Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

What sets these guys apart, Like Hallet, Schiadi, Nordic, a couple of brands you dont hear to much about, or at least on this board. Are they lake boats, and how do they perform in the rough stuff. How does their QUALITY STACK UP just curious for a comparision. They look good, just never been on one, other than the pics and what I have rarely read on PB mag. Jeff

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

They are more set up for the lakes (Havasu) but the quality on most of these are good. Nordic was just bought by a guy (Randy Davis) that races in ski races so you may see Nordic come out with a 42 or 43 foot offshore boat that will work in the Catalina Ski Race.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

I had a 28 Nordic and ran it in Long Island Sound for three years. Did well for the most part, could have used a sharper entry for the chop on some days, but for the most part it did well. It has more amenities than say the Long Island race bred boats. Wormanship is outstanding, straight hull sides, hand layed glass.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

How come nothing on Hallett, they have a 40 and a 54, they look a little old school especially the 40,(maybe just the website) but if i remember correctly PB loved the boat.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

These California ski boats never had good dealer representation in SE Florida, so they are very rare here.

Years ago I was on a Hallett with twins on a possible trade.
The quality and finishing work were excellent, but the shallow vee made a harsh ride in the ocean. Pretty quick in flat water, but not a boat that would sell here.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

I think since most of the time you don't want to be in the Pacific ocean swells, the western fast boats are made for lakes and the California delta. In Hot Boat magazine I have yet to see a gathering of blown Switzers etc. at Catalina. <gg> Once you are offshore in Calif, you are stuck there. Not a whole lot of fun for the family.

On the East Coast you have the intercoastal providing a barrier from King Neptune, the Florida Keys and many large bays. Lots of inlets to run offshore if you want, then duck back in. Plus the run to the Bahamas, some open ocean running before the sheltered waters. Hence East Coast boats are more ocean friendly hull designs, they are more likely to be out in it for brief periods.

Kind of the opposite that you would expect.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Yup, the Pacific Coast is nothing like South Florida. We run up and down the coast or to Catalina but that's about it.

Most of the customs are low deadrise boats and go fast on the lakes but big water slows them down. A few of the guys will run to Catalina but not in the nasty stuff. That's why there's a lot of Cigarettes out here! :D :D :D I had one until I moved to Vegas (lake Mead / Havasu). I just bought a Baja 25 Outlaw which I preferd over all the west coast customs. It has a lot more freeboard and I think handles the bigger water way better. Plus, you don't see many of them here.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Eliminator seems to be making the transition. They have some models that are catching on down here.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Most just cruise the lakes, I'm not big on bow riders and mid cabins. Also when the swells come up on Mead they get scared and head for home or a cove, I just go faster and smile. :drink:

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Right on! :D I've owned two and ridden in many others, excellent build quality/rigging and can't beat the looks. The newer 33 and 36 Daytonas are just gorgeous...

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Most if not all the west coast boats are made for the lakes not the ocean that was one of the reasons for me getting a cig, i am not the fastest at Havasu but when it is rough my 85 mph boat will be ahead of the 100mph boats and i don't have to worry about it falling apart.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

So A 40' Hallett shouldn't be compared to a 39 OL, Nortech or Cig, and their 54' is not in the same leaque as Fountains 48 Express cruiser. Both the Halletts look like Offshore boats, just curious if anyone really knows or are just going on the facts of their smaller offering lake boats. Just trying to learn, thanks Jeff

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

I'm afraid I'm guilty of only knowing about the smaller Halletts and those are the ones I'm basing my comparison.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Jeff,

Stan Gordon had a nice Hallet. You might want to give him a call. He was happier with that boat than any of the expensive east coast boats he bought subsequently.

Since he's owned both, he'd be a good source. ;)

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

very happy with mine! not big on extras or luxury but built like a tank.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Thanks Fred, I was just curious. The 40 Hallett always got written up as a great boat, but you cant always believe articles.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Hallet is not at the level of OL, Cig or Fountain. They have deep roots in old school ski boats (not like the Malibu, Natiques of today). Their 40 has alot of teak in it and the seats & dash is old school looking. For that matter the decklid is flat like the old KV Scarabs and Cigs. Their finish work is very nice they are just behind the times on styling...Which I think they prefer.

I have a friend that has a 40 Hallet (with the funky front/bow entrance door). Boat has 575SC's w/ITS drives. It's pretty fast (dont remember the exact top end speed) It has a 21 degree deadrise that I really didn't care for but it suprisingly actually rides nice in the bigger water. He uses it in the Pacific all the time. He went from a 36' Nordic (which also suprisingly did well in the Pacific Ocean) to the Hallet. I tried talking him into a Tiger but he grew up running Hallets and really likes them.

I have another friend with a 40' Advantage...It's pure lake boat, doesn't like the rough. He's moving onto a Cig.

I have another buddy that had a 36' Eliminator Daytona (Cat) until he was running back from Catalina in it and ran into some big water. Almost stuffed it. Traded it in for a Tiger the next week. Nothing against Eliminator but their freeboard isn't as high as Skater and Nor-Tech and I think that's were they are lacking when it comes to offshore running in bigger water. Eliminator is trying to compete with east coast stylings (which they seem to be doing) but they need to re-design the sponsons to run harder in the swell.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Hallett is SICK, they did a HUGE boat for the Herbst brothers, twin 6 blades w/surface drives. It is located at their palatial Newport Harbor place.

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

It was the 2002 L.A. boat show show boat for Hallet. Looks to be a SERIOUS wave crusher!!
:eek: :eek:

Re: Quality Difference between the West Coast vs everywhere else,
 

Thanks for the pics, I love that 54, but NOT in all RED, cockpit and cabin same way, they could have at least done it in purple :rolleyes: :D