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That blueprint will differ in its degree of flexibility from builder to builder. On some models, the process is almost automatic and follows a very specific sequence of steps. Parts and placement are standardized, making production more efficient—although nearly all builders will compromise to this schedule to some degree upon customer request.
On larger boats, individuality becomes more of an issue. There are generally more options at the buyer’s disposal. Ultra Custom Boats embraces that opportunity for creative expression, and that’s their thinking behind offering the rigging services of San Diego Eliminator as on option on their 27-foot Ultra Shadow and their 28-foot Stealth vee-bottom.
The prospect of our outsourcing the buildup to the neighboring San Diego Eliminator facility was not taken lightly. After all, Ultra’s consistent rigging and finish work, which we recently noted on a 28-foot Stealth we tested, were among the qualities that led us to them in the first place.
However, there is a strong argument for taking advantage of Ultra’s selective alliance with San Diego Eliminator.
First, there is the matter of the shop’s track record. Under the guidance of lifelong boater Todd Smith, San Diego Eliminator has grown into a regional hot-boat mecca. On our multi-day visit, boats awaiting the talented crew’s attention inbiuded a 28-foot Eliminator Daytona with a 740- horse Teague motor, a 26-foot Daytona with triple outboards, a 36-foot Daytona
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with twin HP500s and a 30-foot Eagle with an 800-horse Teague creation.
Note the strong Eliminator flavor. Smith’s fondness for fast Daytonas sparked a dream for an Eliminator dealership, and it came to reality in 1996 after Dave’s Custom Boats, and Eliminator builder and dealer, began laying glass, effectively becoming a competitor.
SDE’s original 2,500-square-foot shop grew to four times the size, and now the bustling project shop is staffed with eight employees. The place is rich with Eliminators, but you’re likely to see any brand of performance boat moving into the shop’s work bays these days. Services include basic and preventive maintenance, engine and
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drive repairs and upgrades and custom rigging services.
Most of their attention is devoted to the creation of full-stage custom Eliminators. Typically, Smith takes the prospective buyer on a step-by-step planning mission that begins with mapping out graphic options and strategizing to select the ideal powering package per individual needs. Decisions are made on hardware color and selection of gauges and controls, as well as selecting options.
The boat arrives at San Diego with only the interior and fuel tanks in place. Hardware is shipped in from various sources, including Dana, Eddie Marine, Rex and others. The interior is stripped out of the boat, and work begins.
Before the first hole is cut, Smith pens a rough hardware and gauge layout on the bare dash, and the customer either approves it in person or
sees
it via e-mail or fax. Shop foreman Robbie Cotten and his crew then cover much of the sides of the boat with protective adhesive plastic, break out the tools and go to work.
The building
process
is a complete team
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