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Maverick HPX-T or Hells Bay Marquesa

Hells Bay Vs. Maverick!!!

20K views 23 replies 11 participants last post by  hmaadd29 
#1 · (Edited)
Ok I'm sure this will be a hot topic.
I'm looking to buy a new skiff and have narrowed it down to...
Hells Bay Marquesa or Maverick 18 HPX V
These boats both fit my needs more so than any other skiff I have looked at.
I fish the Indian river lagoon system mostly with a handful of traveling trips per year. Mostly Fl. Keys, Everglades, Biscayne Bay.
I also like to run the beach for tarpon and snook during mullet run.
I have 2 kids and a wife that like to go to the sandbar as well.

Last weekend I was able to put hands on both of these boats.
I did not run either but thoroughly went through them both.
Now I want your opinion.
Please!
I want to hear from everyone!
 
#2 ·
Ok I'm sure this will be a hot topic.
I'm looking to buy a new skiff and have narrowed it down to...
Hells Bay Marquesa or Maverick 18 HPX T
These boats both fit my needs more so than any other skiff I have looked at.
I fish the Indian river lagoon system mostly with a handful of traveling trips per year. Mostly Fl. Keys, Everglades, Biscayne Bay.
I also like to run the beach for tarpon and snook during mullet run.
I have 2 kids and a wife that like to go to the sandbar as well.

Last weekend I was able to put hands on both of these boats.
I did not run either but thoroughly went threw them both.
Now I want your opinion.
Please!
I want to here from everyone!
One is a tunnel hull and one isn't. Big difference.
 
#3 ·
Ok I'm sure this will be a hot topic.
I'm looking to buy a new skiff and have narrowed it down to...
Hells Bay Marquesa or Maverick 18 HPX T
These boats both fit my needs more so than any other skiff I have looked at.
I fish the Indian river lagoon system mostly with a handful of traveling trips per year. Mostly Fl. Keys, Everglades, Biscayne Bay.
I also like to run the beach for tarpon and snook during mullet run.
I have 2 kids and a wife that like to go to the sandbar as well.

Last weekend I was able to put hands on both of these boats.
I did not run either but thoroughly went threw them both.
Now I want your opinion.
Please!
I want to here from everyone!
I think you meant 18 HPX V, and sorry that comparison is a dead horse.

Here's a link to the thread.

http://www.microskiff.com/threads/hb-marquesa-mbc-18hpx-ecc-vantage-evo.34807/

PM Creek Runner for specifics.
 
#6 ·
Ok I'm sure this will be a hot topic.
I'm looking to buy a new skiff and have narrowed it down to...
Hells Bay Marquesa or Maverick 18 HPX T
These boats both fit my needs more so than any other skiff I have looked at.
I fish the Indian river lagoon system mostly with a handful of traveling trips per year. Mostly Fl. Keys, Everglades, Biscayne Bay.
I also like to run the beach for tarpon and snook during mullet run.
I have 2 kids and a wife that like to go to the sandbar as well.

Last weekend I was able to put hands on both of these boats.
I did not run either but thoroughly went threw them both.
Now I want your opinion.
Please!
I want to here from everyone!
There is no "18 Maverick HPX T".
 
#17 ·
I have heard of some of the newer mavericks having issues with bow platforms causing indentations in the deck due to a light lam schedule. That's a rumor though. I do notice a lot of mavericks that have flanged feet on their bow platforms and have even seen metal pucks where the platform feet contact the deck, which supports the rumor.

I do like the maverick hull design a lot but I think hb gets the nod in build quality, rigging and overall attention to detail.
Having been a customer of both builders I can say that HB customer service wins hands down by a mile. Mavericks dealers do a good job, but if you have any issues that require interaction with Maverick directly good luck. You will need it.
 
#18 ·
I'm in the same spot you're in. I think the marquesas is the over all winner but it comes with a price. I think the HB Fraternity, customer service and the skiff itself justify the additional cost. It love the HPX-18 but I think it is too bow high to be a great poler. Fit and finish go to HB also but not by a mile. Resale also goes to HB. To be clear, it's very close and if money is an issue, I don't think you can go wrong with the HPX but if you can afford the difference, you can justify it:) Just my 2 cents.
 
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