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Random Quote: You think you used enough dynamite there, Butch?
This is not for me but for my buddy who is on my fishing team, were heading up to the factory together on Friday. He is looking for a bigger boat for his charter business and he really loves the look of these boats. Plus, he claims that Paul, the owner of BW, is just a pleasure to deal, also important, IMO.
What are some good questions to ask regarding construction? I guess I'm looking for some technical answers that are important to a boats longevity, durability, etc.
look at any boats there that they are repairing. What happened and how are they fixing them.
Check out the wiring very well biggest PIA. Tinned copper heat shunk or soldered neat and color coded and protected
Drop Bruce a line at bruce@kikisring.com. He's picking up his new 2550 tomorrow or Friday. Been tracking progress with pics on another thread / another forum we can't link to here. He seems to have a very positive story to tell so far.
Take a look at the hull to cap joint and see how it is done. Does it just have screws in it, or is the joint screwed and glassed like Fountain and Contender do.
Also check out the fish box lids, gaskets, and insulation. How well do they hold ice?
Ask if they've solved the problem of the console door always popping open due to the insufficient latch, also if the console storage door keeps the rain out now. I have a 2550 and am well satisfied. It's a 2 piece hull ( a fine one), so I think cold beers question may not apply. Since there's no toe kick space I put coaming pads on mine and like it much better. I stopped them off on either side of the console though to maintain more walk by space.
When are they coming out with a 34 CC that runs twin 250 whatevers and cruises at 42 mph while getting 2.7 mpg and can plane out in 8 to 10' seas and not spill a glass of wine, that also tops out at 85 mph?
Sorry I could not resist based on all of the crazy threads up here lately. My advice is go up there and engage them after you listen to what they say! There is always something to learn. If you can get them to speak with passion you will know the sweet spots for their boats! I met the owner at last years Stuart Boat Show and he was awesome! Yhey build quality fishing boats with great balance! I would be curious to know what power they most want to rig. I got the impression that he was liking the Zukes a lot even back then?
Anthem, I have had 2 2850's and now have a 2550. I run their events (Rendezvous/Poker Runs) I'm not an employee. Back when I first met Paul and the guys at Bluewater, here's what I liked. Pete & Jimmy, his two managers, have been with him since day 1 and are still there. That said something to me. I'm not a technical guy so what I saw in the show didn't mean that much to me. I liked the no wood construction. I did ask for a ride and they took me out. I wanted to see how the boat handled rougher seas but on that day the ocean was calm. So, we found a large yacht wake and went through it at 50mph and that is what sold me. No shakes or rattles and it landed soft. I think Bluewater's strength is still that they build a good quality boat for the money. On these public forums, you will get a lot of opinions. I also get to talk to a lot of owners at boat shows and events and we spend more time having fun and very little time commiserating about "issues". (Most of them are engine related). When my wife and I looked for a Center Console, we found 7 brands that fit what we wanted. Bluewater is not the only one. It was just the best one for us. As you mentioned your friend has a charter business, the Bluewaters move their console farther forward so cockpit room is maximized. The boats have tons of storage. If your friend decides to get one, since he's in the business, have him get LOADS of rod holders (10 gunnels, 7 in leaning post, 8 in t-top, etc.). The boats are semi custom. You pick the power, electronics, t-top, leaning post + there are other "options" that other Bluewater owners can share with you. (extra tray storage, bolsters, hand rails, electric outlets, mounting pads, lighting). For those that like a factory direct approach, Bluewater, Dusky, SeaVee (sorry if I missed any) are three Florida direct boat builders that many boaters have enjoyed their experience with. Good luck with your visit. ASK FOR A RIDE!
Take a look at the hull to cap joint and see how it is done. Does it just have screws in it, or is the joint screwed and glassed like Fountain and Contender do.
Also check out the fish box lids, gaskets, and insulation. How well do they hold ice?
Steve
I can answer that one! It's got some sort of adheasive between the cap and the hull. I don't know what it's called, but it's pink and expands into every nook and crany. Then they screw the cap every couple of inches around the joint (where the rub rail goes later) to the hull.
This picture was taken just after they put the deck on my hull, but before they screwed it down:
Bill Erhenhardt bought a 2150 a year ago and they did some custom work for him. He loves his boat for the baja and pacific sides. He might have some input.
This is not for me but for my buddy who is on my fishing team, were heading up to the factory together on Friday. He is looking for a bigger boat for his charter business and he really loves the look of these boats. Plus, he claims that Paul, the owner of BW, is just a pleasure to deal, also important, IMO.
What are some good questions to ask regarding construction? I guess I'm looking for some technical answers that are important to a boats longevity, durability, etc.
Thanks in advance.
Thank you Hector for putting this together for me and to everyone that has given their input. I have done some research on some of the prior postings on Bluewater and I'm amazed on the strong following that Paul has. I know that not every boat manufacturer is perfect, but BW must be doing something right when BW owners sell their boats, only to upgrade or buy a bigger BW. That is impressive! The BW 2850 offers a lot of the things that I'm looking for, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow's visit.
Nice boats! Why does a charter captain (I assume) need our advice on what to look at when touring a factory? I assume charter business means charter fishing and licensed captain/owner? He can't go wrong with BW though from what I have seen!
Great boat . . . but ask them why there is NO fuel hatch in the floor. If your fuel tank has problems you're only option is to cut the floor . . . major PIA especially with the gelcoat nonskid surface. I also don't like the batteries and oil tanks in the bilge . . . maybe they can be moved inside the console.
One more thing . . . I've see cracks in the welds of some the stainless outboard brackets. You might want to ask if the warranty covers that and how warranty service is handled if you have issues with the boat (i.e. gelcoat blisters and such).
Going to Bluewater Factory Friday...Qs to ask 
