Hey man I believe you, just playing a little Devils Advocate. It doesn't make the situation any better but it makes sense that it was an older tank. Defiantly some major QC shortcomings. How can I say this politely, the talent pool in NW Louisiana is extremely shallow.

B-Stealth
 

LOL, and then to put the cherry on the ice cream they brought in a guy from the North East to Manage and Build boats and customer service in South La.


LMAO, that's like trying to stick your hand down a bra with and find a hairy boob.

So you know everything about bay boats yet you purchased an EPIC? Im confused.

Here's a story first hand on Champion: I was in Lake Area Marine getting my boat serviced earlier this year and a guy comes in looking for a broken part off his champion boat. They couldn't help him because they don't make parts any longer. He was pretty much screwed. It was a cast metal part and I don't know what it was for. I told him he might have to have something fabed up and try Southside Machine Works in LC. It just something to think about when buying a used boat from a manufacturer no longer in business.

A lot of boats coming out of Florida come with Magic Tilt Trailers. If thats the case you are better off without the trailer. Mine has been a disaster.

I don't know if I could call the Bay Bolt a fig, its a solid boat even though its ridiculously overpriced. I've been on one and was impressed with the way it handled. Its noticeably wider than my boat and faster which I don't get because its heavier. I didn't care for the layout and the weight was a consideration as well because I fish from Big Lake to Cocodrie. It also was a PIA to maneuver with a trolling motor. I don't know if I would call it a knock off either, I think they were in production way before the Cape Bay unless they redesigned the hull. To me the Bay Bolt seems a lot more like a Champion or a Ranger. Actually, I have heard more than one person say Cape Horn knocked off Yellowfin although don't see it. I don't think there is really anything out there like a Cape Bay. Its handled anything I have put it through and I have put it though a lot. 450 hours in a year and most of that was chasing trout 20 miles offshore in less than ideal conditions. I would rate its performance as adaquate offshore, not great, but where it excels is in the chop. That 1 to 1 1/2 foot stacked chop that chews up Nautic Stars and Blazer Bays is no trouble for my boat. I will put it up against any boat on the market in the chop. I'll put it this way, I've pulled in the Hebert's twice and had the Cameron Parish Sheriff water patrol deputy waiting on me to make sure I made it in because the lake was that rough. I wasn't even wet.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Never said it was the best boat out there but its not bottom of the barrel either.

Wait, whats bottom of the barrel?

Looks like Epic is winning that race but I think Meaux was talking about the Bay Bolt.

I totally admit it.
 

Oh. I admit it absolutely. I even professed it earlier in my post that I drank the coolaid.

My boat dealer kept pushing me. At first I didn't like it. But the Carolina bow and the options with the price were grabbing my attention.

so to answer and admit. I am very knowledgeable about boats even more so on composites and resins . But I did drink the coolaid and made a bad decision.

I think Marty F has an Epic and he seems to be happy with it. Speaking of which I haven't seen him on here in a while. Hope he's ok...

Ha, how about we build kcinnick a boat?

We should be able to pull off a decent build with all of the knowledge we have floating around here!

So, thoughts on Key West, the wife unit likes the 230BR, I got a quote for $49k for the 230BR and $53K for the 246BR with a Yamaha 250.

Solid boat for a good price. It was what I was leaning towards before I went the my Cape Bay. Good amount of dead rise with a relativly shallow draft makes it a really versatile. The lay out is very family friendly, yet highly functional. I bet she loves the head in the console too.

Asking for an opinion on a boat is about the same as asking who's the best looking woman. You are going to get a wide variety of opinions. I had to pick the wrong boat to figure out what I needed in the right one. It all depends on what you are expecting. Depending on your experience level, most production boats on the market will satisfy your needs. It all comes down to how you are going to use it. I don't like to pick my days and don't mind fishing in rough conditions so I am happy to have the boat I have. The Key West is definitely capable of handling the occasional bad day but I would be hesitant to put it through too much abuse. I think that's a good price even without any accessories. Just make sure you get a sea trial before you buy it, preferably on a day that is not too calm.

Key West has my vote. Great boat.

I speak from experience and I'm sure most will agree with my first statement below.

You really don't know what boat you need until you buy one and figure out what your next boat should be.

That's the reason I say go with a proven functional boat with a High Resale Value in our area and go from there.

Don't be a sucker for a boat that's popular in Florida; because you will have hell selling it down here.

I would advise against buying a mid-grade boat, then deck it out with tons of accessories.

There's a very nice used blackjack for sale in the classifieds on here.

I need to go through a dealer or pay cash for a boat. Buying used puts pretty harsh restraints on what I can buy. Unless someone wants to take payments or wants to trade for guns, I am in the new camp for now. Deals I am looking at used are stuff like blown motor boats, a 2010 that had its motor removed/stolen, whatever etc. Or 10+ year old boats that took major depreciation hits.

KINNICK,


First, please tell me where you work, because if you can pay cash for a boat I want to come work with you . LOL


And if all your finding in boats like that are blown, then your looking in the wrong place.


Let me know if you need help. I bet we can find you a boat by next week.

Yea for a great price! Lol