I've been looking at purchasing a new rig for a while now and have a few questions. I am looking at the factory rigs PD, GD, Gator tail, gator trax and also the smaller builders, uncle J, Brother Breaux, Aucoin. I do have a feeling that the smaller builders would be cheaper, but my question is is it worth it in the long run. I have read of a few instances where there were some quality issues with some of these boats and I am wondering how these builders will take care of warranty issues. Also how do you think the resale value of these boats will be, factory verses custom builder. Sorry for the questions just trying to make up my mind.

Most small builders honor their boats, so warranties would not be a problem

Justlooking...
That is a good question.


When you get a custom boat built, you are not only building a boat, but with me, your building a friendship.. I have yet to charge a friend for anything that he or she needed fixed. Even if it isnt one of my hulls. I think you get like a 1 yr warranty with a factory boat. Though, If it comes back to them and a bunch of welds are broke, then they may say that you miss used the boat. You must remimber, that you are buying a Flat bottom boat that is supposed to float. So, as soon as you hit 2' waves, and or jump every log in your way, they can discountinue any warranty. With that said, so could anyone....
The Custom Boat side is a bit tricky.. In a sense, you have to trust your builder. You have to be certain that in 6 months if something happens, you can give him a call, and he can fix it. No one is going to build you a Lifetime Boat. Welds are going to crack at some point.
Now, on the resale topic.... A factory Hull, or a Custom Hull, pretty much keeps its same value. The only difference is, what you will have to get for your Factory hull, someone could build a custom.

Hope this Helps...
Uncle J

I have full trust in Uncle J that if I needed anything at all even if it weren't a warranty type issue he would do anything to fix it or make it right.

Offering a warranty for a hull that will most likely be abused is a no win situation for a builder. There have been many folks on here get disappointed because their hulls got hooked when they ran over everything in site and expected the boat to look like new after. A custom builder can work with you better on things like a thicker bottom and extra bracing. Most factory types give you pretty much a cookie cutter hull. Not that there is anything wrong with factory hulls but you may not get certain things you desire. IMO you can just get more out of a truley custom hull built like you want. And they may be cheaper but any rate you will usually get more for your money in custom features.

buy an airboat with a lifetime hull warranty.... and a 5 year rigging warranty... props and engines usually have 1 year warranty

if you can ding it bad enough to need repair they will repair... collision and improper handling not covered

I was looking at a PD hull for my rig very hard. Priced it out and was about to cut a check.

Wife said lets go look at the custom builders. I bought a custom that afternoon for considerably less.

After paint and custom gas tank, seat and storage box it was close to the PD hull price.

But I like mine better. Its what I wanted rigged my way.

And it has a heavier duty bottom and transom and frog spit bottom.

These are not included in the PD hull.

Well .... there is no way that I'm qualified to comment on all the particulars that goes into a BoatHull ...... but I will type this ....

All these boathulls .... it be one of the bigger builders, i.e. Gator-Tail, Pro-Drive, Go-Devil, Gator-Trax and a few mo I'm leavin' out ...... or the smaller builders, i.e. Aucoion, BrotherBuex, Uncle-J, Charles Lenoard and a few that I'm leavin' out ....... I don't thank any of 'em are comin' out of a "CookyCutter" ...... Ima thankin' everyone of 'em are bein' built .... One At a Time !!!!!

I was down at Gator-Tail and Pro-Drive shops last week and was purdy much told that ... "Whatever you want to do to the hull .... We will do". Thats purdy dang "custom" ifin' you ask me ....... We even ask Gator-Tail ifin' that could put a pink CatFish down the side of the hull and we was told ..... sure ... What kind ????!!!!!!

Now .... as fo as the warranty goes ....... It's a dag-gum alumiaum boathull that most folks are gonna run the crap out of and jump and hit ever dawg-gone thang in the bayou ...... how much warranty do a feller 'spose to expect ????? ..... I expect fo mines manufactor to take care of anythang that he feels is his resonsibilty .... and nothin' more ...... and so far ..... I ain't seen any of them that I have mentioned yet to fail to do the right thang !!!!

Here on MMT ...... we have wittness some that was a close call ..... and a couple that didn't stand behind thays product ...... but I didn't put the mention on them !!!!!

Im a fan of Sight Warranty...................................Outta Sight, Outta Warranty....

I stopped at Uncle J's the other morning at 6am and he did a little work for me before I brought the boat for to CamoDesigns. He does what he can to make you happy.

As for as all the builders mentioned i always looked at them as custom builders!! To me factory is alweld ,fisher , triton and boats like that!!

I just ordered a Phowler, primarily because I like the company and their boats, but their warranty was a definite plus. They offer a lifetime warranty on the welds and transom. That was a selling point for me because I've had to have the transom in my Lowe spot welded, repaired, and reinforced five times.

Dealin wit nunc-j i can tell he is good people and he will back the boat he is buildin me......he is easy to work with and trust worthy and lookin at boats he has built he does it right. not knockin anybody elses stuff just do your research before makin ur choice.

-jordy

I've read on here that some of the other builders are hard to get in touch with and do not return calls. I know for a fact that Uncle J (Jason) is only a phone call away and always ready and willing to help with anything.

Hell, if you call him 30 minutes in advance or so, he'll even buy you lunch.