Beavertail BTX
What do Jesse Ventura, John Madden and Bob Dylan have in common? They all hail from Minnesota, a state where the average low temperature in August is 61°F. So what is a shallow water skiff company doing building their boats in a state where the typical boating season spans a whopping 2 1/2 months? I intended to find out while putting the latest model from Fisher Beavertail Mfg., Inc. makers of the B2 and Osprey through its paces.
The BTX is Fisher Beavertail Mfg., Inc. latest model to come from the frozen north and is being billed as their ultimate poling skiff according to Mark Fisher, President and CEO of Fisher Beavertail Mfg., Inc. With 4° of dead rise at the transom from the variable dead rise hull design and a redesigned stern the new BTX is gaining popularity from some of the most demanding guides and anglers both in the United States and the Bahamas.
Due to their geographic displacement Fisher Beavertail Mfg., Inc works through a network of loyal customers for test rides. Captain Jim, VP Skiff Division, forwarded me to a local BTX owner Omar, who was more than happy to offer up some water time to check out the BTX.
While waiting at the ramp I contemplated some of the key features the BTX offers that are hard to find on similar skiffs. These features were the ones several people from our community asked I take a look at. The most obvious are the locking rod storage. I’ve seen this on several larger skiffs, but not one whose main purpose is to pole shallow and silent. I was curious how they pulled this off. It was then that Omar arrived with his gorgeous BTX with almost every modern convenience known to a flats fisherman.
The first item to check out was the locking rod lockers. They are impressive. The layout is well thought out and spacious. Twin locking latches help to keep your valuable sticks dry and secure from those who would ‘borrow’ them without permission. After the introductions and snapping several pictures we were off for a test ride.
Biscayne Bay was in its usual form, ESE ‘breeze’ and the start of the incoming combined for a nice ripple on the water. This was a good chance to see how the BTX performed in a chop. The 60 Etec hopped the boat right up on plane and we scooted off. With a quartering chop off the port side and a stiff breeze we took a light bit of spray over the rails. It was a little more than I anticipated, but I cannot fault the skiff entirely. I kept moving around with camera in hand to take pictures, this kept Omar busy at the controls trying to compensate for my ballast.
We shutdown and Omar took position on the platform while I did my best to concentrate on fishing. We discussed his reasoning for buying a BTX and where he came from with his previous skiffs. This was a nice change as typically I have the builder of the skiff on board. Omar explained that his previous flats boat didn’t afford him the ability to stalk the Bays famous bonefish. He also mentioned that customer service and price were two factors that help motivate him to purchase the BTX.
From the bow I found the BTX to be stable with ample room for anglers. Two anglers can work the bow and not get in each other’s way. The gunnels are massive compared to other similar skiffs. This is due in large part to the locking rod storage. You do lose some cockpit space everything is a trade off. I had a concern about actually walking on the tops of the rod lockers. But I found them to be mostly solid and do not creak. There was a little bit of give right under my foot, but nothing that would cause concern. Their massive width gives confidence even to the least sure-footed of individuals.
After a little time Omar and I exchanged duties and I took up office on the platform. This for me is where the rubber meets the road, or in this case the hull meets the water. I found the BTX to track straight and true under a myriad of wind and current conditions. The lack of sponsons allow for the BTX to maneuver and react quicker to poling input. However you lose a bit of displacement. I was concerned that this loss would result in problems if the angler had to make a mad dash for the stern. Well let’s just say that with Omar and myself on the stern--neither of us have missed our bowl of ‘Wheaties’ by the way--the squat on the port corner was much less than I feared. I would not suggest trying this in an inlet as there simply is not enough freeboard, but on the flats you have little fear of tipping a rub rail under water unless under extreme conditions.
As darkness set in Omar hit a switch and the light show started. The LED cockpit lights, stern light and hatch lights were very nice. Omar and I finished the evening telling tales and enjoying a couple cold beverages. I want to thank Omar for a great time checking out the skiff.
Later, called Mark to get some follow up information on construction, thought processes and why the heck Minnesota was the place they decided built their skiffs.
The BTX is built a little differently than the B2 and Osprey. The top cap is a single piece from the mold that is bonded to the hull. This reduces labor and weight in the construction process. The hull itself is different from the two other models. As mentioned the lack of sponsons make for a more reactive skiff under polling conditions and reduces hull slap on the stern as compared to their models with sponsons. It also has a little dead rise going from 55% at the bow to 4% at the stern with a 2% right at the transom.
The BTX is available from a tiller model all the way to Omar's tricked out model with Eddie Marine twin controls, Volvo Penta QL Trim Tab System, Power Pole XL and Jack Plate. Personally, the jury is still out on the twin controls and QL Trim Tabs.
The advantage of the Twin controls set up from Eddie Marine is that right at the throttle are dual switches for both motor trim and tilt plus jack plate lift. This gives the operator the ability to run and gun the skiff making engine trim and jack plate adjustments and never removing their hands from the throttle. It also removes clutter from the console. I found them to be very smooth to operate but they can be a bit daunting if you're not familiar to them and need to go from forward to neutral in a hurry.
The Volvo Penta QL Trim Tabs are very compact. The system is constructed from high quality, acid-resistant stainless steel and therefore do not require a zinc anode. They feature less drag and quick response. If you are use to other traditional style tabs you will find the response to be too quick at first. Very slight input on the tabs is required. It’s easy to over compensate and dig the bow in until you get comfortable to their speed.
So why build a shallow water skiff in Minnesota? There are certain advantages to locating the construction facility away from costal USA. The reduced insurance rates along with other overhead costs being lower help to reduce operating expenditures. Mark has also built a passionate and dedicated staff. That passion reflects in the product being delivered the customers door.
The cost of fuel has had an affect on them like everyone else. They have had to adjust their delivery charge and being located so far from fishing hot spots like Mosquito Lagoon, Flamingo and Laguna Madre this has added several hundred dollars to the final costs of the delivered boat.
My largest concern, though, was service if there ever became a problem. Mark explained that in each state they sell the skiff they work with local facilities to become certified service centers. These service centers work directly with the manufacture to resolve any warranty concerns. I found out that there is one such center just blocks from my house.
In the end, as explained by Mark, the skiff is a conglomeration of resin, glass, hardware and parts. It’s the soul and passion of the people behind the skiff that can make the difference. The BTX by Fisher Beavertail Mfg., Inc. reflect those attributes.
Cheers,
Capt. Jan
Fisher Beavertail Mfg., Inc.
211 NW 1st Street Avon, Mn 56310
phone: 877-356-7795
fax: 320-356-7820
web site: beavertailskiffs.com
email: info@fisherbeavertail.com
SPECIFICATIONS AS SUPPLIED BY MANUFACTURER
Specs:
LOA: 17' 10"
Max Top Deck Beam: 72"
At waterline Beam: 57"
Deadrise at Transom: 4 degree
Draft: 4.75"
Weight Hull only: 495 lbs
Fully rigged: 900lbs
Fuel Capacity: 15 gallon
Max Horsepower: 60
Standard Features:
- Vacuum-infused cored hull
- 2 piece construction
- Starboard and Port 10' lockable rod/dry storage lockers
- 316 stainless lockable hatch latches
- rubber gasketed hatches
- Custom poling platform
- Stainless flip-down push pole holders (3)
- Custom removable seat/storage box with cushion
- Taco heavy duty rub rail
- 15 gallon composite built-in fuel cell
- Sea Dek on floor
- Stainless steel shark eye navigation lights & LED anchor light
- Blue Sea switch panel
- 12 volt plug-in
- Lifeline AGM battery
- Sea Dek reel protection pads
- Fuel gauge
- Automatic 750 gph bilge pump
- Built-in battery tray for trolling motor battery and charger
- 1500 lb galvanized trailer
- Coast Guard approved and certified
MSRP: Starting at $13,900 - 2008 BTX SKIFF, GALVANIZED TRAILER, AND 25HP HONDA
Price as tested: $25,000
