Author Topic: Fire fish or Harbercraft extreme? (Read 15514 times)

darkwalleye · « **on:** May 20, 2011, 01:00:06 PM »

I am buying a Jet boat very soon and was wondering who had the edge? I called up Fire Fish and asked if they did anything different that would make them better then the extreme. I was hoping to hear they are a small shop built right here in Alberta so warranty is easier to deal with and they have a larger tunnel for picking up water...

To my surprise he said "I'm not in the business of comparing boats, we build a good boat and that's all you need to know if that's not enough of a reason then just go buy a harbercraft you want one or you don't"...

Really I was shocked and didn't really know how to respond to that so asked him if he had any boats to look at since I will be passing through red deer this weekend... He then replied "we have no inventory to look at we build them as they are ordered so order one or just go buy something else."

He then basically hung up... So because of one phone call its going to be a Harbercraft extreme for me...

Chris K · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2011, 04:23:45 PM »

Well if you are in the business of selling boats, you better be in the business of comparing them. From an educational standpoint, knowing everything on the market and how they actually compare helps buyers make educated and informed decisions. Internet forums, websites, and other resources available to customers are all readily avialable to customers nowdays, and they can shop anytime, anywhere.

Bottom line, it's going to come down to service, and features that you want. From the sounds of it, there are issues with service, and all you are trying to do is gain information before you decide where to spend your hard earned cash! I do know that Tim @ Gibbons Motor Toys takes great care of his customers if you are looking for a dealer around Edmonton. I have dealt with him in the past, and know he goes the extra mile for them.

Good luck with your decision!

Chris K

Paul · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2011, 04:31:07 PM »

My brother in law has a harbercraft extreme shallow he seems pretty happy with it. Maybe I can get him on the boards to tell you what he likes/dislikes about it.

Skinnydipper · « **Reply #3 on:** May 21, 2011, 04:22:46 PM »

As a Firefish owner, it seems there may be more to this story.....but many parts of the story are definitely true. Steve is a smaller local builder that typically does not have any inventory unless something went sideways in the ordering process. Sounds like maybe you were met by the extreme pressures of the spring schedule of everyone needing their ordered boat yesterday and all those that believe there should be a boat available two weeks from when they phone.
Back to the boats, here are my impressions:
Firefish - quality boats that can be custom tailored to fit an individuals specific needs
- actual tradesmen performing the construction of the boat
- very competitive pricepoint
Harbercraft - the HD is a design taken from the beginnings of many of the boat builders that originated from Outlaw and in that is good
- there is typically always some inventory
- no significant customizations are available (cookie cutter)
- tendency is to have non tradesmen assembling boats = chance of lower overall quality

It's very difficult when your in the market for a boat right now to have anyone tell you that there isn't one available. I am the same. For the price outlay on a recreational vehicle such as a jet boat, sometimes you may find that doing your homework and being patient may render some benefit in the long run. It's unfortunate that you were met with a poor first impression but I can assure you that the quality of the product and the after sale service is exceptional. Best of luck making your choice.

TJG · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2011, 10:03:43 PM »

Quote from: Skinnydipper on May 21, 2011, 04:22:46 PM

It's very difficult when your in the market for a boat right now to have anyone tell you that there isn't one available. I am the same. For the price outlay on a recreational vehicle such as a jet boat, sometimes you may find that doing your homework and being patient may render some benefit in the long run. It's unfortunate that you were met with a poor first impression but I can assure you that the quality of the product and the after sale service is exceptional. Best of luck making your choice.

"but I can assure you that the quality of the product and the after sale service is exceptional"

Im going to stir the pot here a bit and say this statement will never be met
if the 1st impression or the above story is true. And knowing Alberta business people,
I belive him.

Skinnydipper · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2011, 10:15:28 PM »

Quote from: TJG on June 12, 2011, 10:03:43 PM

Quote from: Skinnydipper on May 21, 2011, 04:22:46 PM
It's very difficult when your in the market for a boat right now to have anyone tell you that there isn't one available. I am the same. For the price outlay on a recreational vehicle such as a jet boat, sometimes you may find that doing your homework and being patient may render some benefit in the long run. It's unfortunate that you were met with a poor first impression but I can assure you that the quality of the product and the after sale service is exceptional. Best of luck making your choice.

"but I can assure you that the quality of the product and the after sale service is exceptional"

Im going to stir the pot here a bit and say this statement will never be met
if the 1st impression or the above story is true. And knowing Alberta business people,
I belive him.

I'm going to suggest that if you've never been a business owner you may not fully appreciate the unrealistic demands of some customers that can never be satisfied. In the end these type of customers may be better suited shopping somewhere else. Just my observation in general, perhaps not specific to this case.

Paul · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2011, 02:10:59 PM »

I had a chance to go out yesterday with the brother in law in his Harbercraft Xtreme shallow, we put in at the west side of Elbow lake and went up the river, it's not a big boat but it is very maneuverable and doesn't draw much water at all, on plane over rapids the pump would cavitate sometimes even over small chop. Overall it seems like a pretty decent boat for the money, not fast but it will get you there.

[attachment deleted 180 days old]

Paul · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2011, 02:13:45 PM »

Few more pics

[attachment deleted 180 days old]

RG · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2011, 07:26:56 AM »

Quote from: darkwalleye on May 20, 2011, 01:00:06 PM

I am buying a Jet boat very soon and was wondering who had the edge? I called up Fire Fish and asked if they did anything different that would make them better then the extreme. I was hoping to hear they are a small shop built right here in Alberta so warranty is easier to deal with and they have a larger tunnel for picking up water...

To my surprise he said "I'm not in the business of comparing boats, we build a good boat and that's all you need to know if that's not enough of a reason then just go buy a harbercraft you want one or you don't"...

Really I was shocked and didn't really know how to respond to that so asked him if he had any boats to look at since I will be passing through red deer this weekend... He then replied "we have no inventory to look at we build them as they are ordered so order one or just go buy something else."

He then basically hung up... So because of one phone call its going to be a Harbercraft extreme for me...

Don't feel bad, I didn't even get a return call. Someone that won't put the effort into selling me a boat, definetly won't put any effort into helping me down the road after they have my money. Also, I have been told by other Firefish owners that this is the case. Sounds like they are just too busy, and don't have enough staff. I guess that is a good thing for them, but it probably won't be that way for ever. I also contacted Outlaw, and asked for a salesman. I had been looking at a boat on their website, so I called to ask for some more info, and details on it. The salesman took my contact info, and I never did hear back from him either.

I ended up buying a used boat, that isn't from either of those guys.

RG · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2011, 07:31:38 AM »

Paul: Awesome pictures!

Darkwalleye: What did you end up buying?

darkwalleye · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2011, 11:50:12 PM »

I ended up going with the harbercraft extreme I love everything but not sure the oversized intake was worth losing my reverse it makes for turning around tough at times trying to throw your front into the current on a narrow spot. I assume the oversized intake was the reason you can gun it in reverse and don't move a inch still very happy with the boat.

[attachment deleted 180 days old]

Skinnydipper · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2011, 05:43:32 AM »

Dark Walleye,

The poor reverse is common with most any Sportjet boat with a 12 degree or less bottom (the HD is an 8 degree). Since the bottom is quite flat the reverse bucket tends to shoot the thrust water into the back of the transom instead of under the boat. There are modified buckets available that do improve the reverse somewhat. Also some manufacturers weld diverter plates to the areas where the thrust hits the transom to try to direct water flow under the boat instead. They are never awesome but can be improved.
For the record, I am in the process of another boat build and it will be another Firefish.

Joe Fehr · « **Reply #12 on:** November 13, 2011, 10:16:57 PM »

What size etc are you building?

Skinnydipper · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2011, 06:15:35 AM »

Quote from: Joe Fehr on November 13, 2011, 10:16:57 PM

What size etc are you building?

My last was a 16' long, 6 foot wide bottom with an 8 degree deadrise. This one will be extended to a 17' with essentially the same bottom design with a few tweeks. I am going to add a set of strakes to this boat after using one this past year and loving the way it handled. It will again be a 200 Opti Sportjet. I will add a diesel heater this time instead of the Sportjet heater. It will get the dual console style windows instead of the regular sloped windows in order to utilize as much space inside the boat. The consoles will be slightly more forward than the last boat. Gunnels will be the new extruded style that Firefish has adopted. It will again have a front deck open bow design, allowing for under deck storage.
The rest is still in the dark posterior of my mind.

bugsy14 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 16, 2011, 04:29:02 PM »

i just ordered a firefish 19' piranha and my experience was opposite of dark walleye. Steve was great, even met me at his shop on a holiday and spent a few hours showing me around, this was before he new he had a sale. He builds a nice boat, maybe u caught him on a bad day. Now my question. Is anyone running a 12 to 8 deadrise with qt100 and do u like it or is uhmw better? i want strakers for better handling . and i'm not crazy about all those holes being drilled plus alot of extra weight. i'm not planning on going in real skinny water, at least thats what i say for now. one last thing on firefish, u can customize alot, right down to what side you would like the steering wheel on.

RG · « **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2011, 09:34:07 AM »

Quote from: darkwalleye on November 12, 2011, 11:50:12 PM

I ended up going with the harbercraft extreme I love everything but not sure the oversized intake was worth losing my reverse it makes for turning around tough at times trying to throw your front into the current on a narrow spot. I assume the oversized intake was the reason you can gun it in reverse and don't move a inch still very happy with the boat.

Hey Darkwalleye, check out Wooldridge boats, and look at their new reverse bucket for the sport jets. If you go on Youtube and search Wooldridge reverse you should find a couple of videos demonstating it. They are not cheap. $600 But its damn amazing how much of a difference they make! That will be my second modification to my Extreme Duty. (first being the new Espar diesel heater I bought)

jorgea · « **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2012, 11:51:49 AM »

You better do a complete comparison job before you invest in any boat.

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Tuc · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2012, 03:16:56 PM »

Nice looking boat Darkwalleye!

Author Topic: Fire fish or Harbercraft extreme? (Read 15514 times)

darkwalleye

Fire fish or Harbercraft extreme?

Chris K

Re: Fire fish or Harbercraft extreme?

Paul

Re: Fire fish or Harbercraft extreme?

Skinnydipper

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TJG

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Skinnydipper

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Paul

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Paul

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RG

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RG

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darkwalleye

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Skinnydipper

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Joe Fehr

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Skinnydipper

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bugsy14

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RG

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jorgea

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Tuc

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