COMMON QUESTIONS

"AND THE ANSWER IS..."

The boat looks top heavy on the trailer. Does it tip in the water?
No. In fact, the tri-hull design made famous by quality boat builders like Grady White and Wellcraft gives Adventure Craft amazing stability in all kinds of weather and water conditions. In open water, the tri-hull has three keels in the water lending amazing straight line tracking. In choppy seas, three bows break up the wave action, absorbing lots of energy in the process. In addition, most of the weight of the boat, fuel, fresh water, and engine are within three feet of the waters surface. This low center of gravity means solid stability.Back to Top

Why do you stress four stroke engines?
We probably shouldn't even be in this discussion. As a boat dealer, one of the faster ways to annoy your prospect is to talk ugly about his favorite engine. In fact, we could sell our boats for a few dollars less if we installed two stroke outboards. So, having said all that, why risk alienating a prospect?

Just conscience.

There are many reasons to recommend four stroke engines, especially on an Adventure Craft Trailerable Houseboat. All boat builders have a range goal they must take into their design considerations. Adventure Craft's is roughly 200 statute miles. Customers may want to cruise the inter coastal, travel to the fabulous river plantations of the Virginia river country. Fuel economy of some two stroke engines is only a mile and a half per gallon! In order to travel two hundred miles, it would take over 130 gallons of gas. A four stroke engine will make that 200 mile range on about 40 gallons, with some room to spare. Now this assumes calm seas, smooth waters, and a number of factors -- but these are all factors that would effect two strokes and four strokes equally. Noise is another consideration. Four strokes are normally much quieter. Two stroke outboards, and their chain saw, leaf blower, string trimmer cousins can make lots of noise, and it doesn't make a lot of sense to travel to Miami only to discover you have gone deaf during the trip. They also burn oil in their gas, which can have some nasty environmental effects beyond just the noise pollution. And then there is that "800 pound gorilla" of features -- RELIABILITY. Fishermen can troll at low speeds for a week and a four stroke engine will be fine. No fouled spark plugs. Ever see a boat with two engines on the back-- one large, and one smaller? Look closely. The primary engine won't be a four stroke. (The smaller spare might be though.) Back to Top

Do I have to choose all my options at the time I place my order?
Features like Air Conditioning, flush toilet, AC/DC marine refrigerator freezers, bimini tops really make "a house a home" so to speak. One of the biggest changes for 2002 was in the area of "options" The factory used to be faced with a parade of work orders for individual boats that all differed just a bit, but were alike in most essential areas. When we received the 2002 price sheets that February, we were startled by a blinding flash of the obvious: there were nearly no options! Almost everything you could name was STANDARD EQUIPMENT! We are able to quote a package price [$63,700 MSRP] that includes boat, trailer, Honda 135, Flybridge, Air conditioning/heat, Refrigerator/freezer, Hot water heater, Honda key start generator, and lots more. Of course, it made obsolete the "Instant Brochure" you could download from the home page, as it shows a list of "optional equipment" that is now nearly all standard. We updated the brochure, only to have Honda start phasing out the 130 in favor of the 135. We now quote both the Honda 135 and Suzuki 140 as standard engines you may choose. Unbelievably neat concept.Back to Top

How is the Adventure Craft on the bay, or in rough water?
Good -- by design. It would hardly make sense to manufacture your boat and not be able to sail it on the closest body of water -- at least, Adventure Craft believes this. Tampa Bay is a short distance down the Manatee River from its' design location in Palmetto, Florida where the boat was originally designed and built (they are now made in Hamlin Texas).

The point, though, is that Tampa Bay is similar to Chesapeake Bay in a lot of ways. Lots of shallow water so the boat needed a shallow draft (can you say "10 inch draft"?). Lots of sudden winds kick up rough water quickly, and ugly weather can materialize out of nowhere (this sound familiar?) Needless to say, this is not a place to sail a wimpy little bath tub boat. Mother Nature will eat you for lunch.Back to Top

If the Adventure Craft is so tough, can I go into the ocean?
No. The Adventure Craft is not a "blue water" boat.Back to Top

How long will it take to get my boat and how much will it cost?
Adventure Craft Boats are close to custom manufactured. If you want something out of the ordinary, lets talk about it. The factory loves a challenge, and they claim we love finding ways of providing them. Normal delivery can stretch into months. We have ways of speeding that up a bit -- like trading "build slots" with another dealer, or buying for inventory. MSRP Prices start at $64,900 for boat, trailer and 135 hp Honda motor, flybridge, air conditioning & heat, hot water, flush toilet , AC/DC refrigerator / freezer, and much more. You add taxes, tags, title, & delivery. BUT REMEMBER -- Nobody puts you in an Adventure Craft for less than FOXFIRE MARINE!Back to Top

I am over six feet tall -- how will I sleep in an Adventure Craft?
Better be good, huh? I agree with you. I am six feet four, and I sleep on my side. The factory tells us they pay extra to get a premium grade of foam for the cushions in your Adventure Craft. I found sleeping arrangements to be very nice. You can even stand up in the shower when you wake up. Pretty neat, eh?Back to Top

I don't need a trailer --do I have to buy one anyway?
No, but let's talk this over to make sure this is the answer that really suits your needs. Some things to consider before you drop your Adventure Craft outside the cottage on the boat lift. For instance, what if Hurricane Isabel, or one of her ugly siblings drops in for a visit? Sometimes being able to haul out is not such a bad thing. Then, there's the question of the family wedding in Memphis -- and combining the wedding of your niece with a long anticipated trip down the Mississippi. The Crescent City may be calling, but if you skip the trailer, your phone will be off the hook. Remember, Adventure Craft is about giving you choices. That includes hooking up and heading up the Hudson to the Erie Canal -- if YOU want. Something to think about. Back to Top