I am considering purchasing a new boat next season. I have been discussing the finer points of boat and boat building with my father in law. He is an engineer and used to work for Hydrodyne. He has verbalized an importance for a boat with a hand layed up hull, rather than one manufactured with a chopper gun. He advises that they will handle much heavy chop with considerably less cracking, damage, etc. I have searched and have not found info on anyone manufactures web site or otherwise, in regards to the hull manufacturing. Except for Glastron which advertises a VEC hull? Closed mold manufacturing? Is this just a plastic type hull with no type of reinforcement? If anyone knows, I am sure that I am not the only one out there who would like to know? Hydrodyne does not show any I/O on their website only Inboard direct drives. Which is not what I want. I have been told that Rinker still does hand lay-up, but I have not been impressed with the lines on the Rinker hulls. I plan on getting or would like to get a 19-21 foot bow-rider type runabout with a 5.0 or 5.7 I/O type engine. I don't really know what type of outdrive is better than the next? I have heard a lot of people say that the volvo drive is better than the mercuriser? What do you guys think? I am familiar with the mercuiser family or outdrives, alpha1,alpha2,bravo,etc?? What are the advantages of the differnt drives? Are they pretty much the same design only built to handle more torque as you go up in drive size?? I see a lot of Volvo drives offered? Are they better and what drives are avail. through volvo. I guess what I am really asking is what makes the best boat? As far as quailty,dependability,holding a resale value, best looking boat? I am not necessarily considering the best bang for the buck. Just the best bang, now and way down the road, when maintained and upkept. I would like to purchase a new boat next season, so if anyone cares to respond, how about a little seasoned advice.
