Jtysk25

I am looking to buy a boat I am having a hard time to decide which one to go with can anyone give me some of there input an experiences with these to boat builders? I like to inshore an do some offshore on a good day.

Thanks Joshua

Sirhc

The Florida boy will tell you Everglades, the Louisiana Boys will tell you Black Jack. I personally would take a Black Jack and not think twice about it.

Capt Gatorman

Glades no comparison. Black jack might as well be nautical star or tide water. Or bulls bay. Same boats at same dealers

Bent Over

Not to completely contradict the well thought out and fact based statement above... I've had experience in both boats, and either is a quality vessel. I took delivery of a BlackJack 256 a little over a month ago and couldn't be happier. The layout of the BJ suits my fishing style much more than the 243. The rave reviews given to the 256's ride quality are rightfully deserved. The wettest I've been on my boat is from a buddy's spilled beer, and I've already taken on some rough water in the short 30 hours of use. My vote is not a hit against the 243, but a massive endorsement of the BJ 256.

themossman

Transom area would appear to be one of the bigger differentiators. The more you fish offshore, the more your going to want room in the back of the boat. Sometimes I wish I had more room....

scrfasteddie

Need a Yeti 5 gal. bucket full of popcorn for this one!

My option should be clear.

Mersiles

What is the primary intended use, fishing or family fun/cruising?

Mr BJONES

Both are nice. Get the one that checks more yes boxes then no boxes. Done.

Richard991

Have an Everglades for 3 plus years and they stand 110% behind their product

scott_gunn

I like the Blackjack due to the size, lighter weight/more HP, and I think it looks better. Everglades are sweet boats too though.

jeff7y28

I don't have a dog in this fight. Never been on either boat. But if I see the 2 boats tied up back to back on the dock, I will walk straight to the Blackjack for a look/see.

beachbum43

I have an Everglades 243 and love it. I fish the inshore and offshore. We were 25 miles offshore a few weeks ago and I felt very safe with the boat. It is a good family boat too.

Karl in NY

I assume you are talking center consoles, but I'm very taken with the Everglades pilothouse boats...unique one-piece tilting windshield (for ventilation), with no obstructions. Very car-like with no mullions.

Last year we had a local fatality when a wide center windshield mullion was blocking visibility of a kayak, ruled accidental, but huge civil-suit followed...thinks it's still pending.

Someone is making a replacement pilothouse for the Seaswirl Striper Alaskan package, using a very similar design, actually a curved stock truck windshield. Seaswirl and Everglade should not even be used in the same paragraph, however, but Everglade would be hard for me to justify spending so much $$$ on, as are most upper-tier makes.

Dustin

As a potential buyer of the BJ 256 in the next couple years, I'm legitimately curious why you say this? I have yet to step in a BJ in person, but from what I've seen online, they look like more of an upper-tier rig than the brands you mention. Maybe not?

sealion2288

All the exposed deck screws on the Everglades is a deal breaker for me

Mersiles

The Everglades is more of a family first and fishing second boat.. never been on a Black Jack but I have looked them over and they look really nice and "fishy.

I have written several posts about the 243 pros and cons. The only thing I will add is that you better pray you never need to replace a bilge pump or float switch in the 243.

If your focus is more towards fishing I might go with the Black Jack. Need something that you would fish occasionally and keep the wife happy then the Everglades

Mersiles

Being an old school Mako guy that doesn't bother me. In fact I prefer the fuel tank access vs a cut and patch.

midcap

I'd go with the Blackjack over the Everglades if I were getting a "bayboat" due to the layout of the hull for down here.

Now, I don't know what you have planned to do with your boat. Cruising, fishing in the flats, the islands, offshore. That actually will help you determine which hull to go with.

captain28570

BJ everyday all the time. The EG is only an 8 foot 2 beam. It's kinda cramp feeling. But the ride is nice with the narrower beam. The BJ feels like a much bigger boat. BJ is faster and better MPG and sweet looking rig.

captain28570

BJ is in a different league than those boats. Need to do some research and learn something