Importing Yet Again! :)

[mustang5]

Before you go removing that weight, think about why it's there.

The Stripers are designed to accomodate twin outboards as well as singles. When they are made to suit a single, weight is added in the keel to allow the boat to float on it's marks. Without this, it will wollow around a lot more and generally not drift or handle as well at rest.

I saw Mustang rabbiting on about how good the build quality of USA boats are compared to Oz boats. Are you aware of all the rot issues surrounding the composites used in the deck of Seaswirl boats? I've seen it on numerous boats which have landed here in Australia. I have also seen a rotten transom in a boat which landed here in oz. All of this is on post 2000 model boats.

I'm not against USA Boats, but just thought a balanced argument should be sought. I've owned a couple of Seaswirl boats (luckily with no issues), so I certainly know what i'm talking about.

I'm also in the industry here and have been for some time, and when I think back of boats i've seen with issues over the past ten years (boats built after 2000), USA boats clearly top the list of issues, even though it's probably only 25% of the boats I deal with.

I've never seen a 2006 or newer built Oz boat with a rotten floor (I saw a USA one just last week with this issue), rotten transom, rotten deck, failed stringers causing cracked hull, ruptured fuel tank or similar. I have seen numerous USA boats with these issues though.

The USA boats can provide good bang for buck, but remember they are a very high production boat, which generally means a lack of quality.

To say they are better designed or built than Oz boats is simply a blanket statement which wouldn't hold up in court when using evidence. Mustang, have you boated in America before to understand their more "treacherous conditions" as you put it? I've spent a bit of time in the states and ogle each time of how lucky they are with the glassy, non swell conditions they deal with. Everywhere i've been over there, the conditions are nothing compared to ours.

Regards

Darren

Ive done plenty of boating in Florida, and down the GoM. In the days I was treated to the water there, it was not pleasant. Fun in an open console boat in the middle of summer, but not pleasant. Im not sure its safe to say their conditions are more pleasant given we live in a part of the world where Moreton Bay chop is considered Dangerous.... Let alone returning home in 10-12ft seas from fishing an oil Rig 60miles out in an open Contender or Cape Horn...

Now Im not gonna get into the whole I know more than you argument, because I most probably dont. So all I am going to say is I feel a hell of a lot more comfortable 110kms out in an American Built boat with Thicker Glass, better floatation & Freeboard and better size & layout for the $, than the previous Australian Made boats I was privy to, of equal value (Albeit 2m shorter, 1.5t lighter, and with less than 10% of the options on it).

I am not aware of the Rot issues with regards to Seaswirls, and quite frankly am not bothered given the in depth survey report I have acquired for both US boats purchased has shown nothing but build quality and solidarity. And YES, I am talking about 2 mid-class mass production boats in Proline & Seaswirl.. Not even comparing to the upper class boats of Contender, Grady White etc...

I know there are going to be boats of all makes, and all countries of origin which will have construction issues... Thats a given. Mass production or not, Im happy with my choice and I will not buy an Aussie boat again, as basically I COULD NOT AFFORD ONE that gets me out to my fishing marks safely.

[wrxhoon]

I have owned four USA built boats in the last few years, all well built , never any problems with any of them, much much much better built than any of the Aussie built boats I ever owned with heaps more standard fittings that Aussie makers call options.
All of them have self drained decks, even when the boat is stationary, all of them are fitted with at least 2 auto bilge pumps, all of them have plumbed live tanks , all of them have built in insulated kill tanks that either drain over or have built in pumps, all of them have raw water pick ups with brass valves , all of them have deck washes , none slip f/g decks ( who wants a carpet in a fishing boat? ) and all of them have huge fuel tanks . Most USA built boats have trim tabs as well.
The last boat was a Trophy 2002 WA , a cheap mass produced boat with all the above and 326 lt tank.
Current boat a Grady White seafarer 228G (22.5') with all the above plus freshwater tank and a massive 472 lt tank.

I can afford a boat built in AU but I can't find one that compares with USA boats regardless of cost. G/W and B/W are not cheap in USA , they are more than double the price of Trophies, Prolines and seaswirls.