Apache Brave is a better buy in all respects with out a question. I know what type of work it is to put a boat together but its only worth what some one will pay not what you have into it. Just because i have over 50 in my velocity doesnt mean im going to get 49,900 for it. These are money pits and not built to make money but to make it our own. Plain and simple its just not worth it. If you were to spend that kind of money you could get somethign alot more for probabaly a decent amount less. I have no comparison to a fountain in that respect i know where you are comeing from. BUt to spend 250K ill go by Remedy A/T and thats not an assembly line boat
-Mike

Steve i agree totally, and as for a NEW apache its alot differant then to restore onit ITS STILL A 91 boat not an 08 so that has no weight behind it.
-Mike

No doubt MM and Phil get the big bucks for their restos. If I had the $$ and had no interest in getting my hands dirty, they'd be my first stop. But that's not the case. I'm not saying that either of these guys represents a bargain or even a good value for the services they provide. But they're worth it for somebody. But a MM resto is definitely going to be worth more than a CS resto. Could it be done for a hundred less? Maybe... probably.

How'd you like to work here?

Must be really clean!!

Hey don't think I haven't thought about it. I don't know how you meant that, but I have read allot of your posts so far I like what I see.

P.S. Thanks for the help about a Nickerson Carburetors they are the best folks thanks.

By the way was that a job offer?

This isn't an easy place to work but peole usually stay for quite a while. We have only one rule- it gets done in the best way possible- no matter who came up with the idea. When someone comes to me about something and tells me they have a better way, I know I've doe my job in teaching them how to do better and to constantly look for improvement. Second-rate guys get eaten alive. You half-ass something around here and everyone will watch you like a hawk until proven otherwise- or you leave. We've never had a bad year and never laid anyone off. Our customers love us- not because we never screw up or because we're cheap, they love us because no matter what the circumstances, the job gets done and done right or we don't leave. Period.

Clean? We had a new guy who showed up with an older car that he wasn't taking great care of. On his 4th day, the guys told him to hang around after work. They brought out buckets, rags and a lawn chair. They sat him in the chair and gave him a beer. They then detailed his car like it was a new Porsche- while he watched. Basically the message- no matter what it is, treat it like you're proud of it. Unfortunately he didn't last. Good, bright guy but just wasn't willing to "do the job".

Sounds like the place I oughta be.

Chris,
I couldn't agree with your philosophy any more. I am the same way. I don't care if I lose money on a job,it has to be right. Obviously, I am in this to make money, however I realize I'll never be rich. I just had an engine on the dyno for 2 weeks, at a cost of 500 a day. It stayed on the dyno until it was done. It turned out better than I expected, making more hp than I thought it would. Point is, I lost money dynoing that engine. The customer was thrilled with the outcome and that's all that matters. He knows how hard I worked on his engine and how many late nights were involved. I'm pretty sure he will be a customer of mine for a long time to come.
Sorry for the sidetrack. I just wish more people were like that. It is certainly needed in the marine industry.
By the way, if they can find someone to pay 250K for the boat, then it is worth it. That person won't be me. There are to many other choices in that price range that are bigger, faster, nicer, etc.
Eddie

I have some T-Shirts that are about 20 years old......I guess they might be worth 300-400 bucks a piece now! Crazy friggin price on that boat!