flyboy Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I hate to open a can of worms but I am ready to change boats, AGAIN. In the arena of top end boats, 21 ft. length, 250 Hp with all the toys; what is best? The boat I have now has given me fits and after a year and a half I am ready to change. The manufacturer of my present boat, after not answering my phone calls is telling me they have the best boat and will guarantee me great service--they gave me NO service in the past. I am leaning towards their boat again but actually would like to change brands because of the trust factor. I don't want to mention any names at this juncture but I hope to get feedback from the forum to see what is considered the BEST. I am in Central Florida and a good dealer with and outstanding product is a must if I am going to shell out 70K on a toy. Quote
fishn hard Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 70,000$ there is only one boat Allison call and talk to Dairs he is the owner i got a 1992 21ft and if you can find a stress crack on the boat you can have it Quote
Rangerphil Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I am not familiar with all boats out there. But I love my ranger and the people at ranger boats. I have had questions about my boat in the past and called down there and they have put me on the phone with workers right on the floor, I could hear the work going on around them. That is customer service!! Quote
fishn hard Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Ranger is a good boat but there not in the same class as The Allison 1 Rangers are built with chopper guns and mas produced Allison are hand laid and dont use fiberglass 2full aluminum transom 3 you will never understand untill you drive one 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-) Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 The best ones are the ones that are not mass produced and a dealer doesn't have parking lot full of them. If you want one of them, you pick from the one or two they may have in stock or you have to order it and wait for it to be constructed. They don't sponsor tournaments or pros. and have a loyal following. Allison is one of them. Quote
Rangerphil Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I just do not know about high end fishing boats, just giving my opinion on what I know. Sounds like an awesome boat! Quote
fishn hard Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Dude dont get me wrong ranger is a fine ride Quote
Rangerphil Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I understand I think I was thinking in terms of chevy vs. Ford and he may be looking for a Ferrari! ;D Quote
hookingem Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 70K Maybe one day ill be lucky enough to be able to shell out that much on a "toy" Quote
scrutch Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 The best ones are the ones that are not mass produced and a dealer doesn't have parking lot full of them. If you want one of them, you pick from the one or two they may have in stock or you have to order it and wait for it to be constructed. They don't sponsor tournaments or pros. and have a loyal following. Allison is one of them. Wasn't Viper Cobra one of these? Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 Champion is still the #1 rough water ride, Skeeter & BassCat are tied for #2 Quote
flyboy Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 Thanks for all your input guys. Anybody out there have any personal experience with Bass Cats? Skeeter is claiming a partnership with Yamaha on the design of the FX to pair with the Yamaha SHO four stroke. Any of you engineer types believe this is significant or can you really design a boat to be paired with a motor? I rode in a boat with a SHO on it the other day--at 50 mph you could carry on a conversation almost like you were sitting in your living room. Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 I've fished out of & driven Skeeter's new FX 20 with YAMAHA® VMAX® SHO. 250 its hole shot, top end speed, & maneuverability is absolutely amazing. I dare anyone to try the NMMA 90 degree maneuverability test in any other boat! This critical test is just one example of how we not only adhere to, but exceed our industry's technical practices. The test is conducted by accelerating the boat to its maximum top-end speed, and then sharply turning the steering wheel 180 degrees with no change in settings. The boat passes the test by completing a 90° change in direction without the driver losing confidence in his ability to maintain control. All SKEETER boats have passed at their maximum speed and horsepower ratingsSkeeterboats.com Quote
promax200 Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I like mine, but that's probably just because it's mine and it's the only one of it's kind I've seen in real life. I'm a snob that way, though. I like having stuff that no one else has. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 Catt, one boat company a few yeara ago used the 180 degree spin to promote their perfromance. I don't remember which one (maybe Champion). I've seen a trimmed out Bullet skip like a rock across the water while spinning around. Didn't look too safe to me though, LOL Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 I like mine, but that's probably just because it's mine and it's the only one of it's kind I've seen in real life. I'm a snob that way, though. I like having stuff that no one else has. You are talking about your boat , aren't you ? Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 Catt, one boat company a few yeara ago used the 180 degree spin to promote their perfromance. I don't remember which one (maybe Champion).I've seen a trimmed out Bullet skip like a rock across the water while spinning around. Didn't look too safe to me though, LOL That would be Skeeter Quote
flyboy Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 Catt, have you been involved in testing of Skeeter? I've fished out of & driven Skeeter's new FX 20 with YAMAHA® VMAX® SHO. 250 its hole shot, top end speed, & maneuverability is absolutely amazing. I dare anyone to try the NMMA 90 degree maneuverability test in any other boat! This critical test is just one example of how we not only adhere to, but exceed our industry's technical practices. The test is conducted by accelerating the boat to its maximum top-end speed, and then sharply turning the steering wheel 180 degrees with no change in settings. The boat passes the test by completing a 90° change in direction without the driver losing confidence in his ability to maintain control. All SKEETER boats have passed at their maximum speed and horsepower ratingsSkeeterboats.com Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 Nope! Champion & Skeeter #1 & 2 on Texas lakes followed closely by Bass Cat & Legend I actually learned that maneuver from a friend who is in the Coast Guard, his boat handling abilities will almost make you wet your pants! Quote
Al Wolbach Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Catt, one boat company a few yeara ago used the 180 degree spin to promote their perfromance. I don't remember which one (maybe Champion).I've seen a trimmed out Bullet skip like a rock across the water while spinning around. Didn't look too safe to me though, LOL Yes Wayne it was Champion in the late 90's to the tune from the movie "Top Gun". That advertising and three test rides convinced me to buy a 203 Champion and I'm still very happy with it. However I have never tried the 180 degree test with it and hope to never try it. If I were looking for a new boat now I would look at Skeeter, Bass Cat, Ranger as well as Champion(now Stratos Elite series). I live about 30 miles from the Allison factory but have never ridden in one. Most of them I see don't even have trolling motors mounted, they just race them up and down the lakes. I haven't seen many guys actually fishing from one. D*** they are fast. If a fast boat is a primary concern Allison should be at the top of your list. Quote
Super User Lund Explorer Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 I hate to open a can of worms but I am ready to change boats, AGAIN. In the arena of top end boats, 21 ft. length, 250 Hp with all the toys; what is best? The boat I have now has given me fits and after a year and a half I am ready to change. The manufacturer of my present boat, after not answering my phone calls is telling me they have the best boat and will guarantee me great service--they gave me NO service in the past. I am leaning towards their boat again but actually would like to change brands because of the trust factor. I don't want to mention any names at this juncture but I hope to get feedback from the forum to see what is considered the BEST. I am in Central Florida and a good dealer with and outstanding product is a must if I am going to shell out 70K on a toy. I won't even mention any brand name, but will pitch in a couple of pennies worth of advice based on the highlited part of your statement. Buy with an eye towards resale value FOR YOUR AREA. Everyone has their own idea of what the greatest boat in the world is, and if you notice many of those brands have regions or areas where they are the most popular. Unless you plan to make this $70k investment as your last ever purchase, then you need to consider which brand will give you the most of that purchase price back. It shouldn't be too hard to scope out the used boat market in your neck of the woods to see which brands are keeping the most resale value. If that information lines up with the brand(s) you are looking at, it should give you the answer. Quote
Chaz Hickcox Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 February 12, 2009 Miami, Florida Miami International Boat Show J.D. Power and Associates presentations This morning in Miami, Bass Cat Boats was awarded it's fifth (5th) consecutive J.D. Power and Associates award, for Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Fiberglass Bass Boats 2009. The award extends a five (5) season run by Bass Cat in the J.D. Power and Associates study, beginning with 2005, and now into 2009. Receiving this prestigious award in Miami were Rick Pierce and Stuart Malone, Production Manager of Bass Cat Boats. Rick's (Pierce) comment: Over the past (5) five years we have been humbled by this study. It is overwhelming that our BCB owners have such a positive view of our product. We are extremely dedicated to that Bass Cat Family, and along with that are the Bass Cat dealers, and the Staff of the Bass Cat. They all are what make this award possible for those mentioned. This award it truly shared by all. Comment from Stuart Malone expressed deep appreciation and that this award recognizes 37 ½ years of dedication and customer service by our staff. I can honestly say customer service at Bass Cat has always been number one to us. Rick added: these are very difficult times for our nation, and especially our industry. While we do not feel that this yet matches the times experienced in 1981 and 1982, or the 1970's Arab Embargo, they are definitely the third most challenging times we have seen, going into our 38th year. These times should make us better, better at what we do, and better prepared for the next downturn. We know through our experience, that customer service and quality product are the most important. And finally, Thank you to J.D. Power and Associates for this study, which influences us to strive and improve. Bass Cat Boats is an independently owned and operated company founded by Ron & Jan Pierce in 1971. Now into it's 38th year, commitment to it's dealers and owners is a longstanding tradition with Bass Cat. Ron Pierce began his roots on small wooden boats in the mid 50's, which he built in high school. The receipt of this award for the fifth time is the most received by any bass boat company, in the study and only one (1) award per category is presented. For further information, contact Bass Cat Boats at 870-481-5135 or, Gary Gould, Gould Design Associates at 501-835-7180. Details as Shown on the JD Powers site in PDF format which provides "the numbers:" http://www.jdpower.com/Boats/ratings/bass-boat-ratings BASS CAT BOATS!!!! Smoothest, driest, and most solid of all the rides I have been on. I have been on all the major brands, Triton, Ranger, Skeeter and Champion in the last few years and I have to attest that BassCat Boats are the peak of everything you would want. In addition to this their business is the MOST customer friendly of ANY business I have ever been a customer of. I didn't even buy my Pantera IV from a dealer, but they still treat me as if I did. What other boat company has a 24 hour a day sight just like this one for support from the staff, Rick Pierce (The Owner of BassCat), or other owners. I don't care what the deal is, I will never buy another brand. Top notch company, also the only one still owned by the founders who founded it in 1971! I love my Pantera IV for it's 19'5" size and its fishability. Other good options are the Puma FTD, Cougar FTD, or the Eyra. Also, they use as much as they can of 100% of AMERICAN Made Products. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 Correct Al, now I remember a guy in the bass club I used to be in that kept doing that with his Champion. NO, I wouldn't ride with him if he was going to do that. Quote
scrutch Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Sounds like seat belts might be a good idea for the new Skeeter. How the heck do you stay in the boat, let alone stay in control when turning that hard and fast at top speed? More balls than I got. :-X Quote
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