Howard 288 - New Build (Grey, Black & Green)

[Howard288_Recess]

We have officially nailed down lines and will be traveling to Howard to finalize the gel colors with Mike next week.

Two grey colors will be metallic and the black and green will have a clear in them.

Should be going into the mold the first week of July and we could not be more excited for the new build, as it has been our dream boat for a while!

I will be going up to Howard as much as possible during the build and will be taking as many photos during the process to post on the thread.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

What power are you going with? And what trailer, lets be real the trailers can go from a way to get boat to and from or a full blown show piece like the new Adrenaline’s.

 

[Howard288_Recess]

What power are you going with? And what trailer, lets be real the trailers can go from a way to get boat to and from or a full blown show piece like the new Adrenaline’s.

Going with the 600 and have not decided yet on trailer.

 

[ridebig]

Beautiful!!!

 

[v6toy4x]

Love the green especially the one running down the back

I'll take pics of yours you take pics of mine!!

 

[Howard288_Recess]

Love the green especially the one running down the back

I'll take pics of yours you take pics of mine!!

Thank you!

I will definitely take pictures of yours for you when I am there!

 

[Gelcoater]

Great looking graphics
Straight lime?
Or the sinister green?

 

[Howard288_Recess]

Great looking graphics
Straight lime?
Or the sinister green?
View attachment 1012245

Have not fully decided on the green color yet.

We are going up to Howard this week to look at the colors in person with Mike to decide and nail that down.

The sinister green might be the winner!

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Lime green

 

[Howard288_Recess]

Lime green View attachment 1013178

I definitely like this lime green color.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

I definitely like this lime green color.

Assuming from the rendering that the base will be a gray/silver than a charcoal and black, so the lime/neon type green even with a little flake or sparkle to the green would set it off so amazing with the dark of the rest of the boat

 

[Howard288_Recess]

Yes, originally we were going to go with two lighter grey metallic colors and black and lime/neon green with a clear pearl added to it, but not metallic like the photo below. Then I asked Mike to take the two grey colors and darken them both a shade or two and that's when we knew that the darker we went on the grey colors the better the lime/neon green would pop and look.

The hard part is coming up with the exact shade of green. I would say it is maybe in between a lime and neon green?

Gelcoater what green would you call that based on the rendering?

These are the gel coat colors they use for the bases and we think it might be the Spring Green but that is what I am going to go up to Howard and see in person. It might even be the Electric Lime color. Thoughts?

 

[Gelcoater]

Yes, originally we were going to go with two lighter grey metallic colors and black and lime/neon green with a clear pearl added to it, but not metallic like the photo below. Then I asked Mike to take the two grey colors and darken them both a shade or two and that's when we knew that the darker we went on the grey colors the better the lime/neon green would pop and look.

The hard part is coming up with the exact shade of green. I would say it is maybe in between a lime and neon green?

Gelcoater what green would you call that based on the rendering?

View attachment 1013287

These are the gel coat colors they use for the bases and we think it might be the Spring Green but that is what I am going to go up to Howard and see in person. It might even be the Electric Lime color. Thoughts?

View attachment 1013288

Spring green is definitely not it, lol
Have t seen or used the electric lime, but now you got me curious.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

The Electric Lime

 

[AFTERSHOCK RACING+]

any updates

 

[Howard288_Recess]

any updates

We finalized the exact colors with Mike last week and boat should be getting taped, sprayed and going in the mold within the next two weeks.

Base Light Grey will be 50% Metallic Silver/50% Metallic Gun Metal, Base Dark Grey will be 90% Metallic Gunmetal and 10% Black, Black, and Lime Green with Silver Pearl Powder and all with a Black Pin Line.

They are currently working on spraying v6toy4x's 255 and then mine will be up next.

Will definitely post some pictures when it comes out of the mold.

 

[AFTERSHOCK RACING+]

Nice I can’t wait to see it out of the mold


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mike west]

thats going to be sweet, i am thinking about putting a deposit down on one, how long was did you wait from when you put your deposit down til you got the call from Mike or Gene?

 

[Howard288_Recess]

thats going to be sweet, i am thinking about putting a deposit down on one, how long was did you wait from when you put your deposit down til you got the call from Mike or Gene?

We put our initial deposit down back in August of last year and we were not expecting the call from Gene & Mike until October or November of this year, which means that people either were not ready or they completely backed out.

When I went up to Howard last week Gene mentioned that they have 22 boats on order and he said if you were to put a deposit down today you probably wouldn't take delivery for about three years.

It is definitely great that they are as busy as they are but a three year wait is long.

In my opinion, any Howard is worth as long as it takes to get one. They are incredibly built boats with features and styling that no other custom boat builder has. I also like the fact that there are not many of them on the water and I think that is due to the fact that the owners hold them much longer than other boats because of the quality and styling of Howard.

 

[dspracing]

Wait, what? They are producing like 7 boats/year? What am I missing here?

 

[Howard288_Recess]

Wait, what? They are producing like 7 boats/year? What am I missing here?

Prior to COVID they were delivering one boat a month and Gene said they are trying to stick to that but delays are coming left and right, not due to Howard, but due to other suppliers not being able to deliver trailers, parts, gel coat, etc. as quickly as they used to be.

I also think they would rather over quote the waiting time than under quote.

 

[Singleton]

Wait, what? They are producing like 7 boats/year? What am I missing here?

something is off.
DCB delivers double that 7 number annually and they take longer to rig

 

[Howard288_Recess]

something is off.
DCB delivers double that 7 number annually and they take longer to rig

I am not going to speculate on it but I would call Gene and ask him if you were to put a deposit down today when would you receive a boat.

 

[Singleton]

I am not going to speculate on it but I would call Gene and ask him if you were to put a deposit down today when would you receive a boat.

22 on order, most likely does not include those in production now IMO.
My gut says the 3 year number includes a buffer for getting power from Mercury Racing.

 

[Howard288_Recess]

22 on order, most likely does not include those in production now IMO.
My gut says the 3 year number includes a buffer for getting power from Mercury Racing.

Correct, the 22 are boats that are slated to be built and when I went to Howard last week there were 7 or 8 boats in production not including mine or the newest 255 that is in the mold.

 

[mike west]

excited to see the build

 

[Done-it-again]

Someone needs to get their shit together.... 3 yr wait, f that. I can see if I was building a yacht.

A lot can happen over 3yrs on the customer end and the builder end. You would think you would find a way to cut that down in half, more if possible.

 

[Gelcoater]

Prior to COVID they were delivering one boat a month and Gene said they are trying to stick to that but delays are coming left and right, not due to Howard, but due to other suppliers not being able to deliver trailers, parts, gel coat, etc. as quickly as they used to be.

I also think they would rather over quote the waiting time than under quote.

This is the case with most builders right now.
About 3 weeks to a month out on gelcoat, even common colors like white and black.

something is off.
DCB delivers double that 7 number annually and they take longer to rig

True, but I wonder if they hit the mark this year?

I’ve no idea how many folks work down st Howard but I know because of their geographical location it’s harder for them to pull talent.

 

[Supercup]

It is not about getting their $ together - Howard has never been focused on production numbers and they remain a true "custom" builder. One thing that extends their build times is they leave every boat in the mold for 2 weeks to cure and harden - that is what makes a Howard hull a Howard - built to last. That may have changed since I got my boat years ago - but not likely, Gene has a way of doing things and it has worked for them - building the nicest lake boats you can buy in their class.

If you figure a 3 week cycle - one week mold prep - 2 weeks boat in the mold you can make 17 boats per year in that mold. I don't know how many vee/cat molds they have - but they are limited in their total production based on their commitment to absolute top quality. In addition some of the boats of different size (25 and 28) can use the same mold with a plug in it for the shorter boat. So that can extend the prep time and the delivery time as that also impact how many they can make.

Back when I got my 25 bullet they were builiding about 40-45 boats per year +/-, as I recall. No idea how many today - but they remain focused on quality over quanity - you pay a premium for a Howard, but you get what you pay for!

 

[Howard288_Recess]

Received a couple pictures of the boat being taped. It will start getting sprayed on Monday next week and out of the mold by early August.

 

[BlowMe]

I cant wait to see this. The colors and the gel scheme are amazing and I love everything about it

 

[Howard288_Recess]

Bottom is currently being laminated and the top is being taped and sprayed this week. Thanks to V6toy4x for the photos!

 

[Mikes56]

We have officially nailed down lines and will be traveling to Howard to finalize the gel colors with Mike next week.

Two grey colors will be metallic and the black and green will have a clear in them.

Should be going into the mold the first week of July and we could not be more excited for the new build, as it has been our dream boat for a while!

I will be going up to Howard as much as possible during the build and will be taking as many photos during the process to post on the thread.

View attachment 1012181

If you live far away, and need pics of something, I live 5 miles from Howard Boats and can run over there for you. PM me and I’ll give you my cell number.

 

[Howard288_Recess]

If you live far away, and need pics of something, I live 5 miles from Howard Boats and can run over there for you. PM me and I’ll give you my cell number.

Thanks Mikes56! I will PM you with my cell.

 

[v6toy4x]

If you live far away, and need pics of something, I live 5 miles from Howard Boats and can run over there for you. PM me and I’ll give you my cell number.

Can I hop on that boat as well!!!

I will offer beer to be deliverd for pictures??

 

[Mikes56]

Can I hop on that boat as well!!!

I will offer beer to be deliverd for pictures??

Yes of course. You’re having one built too? Where did all the Daddy Warbucks come from lol?

PM me your cell.

Mike

 

[Mikes56]

Both of you let Gene know I’m coming, so he doesn’t think I’m a stalker.

 

[v6toy4x]

Yes of course. You’re having one built too? Where did all the Daddy Warbucks come from lol?

PM me your cell.

Mike

PM sent THX

 

[Howard288_Recess]

The boat is now out of the mold and we are excited on how the colors and lines turned out. Now time to for capping/sanding/buffing for the next month or so.

Going up to Howard next week to finalize all of the interior details with Mike.

 

[AFTERSHOCK RACING+]

Congrats Nice Colors on the Boat

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Wow that looks killer. Not that I dislike blue, but it is awesome seeing these in colors other than blue, they really pop.

 

[schweeng]

Congrats -looks great. I'll run by this this week to check it out.

 

[Howard288_Recess]

Just finalized the interior/seats with Mike. Rigging should start in a month or so.

 

[FROGMAN524]

Is this boat done yet?

 

[JFMFG]

Is this boat done yet?

I believe it is in havasu at Howard custom detail getting a ceramic coating

 

[Riverryder]

@FROGMAN524 @JFMFG he posted on insta. He ran it last weekend. Think his ig is the same as here.

 

[Howard288_Recess]

@FROGMAN524 Yes, it was delivered a couple of weeks ago and we ran it last weekend. Wasn't the best weather but the boat is incredible. We will be back in Havasu in a couple weeks for the Meet Up and it is getting a ceramic coat by Howard Custom Detail in the next day or two. The boat turned out better than we could have ever imagined.

 

[riverroyal]

Wow. Damn amazing

 

[Roosky01]

Those Howards are just pure sex to the eye. WOW!

Congrats!

 

[FROGMAN524]

So nice! Congratulations. Any regrets or thoughts now that it’s done?