Essex Sterling 21 Vs. Hallett 21 SS

I have a few questions regarding which is a better boat? i am in the market for a 21 Ft Open Bow custom boat that will be equipped with the the new Merc 496 with 375 H.P and a Bravo one. I have narrowed my choice down to either a 21 Sterling by Essex or a 21 SS by Hallett. Both manufactures claim that with that power plant the boat should hit 75 Mph, which I know just is not true.
What kind of performance should I expect, and what do you feel are the pro's and cons of each boat? Suggestions on Option equipment as well?

I've got a 2000 21 Essex Sterling with a 350 mag/bravo 3 drive and I've gotten it to 60+ before at WOT.
For what's it's worth, I have been EXTREMELY pleased with Essex, both the sales side and the Service side! Ron and Steve have a great company and make great boats.
When I talked with Hallett, or at least tried to, at the LA Boat Show this past February, the sales guy just blew me off.
[This message has been edited by Essex_Sterling (edited December 12, 2000).]

They are both nice boats, very nice. But if your looking at the high end boats have you looked at the 21' Schiada. I have one with a v-drive but they make them with merc i/o's too. If I won the looto today all I would do is buy gas. That's how much I like it. Not bagging on the others, just very happy with what I have.

Originally posted by Essex_Sterling:
I've got a 2000 21 Essex Sterling with a 350 mag/bravo 3 drive and I've gotten it to 60+ before at WOT.
For what's it's worth, I have been EXTREMELY pleased with Essex, both the sales side and the Service side! Ron and Steve have a great company and make great boats.
When I talked with Hallett, or at least tried to, at the LA Boat Show this past February, the sales guy just blew me off.
[This message has been edited by Essex_Sterling (edited December 12, 2000).]
Thank you for your feedback Essex_Sterling, I too, didnt get that warm fuzzy from the Hallet guy. That Eliminator looks pretty good too. Do you know of any Sterling owners that have big blocks? I like to water ski, and I am almost as large as an NFL Defensive Lineman ( 6'5" 270) so I am not sure if a SB will pull hard enough :-(
How was your experience during the sales process, and how long did they take to deliver your boat?

Originally posted by COBRA98:
Thank you for your feedback Essex_Sterling, I too, didnt get that warm fuzzy from the Hallet guy. That Eliminator looks pretty good too. Do you know of any Sterling owners that have big blocks? I like to water ski, and I am almost as large as an NFL Defensive Lineman ( 6'5" 270) so I am not sure if a SB will pull hard enough :-(
How was your experience during the sales process, and how long did they take to deliver your boat?
I'm sure that there are plenty of Essex owners that have the 454 or 502, unfortunately, I don't know anyone personally. Sorry.
My experience with Essex was GREAT from the very beginning and the entire staff, from the top on down is very friendly and more than helpful!
There was never any high pressured sales push. They told me what they offered and what options I could get. They never tried to steer me towards anything that I didn't want, or necessarily need.
Another great thing about Essex that I found in my research, conducted over a year, is that all of the typical options are standard. Dual batteris, no problem, another manufacturer wanted an extra $400. Pop-up cleats, 4 standard, another wanted an extra $75 per!
The only options added to our boat, aside from the engine and drive upgrade, are an automatic fire extinghuisher system and a digital depth gausge. Those two alone save us 10% on insurance.
As far as delivery, they said 8 weeks and it was 8 weeks. Also, as soon as it came out of the mold, we were allowed to go and see it whenever we wanted and see what the progress was. We have pictures of our boat being built which is kind of cool!
If you want, send me an e-mail and I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. Incidentally, this is the first boat my dad and I have owned and we absolutely love it!

Originally posted by Essex_Sterling:
I'm sure that there are plenty of Essex owners that have the 454 or 502, unfortunately, I don't know anyone personally. Sorry.
My experience with Essex was GREAT from the very beginning and the entire staff, from the top on down is very friendly and more than helpful!
There was never any high pressured sales push. They told me what they offered and what options I could get. They never tried to steer me towards anything that I didn't want, or necessarily need.
Another great thing about Essex that I found in my research, conducted over a year, is that all of the typical options are standard. Dual batteris, no problem, another manufacturer wanted an extra $400. Pop-up cleats, 4 standard, another wanted an extra $75 per!
The only options added to our boat, aside from the engine and drive upgrade, are an automatic fire extinghuisher system and a digital depth gausge. Those two alone save us 10% on insurance.
As far as delivery, they said 8 weeks and it was 8 weeks. Also, as soon as it came out of the mold, we were allowed to go and see it whenever we wanted and see what the progress was. We have pictures of our boat being built which is kind of cool!
If you want, send me an e-mail and I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. Incidentally, this is the first boat my dad and I have owned and we absolutely love it!
Thank you for the input. Sounds like the experience that I want. This too will be my first boat, and I have been sniffing around since early last year after I have tired of riding lake lice.
The other question I has to do with negotiating the pricing. Did they behave more like a car dealer ( or Eliminator for that matter) that has a rediculous "price" with a lot of room to negotiate or did they take a straight forward approach?
Also..Sterling_Essex What is your Email?
Cheers!!

Originally posted by COBRA98:
Thank you for the input. Sounds like the experience that I want. This too will be my first boat, and I have been sniffing around since early last year after I have tired of riding lake lice.
The other question I has to do with negotiating the pricing. Did they behave more like a car dealer ( or Eliminator for that matter) that has a rediculous "price" with a lot of room to negotiate or did they take a straight forward approach?
Also..Sterling_Essex What is your Email?
Cheers!!
My e-mail is s_ernst@pacbell.net

Originally posted by Essex_Sterling:
My e-mail is s_ernst@pacbell.net
hI eSSEX,
I just dropped you a note about the final details of your purchasing process. I am also in the San Gabriel valley..

Take a look at the Shockwave 21' Step Skier....beautifully built boat...They are out of Lake Elsinore

Cobra98,
I believe that Essex can provide you with a big block engine. On the Essex web site at www.essexboats.com (http://www.essexboats.com) they have a photo album of boat owners. One day I browsed through all the boat owners and I believe that I saw a 21 sterling with a big block. I remember they took a picture of the engine with the engine cover up.
I think that the only thing you loose on the big block is handling and performance. The 21 essex with a 350 bravo 3 should pull you out of the water fine. You may want to call Essex about that but my opinion is that you would be fine.

Originally posted by Fricky:
Cobra98,
I believe that Essex can provide you with a big block engine. On the Essex web site at www.essexboats.com (http://www.essexboats.com) they have a photo album of boat owners. One day I browsed through all the boat owners and I believe that I saw a 21 sterling with a big block. I remember they took a picture of the engine with the engine cover up.
I think that the only thing you loose on the big block is handling and performance. The 21 essex with a 350 bravo 3 should pull you out of the water fine. You may want to call Essex about that but my opinion is that you would be fine.
Hi Fricky, Why do you believe that the perfomance would be impared? It would seem to me that if you make a minimum of a 75hp jump to the 496 that you should pick up 5 Mph in top end with such a relatively light hull such as the Sterling or even the Vortex which is only 6inches longer.
The handling I could see somewhat given that their is going to be a 200Lb difference between the engines, but that doesnt seem that signifigant.
One option that has been considered is the
377 Scorpion, but it seems to me that you wouldnt be able to push the performance much past the 350-360 Hp level on a high reving small block.
Anyone have an opinion on this one?

Originally posted by COBRA98:
Hi Fricky, Why do you believe that the perfomance would be impared? It would seem to me that if you make a minimum of a 75hp jump to the 496 that you should pick up 5 Mph in top end with such a relatively light hull such as the Sterling or even the Vortex which is only 6inches longer.
The handling I could see somewhat given that their is going to be a 200Lb difference between the engines, but that doesnt seem that signifigant.
One option that has been considered is the
377 Scorpion, but it seems to me that you wouldnt be able to push the performance much past the 350-360 Hp level on a high reving small block.
Anyone have an opinion on this one?
COBRA 98,
I had heard from another Essex owner that performance would be sacrificed, but after I posted the message I began to think like you. I dont believe that performance would be affected.
Again though I think a 350 small block is sufficient for pulling a 270 pound skier out of the water and on open water under the right conditions you could hit 63 mph (according to my spedometer, not GPS). I love my Sterling so my opinion is very biased. I have never been to Hallet, but I do know that they to make a solid boat.
[This message has been edited by Fricky (edited March 09, 2001).]

The scorp motor would be great in a 21'. The motor is lighter and being a stroker it has great torque for pulling a skier. It is also a higher rpm motor if you wanted to prop it for the top end.The internal components are also custom unlike the GM 496, not that it has bad components, but I believe Merc is using Lunati for the internals. Also it will rev fast because of less internal weight from the components. My friend has one in a 24' deep-V and registered 71.4 on radar with that motor, so in a lighter 21' it should be 73-75 on a good day.And yea 200 Lbs would make a difference in the feel and speed, it's like adding another person to drag the boat down.

I went for a test drive in a Shockwave 21' Step Skier thatwas outfitted with a stock 7.4l 454 with 310hp. the boat was pushing 70mph with no problem and it handled like a dream. They tell me that with the 496 MAG HO that I ordered it should find about 80 mph. This is by far one of the best built boats that I have seen and they are not as ridgid on the price as other builders that I have looked at. The Essex came a close second to me but they charge extra for custom gelcoat colors/pattern

Shockwave builds a great boat with one of the best gel coaters alive.

I'd have to agree with you Bigq. The work that I've seen Danny Mancini do is phenomenal. Also, the detail that goes into those boats is outstanding.

Originally posted by GhettoBird:
I went for a test drive in a Shockwave 21' Step Skier thatwas outfitted with a stock 7.4l 454 with 310hp. the boat was pushing 70mph with no problem and it handled like a dream. They tell me that with the 496 MAG HO that I ordered it should find about 80 mph. This is by far one of the best built boats that I have seen and they are not as ridgid on the price as other builders that I have looked at. The Essex came a close second to me but they charge extra for custom gelcoat colors/pattern
Did you register the speed on Radar or GPS or the gauge because 70 seems too fast for a 7.4 Merc depending on how it was propped.

Cobra,
Only used the speedo on that drive and it read 70. I believed it was close because in the ***boat Aug 2000 issue, they have the boat doing 67.8 on radar with stock 310hp 454.

Originally posted by GhettoBird:
Cobra,
Only used the speedo on that drive and it read 70. I believed it was close because in the ***boat Aug 2000 issue, they have the boat doing 67.8 on radar with stock 310hp 454.
Sounds like they build a fast hull. I do remeber that article in ***boat. The question I had about shockwave had to do with the split into Shockwave & Aftershock.
Sounds like you too are going to have a fast ride. Where do you like to run?

cobra, there is nothing to be concerned about the split between shockwave and aftershock, these things happen all the time in this industry. Shockwave is a strong company still building one of the best boats in the industry.

Most of the time I'm gonna be at lake Mohave. Can't beat the prices at the casinos. occasionally I wander down to Havasu

Originally posted by GhettoBird:
Most of the time I'm gonna be at lake Mohave. Can't beat the prices at the casinos. occasionally I wander down to Havasu
I'm with you on the prices at the Casinos.
I do have a question about Lake Mohave though. We've been going there for a few years and have never run into this problem, but I always hear that the launch ramp can get jammed with people waiting to launch and retrieve with people lined up all the way to the upper parking lot. Is this true? As I said, I've never had this problem.

I've seen the launch ramp at Mohave get pretty packed on the weekends, though I try to do my trips during the middle of the week. I used to launch my jetskis out of princess cove where there is never a wait, even on weekends. The only problem there is you have to drive on a dirt road to get there. I don't plan on doing that with my boat however. (I did hear a rumor that they are gonna pave that road, so it should lighten the load off of Catherines Landing.)

Originally posted by Essex_Sterling:
I'm with you on the prices at the Casinos.
I do have a question about Lake Mohave though. We've been going there for a few years and have never run into this problem, but I always hear that the launch ramp can get jammed with people waiting to launch and retrieve with people lined up all the way to the upper parking lot. Is this true? As I said, I've never had this problem.
Hi Essex, I have run into this problem before at Catherine's main launch area. Their is a second ramp that is near by that is mostly a dirt ramp, but it is not that busy usually. If I launch on the River itself, i launch from Chamber of Commerce directly arcoss the River from Harrahs where I usually stay. The ramp at the Avi isnt that bad either, but the Hotel is a dump eventhough they do have cool fireworks in the Smoke Shop ( especially Bootle Rockets !!)

Originally posted by COBRA98:
Hi Essex, I have run into this problem before at Catherine's main launch area. Their is a second ramp that is near by that is mostly a dirt ramp, but it is not that busy usually. If I launch on the River itself, i launch from Chamber of Commerce directly arcoss the River from Harrahs where I usually stay. The ramp at the Avi isnt that bad either, but the Hotel is a dump eventhough they do have cool fireworks in the Smoke Shop ( especially Bootle Rockets !!)
I've never actually taken my Sterling on the River by the casinos, although I have driven down to Needles and gone into Havasu from there. I'm just kind of leery about the depth of the river by the casinos and have no desire to shred the props on my Bravo III.
When I had Seadoos, I would launch at the Nevada state park that is south of town. Great luanch ramp.
If we went to Mohave with the seadoos, we would drive up to princess cove, but there is NO WAY I would rive that dirt road with my boat!

Originally posted by COBRA98:
I have a few questions regarding which is a better boat? i am in the market for a 21 Ft Open Bow custom boat that will be equipped with the the new Merc 496 with 375 H.P and a Bravo one. I have narrowed my choice down to either a 21 Sterling by Essex or a 21 SS by Hallett. Both manufactures claim that with that power plant the boat should hit 75 Mph, which I know just is not true.
What kind of performance should I expect, and what do you feel are the pro's and cons of each boat? Suggestions on Option equipment as well?
COBRA98, I think you have narrowed you choice down to two great boats, but I would have to go with Hallett. I have a Hallett 210 and I am extremely pleased with the performance as well as the looks. Good Luck.

Jefe,
What engine/dive package did you choose for your 210?
Cheers
Cobra
Originally posted by Jefe':
Originally posted by COBRA98:
I have a few questions regarding which is a better boat? i am in the market for a 21 Ft Open Bow custom boat that will be equipped with the the new Merc 496 with 375 H.P and a Bravo one. I have narrowed my choice down to either a 21 Sterling by Essex or a 21 SS by Hallett. Both manufactures claim that with that power plant the boat should hit 75 Mph, which I know just is not true.
What kind of performance should I expect, and what do you feel are the pro's and cons of each boat? Suggestions on Option equipment as well?
COBRA98, I think you have narrowed you choice down to two great boats, but I would have to go with Hallett. I have a Hallett 210 and I am extremely pleased with the performance as well as the looks. Good Luck.

COBRA98
I got my Hallett 210 used, and it came with the 454 package. But I was looking for one with a 502 Mag. The reason is because I can only get to around 60mph, and I'm guessing the 496 would put you in the low to mid 70's. Personally, I would go with the new 496 Mag HO.
Have you decided which boat you wanted yet?

Originally posted by Jefe':
COBRA98
I got my Hallett 210 used, and it came with the 454 package. But I was looking for one with a 502 Mag. The reason is because I can only get to around 60mph, and I'm guessing the 496 would put you in the low to mid 70's. Personally, I would go with the new 496 Mag HO.
Have you decided which boat you wanted yet?
Hi Jefe, I have actually decided on a package as a matter of fact. I elected to go with the Essex 22 Vortex with the 496 HO and a XZ drive. This was mainly due for the rough water capabilities which for the all of the different packages of this size it seemed to be the most manageable when we got into the 1-2 foot stuff and I like the storage set up with a ski locker as well as that the boat come all inclusive :-)

hIjEFE,
hAVE YOU considered traiding the engine for a rebuilt 502 or 500? I have heard that they are relatively resonable compared to new, and that should get you the horsepower that your looking for without adding a lot more weight to the boat..
Originally posted by Jefe':
COBRA98
I got my Hallett 210 used, and it came with the 454 package. But I was looking for one with a 502 Mag. The reason is because I can only get to around 60mph, and I'm guessing the 496 would put you in the low to mid 70's. Personally, I would go with the new 496 Mag HO.
Have you decided which boat you wanted yet?

Originally posted by COBRA98:
Hi Jefe, I have actually decided on a package as a matter of fact. I elected to go with the Essex 22 Vortex with the 496 HO and a XZ drive. This was mainly due for the rough water capabilities which for the all of the different packages of this size it seemed to be the most manageable when we got into the 1-2 foot stuff and I like the storage set up with a ski locker as well as that the boat come all inclusive :-)
Let us know when your boat is done so we can check the photo album on the Essex site for it.

Absolutely,
It is being held up by the 496 HO shortage, but it should be her soon. I hope anyway, were getting anxious to make all of those eliminator owners eat their hats :-)
Originally posted by Essex_Sterling:
Let us know when your boat is done so we can check the photo album on the Essex site for it.