Hey guys, I’m closing in on 3 months until my wedding and will be ordering my new boat shortly there after. I’m looking for some local opinions on the two boats I’ve narrowed it down to. I’ve been on microskiff a lot but I want to hear what y’all have to say. On both boats I’ll be going etec 90, center console with jumpseat, no trolling motor.
East cape Fury
-love the deck layout
-love the quality
-much better trailer
-quieter hill when poling
-a little more expensive
-Kevin isn’t crazy about hanging a 90 on the back
Beavertail Strike
-better ride quality
-great service
-recorded data on the motor
-about $1000 less with same options
-not a ton of storage and have to make a console livewell for tourneys
What kind of tournaments are you fishing and how frequently? Is the Vantage out of your range? It would be a better tourney boat IMO. Better, drier riding hull than the Fury with lots of storage but understand it serves a slightly different purpose and a bit pricier. Not to downplay $1k but it’s proportionally a small amount for a large purchase. If the Vantage is out, I’d consider going with what your really want b.w the Fury and Strike with the price being so close.
Most Fury hulls get rigged with a 60 and generally speaking, Kevin won’t give you bad info. There were some that I know of that were rigged with a 90 when the hull first came out. You may want to jump on the EC forum and get the scoop.
My experience with EC has been first rate. I know someone who recently purchased a Strike and really thought BT did a great job through the entire process. So far he’s been very happy with the boat. I don’t think you can go wrong with either and should really go with which will suit your style of fishing best.
Thanks YnR, I do like the Vantage but it won’t fit in the garage and in the new house HOA is pretty stuck on having boats in the garage. Plus I feel like the Fury will be a little better on the push pole.
I’m looking at getting back into smaller local tournaments, I did the Tampa Bay flatsmasters when I lived down in Tampa so I thought when I finally get back in the water I want to try and get on the Low Country Redfish Cup. I’m gonna do a lot more fishing for fun than tournament fishing but I want the livewell capability.
Thanks a lot, luckily i’m marrying a Florida girl who likes to fish so she’s as onboard with getting a new boat as I am! Let me know if I could speak with anyone you know with either the EC or BT to hear about their experience.
That is a lot of motor to be standing over push polling may need counter balance front weight but the e’tecs are much lighter than the four strokes so that might effect the equation. With a 90 that thing will be a fun ride for sure, I have never heard anything bad about east cape except price complaints, which isn’t an issue when you get that kind of quality, and most new tec skiffs are pricey. I haven’t heard much about the beaver tails so nothing to say but I like what I’ve seen. I have never ridden in or operated either but I have seen a east cape blow by me when I was in my Key west 17 sportsman, we were in nasty chop and I was afraid to go fast enough to plain out of fear for my back and knees and he was skimming on top of the chop like it was nothing, with a girl sun bathing on the bow, and I was thoroughly impressed not sure the model but it was close in size and fully sold me on there boats being as advertised and then some.
Thanks for the input. The etec 90 is only 80 lbs heavier than the 60 and for the extra HP i think it’s worth it. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the east cape at this point. now the hard part. Waiting. Let me know if you all have any other opinions.
The Low Country Redfish Cup is no longer operating. There is another circuit coming (Southern Redfish Cup?), and the schedule is out. No rules yet, but the dates for events are kind of screwy IMO.
quote:Originally posted by mtoddsolomon
Thanks YnR, I do like the Vantage but it won’t fit in the garage and in the new house HOA is pretty stuck on having boats in the garage. Plus I feel like the Fury will be a little better on the push pole.
I’m looking at getting back into smaller local tournaments, I did the Tampa Bay flatsmasters when I lived down in Tampa so I thought when I finally get back in the water I want to try and get on the Low Country Redfish Cup. I’m gonna do a lot more fishing for fun than tournament fishing but I want the livewell capability.
Thanks a lot, luckily i’m marrying a Florida girl who likes to fish so she’s as onboard with getting a new boat as I am! Let me know if I could speak with anyone you know with either the EC or BT to hear about their experience.
Thanks for the input. The etec 90 is only 80 lbs heavier than the 60 and for the extra HP i think it’s worth it. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the east cape at this point. now the hard part. Waiting. Let me know if you all have any other opinions.
Scout 201
Yamaha 115
80lbs is a big difference. There is a reason Kevin doesn’t want to hang that heavy 90 on the east cape. I bet that thing is going to squat bad. Do you want a TPS or a go fast boat?
