Thanks for the recommendations guys, it is obviously not an easy question to answer as it seems that there is no current manufacturer that offers everything I need with no clear identification of what makes one better than the others.....the only thing I have to go on for reliability is the experience of the users, hence this thread. It seems like I might have to pick and choose from a couple different manufacturers to get the hulls for my intended usage. Keep the feedback coming!

Why all the troll talk? Just looking for some genuine first hand experiences and opinions. Isn't that why we are all here?

Looking at adding 6 boats right now, with many more to come next year
A 6 month lead time would be acceptable for each boat
Bare hulls with fuel tank, I'd take care of the rest
3yr/1500 hour warranty would be nice, but I'd rather have no warranty with a solid, proven builder than any warranty with a boat that might need it.

OK, here are the recommendations thus far:

1) Active Thunder - Seem like a good fit, just wish they had a 24' or 25'
2) Saber - Have a solid following with no bad reviews that I have found. Disadvantage is they are up north while I am FL. Still in the running though
3) Formula - Slim offerings in the sportboat style, currently and most likely do not build their boats to be capable of daily abuse/commercial usage, they seem to be more of a leisure boater build as opposed to offshore wave crusher, most likely not willing to to do custom jobs since they are so corporate.
4) Aluminum Boats - Not interested for various reasons
5) Pantera - Seem to have what I need, however I am a bit skeptical after hearing of several accounts of them not meeting deadlines, not providing boats to customer, etc. Any update on their current capability to hold a schedule?
6) Team Scarab by Archer - Very interesting....wish I could hear first hand accounts of build quality/reliability. Also, he is in CA whereas it would be beneficial to have someone within a reasonable drive distance.
7) Powerplay - No offering between 23 and 35

So far, the manufacturers that I am considering are:
1) Active Thunder
2) Saber
3) Pantera....if they can be held to a schedule
4) Team Scarab by Archer

Any other options here that we are missing?

Sonic hulls are good! I don't know the status of the molds,
or if they are still building. My 31ss is a real wave crusher!

Sonic Unfortunately does not make anything in sport boat style under a 38'

If I were someone who would pick Dr Jekyll as my nick odds are I'd be unstable and a troll.

Likewise,

If I were a troll, I'd probably pick something unstable like Dr Jekyll for my nick.

Hence, Dr Jekyll = Troll.

Maybe he's posting as Mr Hyde ?

Hello Dr Jekyll, would the first six be same hull , or varying sizes ?

PM'd

Depending on how many you want, we'd consider putting a dam in the 29 mold.
There are a couple older 25' Active Thunders available in the used market.

Going back to the original poster's request of boats between 20' and 40' in both outboard and I/O models, I would reccommend Global Marine, the owners of both Checkmate and Hustler powerboats. Between the two brands they can fill the entire lengths mentioned and have the ability to build volume production. As much as I like the Active Thunder idea, they are more of a custom built boat..one at a time.

Well said, great points to consider

Not sure if you noticed, Sydwayz is with Active Thunder...so I'd directly contact him and see what they could do.

Will do, thanks

Interesting thread to say the least. And weird. So for the sake of argument and let's assume this venture is ligit, some one looking for 6+ hulls. No one knows what is the end use of the hull/boats will be. A bit fishy, but I understand that if it is a ligit business, the details may not be forthcoming. Whatever it is, it's not for personal use. Therefore many of the normally looked after things buying a boat, it's irrelevant in this case.
Personal preferences (and wishing, IE; I would love to have a Cig.. ) for one manufacturer or another is not an issue. 6 boats to start. 3/4 of a mill or so. Why new? Why not buy a bunch of existing used boats?
Drive/propulsion tests? I don't buy it. Anyone building a new drive system would be well aware of what's out there. Time frame and schedule of delivery. Apparently a big issue. So, AT, ( and I do like them and like Pat too) is out. AT/Pat doesn't even do it's own lay up. Subcontracted out to a Co. in Jupiter that does the lay up for a bunch of other boats. The buyer/builder is depended on the Subcontractors schedule,
All this would make a lot more sense if we would have an idea of the end use. No need for specifics, assumingly it's a ligit op. But only a few builders can fulfill the request. No matter if one likes them or not.

Realize that no boat builder can be everything to everyone one. So a company would have to pick and choose from the boat manufactures out there. This isn't Honda where they can get you a generator to power your tent lights that were hauled in remote via a Honda 4 wheeler that was tow'd on a trailer with some Honda dirt bikes etc.. We've all seen the commercial.

Now you want the boat manufacture to be in FL like you are? Well there's several boat manufacture's in FL so you can pick and choose from what's left to build your fleet.

Sketchy details gets sketch results.

I understand that the vague intended application can be frustrating; however lets assume for a second that I were part of a military operation, without a military budget, and needed to spec specific boats for specific missions. I obviously could not divulge the details of the mission to explain why I was using the boat, but I can describe how the boat is being used, which I did in the original post. All I'm looking for are real world accounts on who makes the toughest boats out there that are fast. Need to run mid 70s in calm waters and appropriate speeds in up to 5' waves. Just looking for some opinions and advice on what boats can take a serious beating for thousands of hours. Sure, I know what brands offer which boats and everyone says that their boat is the best, but I can't just go ride on each one or buy each one to find out which ones hold together best. Thats where the accounts of those with real world experience in each of the different boats factor in to aid in making the most informed decision possible.

Which is exactly why I don't want to overlook any and started this thread.

ok. I play for a minute. Let's assume military applications. Several boats builders were already used. Including Fountain, (I actually bumped into Reggie after one of his meeting with the Navy near Tampa) and even Avanti. Avanti in fact built a few. However, since I was involved with DOD in the past, knowing pretty much many of the protocols and appropriations and logistics, this is not the way it's done. Next reason? for the fleet? Sounds like just an attention getting thread more and more. However, if I'm wrong, so be it. Just a point for your search Jekyll.. Very few will give you any REAL input. Most everyone will "market" their boat, model, the boat they like, boats they wish they had, or companies they are affiliated with. Objective info with this is next to impossible. I like the posts, lol, but it's pretty typical of any hull comparisons in the past. Bias.

The molds for the 26, 28, 31, 35, 38, 42, and 45 are around somewhere!

Why not go C.C. ? Lots of builders doing spartan hulls ? Ask the same request on thehulltruth.com..

Then why would you post it on a public foruma nd not just read and make inquirys? If you cared about true offshore you can find anythjng you need just by searching these forums and seeing what has transpired. By inclusion of pantera, you have shown no research at all. Do you really think by coming on a public forum and even hinting that there is some sort of covert implication for one second you would be taken as credible... my BS o meter is pegged on this one guys... dont waste your time.

Did u get. A blip on ur gaydar lol

Maybe he is the stupidest seal ever to be on seal team six

Ok, if this is a "shhhhh.. Military project" then there would be a scope of supply detailing everything from the color of the floor to the air fresher over the toilet. They are if nothing hard on the details and facts so that tells me this is not a military project alone.

Secondly, any military project is not handled by a singular person in ANY country. Most have layers upon layers of people in the process and can take up to 5+ years at times. You do realize that the United States of American has a federal directive expressively prohibiting US citizens and companies in engaging in bribery of any form? So we cannot even pay off anyone to get a contract so once again this is hard to see one person handling it as there are bids pubically submitted around the world as the governments both foreign and domestic have to publish these things, hence noting secret allowed.

Thirdly, with the above indisputable facts, this is not a military project. So, your running cigarettes out of Check into Italy? Or cars from mainland Japan in to Hong Kong? :)

I'm giving him.the benefit of the doubt.

That being the case I suggest you pm two of the most knowledgeable people on the board. That would be big Scotty and Chris skulkin. They are probably the best people.here for picking their brains on what boat holds together best running in huge waves at high speed. Rm

So your building ISIS gunships to patrol superterrorist cove??

That is not correct. Everything is down in house, under my direct control.

.


Consider Superboat


http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...21-2015-a.html

No boat builder can build a 20' boat that can go 70 in 5' seas.

Well this thread certainly got ugly overnight. To clarify, I never said I AM in a military operation, I was simply using that as an analogy of a situation where someone can not publicly divulge all of the details surrounding their boat usage. Anyway, this thread has veered way OT despite my efforts to keep it on track; however it has not been a total loss as there have been several individuals who have addressed my initial question and provided me with their specific thoughts on the topic. I have also received numerous PMs containing great information from sensible people. To those helpful individuals, I sincerely thank you.

Too add to your response:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]542461[/ATTACH]

Bowl of dicks, noted.....

Pat- I too have seen the boats laid up under the other company, I can't remember what it was called but they had some stuff posted up a while back. I'm sure you know what we're talking about. Can you explain those build ups in another shop?
Nothing wrong with it, powerplay is contracting out to mystic now as well... But just confusing after seeing the layups and then hearing differently from you.

I built everything in house until about 2007. Then for about 5 years we did work with Porta Fiberglass. They did a great job for us and I stay in touch with Todd regularly. Things changed and I brought it back in house, purchased the latest, greatest equipment ramped up the staff and took over production back in Pompano. I hope that clarifies the confusion.

I can't believe this thread is still open. In before the lock :)

How many are in a Fleet??

If I were to select 4 models within the 25'-40' range, I would need 4 of each model, potentially more at times. Once their lifespan has been determined, because all boats will wear out, I would start replacing them before that determined point. Potential for a lot of boat sales on a continual basis.

What kind of abuse to you expect to be wearing them out?

Beaching?
Rough water? (how rough)
Docking/landing?

Will you have a staff of regular drivers, or various?

Are aesthetics/cosmetics important?

Tow boats?