Pure Bay vs Viper

[ifsteve]

After a ton of research and looking at boats we have narrowed down our choice of a bay boat to either a Blue Wave Pure Bay 2400 or the Sea Fox Viper 24. A whole host of reasons we have narrowed the choice down to these two but primary considerations were the features they have, value/cost of the boats, and local dealerships. Next up is to take some sea trials on each.

Interested in what you guys have to say about these two boats, pros and cons.

Thanks,

Steve

[PUREBAY2200]

Hands down the 2400 pure bay
No comparison
Go buy the 2400 pure bay
That model Sea fox has had numerous quality control issues with hulls cracking, gel coat coming apart, electrical issues & so on
That's from dealers mouths & owners.

[I make oil]

Ive looked at both boats and I agree with purebay 2200. The blue wave 2400 purebay is a great boat. In fact it's at the top of the list for my next boat.

[ifsteve]

Originally Posted by PUREBAY2200

Hands down the 2400 pure bay
No comparison
Go buy the 2400 pure bay
That model Sea fox has had numerous quality control issues with hulls cracking, gel coat coming apart, electrical issues & so on
That's from dealers mouths & owners.

I have heard stories about issues with Sea Fox but all of them were from about pre-2007. I have not heard anything about issues in recent years, in fact a bit opposite. Have you heard these concerns about them currently?

[PUREBAY2200]

Originally Posted by ifsteve

I have heard stories about issues with Sea Fox but all of them were from about pre-2007. I have not heard anything about issues in recent years, in fact a bit opposite. Have you heard these concerns about them currently?

Yes, spoke with 3 dealers last Summer ; 2 in Florida and one in Mississippi. Both confirmed that the new sea foxes had issues.
And the process of warranty work was horrible.
I personally saw a 2012 sea fox 24 that had a stress cracks in the gunwale, soft spot in floor and the gel coat was bubbling and cracking.

This was in July 2013 and the boat had been sitting at the dealer waiting for sea fox to approve warranty work since April 2013. Boat had only 45 hours on it.
The dealer in Mississippi showed me a list of issues that had with the boats and showed me another boat.




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[ifsteve]

Thanks PureBay. Good input and I appreciate you taking the time to respond. So if you don't mind some questions about your boat. Why did you go with the 2200 over the 2400? Which engine are you running and are you happy with that choice? Now that you have had your boat is there anything you would do different the next time?

Steve

[bayouchub]

I have the pure bay 2400 and its a great boat. I have never been in the sea fox on the water but have looked at them in person and you can tell that its a lower line boat than the blue wave. The fishing friendly layout in the bluewave surpasses the viper as well as fit and finish.

[PUREBAY2200]

Didn't make a 24 when I got my 22
I ran a 225 yammy. But originally it had a 150 2 stroke yammy, which was a PIA.
Not enough power for that boat dealing, it's a fast hull and the 150 didn't move it and I hated the 2 stroke.
The whole purebay series had been redesigned and all the stuff I wish mine would have had is now in the boat.
It's amazing how blue wave listened to the customers and made changes. I was called 4 different times and asked questions about my boat and my experience. They also sent surveys to me with questions.
When I had some electrical and plumbing issued they addressed it all.
Now the dealer " boats unlimited" was horrible. No help at all and totally clueless. I don't recommend them.
I had to switch to "BENT(over) MARINE" for service work and warranty things and they did a good job. But not many people have good things to say about them and I had 1 bad experience with warranty work at bent marine. They tried to charge me a 12 day storage fee while warranty work was being done...150$ a day....

But back to the boat it's self I really enjoyed it.

Bayouchub and I are good friends and he fished I my 22 purebay with me a lot , he now runs the 24 purebay and as he said he enjoys it.
The 22 fishes way bigger then other 22ft boats
And the 24 feels like being on a huge back yard patio deck, lol.

Get the biggest engine u can afford and then add ur extras In time.
You can add the extras over time and it's not a huge financial burden.
But I will tell you from experience upgrading engine size is expensive, lol.

What area are you in, I'm sure the guys in here will help I find a good blue wave dealer.

[ifsteve]

PureBay - PM sent.