jmorton1986

Hi People

New to the forum.

A good friend recommended me to sign up, looking for opinions............

in the market to buy a new boat. There is a dealer near by me (Fort Myers Florida) selling Sportsman Boats. Just wondered if anyone has a sportsman? Im interested in their opinion on the boat.
From what i understand, they are made by a previous owner of Key West (or something along that line)
I stopped by the dealers and it seams you get a lot for the $$ when i have compared them to Everglades, EdgeWater and Regulator.

Let me know your thoughts. i have not sea trialed one yet..

Taildancing

I purchased th 232 open and could not be more happier. I have fished Lake Erie for 38 years. I have owned several boats and been on more than you can imagine. Last two I owned were a 24 foot trophy had top and a 26 foot PennYann with had top. I will never ever own anything but this boat ever. It's ride is unbelievable in rough water. And very stable at rest and trolling. I trolled beam to 4 footers in this boat and could not believe the stability. If I tried that in my others, I wouldn't have been able to stand. For what you get with the price of this boat, it can't be beat. And I mean from a value standpoint. I have fished on a 247 Grady and the new 242 robolo and all I will say is save the money. I will take this hull design over either of those two. Factory was excellent in the build process. I have 88 hours on mine now and not one issue so far.

Taildancing

I just want to also say that I understand there are better built boats out there and you named a couple, but when talking price point it can't be beat.

jmorton1986

Taildancing


Thank you for the reply.

I'm looking for the 28 Open Series. I'm in south west florida so like to go off shore fishing and diving. I really like the look of them.

What electronics did you get on the boat? what engine does it have and what year is it?
At the moment I have a 22ft Angler Walkaround. great running boat but the minute I hit a 2' swell, it beats me down to say the least.

mstyle8517

Employee of mine has had 2, a 20 and now the 28. I haven't been on either but would say they're on par with Sea Hunt and other "upper end of mid tier" production boats. He loved/loves both of his Sportsmans, lot of bang for your buck. They seem like a good family friendly boat that can be fished as well. His has Simrad Evo2 stuff and twin Yamaha 200's. He'll never admit it, but I think he wishes he had gone with the 300's, but the 200's are efficient as hell.

Just from a purely acedotal perspective, I would say any of the boats in the title will probably be a little better put together and have better resale, but the Sportsman will likely be less initially. Just my 2c.

jmorton1986

Thank you Mystyle8517

My biggest thing is a solid boat that I wont want to trade anytime soon. i have had my Angler for a year, great frist boat but now ready for something bigger. I'm aiming to stay around that 30ft mark.

Taildancing

I have the 232 open with Yamaha 250 xca. I got the dual simrad units and couldn't be happier. I studied and went to Atlantic City boat show, Baltimore boat show and Cleveland boat shows. Also went to a couple on water shows and did some test drives. Definitely test drive one before you throw more money on another brand. See if it's for you. I could not justify the money difference on some other brands. I will say I was down to the 237 cobia and the 242 robolo. Wife loved the interior of the cobia. Test drives convinced me of my decision. I won't badmouth another brand out here but I couldn't believe how wet some of these center consoles were on 2 to 3 foot chop in the south passage in western basin on Erie. And as far as a walk around goes, mine were gas chugging tubs compared to the sportsman. Lol

jmorton1986

Taildancing Thank you for the reply again sir.

I'm definitely going to test drive before I buy. I need to check when the boat shows are over here.
I do like the look of the everglades and edgewater but like you said the difference in price is unreally. The everglades I was looking at was almost 100k more expensive

scottbob99

There's a boat show in Tampa this weekend.

Muggin Mullet

Own a Masters 247 and getting a 282 Open TE built. They're no Regulator etc but like above mentioned they are amazing for what they are.

Scotchrocks

I have the Sportsman Masters 227. Very happy with it. FYI, there is a facebook group called "Sportsman Boat Owners". A lot of folks there with the 28's.

SeeSalt

I’ve had a 212 and now a 252, love the boats... exceedingly happy with both the ownership experience, the company, and the ownership community. My brother in law just moved up from his 232 to a 252, my two good friends also have Sportsmans ( 212 and 232), terrific boats, we have all been very happy.

jmorton1986

Thanks people for the replies.

I will certainly check the facebook group.

Montauk Anthony

I had a 23, no complaints. Very nicely built boat

High C

Love my boat, hate my dealer. My sure you get a good feeling about the dealer and ask others about them. Mine just took 4 months to swap out my Sonic Hub for one that works, evidently those things like to crap out on the regular. You will still have to deal with them well after taking possession.

I have had issues with the electronics (third Sonic HUB, fried two Navionics cards, EVO 2 on the right will randomly turn off, fuel level never seems to be right, music interface generally sucks), but love the boat itself. Just over 2 years and 200 hours on the boat the only issue I have is the powder coat coming off the bottom of the leaning post from me banging the cooler on it getting it on and off the boat.

DEBTICATED

I'm on my second had a 2014 227 now a 2016 232 Open have put 265 hours on it. Boat has done everything I've wanted it to do. As stated above its not a YF, Contender etc but good price for what you get. Good luck

b3st0fth3w0rst

Love my 212 Open. I'll be in the market in a couple months for a larger Sprotsman.

thunker510

I have a 2017 227 and i love it. Had a few small issues within the 1st month but all was resolved and customer service was excellent. I would buy again without question.

pstephens46

Comparing to the wrong type of boats. Regulators and Everglades are apples to oranges. Compare to the other SC built boats. I have friends that are happy with them.

SeaCat22

Good boats. Should provide opportunities for those looking for a good platform.