Of interest

[Destroyer]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-17-7-Fiberglass-Boat-For-8-Person-Free-Shipped-By-Sea-/141104488263?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20da7b9f47#ht_3629wt_1030

Gotta admit that this boat looks awesome for the price. I wonder if this is the only size they make. And I doubt that boat will actually hold 8 persons safely, but for 2 ppl out for a day on a lake or river that thing would be awesome ...especially for the price.

[chumbucket]

Did ya happen to take note of where the boat is and was made? :zip:

[EngstromNK]

The term, "You get what you pay for." comes to mind.

[spareparts]

I heard a Nigerian prince is funding the operation, he'll gladly front your the boat with a check larger than the price if you will transfer some money into his brothers account.

[Destroyer]

Did ya happen to take note of where the boat is and was made? :zip:

Yep... China. And the shipping will take about 45 days.

And before anyone starts to criticize me allow me to point out that everyone here already has Chinese products in their home and in their personal possession. Lets start with the computer y'all are using to look at this post, then move on to your cell phone, your TV, and then your Detroit iron car or SUV with more Chinese parts in it that you can name... Fact is, Chinese products are all over this country and in your house. From your furniture to your electronics to (probably) the sheet rock on your wall and the wood in your house. If you buy from Home Depot or Lowes you buy from China. So why wouldn't you consider a boat made from China also?" I'll stick to my guns on this one... I say the boat has nice lines... (I'd like a little higher freeboard perhaps), but I like the style of the boat and I like the price.

[Destroyer]

The term, "You get what you pay for." comes to mind.

Very true... no one has any idea of the fiberglass thickness, quality of construction, etc. But then again, how many people here can quote me (off the top of their head) how thick the fiberglass is on a V20? (or a Mako, or a ProLine, or ANY other boat. But you can always ask....
Get my point? I cannot say this boat is good or bad as far as the construction goes, simple because I have no information on it. For all I know, it may be overbuilt and the best buy on this earth. Or it may be a piece of crap. But without further information, I cannot condemn it. To me it looks cool... and as far as getting what you pay for... I wonder how many people that paid top dollar for a Bayliner boat would agree with you?

[Destroyer]

I heard a Nigerian prince is funding the operation, he'll gladly front you the boat with a check larger than the price if you will transfer some money into his brothers account.

And I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today. :beer:

[RidgeRunner]

Glad to see your feeling better Destroyer. You got the fire back in your posts. LOVE it! and the boat isn't that bad either...

[spareparts]

as far as being made in China, China has some of the largest ship yards in the world, Taiwan boat builders make a majority of the bigger hulls marketed by most of the big name boats(especially trawlers). When you don't have the epa and osha getting in your way, you can be very efficient

[smokeonthewater]

the downside IS you can't inspect it before buying.. it will have NO manufacturer support of warranty... (paying return shipping would be more than purchase price... also have to add tax customs etc to the price... NO WAY I would ever spend that kind of money on those terms....

That said, there is a bigger version in the background in the pics

[EngstromNK]

The company will probably do fine & sell a lot of boats. It is the way the people in our country purchase now.

I can remember being a kid & saving my money to buy a really good soccer ball. It was about $50 in the late '70's. It was hand stitched leather & it lasted for most of a decade. People now will not save to spend on a quality item. They would rather have a $5 ball that is garbage after one season but be able to buy a new one every year instead of taking care of one for ten years.

I know that this group is different. You work hard on your boats & take pride in maintaining an older quality hull. That is not the norm in this country any more.

[RWilson2526]

I like how the front windows appear to be hinged...... Either way that 5'2" beam would be a deal breaker for me.

[Destroyer]

I like how the front windows appear to be hinged...... Either way that 5'2" beam would be a deal breaker for me.

Rob, I completely agree with you about the windows... but if you look closely, that's only in the last picture in the ad. All the other pics look like the windows are sealed..... no hinge. It also looks like in the one pic there is a (damage) hole in the transom, just off to the right side of center... I think we are looking at more than one boat. I'd love to get a catalog from the company

There are a lot of downsides to that boat. As you mentioned, the 5'2" beam would break it for me also. So would the low freeboard. (Truthfully, it looks like a long skinny rowboat with a great looking top to me).

And Smokeonthewaters comment the downside IS you can't inspect it before buying.. it will have NO manufacturer support of warranty... (paying return shipping would be more than purchase price... also have to add tax customs etc to the price... NO WAY I would ever spend that kind of money on those terms....

That said, there is a bigger version in the background in the pics
is right on the money. I completely agree. (although I think the boat in the background is the same boat, just incomplete)

But as the title of this post says... it IS interesting...I love the lines on the boat.. the top looks AWESOME to me, the railing system is heavy duty with a good functional look to it, and the price (including shipping) is hard to beat.

And like Spare says, it's amazing what can happen when you don't have a bunch of bureaucratic nitwits standing in your way at every turn..

PS.... And thank you RidgeRunner for the kind words... :beer:

[smokeonthewater]

On the background boat... It has much more overhang in back of the cabin but more importantly the windows are longer... It's definately different and I'm pretty sure it's bigger.

[wellcraftv20step]

Paul, I am kinda chuckleing at the whole foreign product thing.A while ago I was complaining to my dad that I was just leaving to drive my wife down to the local foreign car dealer to pick out her new Nissan crossover,and complaining about the whole foreign car thing to him. Iwas all set to get her the GMC Terrain . Dad who admittedly is a bunch smarter than me said "son with all the investing you do you probably own part off that company and many more like it, so put your money where your mouth is or shut up". Not directed at anyone ,its just reminded me is all.

[Destroyer]

Paul, I am kinda chuckling at the whole foreign product thing. A while ago I was complaining to my dad that I was just leaving to drive my wife down to the local foreign car dealer to pick out her new Nissan crossover,and complaining about the whole foreign car thing to him. I was all set to get her the GMC Terrain . Dad who admittedly is a bunch smarter than me said "son with all the investing you do you probably own part off that company and many more like it, so put your money where your mouth is or shut up". Not directed at anyone ,its just reminded me is all.

John, the saying is "out of the mouths of babes".... but sometimes we have to listen to what comes out of the mouths of seniors also. Your dad hit the nail right on the head. It really is a global economy now. That's not to say that America is not still the foundation of exceptionalism,... it is. But only a blind person can not see the way the world is changing. Do I like it? Hell no. But it's like a hurricane heading for you. You don't like that also, but there's really nothing to do about it except to acknowledge the threat, make preparations for it, try to get out of it's way and then deal with the aftermath as best as possible. Nightly red sky's brother. :beer:

[Coz]

http://www.allmandboats.com/Cabin_Boats/18_mini_cabin/index.html

This looks very similar...and they are in Miami.

[Destroyer]

http://www.allmandboats.com/Cabin_Boats/18_mini_cabin/index.html

This looks very similar...and they are in Miami.

Coz now THAT is interesting. I'd bet that either they (China) are copying that design, OR they are making it and Allmand is just selling it for them....Did you notice the price difference BTW? Almost $10,000 higher for the Allmand. (I used to have a 25' John Allmand... wonder if this is the same company?) Great find....

[Coz]

I think that it is the same manufacturer for both. I think that Allmand is just reselling them. If you look at two of the pictures on Allmand's website, in the background there is a boat with the same blue stripes found on the ebay version. But that is just a hunch...

[spareparts]

that Allmand place is a scam, I had a friend that went down there to look at a Seacraft 20 splashed hull they had, they wanted to charge him to take a tour. Come to find out, the place has a bunch of molds laying around, they'll build you whatever you want if you put the money up front. they just hire a bunch of cubans to build it for you, not much of a warranty or quality control from what I hear.

[Destroyer]

that Allmand place is a scam, I had a friend that went down there to look at a Seacraft 20 splashed hull they had, they wanted to charge him to take a tour. Come to find out, the place has a bunch of molds laying around, they'll build you whatever you want if you put the money up front. they just hire a bunch of cubans to build it for you, not much of a warranty or quality control from what I hear.

That makes sense, because I had hear that John Allmand went out of business years ago. Sounds like a bunch of scammers are just trying to live off the name of what used to be a very good boat.