Pioneer Boats are head turning boats. The lines get your attention first, graceful swooping sexy curves. Traditional elements like bow flare and a very effective modified vee design are there, but the fit and finish are what you notice next .The stainless rubrails are fitted perfectly, the bilges have the same gloss finish as the exterior gel coat, and the heavy stainless hardware is through bolted where it needs to be. It all feels solid and heavily built and looks like very high end stuff. It's very clear that the folks who build these take a personal interest in every boat they build .Its almost as if they are building each one for themselves. The real test however, is when you put one in the water .It all comes together then and the impression is that of a rock solid boat with an exceptional ride .The ride convinced me to run a Pioneer 197 Sportfish as my demo boat, and believe me as a boat dealer I have lots of choices.
The current model lineup consists of three boats. The 175 Baysport, 175 Venture [dual console], The 186 Cape Island [formerly known as the "Bone Boat"] and the 197 Sportfish. More models are on the way as this young company grows including a 21 foot deep V and a 22 foot bay boat. They want to concentrate on smaller hulls for the near future and do them well. The hulls are designed by Greg Seaward using a CAD system and are tweaked and analyzed to perform and look good as well .They combine design elements that Mike and Roy want in their boats and are hulls unique to Pioneer .
The company may be young but their experience level is not. Co owners Roy McSwain and Mike Holmes have been involved in the South Carolina boat building community for over 15 years each, with experience at Key West boats and Scout Boats. Roy and Mike wanted to build their own boats and the way they achieved this was by building fiberglass parts like swim platforms and radio boxes and eventually complete boats on a contract basis for other boat builders under the business name "Carolina Composites" .That allowed them to build the manufacturing facility they needed to make Pioneer Boats a reality. After much personal financial sacrifice, combined with plain old hard work they have distilled this facility and their knowledge and experience into a brand that is growing steadily and will become a name more and more boaters will recognize as a top manufacturer.
The model lineup includes the 175 [17'10"] platform. It is a surprisingly dry and comfortable hull. There is the center console version "175 Baysport" as well as a dual console model called the "175 Venture" They work well with a 90 H.P. and with a 115 H.P. motor it will get into the mid 40s in speed and rides better than lots of bigger boats. The hull's spray pattern is low and far behind the driver when on plane and it is very difficult to get wet unless the conditions are severe. The modified V in the hull lets you have great control of the ride in bouncy conditions.
The most visually striking boat in the lineup is the "186 Cape Island " It has a Carolina Flare bow design like a miniature offshore Sportfish but is designed to cut through the bay chop in comfort and style .The interior design is more akin to a flats boat with rear deck seating and a small pod console . Rod lockers are incorporated in the wide walkable gunnels and there is lots of storage and a 30 gallon lighted livewell as well as a 48 gallon fuel tank. This is a great inshore fishing boat with a reasonable draft, an exceptional ride and a very distinctive look.
The 197 [19'10"] platform is a taller hull, slightly deeper in deadrise at 18 deg. and with higher shear and freeboard than the other models. This hull is capable of handling demanding conditions and will be available very soon as a dual console boat for family recreation as well as the currently available "197 Sportfish" center console .The Sportfish has a very well designed leaning post / livewell ,rear seating with backrests ,recessed bow rails ,cockpit toe rails and coaming pads that all combine make this a unique boat in its class .The factory Tee Top is mounted to the sides of the console ,conserving deck space for your feet. Lots of thought went into this boat and it is a very well equipped and compact multi purpose boat.
Boat designs always involve choices and/or compromise. I believe there is no perfect boat .We would all like one boat that could do it all or to be able to afford to keep one for each task. My feeling is that one should choose a boat by considering what kind of boating you do the most. My personal choice of a Pioneer 197 Sportfish took into consideration that I do mostly inshore fishing and scallop diving in the bays here around Apalachicola, Carrabelle and St Joe and on nice days I like to go out to the Gulf reefs. I needed something that fits these criteria;
Marc Grove
for: Gaff Magazine