Boston Whaler/Regulator/Contender/Edgewater/Seacraft

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Author Topic:   Boston Whaler/Regulator/Contender/Edgewater/Seacraft

thediscusthrower posted 11-27-2006 01:12 PM ET (US)
I'm always hearing (on a local fishing website) how great Regulator, Contender, Edgewater, Everglades and SeaCraft boat are...particularly Regs. Are these other boats unsinkable? How does Boston Whaler stack up against these others?
Bob
rtk posted 11-27-2006 07:09 PM ET (US)
It's a very broad question and tough to compare only brands. Comparing boats vs boats in a specific size category would probably result in a more "apples to apples" comparison.
I'm not that familiar with Everglades and Edgewater boats, but they have Boston Whaler lineage with regard to designers.
www.evergladesboats.com/legend.htm
Look around at the Everglades site regarding the RAMCAP construction method. Pretty cool- good to see Mr. Dougherty still using and improving the foam filled boat concept and passing along his art to his son. The construction method makes so much sense to me. I guess that is why I gravitate to Boston Whalers.
www.evergladesboats.com/faq.htm
Edgewater is unsinkable too.
ewboats.com/safety.cfm
I don't think the balance of manufacturers you mention are unsinkable.
Really nice boats though. I really like the SeaCraft boats, real sluggers and innovative too. Clean cockpit, good ride, well built and efficient hulls. Wet boats though from what I have heard.
Regulator and Contender are very deep V hull designs designed to run fast in seas. Great reputation with the "small boat" offshore serious fishing crowd. Cool boats, never been on one, but would like to run one.
Rich
tyler993 posted 12-02-2006 02:15 AM ET (US)
I've owned 4 of the brands that you've mentioned. Different sizes but I can comment in a general sense. My opinions of course.
Regulator 23 is the best riding production boat in its class. Pure fishing machine with minimal amenities. My guess is that you'll hear similar reviews from Contender fans.
Seacrafts (new versions) are overrated. Don't get caught up in the hype around the classic Seacrafts, etc. If you can get it cheap, fine.
Edgewater is a good solid boat with innovative layouts, etc. Good luck trying to resell it though. Bid low on used ones, the seller is probably desperate.
Boston Whaler is the ultimate good compromise. Acceptable ride, excellent quality, reasonably well laid out, good re-sale and safe.
Mambo Minnow posted 12-02-2006 08:00 AM ET (US)
What makes the Edgewaters resale value low?
tyler993 posted 12-06-2006 09:49 AM ET (US)
Edgwaters are good boats and they hold up well. Unfortunately, resale has more to do with demand than quality. Edgewater simply does not carry the "mystique" (sorry, lack of a better word...) as does Whaler, Grady, Regulator or Contender.
If you were planning on keeping a boat for lots of years, a one or two year old Edgewater is probably a great deal.
Riptide23WA posted 12-07-2006 09:40 PM ET (US)
Well, having owned both, with all things being equal, I'd generally take an EdgeWater over a Whaler. But, since when are things ever equal?
I will keep my Whaler, until my dream EdgeWater (a 26 Express) comes down into my price range in a few more years...
Pat
contender posted 12-14-2006 09:37 PM ET (US)
All the boats you have listed are good ones, however the two for me are the boston whaler and contender (of which I have 2 whalers and one contender). I think the edgewater is a nice boat except I noticed a lot of sharp corners and fittings inside the boat (stuff you can get hurt on) was not please with this set up and it turn me off to this brand of boat. But I have never been in one. The seacraft, I do not care if you have the 32' or the small 19' they are all wet boats, The first thing serious fishermen do to their seacrafts is place spray rails on the hulls to avoid the water following up the hull in rough seas. I only have been in one regulator nice boat, heavy boat, = more gas. but very nice riding. The whaler, contender, and regulator all keep there value, Not much of a request/demand for edgewaters, and seacrafts you can pick up pretty cheap. Do not know anything about everglades, and do not see very many of them. But like rtk stated you are comparing apples to oranges...good luck
where2 posted 12-15-2006 06:51 PM ET (US)
My father has a 1997 20' Edgewater powered by a 200 Yamaha. Both have been flawless since new and have over 1000 hours on them. The Edgewater designs generally have a large reverse chine to deflect spray away from the boat when running in rough seas. It has to be downright nasty or the operator has to do something substantially wrong to get you wet as an occupant in his boat. My father's only complaint on the boat is the fuel burn rate on the 200Hp 2-stroke Yamaha. (he has been an avid boater since the early 50's)
During the early years of Edgewater Boats, Edgewaters held their value Very well, and used Edgewaters commanded prices nearly what they cost new. I'm not sure how the used market has changed in the last few years, but considering how the boats hold up, an considering their hull warranty, they are generally what I would consider "money well spent".
My 1985 15' Boston Whaler Sport was money well spent. It was garage kept when I bought it in 1996, and would easily fetch 2/3 of what I paid for it originally if I put it up for sale tomorrow. Mind you, I had to pay top dollar in 1996 for a garage kept Whaler, but it was money well spent in the long run.

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Author	Topic: Boston Whaler/Regulator/Contender/Edgewater/Seacraft
thediscusthrower	posted 11-27-2006 01:12 PM ET (US) I'm always hearing (on a local fishing website) how great Regulator, Contender, Edgewater, Everglades and SeaCraft boat are...particularly Regs. Are these other boats unsinkable? How does Boston Whaler stack up against these others? Bob
rtk	posted 11-27-2006 07:09 PM ET (US) It's a very broad question and tough to compare only brands. Comparing boats vs boats in a specific size category would probably result in a more "apples to apples" comparison. I'm not that familiar with Everglades and Edgewater boats, but they have Boston Whaler lineage with regard to designers. www.evergladesboats.com/legend.htm Look around at the Everglades site regarding the RAMCAP construction method. Pretty cool- good to see Mr. Dougherty still using and improving the foam filled boat concept and passing along his art to his son. The construction method makes so much sense to me. I guess that is why I gravitate to Boston Whalers. www.evergladesboats.com/faq.htm Edgewater is unsinkable too. ewboats.com/safety.cfm I don't think the balance of manufacturers you mention are unsinkable. Really nice boats though. I really like the SeaCraft boats, real sluggers and innovative too. Clean cockpit, good ride, well built and efficient hulls. Wet boats though from what I have heard. Regulator and Contender are very deep V hull designs designed to run fast in seas. Great reputation with the "small boat" offshore serious fishing crowd. Cool boats, never been on one, but would like to run one. Rich
tyler993	posted 12-02-2006 02:15 AM ET (US) I've owned 4 of the brands that you've mentioned. Different sizes but I can comment in a general sense. My opinions of course. Regulator 23 is the best riding production boat in its class. Pure fishing machine with minimal amenities. My guess is that you'll hear similar reviews from Contender fans. Seacrafts (new versions) are overrated. Don't get caught up in the hype around the classic Seacrafts, etc. If you can get it cheap, fine. Edgewater is a good solid boat with innovative layouts, etc. Good luck trying to resell it though. Bid low on used ones, the seller is probably desperate. Boston Whaler is the ultimate good compromise. Acceptable ride, excellent quality, reasonably well laid out, good re-sale and safe.
Mambo Minnow	posted 12-02-2006 08:00 AM ET (US) What makes the Edgewaters resale value low?
tyler993	posted 12-06-2006 09:49 AM ET (US) Edgwaters are good boats and they hold up well. Unfortunately, resale has more to do with demand than quality. Edgewater simply does not carry the "mystique" (sorry, lack of a better word...) as does Whaler, Grady, Regulator or Contender. If you were planning on keeping a boat for lots of years, a one or two year old Edgewater is probably a great deal.
Riptide23WA	posted 12-07-2006 09:40 PM ET (US) Well, having owned both, with all things being equal, I'd generally take an EdgeWater over a Whaler. But, since when are things ever equal? I will keep my Whaler, until my dream EdgeWater (a 26 Express) comes down into my price range in a few more years... Pat
contender	posted 12-14-2006 09:37 PM ET (US) All the boats you have listed are good ones, however the two for me are the boston whaler and contender (of which I have 2 whalers and one contender). I think the edgewater is a nice boat except I noticed a lot of sharp corners and fittings inside the boat (stuff you can get hurt on) was not please with this set up and it turn me off to this brand of boat. But I have never been in one. The seacraft, I do not care if you have the 32' or the small 19' they are all wet boats, The first thing serious fishermen do to their seacrafts is place spray rails on the hulls to avoid the water following up the hull in rough seas. I only have been in one regulator nice boat, heavy boat, = more gas. but very nice riding. The whaler, contender, and regulator all keep there value, Not much of a request/demand for edgewaters, and seacrafts you can pick up pretty cheap. Do not know anything about everglades, and do not see very many of them. But like rtk stated you are comparing apples to oranges...good luck
where2	posted 12-15-2006 06:51 PM ET (US) My father has a 1997 20' Edgewater powered by a 200 Yamaha. Both have been flawless since new and have over 1000 hours on them. The Edgewater designs generally have a large reverse chine to deflect spray away from the boat when running in rough seas. It has to be downright nasty or the operator has to do something substantially wrong to get you wet as an occupant in his boat. My father's only complaint on the boat is the fuel burn rate on the 200Hp 2-stroke Yamaha. (he has been an avid boater since the early 50's) During the early years of Edgewater Boats, Edgewaters held their value Very well, and used Edgewaters commanded prices nearly what they cost new. I'm not sure how the used market has changed in the last few years, but considering how the boats hold up, an considering their hull warranty, they are generally what I would consider "money well spent". My 1985 15' Boston Whaler Sport was money well spent. It was garage kept when I bought it in 1996, and would easily fetch 2/3 of what I paid for it originally if I put it up for sale tomorrow. Mind you, I had to pay top dollar in 1996 for a garage kept Whaler, but it was money well spent in the long run.