Raider Boats?????

[THunt]

Well im starting my research on aluminum boats and I cam across Raider.  I see that the guy building them use to be at Hewescraft.  They look like nice boats and less money than the Hewes.  The one im looking at is a 20' pro sport. I would like to hear from anyone that has a Raider.  I know they are "no frills" but Im looking for a fishing boat.  Any info would be great.  Thanks Tyler

[gasman]

Im tagging this thread.

[cohoho]

Do not know much about these boats, getting a jet or prop?  Make sure you drive one on choppy water to see how it feels...  Test all others too...  You can always come ride on my Wooldridge to compare ride...  I had a tj, rode awful, looks like raider has a better hull design..

[Skillet]

That pro-sport has a pretty shallow deadrise aft at 10 deg.  Gonna be a little rougher ride than other boats with more deadrise.

All depends on what you want to use the boat for, though.  A shallower deadrise takes less HP to push (and therefore burns less fuel), but will not ride as well in a chop.  What do you plan to primarily use this boat for?

[Widgeondeke]

I've always liked the Raiders. Never owned one, just knew a guy wbo said it was wayyyyyy less $$

[THunt]

I will be using a prop motor.  Most of the time I will be on Lake Chelan and the Upper Columbia river.  I take a trip to Vancouver Island every year so I would like to still be able to take my boat up there.

[fernsjd41]

Use to work at a dealership that sold those boats, the quality isn't there welds look terrible. Also there roof covers don't hold up very well, the only thing made these boats good was we were putting Hondas on them.

[cohoho]

Use to work at a dealership that sold those boats, the quality isn't there welds look terrible. Also there roof covers don't hold up very well, the only thing made these boats good was we were putting Hondas on them.

Do not know of any boats with soft tops that hold up well.      How was their warranty stuff and issues?  Might be some good information since you sold them previously...

[LipRipper!]

My dad owns a Raider and I love that boat, and I know he does.  He's had it probably close to 10 years now and it still looks brand new.  He gets it out on the water all of the time, but he takes real good care of it.  He has a soft top on it and it's still in great condition, even the side windows.  It's like anything else, if you take care of it, it'll last. Always roll your side windows, never fold.  He owned a Hewes Craft before that and it was a lot rougher ride, but it all depends on what model you end up getting.  The aluminum is thick, welds are good. He's never had any leak issues.  He's never had any issues really.  I'll find out what model he has and let you know.  He does most of his fishing on the Snake River, Columbia River, The Clearwater and Lake Coeur d' Alene.  I'll just say it'd be well worth it, especially to save some $$$.

[cohoho]

I like the looks of their 26ft off shore...  Looks like good designed hull.  Hmmmmm, four years from now might be checking them out alot better....

[THunt]

I also really like the Northwest Boats SeaStar OB.  They look like really nice boats.  The finish in them seems better than others and from what Ive read they are pretty tough and ride well.  Anyone have one of those?

[Fish4Fun]

I also really like the Northwest Boats SeaStar OB.  They look like really nice boats.  The finish in them seems better than others and from what Ive read they are pretty tough and ride well.  Anyone have one of those?

Northwest makes nice boats, the fit and finish is decent quality too. Another boat to look at is the Weldcraft Maverick or the Rebel. I have a 1999 custom built Weldcraft and the boat has been put through about any water condition out there and has always handled it with no problem.

[bowtech721]

My Dad has the 2272 Sea-Raider. They are alot of boat for the money. Its a great riding boat for aluminum and its size. The sea-raider model has quite a bit more V than the prosport though. I would definetly recommend them for a no frills fishing boat.

[KFhunter]

I'd do a factory tour first, seriously.

I used work at Hewes and I know a ton of people who still do and one thing I can honestly say is that build quality varies as people come and go.  I do not know the current dynamics of the employees but when I was there teamwork was at a very high point and we put out quality boats.  This was a good long time ago but the same holds true today.  If the teamwork isn't there then the build quality won't be either!

A factory tour will be about the best way to see what goes on and how things are going at the time. 

See if they'll let you climb down in and inspect the stringers before the floation goes in, how the welds look?  Will the welders talk to you? are they friendly?

move on from one station to the next and try to get a feel to see how the employees are doing, is the break room quiet or are they all laughing and carrying on?



Before I plunked that kind of coin on a hand built boat I'd have to make the trip to the factory and have a look for myself!    If they don't allow factory tours or give you some garbage like "insurance and liablity reasons we can't let you on the floor" BS then take your money elsewhere. 


Sorry I can't tell you if Raider makes a good boat, or Hewes or anyone else for that matter - I've been out of it too long to know the current trends.

[mossyoak arrow slinger]

I have yet to fish out of one but I know a few people that have them and they love the their boat.  My one buddy takes his 20' out to neahbay and la push on a regular basis. I would think that for what you want the boat for its more then good enough