Thursday, May 1, 2008

Finished!!

The B2 is finished on schedule. Here is the end result of few phone calls and a fantastic builder. So far it has been a pleasure to work with Beavertail and Jim. (Look for more pics and VIDEO upon delivery.)
This is the first one to go out with a 70 hp. I insisted on this motor because I loved it on my last skiff....it was light and built like a tank! Unlike a 4 stroke it can be pull started if needed in case the battery goes dead, and is very efficent on fuel and oil. It burns jut a bit more than the 60hp 4 stroke, but not much! Another advantage is it has a large hub wich allows me to turn a larger prop and rocket out of the hole! Speaking of props check out the custom 4 blade prop.



6' Power pole with the stealth pump and remotes.


Awesome platform from alumapole. The platform is huge and allows for an angler and stripping basket with plenty of room. Great for us fly fishers!


Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Rigging Part 2

Just got some new pics. The new style poling platform is awesome! The boat is in the final stages of rigging. Check out the awesome flush mount job on the Lowrance X-28 HD and the sweet Eddie Marine Racing controls!


A few more days and It will be a redfish catching machine!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Console Layout & Wiring

Jim and I have been kicking around ideas for the console. My request to flush mount the Lowrance unit was no problem for Beavertail. The only issue was where to put all the gauges etc. I figured mount them on the bulk head by the front hatch so I could see them while driving. "Tork" the rigging foreman at Beavertail had an excellent idea of installing the gauges on angled bezels right in front of the console. The more I look at it the more I like it and am pleased with "Torks" idea. It's neat and clean! Thanks!


Check out the wiring below. Awesome!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Still on schedule!

I just got a few more pics and its looking nice! The top deck, remote Powerpole, and trim tabs are on. The front and rear platforms will be powercoated black, as will the tilt steering wheel. The side console will be the same color as the hull and splashwell. Fly line toe rails will be installed. And for a really clean look the craftsmen at Beavertail are going to flush mount my Lowrance X-28 HD into the console! The build is still on schedule!






Monday, April 7, 2008

Out of the mold!

I have been working with Jim at Beavertail on the layout of my new B2 and everything is going great as planned, and the build is on schedule. I just got some pics of the boat fresh out of the mold, if you look close you can see the hull color. More pics to come soon!


Looking good!

Friday, April 4, 2008

The Evolution of my 2008 Custom Beavertail B2

This is the evolution of my B2 and how and why I chose it. After having many boats in my life and seeing many boats through my travels and guiding career I knew what I wanted.....perfection. I thought I had it with the skiff I had but I was wrong. The boat was good.....for the money, but the builder of the boat and his company well....lets just say failed me as a customer. I could'nt wait to sell his boat and that is exactly what I did.

The question now is whats next? Whats the right boat? Who's the right builder? I needed a skiff I could put 2, and at times maybe 3 customers on that went very shallow, poled true and had the fit, finish, reliability, and CUSTOMER SUPPORT that my last flats boat company did not. The search was on.

I already knew about Beavertail and heard good things about them. I saw their DVD. I studied their product. I looked at a few other boat builders products and picked out 3 I liked and then picked up the phone. I did not call at 10 am on Tuesday morning....I called at 4:45 Friday afternoon. I wanted first to see the customer service of these companies. First company..Voicemail. 2nd Company (Beavertail) 2nd ring Mark Fisher CEO of Beavertail picks up the phone and talks with me for 20 minutes. So far so good but I needed a test ride. A few days later I am floating around in Pine Island Florida on a sweet B2 with a customer with a new B2 by the name of Wes Mathis. I was amazed how skinny it would go and how stable it was for having such a narrow beam. The fit and finish was amazing. The wiring looked like it was from NASA. Wes pointed out that even all the screw heads were turned the same way on the ENTIRE boat. Is that important? Not really, but it is impressive! The list goes on and on, no paint (colored gel coat), vacum bagged hull, dry ride, and most importantly, a company that actually gave a damn about me...the customer!

So on March 15 2008 I ordered and put down a deposit for the Beavertail B2. On March 20 I ordered and had dropped shipped to Beavertail: Lowrance x-28 gps/ff, 6' Stealth Powerpole with remotes, and Aluma Pole Casting Platform. This will be a really custom boat, and Beavertail wants to do it the way I want it done.....perfect.