Posts: 32890
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Glaucus_ - 8/9/2017 10:30 AM
Slamr - 8/9/2017 9:13 AM
Not that I care that much, because I'm pretty sure why you're going here but...whats the point of your questioning. People give you their thoughts, a guy pretty intimately aware of Tuffy products and their construction gave his thoughts....
There's no secret motivation to my questions. When talking boats, I think getting factual information on the points of comparison is helpful. Posts that essentially say, "The one I bought is the best because it's the one I bought" don't do anyone any good. King Kong smash Godzilla.
A couple people in this thread have stated a reason to buy a Tuffy is because it is tougher/stronger than other brands. They undoubtedly perceive this to be true; in my experience there isn't any difference. Steve provided some factual info about the build process by Tuffy that indicates quality and toughness. However, Tuffy hulls being strong doesn't mean the others are not strong. Steve alluded to the idea (but didn't substantiate it ) that some other brands experience hull or transom issues more frequently than Tuffy. That's extremely interesting and relevant information and I'm interested in hearing the evidence...as it's the kind of thing that shapes purchase decisions.
Boats take a huge amount of pounding. Imagine if we asked our trucks to bounce and bang that much! I think all of the boat brands being discussed are really tough - they have to be. Imho, fit and finish are about the same in a Tuffy and a Recon; they're a step up in a Skeeter, and better than that in a Ranger. In my judgment, more realistic purchase reasons than "toughness" are how well the layout matches your fishing style, the details of fit and finish, and cost/value.
We ( OutdoorsFIRST Media) see more rigs in severe use in a year than most folks will in a lifetime, and see how they wear over a couple years true abuse. I worked for a couple other brands in one capacity or another and still do, in fact. I've been in the marine industry for 45 years and as a result am aware of the lamination schedule of many of the boats out there, what that means, and where the 'short cuts' are in many of the brands. I also talk with boat dealers (every brand mentioned here) regularly, and hear the complaints about quality and service all the time, things that are not talked about when the consumer's ear is within hearing distance. Also deal with a TON of consumers on social media where the commentary is unfiltered.
Any builder out there could build the most durable hull on the water; it's a choice, plain and simple, based upon how much material costs they can get rid of and still keep the incidence of warranty at an acceptable level at a price the consumer will pay. One brand mentioned here has more advertising and marketing cost in their boat than combining a few others, and they have done an excellent job. Do they have warranty issues? Sure they ALL do, boats are made in factories by people....it's how the warranty is handled that matters, and all of them end up with some folks who are unhappy no matter what is done or because they expect more than the warranty and service offers. ALL brands....
The boat builders don't expect you to know about the resin/glass ratios, types of resins used, laminates used, or the schedule, and most consumers don't, because what one can actually see is the exterior and bling.
I never said Tuffy was 'tougher than (insert brand here)', but could and be correct, we just don't (and won't) do that sort of comparison here. What I will say is I am not aware of a heavier lamination schedule, and that those boys know frp.
And....any and all builders can and do build boats that will need warranty work. That cost is also built into your price and that's why each has a warranty. In the end, one selects the brand they want, buy it, and if the product earns confidence, that's, for that buyer, the 'best' boat out there.
Also, the cost/value is definitely there in a Tuffy, Ranger, Warrior, Lund, Skeeter, Nitro...pick a brand, and many loyal fans own one of them (OFM works with five of those brands in one way or another today and owns two). Paying $94000.00 for a 21' boat rigged out and ready to roll is beyond the means of many. $61000.00? Not as bad. Can't expect to get the same bling for the dollar, but one should expect both will hold up under the use/abuse intended, especially if it's a 'walleye boat'. Both do. That's why both are healthy companies.
I own a Toyota Tundra pickup. Wish it was a Denali, but it isn't. I still really like my truck and am not worried too much if someone else who OWNS a Denali looks down his nose at it.
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