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Oquawka vs Sea Ark

6K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  tcsyd1 
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#1 · (Edited)
Hi, I'm new here, but have been mulling the idea of buying a new Sea Ark or a custom made Oquawka. If I'm going to give this much for a boat, I want one to last me a quite a few years. I like the heavy duty aspect of both boats, but I've noticed that it seems that the folks that buy the plate style boats, seem to have them for sale after a couple years and the Sea Ark boats buyers seem to keep them much longer. I wonder why this is, and I also see the same with the AAD brand boats, which also look nice from what I see online. I know I read a thread of a guy on here that had an Oquawka 2060 and he sold it to buy a Sea Ark Pro Cat. Just seeing this is one of the reasons I'm on the fence about ordering a custom plate boat. Why are they selling them to generally go with a Sea Ark. Is there any disadvantage of the Oquawka plate boat to the Sea Ark? I like them both equally the same, but this will be a HUGE purchase for me and I want to make sure I'm making the correct decision.

Which one would you go with and can you give me some reasons why you would choose one over the other. I like the layout of the Sea Ark boats, but I really like the idea of getting a boat made exactly the way I want. I've ridden in a few large Sea Ark 2072 boats and the ride and stability was amazing. How is the ride and stability of the Oquawka in comparison to say a Pro Cat 200 ?

FYI, I really enjoy reading all the informative info on this site.
 
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#3 ·
Piperat (Doug) had that 2060 built if I remember correctly. I don't think he gets on here much but you could try messaging him. He is in the process of building another Seaark procat 240 right now.

From my perspective as a Seaark owner I don't think I would consider another boat for cat fishing. I've been to 2 Seaark tournaments now and I've had a blast at both.

The other thing to look at is resale value.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Catfish1 mobile app
 
#6 ·
Pretty much. :(

I love the procat and the features, but there are some things with the layout that give me pause. The end of that being I probably wouldn't be able to use it at times as the passenger console would get in the way. A center console with 24" on both sides would be closer.

Take the port console out, put the starboard in the center, and a little bigger fuel tank and I'd make them shut up and take my money. lol
 
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#7 ·
Have you guys ever been in an Oquawka boat or seen one up close in person? I've been in a Sea Ark V-Cat of a friends and it rode very well, but what I didn't like about that boat was the following: The deck lids weren't reinforced with any aluminum bracing underneath and they had a tendency to flex and I didn't like that the rear storage bins were made out of molded plastic. Also, the trailer was a B&M trailer, which looked cheap and my friend already has had a few small issues with the trailer. I know I helped my buddy on his V-Cat wire an extra front light and the factory wiring on the Sea Ark looked to be a cobbled up and didn't look neat or professional. Other than those things, the hull looked awesome, but it seems the Sea Ark went the cheap route on a few basic items that shouldn't be compromised on a boat that is 40K plus.

I know the Sea Ark boats have amazing resale value, since any real nice 2014-2016 ones that ever gets listed used are usually sold within a few days if not hours.

I would really like to get some more information on the Oquawka boats, but it seems there isn't much information out there to help me make an informed decision. I will say you rarely ever here of someone complain about a Sea Ark.

The only reason I keep thinking about getting a Oquawka over the Sea Ark is I like the layout better and I don't just exclusively fish for Catfish. Actually, I would say I fish the following. I crappie and bluegill fish 30%, bass fish 30%, catfish 30% and walleye fish the rest. I want a more jack of all trade type boats.

REALLY appreciate your responses and info and PLEASE keep them coming.

 
#9 ·
SeaArk all the way.

#1. Resale
#2. SeaArk tournament

Without question, I know the Okuawka are a well built boat. Maybe better so than SeaArk, would not surprise me. You probably can not wear one of these boats out, would probably make a much better commercial boat than SeaArk,

The SeaArk boats IMHO are some of the best aluminum standard line of boats in the industry. They build more of them and are more prone to take a shortcut maybe, but would still have a hard time wearing one out under normal fishing conditions. We fish for multiple species in our v-cat and it works very well. We also fish the SeaArk tournament every year and only that. The SeaArk folks go to great lengths to make sure the event is top notch.
 
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#10 ·
What kind of prices have you been paying for either a V-Cat or Pro Cat 200. I want one FULLY loaded. I priced out a V-Cat FULLY LOADED with the following:

- 175 HP Suzuki (Would rather have a Yamaha, but dealer only rigged with Suzuki)
- Upgraded Suzuki fuel filter
- Stainless Prop
- Minn Kota Terrova 36volt
- 3 Extra Seat bases
- Upgraded Deluxe camo Seats
- Front step storage box
- Extra gauges (Speed, Water Trim, Fuel, and Tach)
- Double plated on all seat bases
- Humminbird Helix10 on console
- Humminbird Helix 7 on box
- Adjustable Seat poles
- Gator Hide spray in liner
- Float Pods with ladder
- SeaStar Hyd steering
- Hyd Jack Plate
- Battery charger 3x10AMP + 5AMP charger for starting battery
- Deluxe Tandem axle trailer with disc brakes
- Spare tire and carrier


This boat priced out like the following was $37,000 ish and that price was from a few months ago and I don't know if they've taken a price hike for 2018. This was a quote on me just looking around, so I don't know how much they would come off the price if I they thought it was a buy here today type deal. I REALLY liked the PRO CAT 200, but didn't care that much for the windshield. They told me the PRO CAT was a few thousand more in price.

I've also looked and called about a G3 Sportsman 200 DLX and they were priced around 34,000 with a 150HP. Those also look like a nice boat, but one again it has the big windshield.
 
#11 ·
Procat 200 with a 200hp, helix 12, and terrova 112 is going to push 50k fully loaded. (including tournament package, pods, full enclosure, etc.)

Bout 5 of that is tied up in electronics/trolling motor, give or take.

A 240.... add 4 or 5 grand. (Give or take.)
 
#12 ·
Just going to give you my 2 cents worth!!! In 2012 I had a 2072 oquawka built exactly what I thought I wanted. Oquawka boats are built for war and they will take abuse probably better than any boat out on the market today( my opinion)!! In 2015 I put the boat for sale and it took several months to sell because I was targeting a select audience (because it was a custom built boat for me)! So moments after I sold it I went and put that money down on a new procat 240!! Both companies make an outstanding boat !! Over time my plans of a dream boat changed for sure but was glad I went with the seaark.

The resale on a custom boat is a hard market. That's probably the biggest hurdle I had when trying to sell my Oquawka. The reason I sold it was every upgrade I wanted to make required welding or some sort of fabrication. And every upgrade I did was similar to the layout of the procat. So I had Oquawka shoot me quote for a custom built boat real close to a procat 240 layout ( with some modifications)!!! The price was in the mid 50k range!! If you do go with Oquawka make sure you put something on the floor first thing!!! When new treadplate comes in contact with the sun it will cook you. This was just my experience!!! As of the moment I have no regrets on buying a seaark!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Catfish1 mobile app
 
#13 ·
I have had/have both. This is a comparison of Snap On vs Harbor Freight. you can not equally compare. Oquawka boats are build for battle! they are built out of 3/16" or 1/4" bottoms. their stringers on the inside are 2x closer together than factory boats. you get exactly what you want.
I fish almost on the commercial level, therefore, factory boats last me about 3-4 years before rewelds and repairs begin.
As you have noticed, this comes at a price.
My suggestion is, you need to own 3-4 different boats over a period of 7-10 years to figure out exactly what you want or need. take all the ideas from each to make the ultimate boat for yourself.
Set down and draw out exactly what you want, where, and size. then build the boat to fit that application. Not, build a 2072, then try to rig it. You will never get what you want because it will not fit. It took me 1.5 years to draw mine out to scale. I called Oquawka, they gave me a cad drawing, down to the 1/16". everything was in correct position, the engineers gave me advise on what they thought was more user friendly. some i took and some i left. I ended up with a 2684. I have had it 5 years now, and love every thing about. I treat it worse than the neighbor kid borrowing you lawn mower!
Motors are ford vs chevy. I will say, your motor is only as good as your dealer! If your local dealer is a Suzuki dealer, you put Suzuki on. if its Merc, you run merc....
Dont shy away from the Suzuki. I put a 250SS on mine. Every aspect of if is better than than the Yamaha that is on my buddies comparable boat. Hole shot, fuel economy,low and high end torque, and quieter. now, both motors have been bullet proof on reliability.
Nothing bad with a Sea Ark! they just can not be compared. as they are made on a production model. they have great CS.
 
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