Considering

**duckduckdog** · 05-12-2008, 11:55 AM

A Sea Fox - 197CC. Just wanting to know if anyone else has one or has any experience with one. Seems like a good versatile size boat.

**Island Hunter** · 05-12-2008, 02:19 PM

My dad has had the 196 sea era for 10 years with no problems. The 197 has been upgraded and is a pretty good boat for near shore and inshore

**Chessbay** · 05-12-2008, 02:32 PM

I'll start by making it very clear that I don't have personal experience with one other than looking at boat shows and doing my own research.

But, after about 10 minutes research on the web and comparing them side by side at boat shows is the reason I'll never own one. Go to some of the boating forums/websites and do a search for Sea Fox. You'll find more information to digest than humanly possible in one day. I'd say that 99% of the information says to stay away.

For the same amount of money that boat will cost you new, you can get a used boat that's constructed and finished much better. The used boat market is flooded now and there are tons of deals to be had.

I'm sure their are tons of folks that have them and some are happy, but if you just do a little reaserch you'll find that most of them purchased based on price point and now regret it.

**duckduckdog** · 05-12-2008, 02:52 PM

Point well taken Chess, and I appreciate the info, however, so far they are the only ones that I found that have a lifetime hull warrenty and the Suzuki Motors are toting a 6 year warrenty right now.

**adk** · 05-12-2008, 03:27 PM

Sea Fox FTL.

**dixiedeerslaya** · 05-12-2008, 03:44 PM

my buddy bought a 21 foot sea fox and he hated it... recently traded it for a 26 foot keywest.... he refers to his first boat buying experience as the sea fuck

**stretcharmstrong** · 05-12-2008, 05:34 PM

no go on the sea fox.

**duckduckdog** · 05-13-2008, 05:55 AM

Alright, so you're saying no, but without any reasoning. What have been the problems?

**Chessbay** · 05-13-2008, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by duckduckdog

Alright, so you're saying no, but without any reasoning. What have been the problems?

Seek and Yee shall find.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/search/q...rt=&custom-end=

Click on the links and read the threads. Decide for yourself.

**Fish** · 05-13-2008, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by duckduckdog

"a lifetime hull warrenty"

This could mean three years, or it could mean ten. But I would bet the farm that it doesn't mean what you're probably thinking...which would be free hull fixes for the duration of your lifetime.

Regardless of warrenties, junk is junk and it always will be. Since HydraSport left SC, there hasn't been a boat built anywhere around or between Columbia and Summerville that's worth a second glance, much less a penny of my hard earned money.

Here's an article regarding "lifetime warranties" for your enjoyment.

http://www.infoworld.com/articles/op...6opfoster.html

**Swamp Rat** · 05-13-2008, 07:42 AM

I have heard nothing but good things about Pioneer boats... and they are made in SC.

Nothing like an Everglades boats, but seem well fitted, solid, and good hull designs (from what my feeble mind can tell) - I just can't afford a new one. Granted, though... they are relatively new to the scene.

I have resigned myself to the fact that I can't afford what I really want, and will have to get something either very used, or back from the front of the pack. But I WON'T buy a Sea Fox. Brands on my list include:

Key West
Sea Hunt
Triton (used)
Pioneer (used)
Sailfish (used)
Pathfinder (used)

Then again, I will pretty much be looking for a slightly-offshore capable bay boat in the 20-22 foot range.

**Swamp Rat** · 05-13-2008, 08:11 AM

That having been said, if gas wasn't so freakin' expensive, THIS would be an interesting prospect....

http://www.charlestonfishing.com/for...17&whichpage=1

Fish, based on your input, I will look at Hydrasport bay boats as well...

**Love2labs** · 05-13-2008, 01:41 PM

Sea Fox is nothing more than an updated Renken. They were known for shotty glasswork and wiring. Glass laid so thin you could see thru the hullif the sun hit it right. Very light boats that were somewhat dry, but you got the snot kicked out of you. fished one a few years back and swore that I would never ever put myself thru that punishment again. I would rather get soaked in a Hydra-Sports vs. getting the crap kicked out of me.

**mudflat** · 05-13-2008, 05:45 PM

I have a SEA FOX for sale as we speak. You can pick it up at the factory were it is being worked on for the second time! 2004 23CC twin 2002 mercury 115, top of the line accessories! It should be the BEST 23CC out there after this! 20,000obo

**DRDUCK** · 05-13-2008, 10:11 PM

We called them HYDRA-SPLITS back then. They had awful problems with the hulls coming apart. You ain't too young are ya fish to remember are ya? I would not touch that hull Swampy with a 1,000,000 ft. pole. They tried to put the shit on everybody with kevlar hulls and dam sho didn't have it together back in 1987, before and after. Over priced junk at the time and still are. imo.

**Claimer** · 05-14-2008, 09:57 AM

very thin sides. they scare me

**duckduckdog** · 05-15-2008, 07:03 AM

Thanks for all the input guys. Research continues.

**Fish** · 05-15-2008, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by DRDUCK

We called them HYDRA-SPLITS back then. They had awful problems with the hulls coming apart. You ain't too young are ya fish to remember are ya?

I'll tell you what I remember. I've heard that hydra-split drivel before but it was from a boat dealer, and he didn't sell Hydra-Sport boats.

My brothers and I have traveled a lot of miles in Hydra-Sport center console boats and I have over the years known dozens of guys who have owned and fished the shit out of those boats. I even fished with one of the Wendy's Hydra-Sport boats in a bunch of those dreaded SKA tournaments, and we put that poor boat through the ringer every single day.

But I never, ever, not even once saw any sort of splitting or delamination much less something along the lines of an "aweful problem with the hulls coming apart". That's just a bunch of bullshit. Hydra-Sport made the best riding center console boat on the market. Even better than Contender, I'd argue.

However, I have seen a Mako fall apart.

But then, I still like Mako's.

**Bank Walker** · 05-15-2008, 12:54 PM

Parker Boats are great. They are made in Beaufort NC. I own an 18" center console. They were originally built as commercial boats but are now made for recreational user. They are durable without all the fancy features. I use mine in Charleston Harbor and trips to the surf to fish. Solid hull with a deep V.