[Bonefishbob1]

I have owned a couple of flats boats including most recently a beaver tail strike while the boat does almost everything I want well the fit and finish is not up to my standards and unlike most people on this platform I did not have good experience with customer service. I have been interested In hells Bay professional as it seems to be widely accepted as the best boat for my fishing in the research I find people tell me newer boats not even close to the older boats I find it hard to spend over 40 grand on a boat that is 18 years old any thoughts

 

[DuckNut]

I think that has to be the longest run on sentence I have ever encountered and it was so long it spun me in circles so I do not even know what you are looking for or want and at this point I am not sure you are looking for something or making a comment but one thing is for sure is I do not have a thought because I forgot where it is

 

[jonterr]

I think that has to be the longest run on sentence I have ever encountered and it was so long it spun me in circles so I do not even know what you are looking for or want and at this point I am not sure you are looking for something or making a comment but one thing is for sure is I do not have a thought because I forgot where it is

Where is this headed?

 

[Bonefishbob1]

Where it's going is that I'm going to buy a hells Bay professional just trying to decide if spending the money on an older boat that's been reconditioned is a smarter idea than just buying a boat it's just a year or 2 old they cost very much the same

 

[Rookiemistake]

Link said hells bay so we can see it

 

[Capnredfish]

Does not seem like you have first hand knowledge of the level of fit and finish you are after. Maybe you don’t need to spend 40k on an 18 year old boat. Judging by your post you have not looked at a new HB yourself. Not sure about the old. I’m confused. I went on a new HB few years back. Hard to imagine any better detail, especially on an old one. Which were also great. I think the old ones just amaze people because it brought boats to a new level. Kind of like a steam locomotive. A hundred plus year old piece of amazing machinery can still excite people.

 

[Bonefishbob1]

Does not seem like you have first hand knowledge of the level of fit and finish you are after. Maybe you don’t need to spend 40k on an 18 year old boat. Judging by your post you have not looked at a new HB yourself. Not sure about the old. I’m confused. I went on a new HB few years back. Hard to imagine any better detail, especially on an old one. Which were also great. I think the old ones just amaze people because it brought boats to a new level. Kind of like a steam locomotive. A hundred plus year old piece of amazing machinery can still excite people.

Actually I have I rode in one I've looked at them extensively and finish looks tremendous however in talking to people I've heard on more than 1 occasion that there's been issues and inconsistency in the lamination process as well as weight and if I'm going to spend that kind of money I really wanna be sure and in talking to some of the older h***'s Bay people they tell me an entirely different story so I'm just confused

 

[Snookyrookie]

I have the last 2015 built (supposedly) with the wider 2016 deck and the fit and finish is tremendous. Thanks to this forum I knew what to look for where and crawled all over the boat before I purchased it. Can there be a difference between boats due to being mostly or partially hand built, of course, but that can be said about any manufacturer. Best bet it to find a boat you’re interested in and look it over closely. Crawl in to the hatches, look at the joints, check out the bonds, screws, etc and if you like what you see buy it and enjoy it. HB has a great reputation but I’m sure there have been boats that didn’t turn out as good as others, if you find something you don’t like move to the next one.

 

[EdK13]

 

[DBStoots]

Bob, I have a 2013 that with the exception of some well thought-out comfort/convenience features (like recessed cup holders) is as nice as a brand new one. Figure out how much you can afford and then start looking. If you ever want to check mine out, I'm in South Florida so just let me know. I'm not aware of any history of lamination or other issues. That said, you just need to weigh the pros and cons based on your budget and how you plan to use the boat. Let all of that guide your decision and then start looking!

 

[jonterr]

Actually I have I rode in one I've looked at them extensively and finish looks tremendous however in talking to people I've heard on more than 1 occasion that there's been issues and inconsistency in the lamination process as well as weight and if I'm going to spend that kind of money I really wanna be sure and in talking to some of the older h***'s Bay people they tell me an entirely different story so I'm just confused

Probably get a different story from HB because they don't build 1999 models any more!

 

[richg99]

The internet is great for research...however...it seems to this old codger that more Negative comments get published than Positive comments.

I imagine that people who have an issue with any product, especially boats, have more time to grouse about the issue. The happy ones are out enjoying the (boat).

 

[Zika]

All these skiffs are built by people. And people have good and bad days with quality and workmanship potentially impacted. You never want to knowingly buy a vehicle built on Monday, Friday or during the World Series and the same scenario probably applies to the boat-building business as well.

Some excellent advice already offered. If you find a skiff you like, inspect it carefully. An engine diagnostic check wouldn't hurt, either. Then make your decision based on budget and needs.

 

[Bonefishbob1]

Bob, I have a 2013 that with the exception of some well thought-out comfort/convenience features (like recessed cup holders) is as nice as a brand new one. Figure out how much you can afford and then start looking. If you ever want to check mine out, I'm in South Florida so just let me know. I'm not aware of any history of lamination or other issues. That said, you just need to weigh the pros and cons based on your budget and how you plan to use the boat. Let all of that guide your decision and then start looking!

 

[Bonefishbob1]

I am also in South Florida would love to check it out and chat with you

 

[DBStoots]

Bob, sent you a DM. Give me a shout.