Hells bay. Chapter 22? - The Hull Truth

redseacraft · 10-10-2007, 08:30 AM

Hells bay made a really nice boat but in my opinion were too expensive. Their 27 was real nice but they only put out a handfull of them.

Well they are back in business. Sportfishing mag's 2008 annual product guide had a 18ft marquesa featured. 625lbs is real nice and the boat looks super fishy........but $43,500.00 for a base boat with a 60hp. That is crazy beyond belief. Optioned out I'm sure 50k isn't too far off.

I remember when I first moved to Florida in '98 Hells Bay sold their base 16ft boat for $10,900. How times change. With this economy I'm taking bets they go under again. You just can't sell a 18ft boat for that kind of money. For a few bucks more you can get a Yellowfin, Maveric, or nice Scout and money left over for a kayak if you really want to get skinny.

redseacraft · 10-11-2007, 07:28 AM

Anybody?

truculenity · 10-11-2007, 08:01 AM

well i dont wanna take bets on a company going out of business. But i agree that the prices are way too high for my tastes, but have you priced out all the other "extreme" skiffs? thats not to far off sadly. If you love fishing a particular way and you find a boat that fits you to a T, your gonna pay whatever it costs to get it.

Kamper · 10-11-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

redseacraft - 10/11/2007 9:28 AM
Anybody?

You made some good observations. Do you have questions?

First Light · 10-11-2007, 08:35 AM

Well you're looking for answers to what you apparently think is the high price of a Hells Bay Marquesa model, and to me it does not sound like you know too much about what you are asking?

The $10,900 Hells Bay you mention was the Whipray, one of the first models they came out with. This small $10,900 model came with virtually no options and a 40hp tiller drive as I recall. So what's wrong with that price, as the Whipray was their entry level boat?

Comparing a basic stripped down Whipray at 10 year old prices with the price of a Hells Bay model today that has essentially become the Cadillac of flats boats is equivalent to comparing a Chevy II or Chevrolet Nova to a Cadillac.

FYI, material prices (ie. fiberglass, kevlar, resins and gelcoat) have gone up close to 100% since the $10,900 Whipray price you mention, and the $43,000 price of today's Marquesa sounds quite reasonable to me.

Judd · 10-11-2007, 10:51 AM

Phenomenal response!

Drifter · 10-11-2007, 10:56 AM

If every boat manufacturer that had overpriced boats went out of business, I'm afraid that our choices would be rather limited.

SALTY DOG II · 10-11-2007, 11:17 AM

They make sick boats...I have a 20' Cape Sable and it's awesome and by the way Kevlar ain't cheap. It's light and strong and fast. I'd put these boats up against any other in it's size.

Jettywolf · 10-15-2007, 08:54 PM

Can you fly like and EGRET?
Cuz that's where I'd fly over too if I was in the market for a boat that weighs less and gives more for the high price.

FRKOWTY · 10-15-2007, 09:42 PM

there are a handful of flats boats that are as good as a HB and most of them are 20% less

PETRAFIED · 10-16-2007, 06:07 AM

It must be all the additional COD costs!

Humdinger · 10-16-2007, 06:23 AM

The owner of the company I work for just bought one, and the wait was around 3 to 4 months to get it built. I went to the factory with him, and there is no shortage of people buying 45,000 flats boat. This is the second one for my boss, and he sold the first one for about 90% of what he paid for it 2.5 years later. That's better than I've done with Contender, and Hydrasports so far. In my opinion it is the niceset built boat I've ever seen including his Hatteras it sits on the bow of.