Conference vicki::boats

re       <<< Note 762.0 by CURIE::MFORBES "Windows are panes in the glass" >>>
>                              -< Dixie boats... >-

>	what would you offer?



	twennie bux



     if my memory serves me right:
    
    Dixie was written up by the Coast Guard many times for various
    violations.
    
    I don't believe they're considered a quality boat.
    
    for more info, call the Coast Guard..
    
    JIm.

    
    I wasn't impressed with them either.  There is a 
    dealership in Amesbury, MA., that sells Dixies.
    The Dixies that were on the lot in May are still
    there.
    
    I thought the quality was comparable to that of
    Eagle boats (not good).  
    
    Jeanne
    

    
    
    I have a freind that has a 21' Dixie with a walk around cabin an an
    outboard on a bracket.
    
     I was not impressed with the quality. after three years there has been
    a lot of blistering on the hull above the water line, and the boat is
    generally falling apart. 
    
    The hatches didn't fit well from day one (they wouldn't ever close
    properly, and the hinges all pulled out), and the electrical wiring is
    very sloppy and has had lots of corrosion problems. The boat is quite
    light, and as a result you get thrown all over the place in any kind of
    sea. I felt that a good used Grady White would have been a better deal.
    
     There are several at the Marina where I keep my boat- they all seem to
    suffer the same problems. I was underwhelemed, but had top admit that 
    a 21'boat with walk-aroundcabin, canvas top,all CG equipment, full
    gauges,lines, fenders, bottom paint,auto bilge pump, 125HP O/B with
    power trim and tilt and SS prop, delivered for $12,500 including sales
    tax and registration) was not a bad deal (that was 4 yrs ago). 
    
    
    
    
     T

Well!  I think I get the picture... I was biking on Saturday and passed by
and the owner happened to be around... he was dreaming of $13k... good thing
I didn't punch the side to hear that resounding thud... or *crack*!

But I'll say the boat *looked* nice- wasn't ugly IMO, and had the right
engine specs... the carpeting in the cabin wasn't even peeling off the ceiling
...yet.

thanks for the replies... back to waiting for that cheap Whaler...

    
    Right.....they're not ugly, just plain...and cheap!  If I
    remember correctly, Dixie took their basic model, fluffed
    it all up and called it the "Panther", or something like
    that.  I bet there's a lot of them left sittin' around.  
    
    >>waiting for that cheap Whaler
    
         There's no such thing!  You'd better save up millions of
         dollars ..  :>)
    
    Jeanne (a previous Boston Whaler owner)
                                                           

RE: Note 762.5 by CURIE::MFORBES
                         ^  ^  ^

>> back to waiting for that cheap Whaler...

Hmmm, with a username like that I wouldn't have figured that money would
be a problem!  8^)

Rick W.

> Hmmm, with a username like that I wouldn't have figured that money would
> be a problem!  8^)

yeah, well, y'know, pops just didn't want me on anything less than a 60 ft.
cruiser with a couple of Rembrandts and Faberge's aboard- said I'd have
to fend for myself if I wanted some dinghy...

    
    The November issue of Trailer Boats Magazine has a tech letter from
    a reader asking for advice on Dixie boats.  According to the magazine, 
    Dixie has been added to the list of companies that have gone belly-up.
    
    They also declined to comment on the quality of the boats that were
    built by the company based on the fact they had never tested one, 
    although they had visited the factory.  TBM is a good mag, but they
    can keep up with the best of 'em in the "Never-met-a-boat-we-didn't- 
    like" department.  A refusal to say anything good about a boat by
    them just about says it all.
    
    Rick W.

    Folks,
    
     That's too bad about Dixie going under. I live on a lake in NC about
    40 miles from their factory. We see a lot of old Dixie's around here,
    like the '67 17' outboard I have. The fiberglass in the hull is one of 
    the best I've seen. Of course that was 23 years ago.
    
     Chuck

    Lets renew this note a little with an update to the "Dixie"...
    
    In March of this year, I bought a new l993 leftover from Perry's on
    the Cape.  The first few months it did see a variety of water, from
    Winny to Grand Lake and 2 trips to Ontario.. Even lowered myself to 
    put it in Quinsigamond once and final time..  In august I brought it
    up to the Mexico Bay Marina on Lake Ontario and left it there till
    Columbus day, when I brought it home.
    
    That boat, has been used and abused heavily this year. For those of 
    you familiar with Lake Ontario, you can understand the comment...
    Yes the boat is light but never a problem with handling. Its a 
    21' Walk around cuddy with the big Merc I/O.  I have dealt direct
    with Dixie for my side curtains and then rear set of curtains. The
    service is super and responsive.  I don't have hinges falling off,
    or screws loose anywhere.  I have equipped it with all the toys, to 
    which has located them with no problem.
    
    As this was my first ( Real ) boat, I purchased it like I would 
    a Mazda pickup.  Use it a few years and throw it away.  My feelings
    are a little different after the first season. However, my wife fell
    in love with the fishing and boating scene, she wants to trade in
    two years for a bigger boat.   This is Dixie's biggest they make, so
    it won't be one of them.  Probably a 24 or 26 Penn Yan.
    
    A happy Dixie owner
    
     Dave