Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks when buying a new boat online?

• There is zero risk when paying with a letter of credit (L/C). With an L/C No payment is made until the customer receives their order. All orders are fully insured for 110% of the value during shipping and handling.  top

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What is the process when ordering a custom boat online?

• Step 1. The web site visitor selects a design form the web site, or has a vision for their own custom design. Next they contact us by phone or email with their inquiry.
• Step 2. The prospective buyer describes their specialized project with expert boat builders, then decides on their requirements based on their specific needs. If they have a general idea but need guidance, we help navigate the 380 page web site containing over 120 hull models, 68 different engine sizes, 24 different sizes and types of trailers, and other accessories, clarifying details when necessary and guide them to the best option based on their unique situation. We have become familiar and understand the nature of boating conditions in regional waterways around the world from Maldives to the Baja Peninsula, from Brisbane to Halifax. By listening to the customer we will know what they will be happy with within their budget.

• Step 3. Negotiations on accessories, options and terms are established. Negotiations typically take a few days or weeks until an agreement is initiated. There have been times where the purchase took place several months or even a year after terms were agreed to.

• Step 4. Initiate completion and delivery schedule. There are two ways to initiate an agreement. A. Letter of Credit (L/C) where no payment is made until the customer receives the product. B. 50% advance then balance when the product is shipped.

• Step 5. During the order completion and delivery phase, regular updates with photos or videos are sent to the buyer by email. Progress reports are posted on the secure Customer Progress Log

• Step 6. The order is shipped and buyer receives their new boat on time and on budget. Insurance is available for 110% of the value on the invoice during shipping and handling.   top

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What about Tariffs, GST Free, GST and other issues of import tax?

• When we export boats to your country there are tariffs, import taxes or GST. We have forms you can use that will address your specific tariff or GST that will reduce or eliminate import taxes, tariffs, or GST costs. A confirmed order is required or a consultation fee is required before we inform you regarding the reduction of import tariff or GST free shipments.  top

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How long does it take to build and deliver my order?

• Boats are made to order requiring 14 to 60 days building time and 30 days or less to ship to the destination by sea, road or rail. Experts are standing by, ready to begin your order from start to finish in as little time as necessary then immediately load onto the next available transport to their destination.  top

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How much does shipping cost and how will my order arrive?

• Exclusive contracts with sea, rail, and road transport carriers allow for our shipping costs to stay around $28.00 per foot . The boats arrive at the carrier's warehouse where the customer picks up the boat or it is delivered to any commercial address. On the lower part of the contact page there is a video showing how most boats under 39 feet are shipped on a trailer that rolls in and out of the container.  top

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I need detailed specs for a boat on the web site, design services and/or pricing and specs for a custom boat.

• Reviewing a standard model, standard specifications or custom boat design is estimated at no obligation by phone or email one time.
• If changes are requested to an initial estimate and further pricing is needed, there is a $150.00 fee required before spending more time researching additional changes. This fee also covers generating the invoice after all changes have been agreed to.
• If you decide to proceed based on the first estimate there is a $150.00 fee required to generate a legally binding invoice and agreement. See Order confirmation    top

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Pricing Commercial Projects

• Commercial projects include boat molds; production start up; COI for water taxi boats in U.S. waters
• In most cases prices for accessories and options is readily available for water taxis for export, or six-packs. For specific pricing such as A/C, generators, toilets, fuel consumption, inboard engines or customization, engineering services may be needed.
• We are happy to assist a buyer in obtaining COI costs for their vessel once they have purchased a hull.
• For pricing or discussions regarding boat molds research and engineering services may be needed.
• For pricing or discussions regarding production costs or production start up costs engineering services may be needed.  top

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Invoices, Quotes, Volume Pricing, and Tenders

• Estimates are available by email or can be discussed over the phone.
• Written quotes, invoices and other binding agreements with terms are available when an order is confirmed or a consultation fee is paid  top

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Other services listed below are available to the customer when an intent to order is confirmed or consultation fee is paid.

• Test ride appointment service
• Assembly Factory visit appointment service
• Pre sales boat inspection appointment
• COD boats by letter of credit application top

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Where are your boats made?

• All Boats delivered in the USA are made in the USA and come with a US manufacturers serial number on the certificate of origin. If a US builder's statement form C.G.-1261 is required for U.S.C.G. Certification it will be provided upon request at time of sale.
• All boats exported come with USA serial numbers and USA builder's certificate of origin.  top

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COI Check List for anyone wanting a small passenger boat for use in U.S. territorial waters:

• With COI 25% to 35% of the cost pays for US administrative documentation, consultants, naval architect services, and laboratory fees. 15% to 20% of the cost goes to paying the high cost of approved materials, parts and accessories that are more expensive than the standard materials or parts.
• All COI boats are made to order only and require about 120 days.
• An owner can apply for COI.
• We offer legal consultation on obtaining COI by experts in the field, current official contractors working with the U.S.C.G. as well as retired inspection officers.
• The average cost of COI consultation for one small passenger boat is approximately $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 depending on the equipment, seating, number of passengers, engines, accessories and options. The cost for the sister ship that is identical to the first is considerably less.
• The cost of COI only apply to the first vessel, the second vessel can be inspected at reduced fees charge as long as it is identical to the first COI vessel
• Our 29 foot outboard COI V hull cabin water taxi for 12 to 16 passengers is $125,000.00 for the first and $85,000.00 for the every one there after
• Our The 29 to 31 foot COI Panga style with canvas top outboard water taxi for 16 to 25 passengers is $125,000.00 for the first and $85,000.00 for the every one there after
• We will lend assistance to anyone who buys a hull from us who has purchased it for the purpose to obtain COI
• We can supply structural, mechanical, electrical line drawings and plans according to what is required on any hull we make provided we are notified at the time of sale that the hull will be used for carrying passengers for hire.
• Which COI are you looking for; ongoing inspections during the build or a conversion?
• Outboard engine use requires the hull is made from fire retardant resin or only the use of portable 6 gallon fuel tanks is permitted.
• Structural, mechanical, electrical plans and line drawings, lamination schedule are part of the application
• You will need laboratory testing for hull strength
• With or Without the builder's assistance you may need to cut out a large section of the hull for lab testing
• You will need structural plans from the builder for repairing the hull cut out section
• Once COI is obtained you can add accessories by applying with plans for the specifications, installation and use of the accessory. You can then add the accessory if the plans are approved.
• Our services are available to apply for COI on behalf of an owner
• If we are hired to apply for COI on behalf of an owner we will petition to use a panel that was made at the same time the hull was made and made to the exact specifications and materials as the hull to use for lab testing instead of having to cut out a large section of the existing hull.  top

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Financing We can negotiate financing with your bank after we receive a small advance confirming the order. In most cases banks have a pre-paid application fee. We do not offer financing directly. top

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What is an order confirmation or consultation fee?

• An order confirmation or request for invoice is a commitment to purchase a product or service and requires pre-payment ranging from $150.00 to $350.00, depending on the complexity of the request. The pre-payment is credited to the final price on an invoice. Order confirmation, consultation fee or commitment to purchase is due before we devote detailed research time revising initial estimates.
• An order confirmation is due when a visitor requests a binding proposal for volume pricing, invoices and written quotes. Confirmation fees are applied to an order.
• An order confirmation is due when a visitor requests business services such as time and research to review details of a design for a written proposal .
• An order confirmation is due when a visitor requests business services such as a face to face meeting with management or to visit the facility
• A consultation fee is due when a visitor requests business services and does not wish to confirmed an order.  top

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Boat inspections, test rides, factory visits?

• Test rides are available for pre-paid fees ranging from $1500 to $4500 depending on the model, are non refundable and not applied to any order.
• Factory Visits from customers who have a pending order, have confirmed an order or have paid a consultation fee are welcome anytime. To become a paying customer there is a minimum fee of $350.00 for consultation regarding your project.
• You can see boat building videos at the factory here. As you will see there are different shops for different projects.  top

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Brokers, Trading Companies, Tenders, Bids, Requests for brochures policy

• All company information is available online. There are pdf files for download on most pages that have details and pricing. You can also print out or save web pages if you need a brochure.
• Links to pages with company location, registrations, contacts, history are found on web page menus.
• If you are a trading company, broker, or requesting we submit quote for a tender a pre-paid consultation fee is required before reviewing your specs for tender or bid pricing.  top

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How to become a dealer, agent or get volume prices?

• There is a pre-paid $350.00 fee to access volume prices or to receive information on dealer opportunity, online agency or tender broker. The fee is applied to the first order.  top

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What is the difference between a hull and a boat?

• Only when a Hull is completed with accessories and engine (s) and made operational as intended is it then referred to as a boat where a serial number or HIN number is issued.  top

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What is the warranty on a hull?

• A hull warranty ranges from five years to lifetime depending on type of hull, and use that is determined at time of sale.  top

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Where do I go or who can I call to see one of these boats?

• We have no dealers or display inventory at this time; mainly due to the nature of custom boat building where no two boats are made exactly the same. We sell factory direct to the public which has its pros and cons.
• Pros - $0 dealer mark up; $0 dealer overhead means lower prices, 2. No salesmen; instead you will receive service from boat building experts available 24/7 helping you decide what is best in your situation, 3. Delivery is direct from the factory no middle man, 4. One on one support; the same representative follows your order from start to delivery, 5. Boats are available in kit form with or without engine installation, boats are routinely customized to meet a customer's needs, 6. Dealer services are available on demand.
• Cons - 1. All boats are in various stages of completion or being prepared to be shipped to the customer as soon as completed which makes display models limited. 2. Boats being worked on not help in visualizing a finished product.  top

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What are the shipping and delivery terms?

• CIF definition is Cost Insurance freight. Insurance refers to loss at sea or other loss by the carrier.
• Insurance against damage during shipping up to 110% of the invoice is available upon request at time of sale.
• Your boat is either delivered to your commercial address, or pick up is from the shippers warehouse.  top

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What are the terms of sale?

• You can pay 50% advance by Wire Transfer or Bank Draft, we then build the hull 100% then send you photos of the completed order. At the time photos are sent the balance payment is due. After we receive balance we ship your order.
• You can pay with a letter of credit where we do not get paid until you receive the order; the letter of credit add bank fees determined by the amount.  top

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What are the company references?

• References below span 40 years. The company is family owned and operated three generations.
• 50 year history archives
• registration with the U.S.C.G as an active boat manufacturer since 1976
• management's education level
• international development partnerships
• water taxi
• law enforcement
• International One Of A Kind Custom Made Boat Customers
• check out reviews like this one from Australia fishermen.  top