[dbkski]

Anyone own one? Not sure what they are calling the current model but my
Firstmate and I inspected one on Saturday and we really liked it. I asked the
dealer about the construction and did not get a good answer. Are these wood
structure boats? Composite? All fiberglass below the waterline? For the money
they are charging I sure hope they are using high tech materials and not just
old fashioned plywood. I had a bad experience with a wood structure boat and
don't think I will get another one. This was the primary reason for getting a
Cobalt. I also seem to be spoiled with Cobalt's quality and don't want to take a
step down. How does the Hustler quality stack up industry wide? Size, cabin
layout, and speed are right inline with what I am looking for in our next boat.
Also what is the deadrise? I was told "variable" but he could not tell me what
was where. How about working on the engine? The compartment seems a bit
tight.
All info appreciated.

***** Found this on a German website *****
RACEBOAT CONSTRUCTION
COMPLETE HAND LAY UP FIBERGLASS HULL AND DECK WITH FOUR FULL LENGTH STRINGERS AND
TRANSVERSE BULKHEADS. HULL, DECK AND INNER LINERS ALL FIBERGLASS BONDED TOGETHER FOR COMPETITION
CONSTRUCTION, USING SPACE AGE TECHNOLOGY, VACUUM BAGGING WITH TRI AXIALAND BI AXIAL ROVINGS,
CARBON FIBERS AND KEVLAR HYBRIDS, BALTEK AIRLITE CORES AND VINYLESTER RESINS, WITH COMPLETE
IN-MOLD CURING. VENTILATED DEEP V NOTCHED TRANSOM DESIGN PROVIDING OPTIMAL PLUS BETTER
PERFORMANCE ( WITH EQUAL POWER) COMPARED TO STANDARD OR PAD DEEP V HULLS.
PAD DEEP V HULLS.

What are Baltek Airlite cores? They don't mention plywood.

 

[HustlerTech]

Dbkski,

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Paul LoGiudice and I am the VP of Sales and Marketing for Hustler Powerboats. I came across your posting online when someone brought it to my attention. The 26 foot boat you are referring to is the 266 Classic. This boat, as well as all boats that we design, uses fiberglass, wood, and foam in the contruction of the boat.

The 4 full-length stringers that we use for this boat is made out of wood but encapped with resin, foam, and fiberglass to prevent water penetration. In fact, every hole that we drill into the stringers recieves a fiberglass pipe to pass through the hole and then glassed in unlike most of the competition which simply put gel coat over each hole that is drilled into the stringers. We use high-density foam (Baltek Airlite Core) rather than balsa wood to give the boat more structual support. The high-density foam is vacuum bagged to suck the extra resin from the fiberglass into the foam, making the foam even stronger than before.

I cannot compare our product in comparision to other brands as I do not know much of how other brands are constructed. However I can tell you that we build a quality product and are very proud to do so. Also, we have not reported any problems with water issues with our hulls since we changed from a balsa core to a high density foam core in 2000.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the office or via e-mail. My e-mail address is [email protected] and our phone number is 631-208-2933. I will be looking forward to talking with you.

Sincerely,
Paul

Paul LoGiudice
VP of Sales and Marketing
Hustler Powerboats

 

[dbkski]

I guess I should have checked this thread again.

I put things on hold for a while due to the Obama economy but you guys are at the
top of the list. I saw the boat referenced above at Sequoit Harbor.

 

[aquaforce]

I guess I should have checked this thread again.

Yea, Hustler probably thinks this is a dead forum now. :laugher::laugher::laugher: