Eastern Boats

[swist]

I am looking at 22' downeast style boat from Eastern Boat Builders in Wilton, NH. They are a semi-custom low volume builder - I have seen a few around but not enough to draw any conclusions other than the interior finish is more like a workboat and less like a pleasure boat (no smooth gelcoat).<br /><br />Their prices are quite reasonable for this class of boat. I took into account the fact that the base price is a totally bare boat, excluding even basic things like seats and bilge pumps. (You can order the boat to any stage of completion you want). But even putting all the things in you would normally want in such a boat runs you up to about $40K with a 150 Honda 4-stroke. <br /><br />Is there a catch? Any experiences?

 

[Omega-1]

Re: Eastern Boats

Swist,<br />My take on the boat you are looking at is that you can save some money on buying it in an unfinished or partially finished condition where you plan to rig it out as to your desire. I can tell you this from my 50+ years of boating and purchasing several boats in the past:<br />1. Do your pleminary study to determine you budget for a boat and its continuing maintenance;<br />2. Determine the use of this boat and the type of waters you will navigate - this is critical to getting a boat which will give you satisfactory service for your use intention.<br />3. Once you have determined these two factors, then try to obtain the boat designed for your use with as complete a package as possible, either from the new boat market or a used boat market. If you do this, you will have a boat fitted out with essentially all the items installed to make it usable as you fine tune some additions.<br />4. If you budget is somewhat restricted, then try to shop the boat show offerings in the new boat market or the used boat market to fit your budget.<br />5. Don't rush it. This could take six months to find the right boat with the right riggings within your budget.<br />Good luck, be safe, have fun!