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New Boat---Diamondback???

S

ShadowGrass Shooter

Well-known member
Guys, I'm planning on coming down to Florida in Jan. to have Diamondback build me a new boat. Any experiences with this manufacturer would be appreciated. I've looked at a bunch of builders and Diamonback seems like the route to head down.

If any of you have a contrasting opinion of where you'd spend $45k I'm open to that as well.
 
Hehehe - Well I do know a fellow in Texas that wouldn't mind you spending it on him. :roll:

If you talked to them all and like what they offer then go with them. I would feel comfortable with them just on the recommendations that the several owners here say. I would say they are in the top group of the builders in Florida.
 
I DONT KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE BUT I HAVE HEARD ALOT OF BAD STORIES ABOUT DIAMONDBACK. MOSTLY ABOUT SMALL PROBLEMS, AFTER THE SALE, THAT TAKE WAY LONGER THAN EXPECTED TO GET FIXED. IN MY OPINION A HAMMANT HULL HAS A MUCH BETTER RIDE.(AIRBOATS INC.)
 
Good choice Shadow. I picked up my kit boat about 2 months ago and was very pleased with the workmanship. The weld quality was superb. Bobby and Vinny took good care of me. I would definately buy another one. My boat is a 15by8 with an aluminum stand and pancake cage. Alumitech in Orlando is also a very high quality boat. You WILL be happy with a Diamondback.
 
Shadow, I work for American Airboats in Orange, Texas. Please let me know if you would like a quote or stop in to see what we are building right now. Let me know If I can help. I'm not knocking Diamondback but I am closer to you and can give you all the detailed information you would like.
Thanks,
Faron Floyd
American AIrboat Corp
1-800-241-6390
409-920-0716 Cell
 
Only can parrot what I have been told about diamondback and I won't do that. BUT it is worth mentioning that they do have a real problem getting done on time seeing as how you want to time a vacation around it so be careful.

I drive an alumitech hull and it is great

Faron and his family build a great boat as well.

My boat is assembled from several manufacturers and that would screw up your vacation for sure. if its the warranty you want then get it all done at one place.
 
Yep - I figured you already made up your mind on the builder. But if not, then by all means talk to the guys. I would say that I have driven lots of Alumitechs and several Diamondbacks from Florida and both are typically great boats. Another person closer to you is Mark's Airboats in Louisiana. Have driven several of his rigs and I like that style of hull for what I drive in (if I was getting an automotive boat). Then like Faron says, his family's business builds a great boat as well. Their warranty makes things hard to argue, in your country where there may be a rock around, there is not a stronger hull around.

There are several other builders that I have driven some of their hulls, but either they don't build a hull of the size you are looking at or I would be very careful with them.

JABO - the Hamant hulls just don't make it over here to Texas/Louisiana and never got to run one. So I am not including them in the above comment.
 
I have a Diamondback boat and I have nothing but good to say about them and it would be well worth your drive to get one there customer service is the best and I picked up mine on vacation and they had it done on time and yes they do stay very busy and get backed up some times but it is only when some time when there labor does not show up for work and you will have that in any business, any time I have had any problem they have taken care of it right then and most of those have been some thing I did not a problem with there product and when I get reddy to buy another boat it will be a Diamondback because they build one of the best boats and have the best customer service I have ever known.
 
at that kind of money you are spending i would have to say take time talk and posibbly visit the manufactures buisness.and i can almost guarntee you they probably have some one that lives close to you that owns one thier boats and probably set up a ride for you, if they dont have a demo boat at thier shop.
 
I have a diamondback as well and I am very impressed and pleased with the craftsmanship of the hull and the ride quality and it turns on a dime the performance is fantastic. I also would buy another as well. I think you would be quite happy with thier product. I also have recently met Wade over at Hamant Airboats I got to check out thier boats and drove one of thier aircraft powered boats and was also very impressed with thier quality and performance They were very hospitable and would consider a boat from them. I think that they both build good boats. I also deal with Sam Manson over at Panther for parts and am always treated well. All manufactures have good and bad about them but I believe from my experience with them that the major ones have all been very helpful and courteous wether it is a small part or complete boat.

Mike
 
Shadow,

I appreciate the fact you would like to know what our customers have to say about Diamondback Airboats. We are a family business built on the idea of complete customer satisfaction. I would be more than welcome to give you names of customers close to you, if you would like to ride on a Diamondback. It is also our policy to provide our customers interested in purchasing a boat a round trip plane ticket to our facility. If you need anymore information than we have provided you please contact us and we will be glad to help you.

Thank you,
Bobby Fleckinger
1-800-424-5624
 
I purchased a diamondback hull a year and a half ago a 12 1/2 x 71/2 ultra lite boat put a 6 cylinder lycoming in it and I am 110 percent satified I ran glass boats for over 15 years and was real hesitate to go to aluminum but the price of glass boats have soared and the quality has went downhill and I have to say other than taking a little longer then told when the hull was going to be ready I am glad I waited on it because I dont see this ol boy getting in another glass boat. so thanks to Bobby and all the guys and gals at diamondback for putting together quality products. Gary
 
I would check out airboats inc by hamant , and have one of water thunders ls1 motors put on it then you will have a bad boat but thats just my (opinion) they build a awsome boat out of the box
 
Shadowgrass, it is not a policy of Diamondback's to provide a round trip plane ticket to come and look at their boats. Call Faron.

Bobby, that's BS and you know it.

BF
 
Have avoided comment on this thread because I own and operate a Dianondback and my comments will be seen by many as biased. Guess I have gotten weaker in my old age - so here goes..

There are several fine aluminum airboat builders out there and some who are maybe otherwise. Many members here are fiercely loyal to their particular favorite - as it should be.

Diamondback's dedication to customer satisfaction is a primary reason I made my personal choice. They have lived up to all product performance claims and have gone way beyond reasonable customer service expectations with me and with another active member of SAO.

That does not mean any other airboat manufacturer is anything less than outstanding.

What Diamondback has done - and I have seen no similar effort from any other airboat producer - is totally and completely support the fight to protect the rights of all airboaters regardless of what they prefer in a boat. They give away a complete boat - everything except the engine and prop - to raise money for our Airboater Rights Fight every year. To KRVSA, to Broward, to Palm Beach clubs - for funds raisers and ask nothing in return.

I am loyal to that dedication and support.
 
Well i own a 1987 bear and like it alright but theve been out of buisness fo years however at work we have a diamondback and also a GTO there both rigged out the same with stainless rigging ,7'6" x 15, belt drives ,330 hp 350,s and aluminium trailers .Both are good Boats how ever I would would have preferred an 8' wide with a full deck for myself.
 
big feather":2724c06f said:
BS
Click to expand...

If I could, I'd own a Diamondback AND an American AND a GTO... etc. They are all good. Don't forget the very well made Alumitech hulls are rock solid. I believe all these mfgrs make boats for fire/rescue agencies and other professional heavy-duty public service applications. And airboating in different parts of the country can require a different style of boat. There is NO one perfect style of boat.

It's really cool that this message board can be a place where someone can get information and learn about airboats of different makes and styles.

However, the moment it becomes a soap box for one mfgr (or the loyal fans of them) to duke it out over who is better or worse is the moment this board loses some of it's appeal. And if the policy maker of a company comes on here stating his policy, well, then it's his policy. Period. I can state for a fact that Diamondback is not the only one willing to fly a customer across country to create some good will and possibly close a sale. It happens often.

Thanks Rick for not taking advertising money, and more reason for those who have no stars under their name to support this site and offer some money to go towards the costs involved in bringing it to you.Click here to support this site and keep it a level playing field. And remember, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Mama was right about that one! It's not hard to figure out. There is a place for public comments, and an easy way to post private comments - for good reason.

matt.
 
You done good cntry :) . You gave good constructive critisizm and honest advice. I just wish others were as sincere. :( Good luck on your new combination. Sounds great.
 
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