Why Boats Were Better in the Late 90s and What's Changed (1993-2023)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ส.ค. 2024
- Why Boats Were Better in the Late 90s and What's Changed (1993-2023)
This video idea has been tossed around for 5 or so months now and today we finally lay it out for ya. Late 90's craftsmanship vs todays! Who win's that battle? Comment below what y'all think!
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I have to agree! My cousin bought a boat in 1993 from Stratos and the paint and finish had a blemish. Stratos gave him a completely new boat. He didnt even request that. He did custom order the color but just wanted them to be aware of the issue. immediately they put a new one in production and in 2 weeks had his new one delivered to his home. I dont think you would see that today.
Love my 488VS Comanche. Built like a tank and rides great. Late 90s boats ftw
I have the same boat and love it
@@jamesguinshunting good boat it cant get out of its own way
Spot on Andy not sure that the beeps made a difference to get your point across but it seems to be the nature of today. The industry is replacing older workers with younger workers that have not been trained and they have all the answers with no experience. No craftsmanship in today’s workforce.
It’s hard to find motivated/pride filled workmanship these days, back in 90s/ early 2000s the guy in the McDonald’s drive through wasn’t making the same money as the mechanics/boat builders. Its crazy seeing the door rates of shops $150/$200 and the mechanic (the guy actually doing the work) sees $20/$30? There’s no sense in taking on dirty hard labor with high responsibility for the same pay you could make at a fast food joint with no responsibility liabilities
I do massive fiberglass repair for boston whaler.....and non-skid repair..lol....
You think fast food people make $20-30? Lmao what you are referring too with labor rates is called capitalism. The guys that don’t have the drive or patience to run a business get less because that is the place they choose. Those guys are not having to keep doors open and pay for insurance and other bills to be able to come into work. Of course the shop owner makes more per hour than the “guy doing the work” because if it wasn’t that way, “the guy doing the work” has no where to do work.
@@TrippyWheelzI mean McDonald’s starts at 18.50 by me
@@devinwillis7787 go get that job and see how long they keep you. If they kept paying that, the turn over rate would be low. Get outta here with that crap.
@@TrippyWheelz the only way to get decent pay they days is to hop unless you have a strong union. Lots of places have a cap on how much they will raise pay for current workers. Why take a 10% raise for being local when you can get more to leave
my take on this. this applys to not just the boat building business but all industrial trades in America, when i was a kid nd teenager in the 50s and 60s, little boys young men were taught man skills and pride. in todays world many young are being raised by their Moms who have to work many hours and dont hav time to teach kids how to repair lawnmowers, build a shed , a camp or work on the family pickup truck. not slighting the Moms in the least, they are doing the best they can considering the direction our society has taken, I was taught man skills, use a square, measure accurately, learn to do things correctly and with pride, in todays world the youth are being raised to work in tall buildings, great to hope for success in that but it provides for a different work force.
yeah the days of the ol' forrest wood boats that literally was built one at a time... boy would i loved to experienced that just the energy that surrounded the industry at that time
My 2000 champion 202 is a stud. Still looks new
I bought my 1994 stratos new with the intruder engine. Still looks and runs great. No plastic dash pad to Crack later and hand laid hull. And probably less china junk in it. Andy is right in my opinion.
I had a 88 Caracal. Rigged it myself. Good boat and I knew how it was put together. Spent hours lining up the bolts for the motor. Special protractor and a level with a straight edge. Wired the locators myself. Bolted the throttle control on. Shaved .060 off the OMC GT150 heads and turned a 26 raker prop. So much of my pride in that boat was great. Kit boats of today and they are not the same. Johnny boats are just not worth it unless you want to treat your boat like your lawnmower.
Still running a 1987 Ranger 360V with a 1987 Mariner 175 that runs just over 60mph. Have only had to replace easy things like water pump, switch boxes, rectifier and stator. Replaced the lower unit seals for the fist time 3 years ago. No way any motor being built today is lasting that long.
Got an 87 350v w 87 Johnson Gt150...still does 60+. Compression is getting to become an issue now, though, and I took off the VRO system. The trailer is solid but I don't care for the fenders.
Running a 1998 Ranger 518dvs, boats solid from the transom to the hull. Carpets still fully intact, not a tear in the seats, original electronics still work, original ‘98 200 merc EFi still has compression of 120 on all cylinders. They don’t make them like they used to. Love my Ranger. Like you Collinnewsome I have only had to replace the same items over the years.
Couldn’t agree more. Rebuilding my 88 superhawk. Replacing original transom and floor. 35 years!!! Love the classics with all aspects. Love the content keep it up. Also missed a beep at 13:25 😆
I'd love to see the top 5 worst marine products made. I've had my 1998 boat since 2000 and it is built excellent. Still looks almost new. Thank you Andy
Just bought a 1989 Sea Nymph 195 GLS and am looking to buy a 115 Suzuki to replace the 1989 85 force. Yours and other channels have been such a great resource of information. Thank you!
great show as always, yes my 1995 champion is still rock solid. i have a suggestion for a show topic, the johnson fast strike 150., they put them on everything back in the day and mine sure has been a good one. thanks
I had a prestine 1995 Ranger 365V with a 1995 Merc XR6 150. Posted it for sale and in 27mins, someone called to buy it. He drove 2 states over to pick it up. That boat and other boats around that time were built like tanks. The quality and craftsmanship back then was second to none.
In Australia the old hains hunters bertram are the best boats for rough water and its common unless you are getting a boat from a few boat builders in aus to refurbish old boats.
I thick with hains they built a boat that was purpose built deep v narrow built to cut threw waves were the modern boat are bloody suv
I'm with you on the fit and finish / build quality. You look inside the a brand new boat, and like you said often the wiring is a mess, screws everywhere, fiberglass residue all over the place. The quality control really isn't there, but for some reason on a 80K boat it's known that you will have to fix some issues and its accepted, but if it was a 25K economy car everyone would be bashing the manufacturer.
That said, I don't miss the days of wood transoms and stringers. I have a hard time believing that Champions are this perfect unicorn boat when so many need a transom rebuild.
I live in the middle of Bass boat maker(s) country. There's Ranger and Vexus to the west and Triton, Bass Cat and I think another to the south east. I've done the tour of three of them (Ranger, Bass Cat, & Triton) but haven't made it to Vexas yet. Of the three I've been through, Bass Cat is by far built the best by far and Triton, well lets just say, I don't and won't own one. If I was to buy a newBass boat, I'd still like to visit the Skeeter works in Texas before I made any choice. I own a 98' Skeeter ZX202 that I've had since 98' with no problems with the boat at all. Well built, a Kevlar hull hand laid (both hull and top cap) and well thought out consul. Oh yeah, no wood in the design at all. it's lite and only needs a 200 HPDI (at present) to push it at 67 - 68 mph.
I'm behind this. I own a 1993 ranger 692c. I also work on a lot of older rigs, and some new ones too. Build quality and fit/finish is much better on the pre 2000 year rigs than the new ones by a long shot. I'm also getting more and more customers updating the older boats with modern electronics.
Would you ever consider purchasing a 2001 Bullet 20XD as your first bass boat with 2001 Mercury225 Pro Max? Motor was rebuilt by Nichols Outboard with a Titus coned 200 gear case. It was a factory demo boat.
The last great era! Glad I was around to live it. I have purchased stock in cars, motorcycles, boats, and mercury v6's from this time frame.
Back .. a constant is SKEETER I’ve owned them all .. them kats at Skeeter in Kilgore TX build a quality product..no not fast , no champion ride but !! Fishing machine!!
Rockin a 95 ZX300 with a 22 Suzuki 250SS. Rock Solid, I'm not buying a new boat.
My 1998 Hydra sports 196 is still looking, running, riding and fishing like new, I have upgraded everything on it to all modern equip, but until if falls apart, will never get rid of it, I love it that much
Big dog my 1997 185 ER Hydro Sports has it all big decks it’s perfect for two even three fisherman and the original 150 Intruder Evenrude sings.
I just started Tearing apart a 93 Yar craft and the quality throughout is unreal. I took the boat on a trade 1781tpsi and didn’t turn anything on or even turn the motor. Brought it back to my shop and started dicking with it. We were both absolutely floored that everything flipping worked. Even the NAV lights! All the electronics, the motors (135 mariner and a Nissan 9.9 kicker) even the glass inside.
I just left a marina and checked out a bunch of different bass boats and you could tell they all used the same suppliers. Same switches in different boats. Same seats in Rangers and Skeeters which aren't even part of the same parent company. They are all buying the same cheap crap from the same suppliers. The margins on bass boats has to be absolutely insane with all the cheap crap they are using for parts.
Been commenting on your channel for 3 years... spot on with GatorTrax. Handbuilt, all aluminum and enough of it to hold up, and built to order...for less than a glass boat. The 1 or 2 issues ive had were corrected. Two years of stump jumping, dock slamming, concrete piling moving, wave smashin abuse with barely a scratch in the paint.... where there is missing paint some aluminum departed with it. 100% faith everytime i hit the water that my wife wont become a widow because i went fishing.
Need a really good rain suit though.
In a GT or duck boat maybe, but not in the Strike. Its the driest bass boat I've ever been in. But yeah the other models aren't made to run dry.
That’s a very dramatic statement 😂
I have also seen that boat manufacturers can’t use the same type of resin they used in the 80’s and 90’s and 2000’s. That’s why bullet has stews cracks in transoms less than 3 months old a lot of the time
I definitely agree br0 we need our quality & longer lasting boats back .. like for instance me myself & I.. I is looking for a good 1997 bass boat m6self .. that only needs very little to put back into the water & go hard-core fishing 🎣 seriously..
Question for Andy, What 98-2000 bass boat would you recommend? I’m currently have a 99 Alumacraft Lunker 16.5 LTD and I want to upgrade to a bigger casting deck bigger motor boat. Thank you for being F@cKinG AWESOME!!! 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Love my ‘98 Ranger 518dvs. Great boat, has done me right! If you can find one you will not be disappointed. 19’ boat made right. Can fit in a garage as well
I’ll also say this, Jim at Ballsitic builds a fantastic hull. He may be slow and they may build 2 boats per year but there isn’t better fiberglass work anywhere. That full hull vacuum infusion is the truth.
Basscat does it also, actually I believe the first
@@Pitchpullin5 they don’t do the top cap. Only the hull. Ballistic does the entire boat
@Kdavis8377 ballistic is another company that couldn't keep up. Ended up trying to run a pyramid scheme with deposits from customers and screwed people out of BIG money. Sad part is, I believe they made the most awesome bass boat of all time
@@stopcrying518 I know what you’re referring too. I still think there’s two sides to that story. Still and prolly never will hear Jim’s side because he truly doesn’t care what people think
The worst part... is everyone thinks it's just ONE GUY... it's not... definitely only one that people know about. @@stopcrying518
Ran a 2002 Ranger 518vx for 12 years...not one issue except for light bulb here n there.
Run a 2023 Blazer 625 for a little over a year..few minor issues, that they've 100% taken care of no questions asked.
2 worst products from my experience.
Power packs on 1994 Johnson Faststrike, JUNK!!! Went through 6 or 8 in 2 years....
Air compressors on 2002 Optimaxs.
Love the content brother!
i think in looks personally the mid-late 90s to early 2000s were the best looking/ best looking boats built and would rather run a older hull than a new one
It’s all about $$$ baby, gotta keep growing that profit at unrealistic rates even if that means cutting corners and exploiting cheap labor.
I like my boats like a 90’s model cup car. 4-6 toggle switches, temp, rpm, water pressure gauge, steering wheel, and shift box. Keep it simple.
It’s been a perfect storm of several factors that contributed to the lack of quality/pride:
- Loss of tribal knowledge/talent with no replacements to fill those voids
- Corporate structure that pushes quantity over quality to satisfy investors
- Lack of appeal to the industry. Why work harder when you can make the same $$ in the fast food industry or better yet, sitting at home!
- Lack of patience. As you said we’re now a country of gotta have it NOW! Social media and our phones don’t help
I'd like to see a video about these new off brand electric power poles for small boats I've seen on Facebook and Amazon a few times
Man i miss my dads 95 sylvan 19.5 fish and ski with an evinrude ocean pro 150 on the back of it.... grew up with that boat he sold it to a buddy of his and it gets used all the time and still is working great and in great shape
You are DEAD ON ACCURATE!!!! As I sit here looking at my 87 Ranger 350v. I replaced my OMC trolling motor when the Minnkota Ultrex came out because of spotlock. Spotlock quit after 1.5 yrs and the NAV capabilities no longer function. Oh, and it clogs in the weeds within seconds. Spotlock was cool when it worked. Smh It isn't worth 2500. I was thinking of replacing my old, reliable Johnson 150 with a 'zuke but I just don't know now. Definitely ain't buying a Merc!
I own a 98 Triton and she is still built like a tank! My evinturd finally blew up so I repowered her with a Merc. Really didn't want to give up the boat. Still has original carpet lol
All these things you talk about are global.Labor,quality and the reliability of electronics..
You should definetly do the 10.worst boat accessory inventions/gadegts video.
I think you are on the pulse my man.Big up from 🇫🇮 Finland
I have two 94 Astros and both are in showroom quality and rock solid
It’s all products that are manufactured or just everything. In our company we had lots of employees with tons of experience that took pride in what we made. Now it’s a swinging door. People we can hire don’t care or give that effort. You get someone on occasion that wants to learn but that is getting harder to find.
Little to no reward in most places for that kind of effort and commitment
Love my 1999 champion 202 , built great rides great I’ll never get rid of it
I have a 1997 185ER Hydro Sports bass boat. I’m 77 years old and got it from a friend last Spring. I’ve replaced the electronics and trolling motor. I didn’t need to since but I wanted the updated versions.
It looks new inside and out even the trailer has held its on with only a few character marks. I sold a 2008
Ranger 520 FLW
Edition that was in
pristine condition and have owned several makes of fiberglass boat these were and are two of the least problematic boat I’ve owned and I have had most of the brand named boat since 1969. All were driven hard and kept in great condition, I just wish I had another 50 years.
My 70’s boats have been great.
Like my sea craft and Boston whaler
Just got a 97 Javelin. 150 Evinrude OMC. So far happy with it's performance.
Labor force only cares about the check. Hell with quality.
Im happy with my 2008 nitro! Z-8 ! But The EFI 150 seems too have something going on like every 2 years ! Nothing major yet < Thank god * Going in the shop tommrow! Wont fire up ! Turns over but wont start ! No warning ! Was running great < Damm Boats !! Peace 😮😮
I have a 94 bass boat and love it.
My favorite part of these videos is the fact they're filmed in the garage.
I run a 01 xpress and a 75 merc 4 stroke. Only one carb job. Other than the motor being a cold nature beast, it has not given me any trouble. The reason things seem so bad, just trying to turn new product around quickly and being first to market is everything. Get it out there and fix it on the fly. Also I think they are trying to do to much, with a limited work force.
You sir are 💯 correct !! 1995-2000 best era !
I am worried about outboards in the future and the effect of more and more EPA regulations. I fully expect a requirement for catalytic converters, EGR valves and increased efficiency requirements coming down. As to your comment about boat quality - it is going down, intentionally, to meet the market. As wages stagnate but boat builders still want to sell boats, they cut the labor hours and material cost required to build a boat.
I started with an 85 Champion 184 and moved up to a 98 Triton TR21.
I've helped friends rig their newer boats and rigged both of my own. The difference is night and day! Now that I'm in a 21' boat I don't see a reason to go newer. MAYBE if i found a Champion 210.
I just dont think the newer boats are THAT much better to justify the cost
I really love my Champion 210!!! It took me a long time to find mine. I finally found mine in Illinois and had it shipped to California. Beautiful blue anniversary edition.
@@MrMynameisozzy that's my dream boat!
You will eventually make it reality. I never stopped on my quest. I didn’t care what color as long as it was the 210. Almost had to settle for a 206 but luckily I held back and waited. I found that 206 was easier to find.
My favorite is team marine really trys to beep out swear words but a few still make it in each video 😂😂😂
We try our best!
1995 Viper 201D with Johnson Venom 200. Need to buff the gel coat and she isn't the fastest but runs like a top and rides stable and like a dream in the chop. Ill keep it.
I'm running a 94 pro 200 procraft in near mint condition with the xri 200 I absolutely love my boat it's huge, kinda slow, but stable and I can float that fat girl anywhere. Absolutely a all around good rig
yea...got to love wood transoms and stringers from the 90s.....
i quit my job as a marine mechanic about 6 months ago, did all my dealer training (Volvo, Mercruiser/Mercury, Honda, Ilmor, PCM) and never saw more than $28 an hour before my taxes were deducted. the quality of the hulls made now is subpar, they're thinner, more expensive, less reliable. i worked at a Cobalt dealer and it's very easy to see the point where the quality of new boats and the MSRP went sideways with quality dropping and prices rising astronomically in the early 2000s
A lot of truth here! It's unfortunate
@@TeamMarineService yeah man, it’s unfortunate, from my personal experience working on Cobalt’s, it’s easy for me to pick the exact point in time that the hulls started becoming less durable, it was when they released the R series of boats back in 2014, the quality hard started to decrease before then but that point was when they took the biggest tank in quality, gunnels flex when normal loads are put on the watersport towers and when you fold them down
I’m still fishing local tournaments in a 1996 ZX200 with a Yamaha Pro V. I love my boat, I’ve thought about upgrading, but it seems pointless with the prices. I have the boat set up just how I want it now.
Exactly. You have a good hull.
They should put screw pilot markings/holes into the mold so you cant miss..
I have a 1989 Ranger361V I think is a great build boat .
Bang right at 1pm! SPEED MONEY NO BRAKES!!!!! It’s Friday today
I was about to say it when you did, complexity. Boats, electronics, trolling motors, etc are all more complex. There is more chance to go wrong and more expensive to build and repair.
I have a 1999 Stratos 201 PE DC. First let me say I LOVE this boat. It fishes wonderful. I have completely redone the top cap, carpet, seats, etc and added talons, lithium batteries, MinnKota Ultrex, Humminbird electronics, etc (WAY more than I would ever be able to sell it for LOL)... Here's my question, I am torn between repower the 99 Johnson 225 HO with a Suzuki 250SS and replace the jackplate that came with it with a hydraulic one OR look for a newer boat. I will likely keep whatever choice I make as my last boat I'll buy unless it sinks. My concern is the extra weight on the transom and how to check it to determine if there's any concerns. I've already said if I repower I will likely swap out the talons for blades to reduce some of the weight on the jackplate. I'd love your opinion.
I have a 94 procraft and a 93 Astro combo and love both. New boats Today are for the most part overpriced and doesn't allow the owners to make it how they want it to be without putting 100k+ into it. Also both of my boat have working depth finders in the dash...
I still have my 1995 lund 1700 fisherman bought it brand new still a great fishing boat 🚢 👍 😀
It looks like you guy's upgraded your camera. Very nice!
I agree on the quality back then is way better and technically is better now but stuff should not be braking so soon. People need to have better passion in what they build.
You're exactly right, I won't buy any of the new boats made now days!
1995 Ranger 391V - Pervious owner was original owner. (Original tires) fished lake about 5 miles from his house. Excellent condition. Should I repower it with newer 4 stroke? or keep the 1995 Johnson 200hp 2 Stroke? Motor is running fine. plan on keeping for a long time so is it worht it to repower?
Most big companies have a lot of weight, on top. Bonuses are more important now in 2023. To many chiefs, not enough Indians.
Bought a lowe pontoon nice boat but stuff is loose after a few seasons
I have tuned in for a 5-7 videos, most I agree with you but I think of greater importance is materials used has changed greatly because of cost/availability. Not all newbs have shitty work ethic.
Omc trolling motor was the greatest ever built ! My Ulterra has tore up so many times, dumpster fire.
My 97 ranger 692 will probably never leave me. Even if i got a new boat.
if you want to see build quality look at some of the boats built In Italy.
I think we've gotten to the point where it's just too much crap, and these companies are too damn greedy. I'm all about simplicity. I'm rolling around in an 03 champion with a 225 2 stroke Yamaha and I tow it with a 2000 Chevy with 300k miles and both are operating great, with zero issues. I'm all about K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid)
My 94 Evinrude Intruder was bullet proof. I would put it up against mt 2022 Yamaha SHO any day for reliability although I love that SHO! Lol
Quality build over creature comforts any day start with Quality product and refine! I can paddle a bathtub but if shit don't start float and run you just ain't on the water....that's the goal
😂missed some beeps for the beep-o meter…. Unless G2 boy doesn’t count.
Battled multiple issues with my 2021 caymas……
There do exist manufacturers that craft top tier boats that meat your (and as it happens my) requirements. Albury Brothers comes to mind, they haven’t changed a thing for decades and you can’t beat their structural rigidity/glasswork and use of only the best components possible. Their copycat Stuart also produces a fantastic boat. I only really know of the center consoles though, unfamiliar with bass boats
I got a 1995 skeeter 175SF with a Yamaha proV and the original carpet is just now starting to separate from the boat
I worked for a builder once that i said this door is way out of kilter you had to put your foot on the door to keep it open then you had to put your foot on the door to close it. Hr said yea but look at this one it works perfect.
Good stuff as always! I have a nice 94 184 dc Champion with a 2004 mercury 200. Its my second Champion 184. Whats the shortest wide beam Champion ?
Can u make a video on bumblebee bass boats I have one and love it and ik they have a little history just would like to no more love the videos!
Worst is easily the underboard . I honestly thought it was a joke at first, but they really make them. But yeah the 90s boats were just another level of reliable. Nothing ever broke, just typical two stroke outboard issues. Plus a loaded rig was $28k and not $128k.
Three years ago I sold my ‘94 Sea Nymph with a 40 hp evinrude that Inowned for 18 years. Never needed any major repairs. Everything still worked on the boat. I upgraded to a cherry ‘92 Alumacraft dominator with a 60hp johnson. I will hopefully never have to own a post 2000’s boat…
Quality and ''give a $h1t'' has gone out the window in everythig ! I want a new boat , but I know my 96 Javelin and a 175 Intruder with the ol cable drive trolling motor is probably better than what I can buy now !
90,s hands down better employers and employees cared . quality is not there not just in marine these days but just about everything when my 1979 454 crusaders 5000+hrs are still ticking along and theres a yard full of newer boats down for the season with way less hours on them clearly an issue.All about the money not customer being happy . Always enjoy all your comments someone who tells it the way it is need more people like that.
Hi there . Danie from South Africa.
Firstly I love youre stuff man !
I wanna ask you what do you think of the Yamaha 85 two strokes other then them being heavy on fuel , late 90'6 early 2000 models . We use to call them yamaha's AK 47
Love to here the top 5 worst products ever in the industry. Agree with this one though, quality is hard to find and it is about the work force today
Great videos.
90s were the peak of the quality and performance at a reasonable price whether imported or domestic. boat motors, boats , trucks, dirt bikes, chain saws , .. I have all of the things from the 90s i mentioned and the last 5 years and it's pretty sad. that said the new things are nice but more expensive and frequent problems from 2018 up stuff. junk that's how they stay in business sell u another one.. corporate greed 101. but I guess life goes on can't be stuck in the past or be left behind I say as a OMC die hard as I am..
Agreed, paid 20,500 for a New Skeeter ZX300 with Mariner 225EFI. That was 1995. Still fish out of it but repowered.
I vote that Andy be the official spokesman for Generation X. 😂
Hard to get excited about building a boat when you can't afford one. Those people working the factory in the 90s could have a house two kids and a boat.
I would agree we used to be proud and wanted to do best job possible. In today's age they just want it done fast and cheap.
Dude !! We are one in the same !! Whoop ass on them boys !! You’re only making them better !! And I agree, we put a man on the moon in the 60’s .. why the fuck is it so complicated!! I bought a champion new in 1998 .. major purchase for me at the time .. worth more than my house .. I’ve bought many in between- nothing compares to that mountain home CHAMPION !!
Warrior boats. One of the nicest imo well built and rigging is very nice. Built one at a time per say. Most wiring/rigging these days is atrocious
I agree the build quality these days is pretty shitty it's all about quantity not quality however the technology that goes into building these new hulls CNC machines cutting out the plugs and infusion technology there is definitely room for significant improvements. Would that being said on your previous pro XS video does that include the 115 or is the 115 one pretty solid? I just bought one and hopefully I do that run into issues but from what I have done as far as research it seems to be pretty solid of a motor.