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Jim,
This is Capt. Rick Hammond (Clearwater Guide Service) in Rockport, Texas.
I received my Beavertail Osprey (with tunnel) in April 2008, and I have run it over 30 days in the last 3 months.  The boat has exceeded all of my expectations in performance an durability.  I use the boat in my guide operations the Rockport, Texas area and put it through more abuse in 3 months than most boats will see in 10 years.  Here in Rockport we have large deep bays with many shallow back lakes.  This boat is ideal for handling 2-3 foot chop in the open bay, and then transitioning to miles of 6-10" deep flats.  The shallow water performance of this boat is unmatched when compared to most of the "Texas" skiffs currently on the market.  To get into most of the back lakes that I fish, I have to run across 200-300 yards of 3-4" deep water with hard sand bottom to get into the deeper areas of the lakes.  Just the other day I had a 18' Majek Redfish Line (super-shallow running Texas style skiff) follow me into one of the lakes I was fishing.  Needless to say, I made it over the sandflat while they were stuck the rest of the day.  With a little practice, I have found that if the Beavertail will float, it can get on plane in the same amount of water.  I average 40 miles round trip on a normal day of fishing and on average, I burn 5-7 gallons of gas a day.  The 60 hp E-tec with its large lower unit and prop is wonderful for top-end speed and shallow water performance.
When it comes to poling, this skiff is the best I have ever owned.  It is easy to pole into a stiff wind with 2 other people onboard and a livewell full of redfish.  I primarily use my skiff as a fly-fishing platform, and I consider it the best tool for sneaking up on wary trout and redfish on the flats.
Best regards,
Capt. Rick Hammond
Clearwater Guide Service - Rockport, TX
361-229-6053
www.flyfishrockport.com

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To Mark and Jim,
As you all are well aware, I have access to practically any offshore boat I choose, making my choice one with many options. However, being that the boats I manufacture do not fulfill my passion for backcountry fishing, your skiff is a perfect fit. With the experiences that I have had over the years with so many different flats boats, never has one been comparable to my Osprey. My Osprey allows me to fish in skinnier water than ever before while being the quietest boat I have ever been on or fished on. Poling this boat is just so easy I really mean this it does not matter if you are polling upwind or downwind there is not another technical skiff out there like this.
One of the things I love most about my Osprey is that both of my kids absolutely enjoy this boat more than my offshore boats because they get to drive it and feel like they are in control. My son Nick that is 8 and my daughter Ariana who is 7 usually flip a coin to see who will drive the boat first.
My Osprey has been awesome for the last year but it is time to move on to my new BTX. I really can't wait to get my BTX and enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed my Osprey.
Sincerely,
Captain Jorge Wicked Alfonso

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The Beavertail Team,
People like to say, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” Well, it takes the whole Beavertail team to build a dream! (Maybe you are the true “Dream Team!”)
How can I thank you all? You represent the talent to design and build a boat that is what every flats fisherman wants. I’m a convert from bass fishing to flats fishing. I still bass fish once or twice a month (in my Osprey) but once or twice a week the boat finds itself exploring the Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, and Banana River on the central-eastern shore of Florida.
I started this relationship with your team via the website. Then I talked to a number of owners; especially Mike Keaton here in Florida and Jerome in Texas. Mike immediately offered to take me fishing. While we caught some fish, I was the one who was “hooked.” Even though I continued to shop around, there was no better option. The boat is everything I imagined and more.
I was initially concerned about dealing with someone in Minnesota, while I lived in Florida. No local dealer was an issue even though Mike, Jerome and many others assured me your customer service is excellent. What can I say but it is more than excellent. If there’s ever anyone who thinks a local dealer is better than dealing directly with Captain Jim and the rest of the team, they need to contact me. I will be more than happy to describe what “customer service” means. Look it up in the dictionary and you will see a picture of Beavertail Skiffs. No local dealer could have ever responded as you have.
I knew nothing about flats boats having owned only bass boats in the past. However, I continue to amaze fishing partners with the care and concern that went into the design and building of the boat. For example, one was astonished by the way the wiring is tucked and secured and not just hanging loose in the console and hull. Another pointed to how the rub rail is not just screwed into fiberglass; rather it is bolted through the deck and secured with nuts. I have full confidence that the boat not only will take me fishing in the skinniest of waters but also will return me to my family safely.
From concept, to design, to creation, to delivery, to customer service it takes a team to make a dream come true. Thank you for changing a dream into a reality. Every time I work with the boat in my garage and every time I fish in the Osprey, I thank the team that has proven American ingenuity and craftsmanship are still second to none. You are not simple boat builders; you are artisans.
Bob Alexander
St. Cloud, FL

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Jim, Mark, and the rest of the Beavertail Crew-
I've been meaning to tell all of you guys how extremely happy we are with our Osprey tunnel for some time now, but all this fishing has kept me too busy to write. My son and I, being avid shallow water fishermen, had for some time researched all the poling skiffs we could get any information on, when we stumbled on your company. Your website got us interested enough to call, and after talking to you guys on the phone, we somewhat reluctantly drove to Corpus Christi to see Randy Charba and had him show us his Osprey firsthand. We were asking ourselves why we would buy a skiff made in Minnesota with no dealers in Texas to fish the flats in Texas? What seemed like a leap of faith turned out to be the best decision we've made in a long time! In the short time we've had our boat it seems as though most people we talk to want to know all about the boat because they've heard nothing but good things. I tell them all about our skiff naturally, but I also tell them that in all my years of buying cars and boats, I have never dealt with people who tell you honestly what the product will and will not do. You guys really understand what customer service is all about. Our skiff does everything you told us and then some. You really need to stress the ride more than you do. For a poling skiff to cross Aransas Bay in a 2 foot chop and perform the way it does in extremely shallow water is amazing! If you keep building a quality product and treat customers the way you have treated us, the Osprey tunnel is going to take over the poling skiff market in Texas. Any time we can be of help answering questions about our skiff, we would be more than happy to do so.
Sincerely,
Bobby Peacock
Stewart Peacock
San Antonio, Texas

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Dear Jim and the Folks at Beavertail,

My BTX is three weeks old today and, thanks to Beavertail, I have just completed the best three weeks of fly fishing in my life; over 40 Snook, 4 Redfish, 8 large Tarpon hooked (2 to the boat) – and all on fly. The boat has 35 hours on it and has been in every sea condition imaginable, from extensive polling in 5” of water to running the length of Marco Island in 20 knot winds with 3' seas. It has never failed to excel.

I have an 18' Egret that my family loves but it just can't go shallow enough to get to the fish. Our fish in the Ten Thousand Islands get a lot of pressure. In order for a fly fisherman to survive he has to be able to get to the fish the gear guys can't get to. The fish we catch swim in spit. In my quest for the perfect flats boat I fished with several guides and experienced literally every technical polling skiff on the market. Since getting my BTX , several of those same guides have taken me fishing in my boat. They have been blown away. The ride buries everything out there. We can run on the outside while the Hells Bay Wiprays, the Dolphin Renegades and the Mavricks HPX's have to take the long way inside or beat their clients to death. When we get there, we can go where they can't. The BTX is more stable and has more floatation than any of these boats. They may be as shallow at the dock, but when you put 2 anglers, a guide and gear in them, they pick up draft while the BTX 's draft hardly changes.

The jack plate has worked out great. We can raise the motor 6” and putt through areas where we only have 8” of water, no problem. The Honda 50 is getting 10 miles per gallon while pushing the boat at 30 cruise with one, losing 2 mph for each additional passenger. Top end is 35 with one. The trolling motor works great, although the boat poles so easily we rarely use it.

The boat was delivered boatshow-perfect and it has continued to be flawless. I guess if you have a dealer network you can deliver boats with issues that the dealer can fix. If you don't have a dealer network you have to do the job right in the first place, as you did with my boat.

The BTX is a real head-turner at the ramp, in the water, at the gas stations and on the highway. I really feel blessed to have a boat that exceeds the competition at a fraction of the price.

Thanks for a great product.
Roger Hall

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To Jim and All The Good Folks at Beavertail,
I've read all your testimonials and agree with all of them. My B-2, which you were good enough to deliver to me in Panama City , Fl for the IFA championship the evening before the tournament, turned a lot of heads. I had pre-fished for five days in my bay boat and found more fish in my B-2 the Friday morning of the tournament than I had seen all week. The fish were in the shallows and the B-2 was the boat to get to them. There were many shallow running boats there, but the B-2 was faster and softer running in the bigger bays. My partner and I are big guys, and we were picked on by our competitors saying we looked like two polar bears on a popsicle stick. They quit laughing when we were fishing in ½ the water than they could even get to. I guide on Winyah bay, known for fast currents and mean chop; this does not bother my B-2 at all. It's dry, safe and smooth. You guys did a great job. My B-2 has let me find fish nobody knew we had.
But don't get me wrong there is a down side to all this fun I have had with my new boat. Like taking longer to fuel up because of all people wanting to check it out or having it all shined up and people getting finger prints all over it. Also the fact it may cause a speeding ticket because of pulling and tracking so good behind my truck, it does not know the boat there. Another problem with my new B-2 is keeping my brother, Captain Dan our other guide, from taking off with it every time my doggone head is turned. He has already pointed out he needs one too.
In all reality the biggest heartbreak I have had with my B-2 was when I recently shot a show with Bob Redfern Outdoors Magazine, we sat watching schools of redfish with their backs out of the water. Perfect for my B-2 and not being able to get it on film because the high dollar brand name flats boat for the camera crew could not follow us. So we went from shooting a great red show to throwing shrimp for Black Drum. It made for a good show but it could have been a great show, if I'd only had a Beavertail for the camera crew. The Moral of this story is if you are going to shoot a TV show in a Beavertail, you better have another one on hand or tell the camera crew to bring their wading boots cause they will have to walk to get the footage.
Thanks Captain Seth Vernon of Double Haul Guide Service for turning me on to Beavertail. It took 3 hours to want one, most of the time it takes a year just thinking about it. It's the finest technical poling skiff I've ever seen plus the price is right.
Thanks Guys,
Captain Tommy
Georgetown Coastal Adventures, LLCGeorgetown, SC
www.captaintommy.com

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Jim,
I hope that all is well.  Getting settled in Jacksonville (finally) after being here a couple of months.  Seen several Beavertails down here; so, you are doing a good job marketing down here.  Attached are a few more fish pics of Eric and my brother Joel, plus one of my baby in her favorite place on the boat.
The boat is incredible. It is amazing how shallow the boat floats and quiet and maneuverable it is in the shallows.  Plus, it runs the big water like it belongs there.  I am so glad to be living on the water as I am finally able to put the boat to good use
Tight lines,
Patrick

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Dear Mark, Jim, Scott and the Beavertail crew,
Six months ago I was searching for a replacement for my fourteen year old Maverick Mirage. It was finally time to retire the old boat and I wasn't looking forward to the sticker shock of a new model until a friend from the Keys mentioned your company, which I'd never heard of until that day. The boats on your website looked great and the prices looked even better. When I called the factory and the CEO himself actually answered the phone, I knew right away that I found the people who'd be building my next skiff.
I finally picked up my new Beavertail three weeks ago and started running it on charters just two days later. I can say a lot about this boat but the first word that comes to mind is: Perfection. For the type of charters I run here on a somewhat isolated Caribbean island, my B-2 with its Yamaha 50 is truly a perfect boat. If I sat down with a blank sheet of paper and tried to incorporate everything I wanted in a skiff, this boat would have it all.
The quality and performance of this skiff have not only exceeded my expectations but my anglers rave about it, too. My first charter happened to be a custom hot-rod and race boat builder from the west coast. He was so impressed by the quality of the welds on the trailer that he actually spent a few minutes photographing them up close so his shop foreman could see them. You can imagine what he thought about the rest of the skiff.
The best bonefish and permit flats here on Vieques are accessed by going off-road for several miles and then launching from a sandy beach. The lightweight B-2 and its Blue Rock trailer handle this daily chore with zero effort. Puerto Rico in the winter also means constant twenty knot winds, and just yesterday I ran the boat with a charter across a mile long stretch of four foot seas. It wasn't fun, but the little B-2 fought its way through and never frightened me despite the really ugly water.
With the engine shut down and poling the flats, there is absolutely nothing better. After ten years of guiding experience in the Florida Keys , I've had the chance to fish on every one of the top manufacturer's boats. I wouldn't trade my B-2 for any of them. Your company produces the best technical poling skiff on the market, at any price, hands down. And speaking of price, your competitors had better sit up and take notice. This boat comes in at exactly half the cost of the replacement skiff I was originally considering. We were well into the era of the $40,000 flats boat until Beavertail came along and saved us from that, all without making any compromises from the final product.
I could go on and on about the boat but I also want to mention a few important things about your company and my experience as a customer. Beavertail Skiffs is an American manufacturer in the very best tradition. I ordered one of your boats, which I will now depend on to make my living, despite never having seen one in person. I did this completely based on the interaction and attention I got from talking to you on the phone and from the testimonials of other Beavertail owners. How many companies do you find where the CEO actually answers the phone and then wants to talk shop? Mark Fisher is that kind of CEO. I've spent even more time talking with the VP, Capt. Jim Dismore. Jim made me feel like I was talking to a craftsman personally building me a skiff in my garage, despite the fact that he was 2500 miles away. I should also mention Scott, Tork, and the handful of others who made dealing with a company in central Minnesota such a great experience for a bonefish guide off the east coast of Puerto Rico .
To sum it all up, your company now has another lifelong customer and there will be another B-2 added next year for my Florida season. This boat has actually changed the way I guide by opening up waters that I normally couldn't access. The end result is that my seasons will be more successful, my charters happier, and my business will make more money. As a full time guide, there's nothing more I can ask for from this boat or your company. Thanks, Beavertail.
Capt. Gregg McKee
Wildfly Charters, Vieques PR
www.wildflycharters.com

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Jim and Mark,
I want to thank you again for exceeding all of my expectations and making the purchase process extremely positive and easy. Randy C. in Corpus is great to work with, knows the boat and what works on this coast. Randy, thanks for putting up with me, the demos and all the questions throughout the process.
Now that I have time with the boat, I wanted to tell you just how great the Osprey w/ Tunnel, works on the Texas Coast .
Just in the last month, I've been able to get on the water eight days {work keeps getting in the way} and not one day went by that we didn't have shots at over 40 Redfish, and on a few days we actually lost count. Sight casting with conventional tackle and a fly rod has been awesome. The closest hookup to date has been seven inch water depth and four feet off the bow, proof of just how quite this hull is.
Beavertail provides one of the best overall platforms to access the marsh on this coast that I've ever been on. With the tunnel, we can get into and out of the marsh without tearing up the bottom, grasses or the boat . In the past, we could look at a lot of these areas in other shallow running boats, but didn't want to spend the night by shutting down and getting stuck (O-Yaa, we did that once), or could not get to the marsh because we had to cross open water in unfavorable conditions. Crossing open water hasn't been any problem; tab down; adjust to the conditions and go, no questions.
My wife and daughter love the boat; they feel comfortable running across open water and the stability while fishing is fantastic. They are now both hooked on sight casting, watching the wildlife in and out of the water and enjoying the day. Now if I can only get them to pole me around. They don't want to get off the front Platform!!!
I do have one complaint; “The boat is affecting my fishing time”. Every time I stop, the boat draws a crowd asking questions, “Who, What, How can I get one”. If this continues to cut into my fishing time, you are going to hear about it.

Thanks Again
Kevin Dumas
Cypress Texas

PS: Attached are a few pics from the last few weeks and if anyone ask; The fishing is terrible in Texas , send them all to Florida !

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Jim and Mark,
Bottom line up front, the B2 is a ruthless fishing machine! Growing up in the Keys, I have fished in every imaginable skiff, but this boat is equal parts engineering and fishing passion.  I recently spent about 3 weeks fishing in the keys with my friends and family and was floored by the attention to detail you put into your skiffs.  The no nonsense cockpit and ample storage room kept every thing uncluttered and accessable.  Your boat poles as good as any skiff I have ever had to push.  In fact my dad would rarely get of the platform and let me pole my boat (he's 54 and I'm 26).  This baby is super quiet even in a chop, letting me get up close and personal with reds, snook, permit, tarpon and bones.  I pushed 3 people across 5" of water with no problem.  The flawless hull design, 60 E-TEC, 4 blade power tech, and bob's jackplate let me jump up in super skinny water without disturbing the bottom. It is such a smooth running boat, I got the honor of taking my 6 week old nephew out on his first fishing trip.  To top it all off, this boat looks damn good sitting on a trailer, in the water, running, poling or tied up at the local restaraunt.  Hell of a boat!  I am enclosing pictures of my recent adventures and hope to send more soon!
Ben Weaver
352-870-9553
Fort Hood, TX & Plantation Key, FL

Dear Mark and Jim, I am thrilled with my new skiff! Being a fishing Guide and growing up in the Florida Keys, I have had many polling skiffs including a 2003 Hellsbay 18' waterman, and I want to tell you that this is the nicest and best thought out polling skiff if I have ever owned!!! It poles easy and quiet and is great on gas with my Mercury 50 hp 4-stroke. To be honest it's a lot nicer built skiff then my 2003 Hellsbay for about 1/2 the price! Heck, I spent as much money on my new Ford F-150 and my new Beavertail as I did on my HB Waterman. Thanks for the great customer service too!
I am sending you a photo of my son Donnie with a nice Everglades Black Drum caught on our first trip.
Best Wishes,
Capt. Ted Benbow
Islamorada, Fl.
www.skinsandfinscharters.com

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EVERYTHING YOU HEARD IS TRUE  EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS: NO ONE TOLD ME THIS THING WOULD OUTMANUEVER EVERYTHING ON THE WATER,  MAYBE JET SKI'S INCLUDED?! I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT BAD WATER HANDLING, TOO, BUT IT CUTS THRU CHOP LIKE NO OTHER. MY PREVIOUS 18 FOOT ONE TON FLATS BOAT WAS A PIG IN ROUGH WATER BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IT "TIL NOW. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT STORAGE SPACE, TOO. I'VE GOT ROOM TO SPARE. NO ONE TOLD ME HOW FAST LENCO TABS WERE COMPARED TO HYDRAULIC AND THAT YOU CAN LOWER THEM  AT A MOMENTS NOTICE WHEN A 500 GALLON BALLASTED WAKE BOAT APPEARS OUT OF NO WHERE.  AND I SPENT NEARLY $20K LESS THAN A HELLSBAY?????? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME.     EARL HORECKY

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Hi Guys,
I made it back to the Black Hills Friday night in spite of a gale force head wind. Had several questions along the way about," what kind of boat is that, etc.."
My son and I took the boat out to a lake in the hills Saturday where we strip wooley buggers for lake trout in the Fall. On the first cast from the new skiff (I think this is a good omen), I caught a nice rainbow trout. I hope the redfish will cooperate as well next year in South Texas. Everthing works great and the boat handles so well, my son drove most of the time. The Volvo trim tabs are amazing.
We love the boat, and I considered sleeping in it in the garage Saturday night, but my wife shamed me into coming in the house.
Thanks again,
Chuck Baldwin
Black Hills, SD - Rockport, TX

Jim,
I was totally unaware of your referral program..haha. If I would have known I could get free stuff, I would have sent you a ton of boats..just kidding. I never really had a chance to tell you how much I like the boat. I was in the Keys recently and the boat did awesome in less than ideal conditions, to say the least. I had a busy afternoon today. I actually took the guy from St. Augustine and his wife (who loved the boat by the way, he is getting one) then I came back to the dock and picked up the guy who lives here in Jacksonville along with his wife and two kids. They were all very impressed with the boat. My friend Travis, who actually lives just down the street from me, also ordered a boat a while back, he got the Osprey. I never had a chance to take him in my boat because he was too impatient. All it took was one day he was fishing across the mudflat from me and I trolling motored over to him to get some bug spray....he said, "How did you just do that?! I'm getting one of those!"
Everywhere I go the Beavertail gets noticed and new fans are born. Keep up the awesome work guys.
Chase Hancock, Jacksonville, FL
P.S. I'm including a pic of a gator I got last month in the tail...

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JIM, MARK, AND THE REST OF THE CREW,
FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS I HAVE BEEN FISHING THE TEXAS REDFISH SERIES, THE IFA, AND SEVERAL LOCAL TOURNAMENTS. THIS YEAR I DECIDED TO PURCHASE TO A SKINNY WATER BOAT AND THE “OSPREY” WAS MY FIRST CHOICE. THIS BOAT HAS PERFORMED WITHOUT A SINGLE FLAW. IT HAS SPEED, IT IS USER FRIENDLY, AND I CAN GET SKINNY, REAL SKINNY.
I CANNOT THINK OF USING ANY OTHER BOAT FOR MY TOURNAMENTS. THE EVINRUDE E-TEC IS ONE HECK OF A MOTOR. I AM GETTING ABOUT 6.4 M.P.G. WIDE OPEN. MY TRAVEL RANGE IS ABOUT 90 + MILES PER TANK.
THE TEXAS MARKET IS GOING CRAZY OVER THIS LITTLE SKIFF. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER TWICE BY MIDDLE COAST POLICE OFFICERS JUST SO THEY COULD FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS FISHING MACHINE. OF COURSE, I TELL THEM TO CALL ME, OR RANDY CHARBA FOR A DEMO RIDE.
IF ANYONE IS THINKING ABOUT PURCHASING A BEAVERTAIL OSPREY PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME AT WORK OR ON MY CELL. I AM A DETECTIVE FOR THE LA PORTE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN LA PORTE , TEXAS . WITH 28 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BEHIND ME I CAN ASURE YOU THAT I HAVE USED EVERY INVESTIGATIVE SKILL TO FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS SKIFF. IF I WAS WRITING AN OFFENSE REPORT THE DISPOSITION WOULD BE…… NO SHORT CUTS WERE MADE WHEN MAKING THIS BOAT. THE GLASS WORK IS IMPECCABLE. THIS SKIFF LAUGHS AT A 3 FOOT CHOP AND WILL GO ANYWHERE THERE IS WATER. THANK YOU BEAVERTAIL FOR MAKING THE “OSPREY”. IT IS TRULY A REDFISH CATCHING MACHINE!!
RESPECTFULLY,
JEROME A. MCKOWN
OFFICE: 281-842-3157 LA PORTE POLICE DEPT. – INTERNAL AFFAIRS DIV.
CELL: 281-898-0274

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Aug '07 update from Seth
Hello, Just wanted to share these photos from Monday's adventures with Capt. Tommy Scarborough of Georgetown, SC. I told him I wanted to do an article on Tripletail for next year and catch some on fly and he said "well, come on down..." So we towed the B2 down to Mclellanville, SC and Tommy spent the day fly fishing with us on the Beavertail, first time he's seen it and we have fished together a bunch out of his rig when I pass through town. He loved the boat and is going to call you soon to talk about getting one for his winter fishery. He's one of my good friends and keeps me in the loop with a lot of stuff. I thought you would like to know he was really impressed with the boat and he got to see some redfishing in his own backyard that he never knew existed, his fish literally have four wheel drive...backs out and crawling through the shallows.
The Tripletail was the icing on the cake and he really delivered for us. It was 25 and a half inches long by 24 inches in girth and went 12 lbs. on the boga grip! It was Josh's first tripletail on fly and it ate a silly shrimp and was caught on a Scott S3S 7 weight! Tommy's web address is www.captaintommy.com

Seth's original '06 testimonial
Dear Mark and Crew,
I have never been more proud of a flats skiff manufacturer or to be part of such a revolution in shallow water fishing in my life. You really delivered as a team in building a truly remarkable technical fishing machine. The amount of thought that has gone into the design and completion of this boat is a great value to the guiding angler like myself. I am excited at the angling adventures that exist every time I set out in my Beavertail skiff. You and the staff at Beavertail have managed to produce a top of the line performance skiff that is dry, safe, fun, shallow and super quiet for poling even in the windiest chop.
I can testify that I have routinely poled the boat in 3.75" of water in pursuit of tailing redfish here in North Carolina with fly rodders and managed to stay on the fish longer and with more success due to the shallow draft, "no-slap" hull and stable fishing platform that the foredeck offers. I am also accessing flats that other anglers only dream of fishing and am able to get there, at 30 mph, as quickly as the next guy and pole shallower and with less effort than the heavier flats boats we commonly see here in the Carolinas.
I hope you will continue to send me future skiff owners for wet tests in my boat as I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet so many fine shallow water fisherman and let them see first-hand that quality can come at an affordable price.
Tight Loops,
Seth Vernon
Co-Owner Intracoastal Angler
Wilmington, NC

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July '07 update from Claude Rivers
To Mark ,Jim and the whole Beavertail Crew,
All I can say is I'm glad the I am not a boat builder that has to compete with your company !!!!! I took delivery last month of my third B-2 and your company is like a fine wine, it just keeps getting better. You have dolled this boat out to perfection. The hatches are tight, the plumbing and wiring look like NASA  did the work and the finish on the hull is a 10.
I think what surprises most people who fish with me is that you have designed the boat and trailer to load and unload without dunking the trailer. What a GREAT idea, I see enough trailers on the side of the road with bad wheel bearing and that is one thing I don't have to worry about.
I love the new  design that now has an  inner hull, it is a much smoother , quiet ride. The Redfish and Snook don't know what to think, I almost float over them before they spook, I think they are wondering how I got so close without them knowing I was there.
Guy's,keep on keeping on what you are doing, it's JUST RIGHT.
Thank you for making such an enjoyable boat,
Claude Rivers
Bokeelia , Florida

Claude's original '06 testimonial
Mark and the Beavertail crew,
Got my B-2 delivered in March 2006. LOOK OUT FISH !!!!! Living on the Southwest coast of Florida, I fish mostly the mangrove shorelines and bars(oyster that is ). The majority of the time I fish artificial, but live bait is a welcome change when I feel like throwing the cast net.
The B-2 does both with ease. The trolling motor is a perfect match to the boat to cover miles of shoreline, and the baitwell will keep a couple hundred shiners frisky till I find the snook and reds.
Being 59 years old I don't pole much but the trolling motor is a great way to fish. The hull is designed to have no hull slap so I can work a shoreline with an extremely quiet approach.
The folks at Beavertail did a great job on the new design. With the gas tank,trolling motor, and battery up in the bow the added weight gives me a very short hole shot and when I trim the motor out the boat is GREAT in a chop and gives me a smooth, dry ride. I can't thank Mark, Jim and Scott enough for the help they gave me when I was in the process of ordering my boat. Their patience and helpful advice was 100% all the time They helped me with the design for the type of fishing that I do, but they didn't oversell me on any of the extra's. In fact on a few items they said I didn't need and they were right. I can't remember the last time that happened. When the word gets out on what a gem the B-2 is , the employees at Beavertail better get ready for a lot of overtime. I am anxiously looking forward to all the good times I will be spending on the water in my new B-2.
Claude Rivers,
Matlacha , FL

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Dear Mark and the Crew at Beavertail Skiffs,
I Just bought a used 2006 B2 Beavertail two months ago and have put over 90
hrs. within the two months. I have caught more fish out of this boat than
my Gheenoe and still am able to get as shallow as I ever did in my Gheenoe. We have caught everything from 40 inch snook and reds in Pine Island Sound, to 150 lbs. Tarpon in Boca Grande in two to three foot seas. The boat is so light that me and a couple of buddies have even carried the boat over a sand bar to fish the other side. I have and still fish out of other flats boats and skiffs and there is no comparison between the Beavertail and other boats. Everyone that sees it is amazed and loves it
Thanks for everything,
Jon Joshua
Fort Myers, Florida

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July '07 update from Mark Gill
Hey beavertail crew --
Mark Gill here from San Marcos Texas... just wanted to drop a line to say my family and I have sure been enjoying our B2 skiff !! delivery was 4-8-06 and it's had a pretty darn good break in by now, trust me!
I'm kicking myself  for not getting a front casting platform thrown into my package.... we're ready to buy one now, and have several texas fabricators to choose from -- but would rather give y'all the business and get the one that really matches the skiff and poling platform... just shoot me an email when yall have a chance and let me know. Again thanks for putting together a great fishing skiff for all of us shallow water junkies!    Mark Gill

Mark's original '06 testimonial
Hey Mark, Jim, and the rest of the btail crew:
Just writing to touch base and give yall some good feedback... since delivery of my B2 skiff in early April, I've been down to the Texas coast twice monthly (Corpus Christi to Rockport) and out to my local Canyon Lake a few times. To sum up my experience so far, I'd have to say first that I'm very proud of this boat that I now own. I've been a fisherman my entire life (thanks, Dad!) and have been out on the water on many different types of floating fiberglass... but this skiff definitely enhances that experience. I waited and researched boats for quite a long time before taking the plunge with some far away boat builders in Minnesota... but boy did that decision pay off! Thank you guys for a great product and good service. My skiff has pushed across grass in 5 1/2 inches of water at Shamrock Cove, Brown & Root, and at Traylor Island  (Jim knows the spots) with a full gas tank/ lots of gear/  2 anglers/ 60 hp yamaha 4 stroke and never had so much as a hint of hull slap noise. I've discovered that this can actually be a problem... We have spooked a lot of those close in, hard to spot, laid up redfish because the skiff poles right up on top of them and they never heard us coming!! My wife and I cannot compliment yall enough about our boat (I've only been out once without her)... it does the job and does so very well. And the most time consuming part of ownership is having to talk to 2 or 3 inquisitive people at every gas station and boat ramp! So, thanks again for a well built boat... rest assured it will be put to good use!
Mark Gill
San Marcos, Texas

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To Jim and the rest of the Beavertail Team,
I would like to personally thank everyone that worked so hard to create such a beautiful boat.  Everyone I take out remarks on how great the boats looks, handles, and performs.  I have only had my B2 for just about two and a half weeks, but I already know that I will have a great many years of fishing from this beautiful boat.  Your tedious attention to detail shows in every aspect of the boat.  I could not be more pleased.  I'm very proud to be 1/4 of the Beavertail population here in Wilmington and smile every time I see another on the water.  So again, thank you everyone for your hard work.
Thanks again!
Joshua Rohlik
Wilmington, NC

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To Jim and the rest of the crew at Beavertail.  The winds are starting to subside down here in Texas and I've finally managed to put the B2 to the test.   Every time I take the boat out I am more and more impressed.  The boat is just coming off its first tournament appearance at the Texas Redfish Series in Aransas Pass and I couldn't be more thrilled with how it performed.  The boat got us to our spots quickly and comfortably.  I was amazed at just how shallow we could pole this skiff.  Several times we were poling in areas when other tournament competitors would come by and stare.  You could tell they were wondering, "How did they get UP THERE?"  The boat is everything I hoped it would be; a great fishing platform, easy to tow, easy to launch, easy to load -- even by yourself.  I am also a kayak angler and spend a lot of time chasing redfish in very shallow water.  I'm convinced the Beavertail is about as close as you can get to a kayak with a motor on it.  This boat will go just about any place my kayak will.  I am truly amazed.
I used the B2 last night to get up in some very skinny water where I put my wife on her first keeper redfish.  This fish checked in at about 25" and went close to 7 lbs.  We caught severeal over 6 lbs. on this trip.
You guys have been great from start to finish and I appreciate all the help.
Thanks a bunch,
Jason Bryant - Houston , TX

Hi Mark & The Beavertail team,
Just wanted to say Thank you for making my purchase & ownership of my boat so much fun. I was a little nervous about buying a boat sight unseen, but after viewing the DVD and talking with you, I knew your company was not only a manufacturer, but a group of people that really take pride in their products and value their customers.
I have to say that I think this boat is the best shallow water skiff there is. Not only is the ride smooth (which is why this boat is now my wife's favorite), and stable, but the boat is great for those times when I get a little too close to a sandbar.
And, as you can see from the pictures, I can always catch a great looking fish now because I can get into those shallow areas where they love to hide.
Thanks again Beavertail!!!
Brian Ortel
Punta Gorda, Florida

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Hey Jim, here are some photos on how I can stalk Bonefish in my Beavertail Skiff.
Thanks,
Ariel DeArmas
Hollywood, Florida

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Jim,
Just a note to let you know I received the two pieces of Sea Deck. I have also attached more pixs on the water with results. That's my son in the pixs this time. The red was 27” 7 1/2 lb what a beauty, 6” of water.
Can't say anymore about the B2 except I love it, performs beautifully, as expected.
Thanks Again and Great Fishing,
Don M  

Mark,
I personally want to thank you again for giving the average Joe the chance to own the best shallow water technical poling skiff on the market. I fish saltwater tournaments here in Florida on a regular basis and fish in places only dreamed of by other competitors thanks to my B-2. This is a pic from my last tournament at Cedar Key, Florida where Trout and Redfish were the targets. Without my B-2 we never would have gotten to the places that these winning fish lived ( 1st Place ) and I owe it all to my B-2. Thanks for having that vison and not letting the naysayers affect what you are trying to do.
Clinton Batten
Jacksonville , Florida

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April 16, 2007

Dear Jim, Mark, and the Beavertail Team:
First of all, I would like you to know that I have never purchased a boat site unseen. However, reading the testimonials, talking with other Beavertail owners, and working with you and the staff gave me confidence that I was working with not only a boat manufacture, but a team that really has a lot of pride in their product. I received the boat in middle of February while vacationing in the Everglades . I must tell you the craftsmanship on the Osprey is impeccable. The Osprey has been in the water 45 days of the two months I have owned it. You say this hull is quiet, I concur. I have gotten Permit within 7 feet, in light chop, without them even knowing I was there (unbelievable).
My wife, Blanche, is my fishing partner. To make the boat wife friendly, the boat came equipped with a Power Pole, Trolling Motor, and Grab Bar located on the polling platform. These are all items that I thought I could do without, but now that I have them, every skiff I own in the future they will be standard equipment. My wife loves the fact that she can feel secure while polling, and doesn't have to mess with a muddy anchor.
You have always been there to answer all my questions and that is hard to find in today's world. Your customer service is awesome. It has been said by others, but I have to say if for myself, I look forward to fishing everyday in my Beavertail, and am a proud owner.
Thank you,
Rick Higdon
Bend , Oregon

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To the entire Beavertail team,
I had really done my homework when it came to purchasing this boat.  The B2 exceeded my expectations, and they were not low!!  The quality and finish work are second to none as well as the overall ride and handling.  Every person who has seen or ridden in this boat is just completely taken back, and the reasons are obvious.  I can take this boat through Whitewater Bay, out the Shark and past Cape Sable on a single tank of gas.   Since I took delivery, I have not had a single issue with this boat.  Usually on a new boat delivery, I encounter something wrong.  Nothing!!  I had always wanted the competitors brand, but after seeing one and picking it over, I realized the B2 was a better built, better finish work, smoother riding and, still in business!  Thanks for putting up with all of my requests when building this boat, especially the poling platform.  That made the boat live up to its name, "The Aluminum Leader".  I hard anodized it!  To everyone at Beavertail Skiffs, Thank you for putting together my dream boat and pushing my fishing addiction to the point of no return.  (your boat is underpriced!)
Dave W. Sexton III
Fort Lauderdale , FL

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Mark, Jim and all the people behind the Beavertail Skiff,
Attached are a few pictures from recent fishing trips on the B2. I have been extremely impressed with the my boat since taking delivery in April 2006.  The places this boat will go continues to amaze me every trip as well as its ability to run across open water.  You have definitely done your homework and are building a great product. The customer service you have delivered and continue to provide is what will make you excel in the years to come.
Thanks again for your hard work in building what I think is the best skiff on the market.  I hope to have you down to the GA coast for some fly fishing in the near future.
Eric Davis
St. Simons Island , GA

Greetings Mark, Jim and the Beavertail crew:
I've had my Beavertail for 4 months now, and wanted to share my appreciation with you guys for building me what I am confident is the BEST shallow water skiff on the market.  I have been extremely happy with the ride, fit, finish and overall detail.
I guided my friends Eric Davis (also a BT owner) and Todd Smith in the 2006 Golden Isles RedBone fishing tournament.  The tides were perfect for a BT owner.  Negative low tides in the mornings and awesome flood tides in the evenings.  We got on the mud flats on the low tide mornings, and were the only boat that was able to get to the fish.  We watched as the bay boats and other not-so-shallow skiffs tried to pole up on the flat and were unsuccessful.  During the flood tide evenings, we poled into the backs of the marsh grass and were able to site cast to tailing fish in 5 inches of water. 
We finished second in the fly division with 8 fish on the fly.  Our biggest red was 29".  Aside from being extremely impressed with the BT's shallow water capabilities, crossing the sound in 3 foot seas was not a problem.  Again, I can't express how impressed I am with this boat.  I hope all is well with the BT crew.  I'd love to get you guys down to fish with me soon.
Merry Christmas, and thanks again for all of your help and great service.
Patrick Dunn 

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Hey Jim,
This is a great fishing boat. You guys at Beavertail really build a remarkable skiff at an affordable price. But best of all, is the truly world class service after the sale. Someone asks me about my boat at almost every trip to the boat ramp, and I always find the time to praise your product. Recently, I was thrilled to have my granddaughter travel one hundred fifty miles down to Cocoa, on the  Indian River where I reside, to show me how to fish. Boy did she ever, as she caught a nice mess of fish.
Thanks guys,
Greg Stone

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To the boys up north at Beavertail,
This is my second season with the boat and the more I run it the more I fall in love with it. I have the prototype boat so I can't imagine how the new boats are. I have been checking out the web site to see the featured boats and the last one I saw just blew my mind, it was a camo boat!!!! Is there any other company out there that can do that, I think not! What makes our boats (we the owners of our Beavertails) so awesome is that Beavertail listens to our feedback as fisherman to change the design to constantly improve the boat to make them better. I mean honestly a camo boat! (oh yeah that was my idea ?)!!!!
Keep up the good work, and thanks for the great boat.
Adam DeBruin

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Dear Mark,
I have owned nearly 50 boats ranging from a kayak to a 43 foot cruiser. I presently own 5 ranging from a 16 foot Hells Bay to a 20 foot Hewes Light Tackle 20. My Beavertail is by far my favorite, so much so that I am selling the Hewes and considering getting another Beavertail to leave in the Bahamas.
I have never owned a skiff that performed as well as my Beavertail. It poles like a dream and it really shines in a chop. The ride is soft and exceptionally dry. The fit, finish and wiring are all top notch. Your skiff is by far the best value out there today, and, in my opinion, performs much better than many costing twice as much. (some of which I own)
I don't see how you do it. Congratulations on producing such a superior product.
Pat Ogburn

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The Beavertail Family,
I took delivery of my B2 In March.  At that time I told you that if this boat's performance lives up to its looks it will be difficult to beat.  Well, it does.  The performance is exceptional.  While it does run very skinny and has the stability of a much larger boat, I've been most impressed with this boat under pole.  Eighty to ninety percent of my "on boat" time is spent on the poling platform (once in a while I talk one of my friends or my wife into pushing me into some fish).  This thing sneaks up on fish so easily that you can get too close.  Fifteen feet from tailing redfish on a calm day without having them blow up?  Absolutely, it happened today.  When you say zero hull slap, you mean ZERO hull slap.  I have seen more redfish in the months since I've owned this boat than I did in the five years prior.  My fishing success rate has improved dramatically.  This morning we were on one of my favorite flats that is easily accessible but requires a boat that draws very little water.  We poled up to a group a tailers that were about thirty yards from deeper water.  Apparently, some other people saw them too because there were four "bayboats" in the deeper water watching us pole up and get a few shots at those tailers.  I believe that this boat would sell itself regardless of the company that produced it, but when you purchase a Beavertail Skiff you become part of the "Family".  You are not only a number but a valued customer.  I only have good things to say about the people at Beavertail that I have dealt with.  Jim is indispensable, I wish we could find a "Jim" to work with us in our business.  He is one of the most committed and knowledgeable people in the business.  Mark Fisher has answered the phone when I called with one of my many questions... and answered it.  He is a very genuine guy.  Have you ever called a boat company and had the owner answer?  I have spoken with Scott and Mr. Fisher Sr. a number of times on the phone and have always been treated with respect.  Beavertail Skiffs is proof that "small" business America is going strong.  I appreciate all of the hard work that went into my boat and I am proud of the B logo on the side of my Skiff.  Jim, I included a picture to prove to you that I actually can catch redfish with a fly rod.  Thanks again everyone at Beavertail.
Sincerely,
John Eichman

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Mark & Jim,
Just a note to let you all know how much I am impressed with the performance of my B2 that I received on September 30, 2006. Talk about running shallow, this boat will definitely do it better. I no longer think about how much water is in front of me I know I can run in whatever comes.
As a side note this boat is so light in weight. On my first outing with my B2 the wind had blown up a pile of weeds, “where else” right at the ramp and all trailers were loaded with the weed as they pulled the boats out. No problem, my fishing buddy just lifted the rear of my boat and I cleaned the weeds off the trailer and bunks, Oh! Did I forget to mention, my fishing buddy is 70 years old.
The attached pix are of me and another fishing buddy, he's the one in the red ball cap, “the one with the Banshee”. Three upper slot and two lower slot reds.
Great Job, keep it up, been great dealing with you folks over the past year. This is one hot boat.
Don Mullen
Orlando , Florida

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Good morning Jim and Mark,
I tested the boat yesterday and was really pleased with the performance. I ran the 54 mile rim canal at Loxahatchee on a half tank of fuel, sweet!! ... I'ts very clear that you and your staff take pride in building a quality boat. Everyone who's seen it has been impressed and being in such a high profile area I would expect you will get some more orders. Thanks again for a super job, it was great doing business with you.
James Tweedy

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Dear, Jim and Mark,
I fell in love with the B2 the second my fishing buddy Ron showed me his. The first time I fished on his skiff, I ordered mine the next week and I have been happy ever since. I mainly snook fish on the flats and the inlets, and this boat allows me do both very easily. I actually use my B2 a great deal of the time at night and with the LED light option it lights up like a candle. Every time I leave my house with this boat I get a compliment and most people cannot believe the price. I am very proud to own this boat and I want to thank Jim and Mark for everything. I called these guys everyday changing my order and asking questions and not one time were they rude to me. Try that at one of the big named flats boat dealers, they will get upset after the third phone call.
Thanks for everything,
Mark B. Roberson

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Jim, the boat has performed perfectly and boated several nice Reds.  The boat poles perfectly and is super skinny. Poled the boat near a mile and a half Saturday.  Even got a thumbs up from the Robinson bros. on St. George Is. Saturday at the ramp.  They are some of the first guides to have had the Hells Bay and still run them. These are a few pix from late Fri and Sat. here on the Gulf coast. My dad had a ball. Caught his first Red site fishing. 
Thanks,
Mills Brock

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Dear Mark and Staff,

I can't say enough about how pleased I am with my new Beavertail B2 skiff.  I, like so many others, am an ex bass fishermen, who has made the complete switch to strictly inshore, saltwater fishing.  I had a friend, who about 3 years ago, told me that I should give red fishing a try.  He warned me though, that once I did it, I would never look at bass fishing the same way again, and, in fact, would possibly give it up.  Well, to make a long story short, I traded in the bass boat, 8for, at the time, what I thought was the perfect compromise, a 20 foot bay boat.  (by the way, I've hardly bass fished since)  It wasn't long before I realized that my passion was really shallow water fishing and the bay boat was just not going to suffice.  After getting stuck in the Louisiana marsh numerous times, including my first very expensive trip, where Sea Tow, for $650, actually had to rescue me, I finally realized that the bay boat was not going to assist me in following my passion.  I needed something that would run in really skinny water where the red fish, in Louisiana, get very little pressure.   I love to fish in a little fishing town known as Jean Lafitte, in southeast Louisiana.  You very rarely see skiffs there.  Everyone seems to settle for fishing deeper water close to the shallows.  Therefore, the "duck ponds", as they are called, rarely get any fishing pressure.  These duck ponds are where all of the tailing action occurs.  These red fish are in these ponds year round.  My first trip to Jean Lafitte was with my father in law and his good friend.  We took my bay boat and ended up getting a guide.  The guide showed us some pretty good spots, and we did catch fish, but he was very limited in where he could take us.  We would see tailing fish at the mouths of these duck ponds, but were unable to reach them, something, that these guides seem to just accept, opting for the bay boat so that they can carry a greater number of clients per trip.  
Well I had seen ads for Beavertail skiffs, and loved the looks of them.  I shopped around, as I am a very thorough researcher when it comes to big purchases, and discovered that, from a value standpoint, the Beavertail skiffs could not be beat.  I looked at Mitzis, Hells Bays, Gheenoes, East Capes, etc. etc. and, for the money, you simply could not get near the boat, that you could from a Beavertail.  With other skiffs, you either gave up quality or you paid a fortune.  The B2 gives you affordability with top-notch quality and fishability.  It is very evident that you and your staff know what the shallow water fisherman wants and needs.  You've certainly delivered it in the B2.  I would challenge anyone to find a better value on the water.  It is an extremely dry ride, and at 17.9', it fishes really big.  I am able to get in places I never dreamed possible in the Louisiana marsh.  I'm reaching fish that never get fished.  In a nutshell, it has opened up a whole new world for me.  On the topic of draft, I know that many manufacturers tend to exaggerate, but I was easily running in 5" of water in my B2, fully loaded and with 2 fishermen.   
I feel fairly confident that, in time, your product will catch on in Louisiana, but while it is still a relatively well kept secret, I'll continue having these fish to myself.
Thanks for producing such a fine fishing machine.  I am a customer for life.  You have a very helpful staff and an unheard of attention for customer satisfaction.  You yourself, as the President of the company, are very accessible, never failing to return my calls or emails.  This attention to customer service will separate you from your competition for years to come.
Best Regards,
Rick Blanchard
Gainesville , Georgia

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To: Mark, Jim and the entire Beavertail Team,
It's not common in today's manufacturing market place that a one can find a company that is so driven with a passion to deliver to us the consumer a product that excels in all areas of expectations. With prices escalating daily you manage to keep the cost down with out sacrificing performance, durability and detail to the finish work.
You have raised the bar to a new level by building a technical poling skiff that meets and in most cases exceeds other technical poling skiff manufactures on the market period!!! One would have to pay anywhere from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 or more to get the same or nearly the same product. There are other high tech building materials on the today's market but they too have their limitations (I know because I own several of these other skiffs). Beside the cost factors associated with these materials plus the time / labor to lay up a boat drives up the price. By choosing not to use these products but insisting to use the vacuum bag process you have basically kept the price down without sacrificing durability and performance.
Since receiving my B-2 in early May I have enjoyed every trip out. As you know I was amazed with the performance of the B-2 when I added the Vance 6” offset jack plate. I am glad that you listened and now are offering that product as an option . That's what I am talking about you guys are proactive and are willing to listen to the people who have suggestions whether it comes from a fishing guide like myself or a fishing enthusiast. Your customer service is top notch. Every call and request I made was followed up immediately.
To top it all, The B-2 poles effortlessly while tracking straight. Now, my wife can pole me around as we take turns on the casting platform. "Now tell if that's not the icing on the cake”
I could keep on writing about the performance but like all of the others testimonies written before me they covered it all Period!!!! Bottom line is “The skiff Kicks @ss.”
Thanks for adding my custom options. I am looking forward to this winter with my clients aboard as we venture deep into the back country of the 10,000 island where poling the mangrove shorelines and bays on a low negative tides is common. Just an inch less of draft can make the difference of reaching and watching the trophy game fish nail the fly.

Tight lines and calm winds,
Capt. Carlos Escarra / Gone Fishin' Charters
www.gonefishincharters.com

I have had my Beavertail skiff for over a year and fish about 80 days a season.  This is my sixth flats boat, included in that list were other technical poling skiffs costing much more than the Beavertail .  Of all the boats that I have owned, the Beavertail  has proved superior in price and features.  Its shallow draft allows me to fish even the remotest areas where fish may be lurking.  Also, this lightweight skiff with elevated engine mount gets on plane where other boats wouldn't stand a chance.  The Beavertail is also remarkably stable, especially in comparison to other shallow water skiffs that I have been on.  The ride is good in a chop, with the reverse chines on the hull keeping driver and passengers very dry.  This boat also poles like a dream, tracks very straight, and is so light that I can pole it around with only one hand on the pushpole .  And talk about being stealthy.  The Beavertail has no hull slap whatsoever.  I have actually poled so close to tailing redfish that my passenger could touch their tails with his fishing rod.  I now have over 100 hours on my motor, and the hull looks as new as the day it was delivered.  With all these features, there isn't another boat manufacturer that can touch the Beavertail in price and value.  If purchasing a technical poling skiff is on the agenda, you would be doing yourself a great disservice if you didn't consider a Beavertail.  I absolutely love mine.

Orlando, FL
Chris Rudl

As an avid Laguna Madre fly fisherman, I demand three essential qualities in any skiff I operate. Foremost, the boat must get up on plane in extremely shallow water. A common misconception among coastal fishermen is that the "be all, end all" of inshore flats boat is an ability to run shallow. While certainly an essential quality, most modern bay boats weighing in excess of 2,000 pounds will run shallow. Set the boat down on a twelve inch deep flat, however, and you will find that being able to make it home before dinner will require pushing the boat a long, long way. This is particularly true in my part of the country, where the average water depth is 18 inches over a stretch of coast running more than one hundred miles, from the Texas - Mexico border Northward to Corpus Christi. Second, I demand that any skiff I operate pole quietly and draft in eight inches of water or less. After all, that is where I do roughly ninety percent of my fishing.

Conventional wisdom previously dictated that the only option for fly fishermen along my stretch of coastline were the tunnel skiffs and, for quite a few years now, conventional wisdom proved to be correct indeed. The concept of a tunnel matched with a hydraulic jack plate allowed anglers to run the propeller above the bottom of the boat while running, with the tunnel providing a consistent flow of water to feed the lower unit intake. This feature additionally allowed for an unprecedented shallow hole shot. Frankly stated, no non-tunnel skiff could compete in a side-by-side comparison. Still, I found myself frequently weighing the down-side of a tunnel drive skiff. Carving out a hole near the transom of any boat directly affects the displacement of water, thereby increasing draft. More importantly, the addition of a tunnel decreases top-end performance. When you travel long distances, many times exceeding sixty miles in a given fishing day, the loss of five or six miles per hour due to the addition of a tunnel is palpable.

I recently took delivery of my new B2 skiff and was immediately impressed by the fit and finish, which was sufficient to make friends with skiffs which I know cost them $38,000.00 or more, green with envy. Before I placed the boat in the water the first time, or was capable of testing the limits of the hull, the most common question I received was "how do they do it for the price they are asking." That is actually a very good question, gentlemen, although I am certainly not complaining. As I learned with women and bird dogs many years ago, however, looks ain't everything. The reason I am writing you this letter today is because this boat performs every bit as well as it looks. Quite literally speaking, this hull soundly out performs every comparable tunnel skiff on the market. How? I can run the jack plate up to the highest setting, trim the motor out and run the tabs to their highest position and still read 22 PSI on the water pressure gauge at 5,800 RPMs. That would be impressive even with a tunnel! What this allows you to do is run in water between 5 and 7 inches deep, depending upon the bottom. That is obscenely shallow and, despite the ridiculously overblown puffing of other manufacturers in the tunnel skiff and bay boat market, running any shallower is best suited for vehicles with tires rather than propellers. Although I have not pushed the boat to its limits in that regard out of respect for the sea grass beds where I fish, this boat will easily jump onto plane in 14 inches of water or less without shifting weight to the front of the boat or requiring the driver to do a "donut" turn while manipulating the trip tabs and jack plate. Poling draft with two average-size adult males and gear is a measured 5 1/4 inches. The boat tracks unbelievably well, turns on a dime with little effort and is mortuary quiet on the water without the slightest hint of hull slap. Did I mention the E- Tec motor? With two people and a 50 HP model running a meager 4800 RPMs, this boat will cruise between 30-32 MPH with a deep cup four-blade prop. I know this because I clocked the speed several times on my GPS unit. Better yet, I am averaging between 8 and 10 miles per gallon without the slightest bit of exaggeration. Finally, the hull handles chop like a twenty-five footer and is dry as a bone to my delight. I intensely dislike being soaked to the bone while traveling from point A to point B.

Does it sound like I like the new boat? I hope so, because you now have a customer for life!

Thank you for perfecting the modern technical poling skiff.

Donald L. Jones Esq.

Corpus Christi, TX

To all at Beavertail,

I want to thank you for your professionalism, and attention to detail you put into my new B2.  From the first call I made asking questions with Scott to the delivery of the boat by your driver everyone was first class. I am more than thrilled with my skiff and wanted to take a little time to thank everyone involved. Beavertail will always be spoken with high regards and I will be promoting your product every chance I get.
Thank You,
Clinton Batten
Jacksonville, Florida 32218

Clinton's original testimonial shortly after receiving his boat last year

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Mark,
Here are a couple pictures showing how much I'm enjoying the boat. There's a nice mosquito lagoon trout. I also enjoy spending time with my two daughters as you'll see in the other. The boat is running great!
thanks,
Andy Griffith

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Hey guys, here are some recent photos. Remember I have the first boat and it has some good carma. Keep up the great work!
Adam D.
Key Largo, FL

Adam's original testimonial from early '06

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