E-Mail (charter@captdaves.com) or call Capt Dave 904-642-9546, and make an appointment. He'll meet you for a sea-trial at your convenience, and will help you learn more about the most rugged, versatile, and safest boat on the water. Why do you think Capt Dave had his built? For his charter customers! Another way of really seeing and feeling what a Plate Alloy boats all about is by reserving a day's fishing with Capt Dave. No one goes away unhappy. And he can also supply you with references, too!.
Capt Dave will walk you through all the different styles of boats IE: Cabins, Walk-Around, Sleepers-cabs and Center Consoles. And we'll talk about the size of boat that fits your needs. Capt. Dave has so many boat designs floating around in his head, he's end up with a small fleet of boats if he had each one built. So he can help you build your dream boat, that's for sure.
I look at it this way, you can buy a boat like buying a car...."I like the blue one, there...." And that's just fine. Or you can have custom features on your boat. And that's where plate alloy comes in. And you will not spend any more than a quality fiberglass boat. But the difference is; durability, safety, versatility, and customization. Example: You go fishing and diving and trailer your boat to locations all over the state, you want room for dive equipment (dive bottles) and be able to fish at the same time. You can design your boat to do both easily....and no worry about dive bottles or weight belts hurting your gel-coat. Customization do not take making molds to make parts which is very expensive with fiberglass. Master fabricators & welders can make your customizations, just for you. And trailering? Well, since plate alloy boats weigh less, trailering your boat doesn't need a 1 ton dually truck and a giant turbo diesel engine. Plate alloy boats are easy to maintain, no buffing, no waxing. Just wash off the days fishing with salt or fresh water and go the next day, this is really handy when going to the Keys!
First off, across the United States, the U. S. Coast Guard has all plate alloy boats. From buoy maintenance boats to the patrol boats you see running up and down the St. Johns River. The St. Johns bar pilot association.....PILOT BOATS, maybe painted orange but they are plate alloy! (http://www.huntdesigns.com/comm_govt_pilot_stjohns.htm) The St. Johns River management district owns and operates a small fleet of plate alloy boats, along with hydrographic surveyors you see working the river. When you buy for the long haul, and for safety and durability, you buy plate alloy.
Please visit: www.Aluminumalloyboats.com - a forum that a friend of mine and myself conceptualized, and now is in full swing, with members from Alaska to Australia. Builders/Manufactures/Dealers and people just like you and I.
A growing field of people who have learned that fiberglass boats don't hold their value, need lots of maintenance, are growingly expensive for what you get. Aren't tough enough. And are expensive to be built custom designed to the users specs. More fuel efficient, and can operate with lower horse power. Not to forget are a life time boat, that can be passed down from family member to family member.
From Commercial boats, to
family run-about....Plate Alloy is the only way to go.
I'll use my sea-trial boat as an example. 89 days!! But as you can see my boat quite basic. Depending on how busy the shop is, it's usually 8-12 weeks. Compare that to a custom Fiberglass boat.