IMHO, those boats are still way over priced. Having owned a 23' Sea Hunt, that 25 footer is the boat that I would consider purchasing. Hope that things are good in FL John! 👍👍
WOW, that Bulls Bay seems hard to beat for the money! I'll have to climb in one and check it out, clearly some sacrifices for the price like the windscreen.
Good content. Would really love to see some 20 to 23 foot reviews, did you get any at Stuart Sir? Robalo seems to be a higher quality mid-tier IMO. Thanks Rich
I agree Bluewater makes a decent boat, but the price is asinine. Heck its beam is 8” narrower than a Gamefish 25. It’s a tight 25, for sure. The hull rides nice, can’t take that away from it at all but $230k is grossly overpriced when you look st the finer details of the boat. Its console isn’t glass enclosed, its running Suzuki’s (cheapest of the big 3). In my opinion they are priced high because they are playing on a recent sponsorship with a YTber semi local to Stuart who’s promoting his Bluesater 2850. That’s a solid $180k boat, it absolutely is not worth $233k in any reality as outfitted. The Blackfin 252 is a solid 25 as well, wasn’t sure if they were at the show. Always a great finished boat from them too.
Blackfin was at the show but no 252. I think you're maybe overlooking the fit and finish on the Bluewater. It's honestly noticeably different. I assume you mean Lamdshark? That's the one Florida channel I actually watch regularly. Victor and Brooke seem like good people.
Oh they are great people, but notice everything is an ad these days in videos (except yours, which I love btw). I don’t discount the fit and finish, and they are a small company, so costs involved in production contribute to the high price. That said, its not a $230k boat. Its akin to the Freeman 28 Cat, trying to bank on advertising to sell a 28 foot cat @ $500k. I agree with you, Bluewater has a following, but in my humble opinion its just not there price wise. The gamefish 25, Sportsman 252, Blackfin 252 (higher end) are great values with similar capabilities. Its honestly hard to overlook that Blackfin, and I don’t own one, but the fit and finish of those production level boats is unreal. I’m headed to the St. Pete show this weekend, wonder if Bluewater will be present.
@@FishinMagik I don't think they are gonna be there. Interestingly, they had a 2850 for about 250k at Stuart. I thought that was a great deal. I've had some personal experience with Sea Hunt that did not end well, 100 percent because of the construction of the boat. I think Sportsman has significantly upped their game in past few years.
Boat sales are way down. Interest Rates are way up. Some manufactures are giving financing special (60 month 3.99% then 9.99%for 120 months) or 10k from factory . I spoke to one that says he can’t make a profit on his inventory because they are just aren’t moving. Quality finish isn’t that great either. Top Tier manufacturing like Invincible or Contender find the quality but you then are into 400k to 999k or higher. I looked at a Grady White and I was surprised at how the wiring quality was bad for a 300k+ boat that you couldn’t even access the bilge because of the rear seating bench. Even resale of used newer boats are taking a dive. People shouldn’t have to give up their kids braces and college to afford a boat but they are. Eventually this is gonna go like the housing market did in 2008. Strap on and strap in for the future. YT’er Salty Crouton also has a good review from the Stuart show also.
Why are boat reviewers are calling the integrated transom an "euro" transom? It was "invented/used in the US back in the late 80's, I believe Contender Boats were one of the first to incorporate the engines brackets into the transom. Europeans manufacturers did not integrated transom. We need to stop giving credit where credit is not deserved. Same thing happens in the construction industry, euro kitchens, wtf. Their kitchens are small, cramped and crappy.
Good review! Manufactures need to start offering some walk around cabin models.
Omg....so true! I'm keeping my fingers crossed there will be some of those in Miami just to mix the style of boats up a bit
The BlueWater is in another class of boats you reviewed. Great reviews of all the boats!!
Good reviews! The Sportsman has a fresh water fill next to the front underseat cooler, not a waste flush!
Thank you for the clarification- that makes a ton more sense
This is just the begging. Good review! Cars are a necessity, and the dealers are struggling to sell imagine boats.
IMHO, those boats are still way over priced. Having owned a 23' Sea Hunt, that 25 footer is the boat that I would consider purchasing. Hope that things are good in FL John! 👍👍
Things are great here Steve. Always appreciate your opinion bud! Be well!
Didn't make it down this year so I'll be living vicariously through your videos... Are you doing another express/PH/WA segment from Stuart? Thanks!
Not this year unfortunately. Focused on CCs and hope to mostly focus on everything else at Miami
WOW, that Bulls Bay seems hard to beat for the money! I'll have to climb in one and check it out, clearly some sacrifices for the price like the windscreen.
The 25T even has the SeaKeeper Ride included in the price
It's amazing how the bulls Bay looks extremely small. Next to the 26-ft twin Vee But the price would account for.
I would love to own a Bluewater but agree with other commenters that at that price you’re looking at 28-29ft boats from other manufacturers.
Good content. Would really love to see some 20 to 23 foot reviews, did you get any at Stuart Sir? Robalo seems to be a higher quality mid-tier IMO. Thanks Rich
@@richdewitt760 thanks Rich. Yes, have a 21-22 comparison next week. This Thursday I have a small catamaran comparison from the show.
I agree Bluewater makes a decent boat, but the price is asinine. Heck its beam is 8” narrower than a Gamefish 25. It’s a tight 25, for sure. The hull rides nice, can’t take that away from it at all but $230k is grossly overpriced when you look st the finer details of the boat. Its console isn’t glass enclosed, its running Suzuki’s (cheapest of the big 3). In my opinion they are priced high because they are playing on a recent sponsorship with a YTber semi local to Stuart who’s promoting his Bluesater 2850. That’s a solid $180k boat, it absolutely is not worth $233k in any reality as outfitted.
The Blackfin 252 is a solid 25 as well, wasn’t sure if they were at the show. Always a great finished boat from them too.
Blackfin was at the show but no 252. I think you're maybe overlooking the fit and finish on the Bluewater. It's honestly noticeably different.
I assume you mean Lamdshark? That's the one Florida channel I actually watch regularly. Victor and Brooke seem like good people.
Oh they are great people, but notice everything is an ad these days in videos (except yours, which I love btw). I don’t discount the fit and finish, and they are a small company, so costs involved in production contribute to the high price. That said, its not a $230k boat. Its akin to the Freeman 28 Cat, trying to bank on advertising to sell a 28 foot cat @ $500k. I agree with you, Bluewater has a following, but in my humble opinion its just not there price wise.
The gamefish 25, Sportsman 252, Blackfin 252 (higher end) are great values with similar capabilities. Its honestly hard to overlook that Blackfin, and I don’t own one, but the fit and finish of those production level boats is unreal.
I’m headed to the St. Pete show this weekend, wonder if Bluewater will be present.
@@FishinMagik I don't think they are gonna be there. Interestingly, they had a 2850 for about 250k at Stuart. I thought that was a great deal. I've had some personal experience with Sea Hunt that did not end well, 100 percent because of the construction of the boat. I think Sportsman has significantly upped their game in past few years.
Boat sales are way down. Interest Rates are way up. Some manufactures are giving financing special (60 month 3.99% then 9.99%for 120 months) or 10k from factory . I spoke to one that says he can’t make a profit on his inventory because they are just aren’t moving. Quality finish isn’t that great either. Top Tier manufacturing like Invincible or Contender find the quality but you then are into 400k to 999k or higher. I looked at a Grady White and I was surprised at how the wiring quality was bad for a 300k+ boat that you couldn’t even access the bilge because of the rear seating bench. Even resale of used newer boats are taking a dive. People shouldn’t have to give up their kids braces and college to afford a boat but they are. Eventually this is gonna go like the housing market did in 2008.
Strap on and strap in for the future.
YT’er Salty Crouton also has a good review from the Stuart show also.
Excellent points!
Why are boat reviewers are calling the integrated transom an "euro" transom? It was "invented/used in the US back in the late 80's, I believe Contender Boats were one of the first to incorporate the engines brackets into the transom. Europeans manufacturers did not integrated transom. We need to stop giving credit where credit is not deserved. Same thing happens in the construction industry, euro kitchens, wtf. Their kitchens are small, cramped and crappy.
@@wildermarzo9611 interesting comment! I’ve never thought about this and honestly don’t know origin of the term but will see what the interwebs shows
you ever ride in a bulls bay..
Negative. You?
Yes a very Light ride.
@ that may explain the price :)