Assuming both hulls have the same basic setup how does the pricing on a custom build compare to that of a factory build? Significany more? Less? About the same? I'm wanting to get a new hull in the near future and I'm trying to figure out what my options are.

When I priced my hull, it was a little more to go custom. But for what I got, it was definitely worth it. The pre made, cookie cutter hulls have a set of options that can be added and maybe configured in a certain way. That wasn't what I wanted. So the few dollars more to get MY boat exactly the way I wanted it was definitely worth it!!!

That's good to know. I've been checking out the Phowler and PD boats. They're both nice lookin but they also have a few little things that I would do differently.

I went custom n was cheaper

1852

Custom is the only way to go. Piss on buying a boat that you like ,get one you love.

Custom for sure, you get a better built boat in most cases and the exact way you want it.

Custom was way cheaper for me but I bought a bare hull and did paint and rigging myself.

Wouldn't say custom was "way" cheaper...but, for my rig, it was cheaper to go custom. And, as somebody else mentioned about theirs, I got exactly what I wanted.


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Can't beat a gtr motor on a gatortail boat.. I heard that same same comment from ppl with custom hulls ..but if you want all kind of crap in a boat go custom .. I like open lay out so custom don't do shit for me

Stick steer!!

I said nothing about pd! Lol

I've already got the gen 3 PD I just need a decent hull to put it on. So the GTR combo isn't really gonna apply in this situation. I need an open floor plan which is why I've considered a PD or Phowler...but the 2 things that make me want a custom would be a hybrid v rake, gun box built in the front deck.

From what I've checked out already some of the "add ons" for the factory builds seem crazy to me. Phowlers are nice ass hulls but don't come standard with a trolling motor mount or a camo paint job. The PD hulls do...and they are cheaper.

Now I don't mind paying more to get more...but I don't want to spend money that I don't have to ya know. I really appreciate everyones input too, thanks!

Well, where are you located?

Illinois. Yeah...I know. It sucks.

I have been looking for months now and started with all the big name dealers I liked a lot of each of their boats then I heard of a few guys that do the custom work. Being in Canada this may be a huge challenge for me with all the Canadian coast guard regulations, which I still need to look into. That being said from communications I have had with a custom guy he has been great, he knows the challenge for me being 5000 miles away but he is very willing to help and put his time into my threads and e mails and he doesn't even know if I am going to buy a boat from him yet? That to me coupled with the fact if you come up with a reasonable design a custom guy will take pride and enjoyment in making your dream boat come true, these are my thoughts and opinions.

Imaging the bragging rights a custom builder would have if he created the exact boat I want that totally fits my needs and gets his name on it and gets it into another country where these boats do not even exist. A dealer can say yeah I'll send ya one but you gotta choose which one it is real just another sale to them in my mind. I am hoping to go custom when I can get all the crap lined up and pull the pin and get exactly what I want with the help of a custom builder. What I may like or think is functional may be another's total waste of a boat.

If you look at the big guys like I did over and over on the net they won't have exactly what you want is my guess, go custom.

Thanks
Phil

i build my own but if i couldnt build i would go custom

I love my Phowler great guys to work with and imo are pretty custom for what we can get up north here, they will build a boat about anyway u want

Go with one of the Know boat builders,You will pay a little more than you will for a backyard boat but the resale will be there I went with a GatorTail Custom Extreme built like I wanted good luck

I'm on my fourth phowler and am happy with them. Just call over there and you can get it built however you want.

One perk of a phowler is that its only a couple hours away rather than 16 or so

I think Phowlers boats are uglier than all get out, but there is no way in hell I would drive 16 hours to pick up an aluminum boat.

I'd just have to make do with an ugly boat.

Brick you come near Tennessee, I'll show you some good bbq, also Prodigy Boats is in Georgia

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hell im all about a good road trip. i would drive 16 hours in a heart beat for something i wanted

BrickGW- PM me. I am back and forth home to IL (STL) area a few times a year. Maybe I can help you out.

That's definitely a long haul, but to get the exact boat you want is worth it. Plus the bragging right of having a custom hull in Canada!

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Hey Phil,
You might check out AAD Welding in IL. They specialize in commercial plate boats but will build any type of boat you want. Every one is a custom build.

http://aadcustomboats.com/

I've yet to see a prodigy boat that wasn't outstanding. Most of the guys that have the AAD plate boats run large outboards with them because they're heavy as shit. They're built like a tank but very heavy and very expensive. I'm 100% sure they'll build you whatever you ask for but IMO hulls for surface drives aren't their niche. If I were in the market for a 2472 ice breaking, decoy hauling monster I would call them up in a heartbeat but for a mud hull not so much.

PM Cajun_in_GA hes the owner of prodigy