Boston Whaler or Safe Boat?

[Monitor]

I was recently informed that we will be replacing our two 21' Boston Whaler's on lake powell and my boating boss is planning on replacing them with the 24' BW Justice but knows I have been looking at Safe boats as a possible new patrol boat type.

I test drove one of our agencies 24' Justice today and it is a nice boat.  Pretty much the same as the 21' but will take the rough waters a little better and add another 100 hp to what the 21' has so it has the same speed capability.

I have driven a Safe boat of similar size a couple times and was really impressed with it's speed and handling as well as it's ability to handle rougher water without the use of trim tabs.

I hate to stray from whaler boats as I've had such great luck with them but I am really tempted to ask for Safe boats instead.  The big advantages I see with the Safe boat is it has a metal hull (helpful when at least 75% of our shorline is rock) and it goes about 15mph faster than our smaller Whalers.   Anyone have experience with Safe boats or any advice?

[flatwater]

absolutely... Safeboats Intl. is the way to go, but I'm curious on the price differences (w/govt. pricing). I was actually one of the first officers to purchase one for LE, and helped with a custom design on a 23' footer (now we own a 23' and a 30'). I can't say enough about these vessels, and the customer service from the company.

[BoatCop]

absolutely... Safeboats Intl. is the way to go, but I'm curious on the price differences (w/govt. pricing). I was actually one of the first officers to purchase one for LE, and helped with a custom design on a 23' footer (now we own a 23' and a 30'). I can't say enough about these vessels, and the customer service from the company.

According to the GSA catalog, these are the prices for the base model. (no engine(s), electronics, rigging, etc):

19' Safe Boat Center Console: $63,292.37
21' Safe Boat Center Console: $67,387.26

19' Brunswick (Boston Whaler) Justice Center Console: $27,079.00
21' Brunswick (Boston Whaler) Justice Center Console: $30,460.00

Our 21' Justice(s) cost us right around $70,000 fully equipped with foam fendering system, advanced electronics, heavy duty trailer, and 250 Verado(s). Outfitting and rigging would probably make the 21' Safe Boat around $100,000-$110,000 when all is said and done.

While Safe Boats may be a good boat, it looks like Whalers will give more a lot more bang for the buck.

[Monitor]

We decided to give the safe boats a try.  My boating boss said he priced the 23' safe and the 24' whalers we have been getting and after fully equipping them the cost is pretty much the same.  The next draw back i found with safe boats is they only guarantee 365 day delivery from order date.  They assure me it won't actually take that long but we get our whalers a whole lot quicker when we order them.  Hopefully it's worth the wait.

[Waterdog]

Consider other options before purchasing a center console,...PLEASE!!! I have over 23 years with a state agency and have worked out of many different styles, makes and manufacturers of boats. By far, hands down, without a doubt, the most dangerous type and style of boat that an officer can be put in, is a center console boat.

The bodies of water that our guys have to work are grueling at times and is tough on the officer. You only need to look at the recreational boats that are on the water and see what other boaters are using. On our bodies of water, the  only ones that are using center consoles are the fishermen, and they go in when the other boaters come out. For fishing the center console is ok, but NOT a patrol boat.  You do not see recreational boaters in a center console on our waters, most of the boaters are in dual consoles with inboards. Which is where we should be!

We are running center consoles with outboards. Our fuel cost and repairs are out the roof!  The outboards do not hold up to our riggerous demands.  The center consoles are a timebomb for an officer injury or worse!  We have had three officers thrown overboard from a center console boat. There is no protection for the officer with the open design.

 A dual console adds comfort and protection for the officer. One thing to consider is the location of the radios and emergency equipment location of a center console. Every one that we have, all equipment is located overhead. If an officer receives an injury and can not stand, there is no way he can reach the radio overhead.(Experience is speaking here).  If an officer is in a situation and needs to take cover, he can not operate the radio from a cover position. I can go on and on...but I hope you consider other options before spending money on a center console. Officer safety and comfort are not the best in a center console. Seating for injured or prisoners is not an option in the center consoles we are using. We are goining to get someone hurt in a center console. We are running 24 and 19 footers. The 24 is not big enough to take the rough water that we experience at times.

Seek input from guys that have spent time on the water and work out of the boats. Don't let someone buy the boats that does not have to work out of one that he buys. They may look good on the computer and on the show room floor. Test drive one on the 4th of July or Memorial day, not a Tuesday in the middle of February when the water is flat and smooth!

Hope this helps and will get the guys on the water the best equipment possible!
Keep your powder dry and God Bless!!!

[IslandCop]

I am partial to the SAFE Boat products & love ours!  These were taken on the Puget Sound between Bainbridge Island and Seattle.

[BoatCop]

Nice boat.

A little overkill for us on the Colorado River.

Not to mention we'd be like Thanksgiving Turkeys after a shift inside that aluminum cabin. 

[Powell_Patrol]

I think that boat needs a .50 cal mounted on the front of it :-).  Very nice looking boat!  If only I had a grant that would come through to provide us a new boat!!!!