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Random Quote: I fish better with a lit cigar; some people fish better with talent.
I recently looked at a used 2001 with Merc EFI. Top had heavy pitting and boat overall wasn't the cleanest. Had low end electronics. Trailer included for $29,000.
I checked out the Kencraft and gave it a test drive. It only had a Merc 135. Way underpowered. In spite of this shorcomming, I wasn't impressed by this boat. The fit and finish of the hatches was poor and it tended to pitch and roll.
Excellent test in June "Trailer Boats" mag BF225 vs F225 on this hull. Base price listed at $17,845. My neighbor bought a 2002 Honda 225 last month and paid about $12.5k including prop and controls, excluding install and tax.
I BOUGHT MY BOAT FROM MIKE WEBB @ WEBB'S FIBERGLASS IN ROCKY MOUNT, NC THIS PAST FEBRUARY. AT THAT TIME HIS PRICING WAS SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
215 W/
1) T-TOP (W/6 ROCKET LAUNCHERS,ELECT. BOX)
2) FULL TRANSOM WITH ARMSTRONG BRACKET
3) LEANING POST WITH BACKREST AND 4 ROCKET LAUNCHERS (THIS HAS 30 GAL. LIVE WELL)
4) 3-SIDED CURTAIN SET
5) LENCO TABS
6) DUAL AX. ALUMINUM LOAD RITE TRAILER(FLOAT ON)
7) YAMAHA 225 FOUR STROKE
WAS LIKE $38,000-$39,000 AT THE TIME.
THE FULL TRANSOM/ARMSTRONG OPTION IS ABOUT $2500
THE FOUR STROKE YAMAHA OPTION IS $2000-$3000 I THINK
NOT SURE OF THE OTHER OPTION PRICES. MIKE ALWAYS RIGGS HIS STOCK BOATS WITH ALL OPTIONS OTHER THAN THE FULL TRANSOM AND ENGINE OPTIONS.
I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEONE WOULD PUT A 135 MERC ON A KenCraft 215! WOULD THE BOAT EVEN GET ON PLANE? THE 215 HAS A VARIABLE DEADRISE HULL WITH 18 AT THE TRANSOM. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE ROLL. IN FACT, I HAVE COMMENTED WHILE RUNNING THE BOAT ON HOW STABLE IT IS. ALSO I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE FIT/FINISH ASPECTS. NOW IT DOES NOT HAVE ALL OF THE FRILLS OF A GRADY, BUT THE QUALITY IS JUST AS GOOD IN MY OPINION WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG OF A COMPARABLE GRADY(BY FAR!!!!).
KenCraft Challenger 215
[This message was edited by JE on 11-28-02 at 09:41 PM.]
I haven't priced a new one recently but I can comment on how the boat performs. Mine is also a 215 CC that is 10 years old but has a new Merc 225 Optimax on it. The fit and finish is outstanding even after 10 years of ocean use. It handles very well in rough water; I ran 23 miles offshore of Wilmington this summer in 4'-6' seas and felt very comfortable all the way. The boat is very sturdy and solid feeling and I think it's one of the best boats for the money.
I sold my 19' Challenger last year. It was rigged with a C115 Yamaha and I was very pleased with the boat. Other than being a wet boat (which all CC are to a certain point) I loved the boat. I fished my boat 20-30 miles offshore out of the Keys. The boat/motor were both 1995 and I had over 1700 hours it.
I grew up fishing on my uncles 21 Challenger and know the boat very well.
This boat doesn't have the closed transom and bracket.
I'm thinking that the price I was quoted was a very fair price.
I plan on counter offering @ $30,000 and staying firm on that price. It's November, I cant imagine he's selling to many boats this time of year.
JE:
Do you have any performance #'s on that boat with the F225? Do you fish it offshore out of Carolina and if so, what are you burning in fuel per trip with average conditions?
Thanks for chiming in, JE. I would actually consider a KenCraft 215 myself if I could SEE one. I will be at the Raleigh convention center show at the end of January. Unfortunately, 70 West Marine has parted ways with KenCraft leaving only Webb's as a NC dealer and Webb's does not exhibit at the Raleigh show.
The boat riggied with the 135 was probably the older workboat style Kencraft which was a no frills low feeboard boat. The 215 is a different animal to be sure a beast of a 21 ft boat. Agree with other post that a 135 wuold be way under power as the boat is rated for a 225. hull weight 2750 I believe.
I would highly reccomend this boat for the money. I own one though without the bracket If in the budget I would opt for that add on
RightRigger
HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH ANY NUMBERS. WORK HAS NOT ALLOWED MUCH FISHING TIME THIS YEAR. BUT THE HECK WITH NUMBERS AFTER YOU RUN A FOUR STROKE. I HAVE READ THE ARGUMENTS BUT THEY ARE ALL MADE BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT RUN THEM. IT WOULD BE HARD TO GO BACK TO A TWO STROKE NOW. THAT IS THE SIMPLE TRUTH. AND THE F225 IS A PERFECT MATCH FOR THIS BOAT.
Mike is at one of the Raleigh show's, can't remember which one but it is the second one they hold at the Civic Center. He can't get in the first one. That is an exclusive club or something. I think 70 West drop the brand because people realized they charged about 20% more than Mike does.
Who has priced Kencraft Challenger 21' CC? 
