Hi guys,
New to the forum, but long time lurker. After reading countless threads and spending hours on research, I am left with the difficult (although fortunate) decision of purchasing a new Hell's Bay Marquesa versus a Professional.
A little bit about me: I will primarily be using the skiff in Charlotte Harbor. We do a little bit of everything here - from snook and redfish in backwater creeks to tarpon in the deep water pass. I also plan to use this skiff for extended weekend trips (probably 10+ per year) to the keys, everglades, and mosquito lagoon. I will be making full use of my Simrad NSS Evo and FMT chip.
Now before you suggest other boats or other models, I am only interested in the above two boats. I have owned a Beavertail (Will & Liz are phenomenal), spoken in depth with East Cape (Kevin is great to work with. Their skiff designs and customization options are truly top notch), Ridden and fished on a friend's Maverick (Love everything about the boat except for the lack of direct to consumer sales approach), and seen several Chittums (I believe this to be the best skiff on the water, but I don't want to support all of the bashing they do - even though some of it may be deserved - thats another story altogether between Hal Chittum and Chris Peterson). Unlike many on this forum, I support all builders and believe all of them make exceptional products. Each of these builders build boats that will perform roughly equal give or take an inch, a hundred pounds, or 2 mph for each boat in a given category.
I have chosen Hell's Bay for the following reasons:
- History of the Company
- Quality Fit and Finish
- Support of Charitable Organizations such as BTT and CFCW
- Good Looks
- Community (Captains, Owner's Tournaments, Inner Circles)
- Customer Service
Anyway, I have had the chance to test both boats and love them both equally. The professional is lighter and easier to pole (I refuse to mount a trolling motor on my skiff) and drafts 4-5" less. The Marquesa is about 15 mph faster, has room for 4 people, and handles open water much better. I believe each boat will fit my needs while making compromises here and there.
Which would you choose in this situation?
P.S. - Boat is being delivered in August and I am excited to share pictures of the build process and final product once my hull choice is decided.
New to the forum, but long time lurker. After reading countless threads and spending hours on research, I am left with the difficult (although fortunate) decision of purchasing a new Hell's Bay Marquesa versus a Professional.
A little bit about me: I will primarily be using the skiff in Charlotte Harbor. We do a little bit of everything here - from snook and redfish in backwater creeks to tarpon in the deep water pass. I also plan to use this skiff for extended weekend trips (probably 10+ per year) to the keys, everglades, and mosquito lagoon. I will be making full use of my Simrad NSS Evo and FMT chip.
Now before you suggest other boats or other models, I am only interested in the above two boats. I have owned a Beavertail (Will & Liz are phenomenal), spoken in depth with East Cape (Kevin is great to work with. Their skiff designs and customization options are truly top notch), Ridden and fished on a friend's Maverick (Love everything about the boat except for the lack of direct to consumer sales approach), and seen several Chittums (I believe this to be the best skiff on the water, but I don't want to support all of the bashing they do - even though some of it may be deserved - thats another story altogether between Hal Chittum and Chris Peterson). Unlike many on this forum, I support all builders and believe all of them make exceptional products. Each of these builders build boats that will perform roughly equal give or take an inch, a hundred pounds, or 2 mph for each boat in a given category.
I have chosen Hell's Bay for the following reasons:
- History of the Company
- Quality Fit and Finish
- Support of Charitable Organizations such as BTT and CFCW
- Good Looks
- Community (Captains, Owner's Tournaments, Inner Circles)
- Customer Service
Anyway, I have had the chance to test both boats and love them both equally. The professional is lighter and easier to pole (I refuse to mount a trolling motor on my skiff) and drafts 4-5" less. The Marquesa is about 15 mph faster, has room for 4 people, and handles open water much better. I believe each boat will fit my needs while making compromises here and there.
Which would you choose in this situation?
P.S. - Boat is being delivered in August and I am excited to share pictures of the build process and final product once my hull choice is decided.
