hunt 220 Triton for 18 years. Loved it. Held up great.
I retired recently after 35 years as a rep for various marine related companies. Started with Suzuki, then Evinrude(RIP to the knuckleheads at BRP) then OMC Boat Campanies, & Crestliner, Triton Aluminum, reinvented myself to move to marine electronics like Navionics and various other. I was laid up with various health issues this past summer and started watching You Tube. Wow, what an eye opener. However, I just discovered your channel, and immediately subscribed. You did a great job with this review. Looking forward to more info!!! Great Job!
THanks for the kind words and welcome!
This the first video of yours's that I have ever watched. I've been a boat owner all my life and I agree with your insights completely. This is the most informative and accurate video on you tube. I'm going to try to watch a lot more of your videos.
It's nice to get thorough reviews like this. This is what makes UA-cam great 👍
2019 Robalo r247 owner here. 300 hours, absolutely flawless. Dual console , good wiring, some lack for maintenance acces in the rear. gel coat very nice, solid no crack. Some fastener had to be retighten on the first couple hours. Hardtop mounting was not great in the fit and finish department but structural is good. Overall, can’t be happier and it’s a fricking tank
I'm a Robalo enjoyer myself. Although all I've operated was my homemade John boat. I'm going to purchase an r180 as my first salt water boat.
Ive run a Robalo Cayman for 3 years after examining several of the brands you went through. I think you hit the nail on the head on everything. Great overview. Ive been very pleased with the Robalo thus far.
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon I have a 222 and the forward opening head is awesome in such a small boat. My only complaints of it is the handle in the front is rubber and gets dirty quick. Allot of Robalo owners add a gas strut to keep the door from slamming shut if a wave hits and you have the door open - should be standard from the factory. Your video made me want a whaler :)
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon mine is a 206 so no forward opening head entry.
Otherwise, wiring is really well done. Love the yamaha power plant. Very nice finish on gel coat. Hardware def in the middle tier, could be better but totally unfazed after 3 years in freshwater. I considered the whaler Montauk as well, loved it but couldn’t justify the extra expense for my usage.
If I lived closer to the salt it take the plunge for Grady White. The ones I looked at, old and new, were what you said heavy duty TANKS!
Ive got a 2006 Robalo r245 walk-around that is an amazing offshore rig when it gets a little nasty. The only thing I dislike about it is the speed. It's heavy and has a single Yamaha 250. I wish it had twin 200's. It's rated Max 400 hp, but I wonder if it would hurt to exceed that just a little with another 250? 😁
I just closed on a new 246 Cayman, but the dealer will be too far away to deal with, so that sucks
Thank you for all the research brother, I’m looking to purchase a boat and doing my homework and your video came up, very helpful. Thank you
You’re very welcome
Great analysis, I love videos that go in depth when you are thinking of spending tens of thousands of dollars. Research like this is best to decide before hand so the very last step of the buying process is looking at the boat yourself.
The best part of your video you could do a hole show on. It’s all about service! Finding a shop with real experience not just a salesman. If the shop has a new mechanic every two years, stay away, go with the old guy and family owned business
Bought a 239 SeaPro Deep Vee brand new last year and so far so good, ive been pretty impressed with the wiring under the console on these boats, very clean and organized, zip tied and tidy, been very happy so far.....
Very well done. This video was extremely valuable for a potential first time boat buyer.
You are definitely the best out there when it comes to reviews and recommendations. Thank you for your videos & giving people knowledgeable. Buying boats can be a huge money pit !!
I appreciate that!
I own a Tidewater 220 Adventure for two years now. I agree with your assessment of the boat. First thing I did was tear out the wiring in the console and rewire it. It was cheaply done and though the boat was only two years old, switches were bad. It was sloppy to say the least. Fit and finish was subpar. The finish in the small cuddy of the center console was poor. No gasket material in fish lockers nothing stays dry and gets moldy. Really had higher expectations. Company is difficult to deal with.
Wow I’ve been shopping hard and tidewater “was” on the list. Thanks for the heads up
Are they still this way?
Wow! Comprehensive. I'm always amazed at how UA-cam has enabled the dissemination of information. I appreciate your man. I'm subscribed and liked.
T c g c
For my budget and family needs the best option/price/quality/size etc was the KeyWest 239fs and very happy with it. Windlass, Hard T-top, lights package, bow filler, ski-tow bar, head, and very solid ride in rough chop with 250 Yami. Only thing I may add is a Sharrow prop.
Bought a NauticStar 22 bay boat in 2006(brand new). It was garbage compared to my 2018 SeaHunt(also bought brand new). I'm completely sold on SeaHunt. Their customer service is also impeccable! Great video, dude!
I'm new to boating. Planning on buying my first Center Console in the next year. This was VERY informative for the newbie like me. :)
You forgot Sea Pro it is a Great mid tier boat. I narrowed my purchase of a 24ft cc down to a Robalo 242 and the Sea Pro 239. I purchased the Sea Pro 239 It has all composite construction no wood. The fit and finish is very good. All compartments and hatches finished in gel coat. No raw fiberglass. The T-Top is integrated into the console and all power coating is very clean. It has all 316 gemlux hardware. The wiring is very clean and the Upholstery could use improvement. It the best standard equipped boat. Fusion, Simrad, rigid lighting, gemlux are just some the equipment used. Powered with a 300hp Suzuki and the Carolina flare is a awesome ride. Great video your thoughts. I purchased in 2019 new.
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon What..you were in South Carolina, how could you not inspect any Sea Pro boats.
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon I'm only messing with you since Sea Pro boats are built in SC... Love your channel, keep up the good work..
Looking at the 239 sea pro now
From what I've seen, small local builders produce boats that far surpass larger manufacturers at a much better price and build quality. Here in eastern Canada there are a wealth of builders who have all built thousands of boats over decades for the local market that are bulletproof. They generally have less bells and whistles and are closer to commercial fishing boats than luxury cruising boats but for the lack of fancy extras you get a much more robust boat at a much better price
Like who?
@@riazwalji3417there are many but to name a few....sea serpent (Green Bay fiber), coastal vokey, miramichi vessels Ltd, sea breeze. There are many more on the east coast of Canada. Then there are all the small down east style builders in Maine. Basically anywhere there are local commercial lobster and crab fishing communities you will find builders who build small local 3-4 man crew lobster boats. Those builders often offer smaller boats as well.....usually they will only build a handful of smaller ones a year but reaching out to them in October will usually get you a newly built boat by May of the next year. They usually build/sell direct to the customer, very well built boats based around materials and designs coming from working vessels at a cost that's way below anything found in the recreational dealer network. Less bells and whistles but lower cost and more robust than most brand name boats found at dealerships.
I think your opinions are spot on. As you said, There is a huge price point difference between say a Blackfin, Everglades or Regulator and Sea Fox, Sea Pro, Sea Hunt and Robalo. One you didn't mention that's also in the upper echelon is Contender.
Having a 2023 Robalo R180, i absolutely love the layout and the front opening center console. Yes thay have it in the 18'. Im fact 8t one of the onlt 18ft boats that does. Super dry boat .
2017 Robalo 246 Cayman. Great t top, great lay out. Amazing beam 9’ is def worth mentioning. Quality is great and very durable.
I really enjoyed this video, very helpful for me as a prospective first time boat buyer, despite being filmed on a potato. Subbed!
Something that should be said: The Whaler, Edge Water and Everglades were designed by the same person - legendary Bob Dougherty. He designed the 'unsinkable' hull on the Whaler 40 years ago then started Edge Water. He sold Edge Water and started Everglades. All three boats have similar hulls and styling. I personally own a 2016 Everglades 325 and it is amazing. People who come on board immediately notice the quality. Tons and tons of compliments. Its a very dry boat and handles waves with ease. Unfortunately right now the price of these boats (all 3 brands) have sky rocketed. My boat today is over $400,000 new. I bought mine new back in 2016 for under $300,000. I keep it on a lift in my back yard on Marco Island and have it waxed 2 times a year. It still looks new. Maintaining both the boat and the motors are vital for the longevity of the boat. Make sure you do the 20 hour, 100 hour, 200 hour, etc. engine maintenance by a certified mechanic for your specific brand. Yes it costs a few more bucks but it's well worth it.
We bought a 24' with 225 Merc OB. We're on a BIG lake 44,000 acres. No I/O for us! At 1st oil change the marina offered us more than what we paid, this was 2020 & COVID crap! We have ours in High & Dry! Probably 200 hrs on it now. It's as shinny as the day it finished being built! BTW we live Marco! We spend a month there in winter. Used to go to Clearwater. Marco is laid back vs Clearwater! I miss my boat when we're in Marco!
And a year later boat prices are more realistic and not fueled by low interest rates. Boats always depreciate unless a BUBBLE is about to pop.
@@kCI251 Maybe some older used Express Cruisers but not Center Consoles. I just did a price check on a new Everglades 335, which is the same hull and size of my 325 just rebadged to add in the length of the motor transom. It is $640k with the same options I have. I was like 'Wtf"! I paid $285k in 2016. 7 years later a new one is twice as expensive. There is no way they can sell them at that price so I expect dealers to be offering it at around $500k .... but still!
Having never owned a boat (but wanting to buy one in the next 2-4 years), I find this video a little disappointing. Not the video itself, but the lack of detail, fit, and finish on some of these boats. If you were to spend the same amount of money on a new car as you would on one of these economy or middle-tier boats, you would have a perfect, pristine car rolling out the door. When I see scratches in gel coat, chips in powder coating, and components forced to fit together, I may have to second guess my desire for boat ownership. $60,000 to $100,000 is not a good deal for a vehicle hobbled together in my opinion.
I would suggest since you’ve never owned a boat and are looking. You definitely need to buy a cheap used one to practice. Cause the first time you take out a new boat you will probably scratch it or nick it. I wouldn’t spend that kind of money either. I’ve been boating since 1994. And I’ve driven all kinds of boats up to 50’. You will have challenges no matter the condition. Everything this guys is talking about makes since if you’ve owned a boat before. Most of these boats at shows are SHOW boats that get drug around from show to show. People don’t respect them at the events. My 2 cents. JF
Buy yourself a cheap used Sea Fox or something similar that won't cost an arm and a leg. See if you like it. You will notice things rattle and it will tell you how far up the ladder you want to go with your next boat. I owned an old Sea Fox I paid $16k for and then went to a new Mako. After using the Mako for a couple years I made the leap to 27' Everglades and what a huge difference in quality. I then traded it in for a 32' Everglades. Now you're getting into some real money but it's a tank and the quality is second to none.
Sounds like sound advice. I have owned a fishing boat for 10-12 years and think I will skip the wish I went bigger step on my next purchase. Most likely 26 ft. or more. I must trailer mine since splitting time between cabin in Michigan and Florida in winter, thus upgrading my truck too.
Boats are expensive, compared to cars. They aren't built on mechanized assembly lines and are very labor intensive. It makes even the cheaper boats still expensive.
Start your own company.
This was an awesome and informative video, I would love for you to do more that include The Invincible, Blackwater, Seahunter, Contender and Cobia brands if possible. These inspections and reviews you did probably save many people many headaches and a bunch of money. Thank you!
I have run and worked on. Invincible, SeaHunter, contender.
SeaHunter is just plan sloppy. Fit and finish goes from bad to worse the more you look at it. But they are big. Nice if you just don’t look hard.
Contender almost has it together. But some things leave me scratching my head. Need better fitment with. Things look they should work but just don’t work. All hatches wet. Some hatches do not drain and just hold water. Needs better hardware. Anchor hinges are ridiculous just stick out in the way. The console is nice but the door needs help.
Invincible, every hatch hinge will rip out. They are riveted in. Livewell gasket are a joke. Bilge area is crap. Console door needs help. Stainless parts are bad. Dive door is just horrible.
Really everyboat has its ticks it’s just a mater of identifying them before your purchas and deciding if you can live with them.
Go look at Bahamas for a top tire boat
@@brandonbeers7923 I will agree about the Bahama, their 41 had probably the nicest finish especially in the hatches and under the deck on a boat I have ever seen. I just wish they made it a bit more family friendly with a nice berth cabin in the console.
@@theGovnr1 Maybe an option they have or you could request , I’m not sure but think they’re pretty open to custom work. Also at their price point I think they’re suited for families that probably already have a place to stay in the islands so it’s more about transportation in style. One of the only vessels I’ve been on with truly dry hatches. I like that boat. It’s a bit narrow but they’re continually innovating and finding more practical cleaner ways of construction and build. They do ride well.
And Yellowfin!
Mate thanks so much for this video! It has been really instructive and helpful. I live in Australia and I’m in the market for a US made bay boat. This kind of knowledge is invaluable. Great job! Cheers.
Really helpful information. Been around and worked on boats for half my life. Now looking to upgrade to a CC in the 23-24' range so I created a spread sheet of 17 brands sold in New England with 44 columns listing the things important to me but the columns also cover the trailer. As for front entry to a head, I have Robalo, Cobia, Blackfin and Pursuit to be the only ones currently.
Access to a head is important to me being 6'3" at 290 lbs. As we boaters get up in age, a head becomes a bit more important then having 24 rocket launchers on a 24 foot boat. I saw someone buy a 42 foot CC for offshore fishing this year. Showed the whole boat on You Tube and will likely do charters.....no head. I commented on that and he replied "We have a 5 gallon bucket". LOL
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon Column titles. I won't list them all, but it gives you and idea;
1. Length, Beam, Weight, Fuel
2. Porta Potti or Porcelain
3.Pump out, Holding tank, Over Board
4. Head Height
5. Entry to Console (Front or Side)
6. Helm: Center or Left mount
7. Bow Cushion: V or U Shape
8. Seat backs for bow
9. Seat back stow away or stay in place
10. Seating in front of console
11. Windlass option
12. Hardtop option w/powder coating
13. Hard top width in relation to Gunwales & Helm seating
14. Leaning post or Helm Seating
15. Storage in leaning post or Helm
16. Full Windshield or Half windshield
17. Glass or Plexiglass
18. Title Steering w/knob
19. Binnacle angle: Up & Down or Forward & Back
20. Ergonomics of helm for tall people: Excellent, Good, Bad
21. Rear seat fold up
22. Stand on rear seat for fishing
23. Ski pylon option )Telescopic or bolted in place
24. Transom access for boarding (flush or off set)
25 Type of transom ladder
26. Trim Tabs: Add on or Integrated into hull
27. Suzuki an option
28 Engine Options (Brands & Hp)
29. LED Lighting on boat
30. Battery Charger: 1 Batt, 2 Batt, 3 Batt
The rest of the columns are covering the trailer - Aluminum or galvanized, # of axles, brake type, LED lights, bunk or rollers or Hybrid, Fresh water wash down on brakes, Price of Boat and trailer combo or sold separate, Dealers name, Financing type available (term, deposit needed). I was a rigger for several years for a big boat dealer installing O/B motors, controls, harnesses, full electronics. I am not sure if I'll have the dealer/ manufacture install my electronics or do it myself. I am a bit picky on how wiring is done when it comes to neatness, supporting, routing and access for it to be repaired or replaced. I hope this list helps others out there but these were the items important to me. Newport RI International boat show is this weekend. Time to exam all the boats I have listed. :-)
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon Sure, do not mind using the list at all. Its funny when a sales person sees a "potential" buyer pullout a list of boats they are there to see. They suddenly get stumped and work hard on pushing selling points of the boat your on. Newport International Boat Show was all right. What stands out from this show, will be the same on the next boat show is inventory. It is still very little to nothing. The hot market is still trailing boats and there was little to see in trailing boats. Granted it was a in-water boat show but still there was room for smaller boats and there was only a dozen boats under 25 feet not counting tenders. Other stand outs, if your a big person, side entry console will be a struggle to get in and out regardless a top tier boat or a value priced boat. You have to try each boat. Take the time to look and observe how things are assemble. Material used plastic vs stainless steel, starboard vs a plastic board, etc. I would have liked to record the boats I was looking at but the crowds were out of hand. As I explained things to my wife, I found myself also explaining things to by standards as well. Which is fine with me. :-) Knowledge is a powerful tool when looking at big ticket items.
Awesome video!
I'm new to boating and I want to buy a new boat and you laid out on what to look for when checking out a boat.
Remember that the economy tier you're looking at over $100k and those flaws that you showed really matters.
Insane video!! Thank you for taking your time to do this, I’m sure you’ve helped many people. Where would you rank Wellcraft, if you have any knowledge of them?
Wow I appreciate your attention to detail in this extremely comprehensive rundown. Simply wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to put this together.
Thank you for this video. It confirms my decision a year ago to spring for a new Whaler Montauk 190. I heard the other day that it has finally shipped, so I’m getting pretty excited for its arrival. I’ve known for decades how great Whalers are, but have only owned secondhand ones. Your commentary is spot on: build quality, fit and finish, high-grade hardware, etc. are all top notch. Thanks again.
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon That is the plan, and thank you! I have 7 grandkids who need to learn to ski, board, everything!
To me, Boston Whaler seems to be bringing Old School methods of boat manufacturing to the modern world and they've been successful in combining the two. You sure won't see them skimping around on quality, which is why the price is very steep. But in the long run, you know it won't suddenly spring a few leaks and leave you with thousands of dollars in damage.
@@largol33t1 I concur. During the yearlong wait for mine, I’ve steadily reminded myself that part of the reason it takes awhile is that BW was willing to wait for the hard-to-find pieces they needed to build my boat. Though I do not know exactly which pieces these were, I’m certainly happy that they didn’t just source some second tier, more easily obtained bits from someplace else. Whaler has earned its reputation honestly, and it seems it is doing whatever it takes to maintain that reputation.
Bro, I love all your knowledge!! Thank you for taking the time to make this video. To the untrained eye, these boats look awesome....Thank you for helping me understand so much...
Great information! I have a ‘19 Sea Hunt 235. You’re spot on with your evaluation and recommendations. The Sea Hunt is a solid, safe boat. It offers a lot of value for the money along with bigger boat features in a smaller boat. For example, my 23’ has a side entry door and a fully enclosed T-top helm. The fit and finish could use improvement.
I’ve had to re-caulk and secure different items to make the boat better. Again, you can’t beat the Hunt for the money!
I love my 2021 Sea Hunt BX22BR !
How well does your Sea Hunt hatches keep water out when washing down? Thx
@@bretoneer very well as far as I can tell. Everything in the boxes stay dry
Lots of detail...good for those new to the market. Don't disagree with top tier picks. I've owned two Key West CC's and IMHO are a good value. Totally agree with finding a good dealer/service tech to handle work and, most important, take care of the boat! Biggest unforeseen problem for boaters in general (at least in FL) is finding a spot in a marina to store/launch. Trailering type boats could be a subject for the future.
Awesome show captain Matt!My favorite type of boat in this space is the Boston Whaler and Grady White! Absolutely love those boats
Nicely done. I have been a boat owner for 40 plus years. I just sold a Beneteau Oceanus 41 and just bought a Boston Whaler Montauk 170 for a lot of the reasons you discussed as well as the resale value of a quality built boat. In most cases, you get what you pay for. Being penny wise goes a lot further than the initial purchase price. Boston Whaler says quality everywhere you look.
I kinda wish Cigarette and Wellcraft had boats there. They've been building racing boats (like the ones seen on "Miami Vice" ) for decades so I have little doubt about the strength of the hull. It would be interesting to see how he rates them, most likely, they'll be classified mid-range or upper-range boats. Racing boats MUST have thick, strong hulls to withstand the abuse they're put through so I'd like to see how well a brand like Cigarette holds up after a few years in choppy waters.
Thank you for making this vid!
I am just getting started on researching for the perfect boat for me and my families needs.
I purchased a brand new 2021 Trophy Bayliner 20 footer with which I am very happy with.. the issue I have is the hardware used is not great.. started to show rust already.. the dealer however, said they will clean that up for me.
Awesome video. I'm looking for a 2 year old boat and this was real helpful
Well I'm glad you put key west as a mid tear boat I have a 239 and enjoy it very much I do like all the hatch lids gelcoat both sides as parts go bad I replace it with an upgrade it's a fishing machine and I run it pretty hard the only drawback I wish it was bigger there must be a tremendous profit to be made with all those manufactures in the business now
That's some hard work too putting that stuff down.Captain Matt did you know that in the the state of Florida they have over 150 different boat repair shops that do work on fiberglass repair, stringers,transom repair and the like?
By far the best reviews….I did the exact same research and came up with the exact same conclusions. It’s like he was reading my thoughts. Excellent work!
Great videos. I was in the market mid tier but had some budget tier ones in mind. Tidewater was definitely budget as its hatches weren't even finished on the edges. Looked at some Key Wests and they seemed nice but they were not at the Boat Show this year by me so I didn't get to looks at them. I wanted a Robalo R180 but they said no more in production until maybe summer of 2023. I wandered around show. Looked at some Whalers and Grady Whites but they were a bit out of my budget. I was downsizing from a 25 foot cruise to have a more versatile boat for both fresh and salt water.
I came by Pioneer and gave them a look. I didn't really know much about them but with a first glance they were put together really well. Attention to detail and components were impressive for its price point. Priced at the top of mid tier lines and the quality seemed to almost exceed it. 90% foam filled, all hulls felt solid, the transoms were gel coated in and not capped. Looked great. Stainless hardware all good well thought out. Heck all hacthes fit right and even in the hatches everything was gelcoated. No paint. I was really impressed and remembered a lot of things from your videos to look for and other videos and tried to compare from the higher tier boats I looked at the same day. I ended up putting a deposit down and should be getting it in the next few weeks. Based on what I have watched form you and looked into, I think I did alright with this brand. Seems other owners I have. talked to are all happy with their Pioneers.
Thanks for your videos. Have you had a chance to look over Pioneer boats? Heard anything negative?
Great video man and thank you! The dollars are in the details, and being able to scrutinize the various aspects of a boat prior to purchase is absolutely necessary. 😬
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for making this video. Sold my first boat which was a smaller Key Largo Center Console. Going to be upgrading to a 22-25ft CC. Every man in my family has always had boats and I've been around them my whole life. That being said, I still learned some new stuff in your videos! Keep up the good work!
Good job! Your seeing thing I've never really looked at before, Thanks for the heads up!
Great reviews and great journalism with your in depth analysis and pictures of the details most people miss! Lots of great boats in here! However as a Florida man, there are 2 boats that are truly king, and those 2 are contender and seavee! I guess those 2 are already pretty well known to be too tier though so even for me it was great to see some of these production boats I always see everywhere.
I was really curious about sportsman mostly. They seem to be blowing up here in North Florida. They look amazing and I wanted to see more of their craftsmanship. I think they're great boats!
Also I could be wrong but the cuts in the tee top canvas on the mako I think could be purpose cut slots for fishing rods, maybe not, but I have seen them on I think Pathfinder. I'd be curious to see if that's what they were supposed to be. Thanks for the great work and photos and videos!! Great info!
Love sportsman boats. They even have videos on UA-cam of how they are built, offer factory tours and online straight up pricing.
I really want one of those Scouts… the few i have been on that are mid-tier and premium are have impressed me!
Ran a 27 scout from miami to Nassau and then to staniel. Did not like it. Also cleaned it for a few months prior to running it. A lot of the metal hardware was not properly seated to the Gel coat and promoted rust. When running the boat all sorts of things were making noise all over the place but basically I did not feel like the top Cap the stringer system or properly adhered together and they were independently moving from each other. Plexi glass windshield system was never mounted correctly and the tolerance was or poor so it’s squeaked the entire way. The bow flare which you would think would direct water away from the pilot did not work as such. it blew all the water to the underside of the top of the ttop and then that water trickled through the gap between the windshield and then fell directly on your head I got absolutely soaked
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon Scouts are beautiful but too light weight for what they try to look like. Not good in chop. They lowered the weight by having the gunnels lower. I had a 22 well 21 without the platform at the stern and really loved the finish and how things were placed that made it very usable for both fishing and family sand bar stuff but as soon as the wind blows they cannot keep with a heavier boat of the same size. Also the deck was quickly filled through the scuppers with 3 adults in the cockpit and live-well filled. Still a great boat and one of the most beautiful lines. Kept it super clean which is easy cause everything is high quality including gelcoat and sold it for good money in 3 days. Now replaced with Mckee craft freedom 24. Solid, good lines, 3 piece build, 24.5 deg dead rise at transom, exceptionally good in bad weather. Like the Boston's it is foam injected and has the same benefice with noise reduction. They are out of production so rare and keeping high market value.
Great video and thank you for the detailed explanations.
Thank you so much for this educational video. I’m looking for a 20-21 foot center console and I’ve narrowed it down to sea Hunt ultra 219, Key West 219 and a Robalo.
I dont have one of these but the sportsman 212 open is a great boat
thanks for the suggestion! im always open to more options!@@Sir55555
glad you looked into a tidewater. for the price of a 256LXF (120k starting, 149k max) is actually not bad for a 26’ that accommodates family and can also be used for fishing. if we do get one of these, we’ll probably have to talk to them about sealing everything and making sure everything is screwed in properly; neatly. we are thinking about highly customizing this boat if we buy it. im talking a single mercury 400R verado, tons of speakers everywhere, front sunshade and a rear pullout sunshade, detailed stitching on the seating (nortech and midnight express inspired layout/stitching) so we’ll make sure everything is done perfectly, IF we look into buying one.
Great stuff. After comparing bay boats by Sea Hunt, Key West, Tidewater Sea Pro and Sportsman, Sportsman won. Signing on the dotted line for a Masters 227. Thanks for the insight!!!
Sportsman is the real deal when it comes to bay boats imho
Thanks for your comprehensive review.
Before watching I'd gave had Boston, Everglades and Scout in the top tier, so good to see your research mostly agrees 👍
This is the hero I didn’t know I needed lol.. appreciated all the info thank you
The sea hunt.
I got one in the 23’ and the only problem I have run into is with the stereo speakers.
The 4 should’ve been in a better location because all my have broken at the speaker covers. So if you don’t watch how you walk and any coolers sliding around and hitting there goes your cover.
I since put on better covers and all is good.
Thanks for your video.
I know it is a bit late but youtube just sent me here. I enjoyed the video and learned a lot. Now I know for sure that the overpriced old second hand boat I bought 6 and a half years ago is complete garbage (but the yamaha f50 motor has been totally solid!). Thanks!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I wonder if built quality has changed much in the past 2 years +. Would be great if you can do another one of these great and informational videos to help make a more informed purchase decision 😊
Been doing the research just need to put the videos together
24' Boston Whaler Vantage with Mercury 450 o.b. GREAT BOAT !!
I have owned 6 brands on your list and I believe my Everglades was the best built of the six. I also think the picture you showed of the yellow hull and deck going together was in the Everglades factory.
Yeah that's the Edgewater boats plant. Everglades is a few blocks away. Built many boats at both plants. Both are top tier.
@@asuperstraightpureblood they have the common denotator of Dougherty or both can be called Whaler South,
@@stephenmitchum5864 yessir bob was a brilliant man. I actually started with dougherty marine when it was a little shop building small boats. Marlins they called him. We were really turning out junk in those days.lol
I have looked very closely at Everglades and I am extremely impressed. I owned two Boston Whaler 240s (see my prior post) and wish I would have gotten their bay boat. Also, I love their sliding windshield. Ingenious, and patented. I also looked closely at their 34 dual console. Another well built boat.
@@stephenmitchum5864 I wouldn’t insult Everglades by using whaler in the same sentence!
Good content. I had a Whaler for a few years. Was never a big fan of the ride. It’s built well but not a deep v hull so it wasn’t great in rough water
Thanks
Great reviews!! Had it on while doing some paperwork, you know your chit!!!! Nice!!!
Love the video and appreciate your time putting this together. I too am in the market for my first CC boat. I'll be moving to SW Florida soon, so this helped tremendously. Where do you see the Sailfish brand CC falling into place?
I just went to a boat show last weekend and watched this video before. My hand is killing me from knocking on all the hulls. I started with Steiger then went to bayliner to establish high and low. Surprisingly the Robalo r207 hull sounded like it had better construction than the 21 foot greaty DC and Monterey ss boats. Looked in all the bilges too, bayliner uses the chop gun a lot, robalo looks like they use it in non structural area like fish boxes.
Glad the info was helpful and you were able to tell the difference between boats
Definitely a fan of Edgewater. Could use a Cobia review too.
Cobia from a cobia owner
Love this video. Can you do a new one. And see if anything has changed.
We have a brand new 27 Cape Horn. Smooth ride with the throttles pinned in 4-5s cruising at 40 with little to no bouncing it’s unbelievable.
...have a 2015 Tidewater Bay Max, quality looks much better than the one reviewed & even though it’s in your “value” class, I’m satisfied with what I use it for. luckily haven’t had any issues with the hull or hardware, but a few items were swapped out for what I wanted. as far as dealers go, you are absolutely right! do your research as there are good & bad dealers! I mean really BAD dealers, meaning once the boat is off their lot.....they don’t care. “Marker 17 Marine” is one of the dealers I would definitely avoid!!!
other than that, I really enjoyed your video & found it very informative.
Good video I would like to see you do one on commercial center consoles
I think you were spot on with the ones you reviewed. We chose a mid tier boat. I had my choice between Robalo and Wellcraft. I think Robalo has the best gel coat. But the fit and finish of the Wellcraft won me over. The Wellcraft was the best to mount a windless and I didn’t like the position of the steering on the Robalo. I also liked the opening to head on the Wellcraft over Robalo. Also the hatches were finished much nicer. Wellcraft factory is in Cadillac Mich. I was comparing the 222.
We chose a 222 over a Robalo as well almost 2 years ago. Very happy with our decision. I didn’t expect the amount of compliments we get with our boat.
Thanks those are the two boats I've been looking at. Hopefully we will buy in 2023.
Great video,agree with most of it.I personally would put Scout in top tier.
Very helpful information. I have started looking at boats now but don't plan on buying one for 12-18 months.
Dang, I wouldve expected better quality from Tidewater. Sportsman 247 masters here✌🏾
I thought your video was super informative but noticed a few errors based on my latest purchase. I’ve owned boats my whole life and just bought a 2021 Trophy T22CC. I agree with some or your points about overall build quality and hardware. The torn T top you referred to was not the current Trophy model as the one in your photo was chrome and appeared older. And the “light socket” was a rod holder. But the stainless steel quality you referred to was accurate…lower quality and rusts a little easier. I’ve noticed some poor wiring (heat shrink butt joints that were never heated) painted fibreglass, no seals on speakers and cup holders, and some future “access issues” for maintenance. Time will tell but I feel it’s a good overall mix of quality and price.
Congrats on the new boat and thanks for the real world comment
There is a bunch of boat manufacturers based in South Carolina. My favorite hands down is Key West. We recently bought a 1999 196 Bay Reef and it is the smoothest riding boat we have ever owned. The thing slices through waves like butter. It handles rough water very well. On top of that it accelerates like a jetski. Which is great when you are chasing schooling fish like striped bass. These boats are also very upgradable. Even though we have a 23 year old boat its like new. You can put any kind of electronics you want on them if space allows, any kind of 24 volt trolling motor you want, and any engine you want up to 175 horsepower.
Really the only problem we have had with it is that the swim ladder kept coming unbolted from the transom. It was not a manufacturing defect though. The guy that owned it before us royally fucked it. He had huge holes drilled into it and it was jerry rigged as hell. Luckily we were able to fix it. I weigh 300 pounds and it holds my weight just fine. If we didn't pay $6500 for it (they are worth $12,000-$14,000 we got an incredible deal) that would have been a deal breaker. We would have looked for another Bay Reef for sale.
They continue to improve these boats every year. They just keep getting better and better. I've had the chance to go in some newer Key West boats and they ride even better than ours. Also the build quality of them has gone up tremendously too.
Robalo's is nice, but the best design example of the forward opening console/head that I can think of is Cobia. I believe Contender & Pursuit do it on some center consoles although Pursuit may be like Yamaha's with the access swinging up rather than out, hence blocking the view from the helm.
Edit: correcting myself, I see from the stock photo you used for the Pursuit, that their console door opens laterally and not lifting up like on the Yamaha CC models.
Cobra is on the rise. It has taken cues and features from its cousins in the Maverick and Pathfinder brands. Older Cobias aren't anything special, but these new ones are getting better every year.
Pro-Lines feature nice forward doors with access to pottys, way before Cobias. I believe since late 90s. I'm not sure about their true quality just not my cup of tea.
Great video, very informative and instructive. Curious if you're ever been around and inspected a Blue Wave boat? They keep catching my eye.
I’ve spent many hours at boat shows, looking at 23 ,24 center consoles,before pulling the trigger.all mid tier boats is what I could afford. I would strongly recommend walking thru Marina’s, with boats on trailer and in water. Checking the vin number to see how old boat is, and look to see how it’s holding up , I’ve seen some very telling signs on boats that were only 2 and 3 years old. For what it’s worth had a 2015 21 tidewater 5 summers in the water,at marina 500 hours ,did all maintenance and checked things before they broke. Taken that boat 30 off and handled well ,and did some pounding. No stress cracks or any major problems. I can honestly say the only thing I replaced on that boat was the screws that hold the back rests in on the bow, and both spreader lights. Maintenance goes along way. Got top dollar from private buyer, and ordered a. 232 Tidewater and put 90 hours this summer with some minor problems, but same ones you would get on any mid tier boat. ( Just my personal experience )
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon probably ,everyone was ordering boats all dealers were out of stock and the manufacturers were pumping them out , seen some fit and finish issues at the Atlantic City boat show this month on a few boats.
Id really love to see a video of a Sportsman vs Pathfinder and anything comparable. We just can make up our minds. Im leaning towards Pathfinder bc of life by the bow.
Choose the one with the best local dealer who will take care of you on warranty and punch list items on the boat.
As a super meticulous boater, do it yourself or, engineer, hard charging outdoorsman, this was a super valuable, in-depth, insightful and fun video that can help anybody in the used or new market and/or anybody who likes boating!
Good overall review. I should have seen this a few boat purchases back. I think the review on the Sportsman might not be based on the best model, and didn't look like on offshore type. Would have liked to see what you thought about the Sportsman Open 252 or 262. Those seem to be better built.
Baja made a center console 20 years ago that has a front opening console
What a great resource! I own a 2003 Yamaha outboard in Michigan, which is Mercury country. The part at the end about not being able to get service if no-one around your area services that brand is spot on. I simply can't find a service center that knows anything about Yamaha within a 2 hour ride.
where are u? I'm in se mi and there are many marinas that service yamahas.
Some good advice about what to look for in this class of boats that can be useful when looking at any type of boat. I wished you had talked some about the Creavalle boats. Their factory in Wildood, Fla is only about ten miles from my house. The factory looks to be squared away and of high quality. From looking at their boats from a distance, they seem to be a quality boat.
Great comprehensive video, really appreciate the time you put in. We have friends who have a Sea Hunt Ultra and love it, so my wife wants us to get one, but was surprised to learn it is a mid tier boat. Also really liked your advice at the end about buying used and which engine to pick, and importance of the dealer.
I was hoping to hear about Sea Pro. I looked at them a couple years ago in Corpus Christi, but didn't know much to be critical.
I own a 2006 SV2100 sea pro and love the boat. Nice and wide with a 150 Mercury and handles really well.
The thing is even the mid tier boats in the production center console lineup aren't gonna hold up 10-20 years and just wouldn't be a long term boat worth repowering. Much better off to go with something like a parker or may craft that can still look brand new 20 years later if taken care of.
Awesome video, millions people will benefit from it, thanks
Videos like these make me keep raising my price point. Unfinished fiberglass just looks so cheap and this video shows me how common it is. You'd think they'd coat it with line-x or something.
Dan, you get what you pay for. Price point is one thing and that doesn’t always drive quality. Read other peoples experiences and assess from their. Also, keep in mind that you are only paying for the depreciation for when you own the boat. A $50k piece of crap that is worth $25k in three years is more expensive than a $150k boat that is worth $130k in five years. Comes down to cash flow and what you can afford.
Stavros in Florida, really enjoyed the video, thank you
The sportsman also has some of the best seat coving material.
Hardware quality is important. I consider it more so than the finish inside compartments. The neatness of wire runs etc. In other words, a compartment must seal well, have good hinges and latches and the cover or door must not be flimsy. I'm ok with an unfinished look inside compartments. As long as it's not terrible. I can even see myself doing a little tidy up work inside but those hinges and latches and what they hold closed, or open needs to be of good quality. Steering wheel and instruments and controls, drains and upholstery quality. All the gear that attaches to the basic components, the hull and cockpit/ deck cap attachment all important. I could accept rolled down mat, roving or boat cloth but that compartment door better not be flimsy and better seal well. I won't buy crap but i realise that out of all the details that are less than perfect that some things matter more than others. Boat builders will have to get pretty cheap and shoddy to sink to the quality of the typical over the road R.V. Which is pretty dismal at present.
@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon I don't really go off shore or have not nearly as much as a fresh water river. I hope to more as the proud owner of a new (to me) 29' Lancer sailboat. I've worked in industrial fiberglass and i know enough to know that if you don't like some of the things you can see on a boat, such as flimsy hatch covers and substandard hardware you are almost certainly not going to like a lot of the stuff you can't see. Or can't see easily anyway. I figure most people to feel the same. If they are not at least pleased if not out rite impressed by cockpit and interior appointments on cabin boats i really don't see how they sell. It just shows me that particular builder does not give a damn. Not if he has cheap crap right out there among the stuff you use everytime out.
Thank you for making these videos! Such a huge help.
The quality and craftsmanship was there to on the value boats
Awesome video - really appreciate all the detail.
Glad it helped
If I was to pay cash the Boston Whaler runabout looks really attractive because it would make a solid fishing boat as a 17 foot.
IMHO it's better to find an older Whaler Hull in good condition and restore it. Get exactly what you want, highly customized in a better Hull, for less than the price of a new boat.
two things not mentioned.... how they ride in sloppy seas and how durable are these transoms, so many fail when powered by bigger motors that will twist, and push on the transoms with a lot of force specially in rough waters also, Cape Horn was not mentioned, they have a good warranty on their hulls