Howard 288 Sport Deck Build

[AZRiverRunner]

Well, looks like we may be getting our boat sooner than originally expected! Here's the hull design. Maybe going in the mold next.

 

[BUDMAN]

Congrats on the new build. Awesome boats.

 

[Roaddawg]

The design looks great. Congrats

 

[milkmoney]

Wow. Very cool [emoji106][emoji202]

 

[Joker]

Well, looks like we may be getting our boat sooner than originally expected! Here's the hull design. Maybe going in the mold next.
View attachment 484562

It's nice to see people buying boats.[emoji106][emoji41]
That thing is beautiful

 

[relaxalot]

You will love this boat! A work of art! What power?

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Thank you!
The design process has been a lot more stressful than I expected. We bought the Lavey in 2004, used, so it was already done. When we drove out to see it, I wasn't sure about the purple flames. When we saw it in person, we loved it, and still do. But not something I'd have designed if given the option yet, someone had the balls to do it.

It's quickly feeling real. At the Havasu boat show, we left there in shock, it didn't really sink in.
I'm going with the Merc Racing 565. As a family boat, no need to go over 80-85mph. Our Lavey does 65-75 depending on the load, and that's been plenty fast for us. I have other fast toys to make the adrenalin flow when I need a fix.

 

[Abc123]

Thank you!
The design process has been a lot more stressful than I expected. We bought the Lavey in 2004, used, so it was already done. When we drove out to see it, I wasn't sure about the purple flames. When we saw it in person, we loved it, and still do. But not something I'd have designed if given the option yet, someone had the balls to do it.

It's quickly feeling real. At the Havasu boat show, we left there in shock, it didn't really sink in.
I'm going with the Merc Racing 565. As a family boat, no need to go over 80-85mph. Our Lavey does 65-75 depending on the load, and that's been plenty fast for us. I have other fast toys to make the adrenalin flow when I need a fix.

I love the colors and scheme. What are you thinking for billet colors? Black, polished or?

I bet you stare at this rendering non-stop, in anticipation. I would! Ha!

Congrats on the new family boat. I look forward to following this build. :thumbsup

 

[AZRiverRunner]

I love the colors and scheme. What are you thinking for billet colors? Black, polished or?

I bet you stare at this rendering non-stop, in anticipation. I would! Ha!

Congrats on the new family boat. I look forward to following this build. :thumbsup

Yes, I have been staring at it a lot. Mike came up with the graphic, and I just suggested colors. I think the lines of the 288 are gorgeous and wanted the graphic to follow those lines. I saw a two tone silver metallic and electric blue 288 in the Howard factory that looked great. I knew I wanted the two tone silver too.

As for the billet hardware, likely polished. Same with the gauge bezels and other billet parts.

 

[Devious_Chris]

Congrats on the new build, the design looks great!!!! I will be going through the same process soon..... Adding windshield and merc 600 to mine[emoji2]

 

[Gelcoater]

Design and colors look good:thumbsup

One thing stands out to me.
The deck graphic where it goes from the nose aft.


The rest of the design has a sweet accent black line that progressively gets thicker everywhere else on the boat but that section.just something that caught my eye.

looking forward to watching this come together.:thumbsup
And good to see more Howard builds being posted!

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Design and colors look good:thumbsup

One thing stands out to me.
The deck graphic where it goes from the nose aft.

The rest of the design has a sweet accent black line that progressively gets thicker everywhere else on the boat but that section.just something that caught my eye.

looking forward to watching this come together.:thumbsup
And good to see more Howard builds being posted!

Thanks Gelcoater, I had talked to Gene yesterday about making sure we had a clean looking spot for the AZ numbers, right under the rail, that likely would change the front area slightly. I'll keep what you said in mind.
I also haven't worked with Mike on the deck and interior graphic yet.

Thanks again.

 

[the510]

Congratulations! I can't wait to see her on the water.

 

[Scott E]

Graphics look great! Congratulations!

 

[River918]

Congrats! I look forward to watching this thread as the build comes along. I put a deposit down on one of these to be built this winter...

 

[River Lynchmob]

Looks great...I'm green with envy over this one!

 

[BUSTI]

Looks great...I'm green with envy over this one!

Right with you on envy.

 

[the510]

Right with you on envy.

X3..... one day I will order me a brand new 288 one day!

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

X3..... one day I will order me a brand new 288 one day!

X4!!

This is going to be one beautiful and unique 288.

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Mike and I went through the deck design today, he's going to start taping it next week! Can't wait to see it pop out of the mold!

 

[FROGMAN524]

So when do we get MOAR PICS!?!?!?!?

 

[AZRiverRunner]

So when do we get MOAR PICS!?!?!?!?

I know, I can't wait to see it out of the mold! I spoke to Gene was last week, he got back in town the day I left town. He said they were getting ready to spray color by end of the week (last week). I had planned to go out there this week to finalize options. I'm hoping they took some pictures of the taping process. Mike said it was going to be a pain in the ass, lots of fine lines.

 

[FROGMAN524]

Should be beautiful when completed love the graphics you picked out. What engine again?

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Should be beautiful when completed love the graphics you picked out. What engine again?

Thank you.

I'm 90% sure that I'm going with the Merc Racing 565.

 

[relaxalot]

Thank you!
The design process has been a lot more stressful than I expected. We bought the Lavey in 2004, used, so it was already done. When we drove out to see it, I wasn't sure about the purple flames. When we saw it in person, we loved it, and still do. But not something I'd have designed if given the option yet, someone had the balls to do it.

It's quickly feeling real. At the Havasu boat show, we left there in shock, it didn't really sink in.
I'm going with the Merc Racing 565. As a family boat, no need to go over 80-85mph. Our Lavey does 65-75 depending on the load, and that's been plenty fast for us. I have other fast toys to make the adrenalin flow when I need a fix.

I think it is a good motor and a good choice. You will mainly be cruising around but there will still be enough speed to wind tunnel your face if you want to. Good looking boat!

 

[Gelcoater]

. Mike said it was going to be a pain in the ass, lots of fine lines.

He's not exaggerating there.
On a 1-10 scale I give it a solid 6 on pain in the ass.

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Do you guys have any experience with this product? My past boats have always had rails, inside handles, or bimini top bars that I could tie off fenders to. I saw something similar on several new boats to this:
I see that the new design has a soft tip, to avoid scratching boat or bezel around the hole.

 

[Scott E]

Do you guys have any experience with this product? My past boats have always had rails, inside handles, or bimini top bars that I could tie off fenders to. I saw something similar on several new boats to this:
I see that the new design has a soft tip, to avoid scratching boat or bezel around the hole.

View attachment 490043

No experience with that specific product but on our Sportdeck we went with no bow rails and have 3 regular cleats and 3 pin cleats down each side. We use the regular cleats for tie off and the pin cleats for fenders.

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Stopped by Howard today and met with Mike and Gene. I also saw the inside of my boat's hull, as expected, it's in the mold. Taping starting on the deck soon. I can't wait to see it out of the mold!


Another layer of core and matting going down.

 

[FROGMAN524]

Nice! You must be getting excited?

 

[FROGMAN524]

Updates?

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Updates?

She's out of the mold, Mike just sent me a few pictures this morning....We LOVE how it came out!

A section of the bow and stern will be capped, the gelcoat graphic will be revised a bit on the inside bow areas of the sponsons.

 

[BUSTI]

She's out of the mold, Mike just sent me a few pictures this morning....We LOVE how it came out!

View attachment 496313 View attachment 496314 View attachment 496315 View attachment 496316 View attachment 496317 View attachment 496318 A section of the bow and stern will be capped, the gelcoat graphic will be revised a bit on the inside bow areas of the sponsons.

Oh fudge off! That thing is so badass. What a great color selection. Top notch. Congrats. Keep us updated.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Great looking graphics and a great choice on the build. Gotta be excited to see the progress.

 

[Cole Trickle]

So pretty.....

 

[HgH Vltg]

Holy hell.....look at that thing. Wow.

 

[FROGMAN524]

Wow beautiful. So how long did he say it would take to build from order to delivery?

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Wow beautiful. So how long did he say it would take to build from order to delivery?

Production is 3-4 months after they start. But getting a production slot can take a lot longer. When I ordered at the Havasu show, the production slot I got was August start, November-December delivery.

 

[Howard28]

Looks bad ass man congrates. :thumbsup You will be happy with the 565 if that's what end up choosing.

 

[Howard28]

Will she be done in time for the Regatta?

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Will she be done in time for the Regatta?

That's the plan.
We'll see as it gets closer. I know how these things go. I'll take it "right" rather than right now. If it's not ready, I may crash the party in my Lavey. I won't sell it until the Howard is done.

 

[tony]

Great looking boat! Looking forward too seeing the progress of your build!!!:thumbsup

 

[JD D05]

That is gorgeous! Put that twin turbo 800 Merc in it. :eek

 

[Englewood]

By far my favorite Howard thus far! Absolutely beautiful!

 

[AZRiverRunner]

By far my favorite Howard thus far! Absolutely beautiful!

Thank you SD Broker! We're excited to see it in person. We may stop by on our way to Bass Lake on Wednesday, if so, I'll snap some more pictures.

 

[Andy01]

Love the colors and design, looks good!! :thumbsup

 

[BUSTI]

Man I would love to see this at the Regatta.

 

[AZRiverRunner]

Man I would love to see this at the Regatta.

Thanks BUSTI....me too!

 

[River Lynchmob]

Great looking boat!

 

[Havasu Surfer]

Coming along nicely. Looks real good. Congrats