How much does a Maas boat cost?
See our current price list on the “New Boats” page. Prices shown for boats are for complete (fully rigged) but basic, white boats. These are ready to row; however, many scullers decide to add options to their boats. When you work with the price list, you see that the most crucial decision affecting price is the choice between a fiberglass boat and a carbon fiber boat. Then you may decide to add a colored deck and/or hull. Perhaps you want special pinstriping or graphics. Almost every buyer in the Northwest decides to add the optional self-bailer. Other popular options include N-K on-board computers, water bottle cages, and larger aluminum fins. New shells bought from Evergreen Rowing include a bow ball and your choice of fins at no additional charge.
There is a shipping charge added to each boat to cover the cost of bringing the boat from the factory in California to you. The shipping charge varies with distance from Evergreen Rowing.
If I order a custom boat, how long will it take to be delivered?
If you order a boat that is neither in our inventory nor already built but as yet unsold at Maas Boat Company, it will take about two months to build your boat, pick it up in California, and deliver it to you.
How do I rig my boat?
Several expert riggers have written books about rigging. The clearest and simplest explanation is an essay on rigging open water boats written by Craig Leeds. I’d be happy to email you a copy of Craig’s essay. Just ask.
Do you sell used Maas boats?
I maintain a list of people who have told me they would like to buy a used Maas boat. When I learn of used boats for sale, I contact everyone on that list. I describe the boat and encourage the buyers to contact the seller and work without me as a middleman. However, from time to time a seller simply wants to avoid the hassle of selling a boat, so I make an offer to buy the boat for subsequent resale. When I resell used boats, I add a markup to the price and charge state sales tax, when required.
I don’t have a good idea what a used M 24 is worth. Is this a fair price? I would have thought less dollars. Sam
The market for used shells is dependent on many factors not the least of which is supply and demand. Typically, there is constant demand for used Maas boats and limited supply. That means prices for used Maas boats remain robust even when others are discounted. As we’re experiencing, the market is also affected by the state of the economy, though the used boat market is less impacted than that for new shells. Beyond those macro factors, there are effects from the condition of the boat, the urgency of the seller, the location and ease of transport of the boat, and the specific features of the package being sold. You also find shells being sold by people who don’t know the current market (or who are not rowers in the first place), and this can mean both over-priced shells as well as the occasional under-priced shells. In the end, if a boat sells, then it was priced at the market. If it fails to find a buyer after a good faith effort, then the price was set too high.
What colors can I choose for my deck and/or hull?
The gel coat used by Maas for hulls and decks comes in white, light gray, yellow, and light teal. Darker colors (such as red, black, or dark teal) add significantly to the weight of a boat and are difficult to apply over large areas without appearing blotchy. Therefore, Maas will only use the darker colors when the buyer agrees to buy the boat no matter how it turns out!! Dark boats are risky for all concerned, and we discourage buyers from choosing them.
Can I have fancy striping and graphics?
Absolutely! Striping and graphics add uniqueness and pizzazz to your boat without adding significantly to weight. You may use any of the standard gel coat colors (red, blue, black, dark teal, light teal, yellow). Prices vary from $125 to $265 depending on the complexity of the pattern you choose. Click Here to see just some of the possibilities.
How do I carry my boat on my vehicle?
Because of their sturdy construction, Maas boats travel very well on top of a vehicle. Any Thule or Yakima rack system with kayak saddles will work well for transporting a single. Even more secure are racks built for carrying rowing shells by Burnham Boat Slings and Hudson. These custom racks are necessary for carrying a double, with limited exceptions.
How far apart should I place the standards of my storage rack?
Ideal separation is 7’ to 8’. Standards placed at this distance support your boat on either end of the cockpit, where the boat is very robust.
How can I meet other open water scullers?
In Western Washington, the best way to meet other open water scullers is to participate in the races sponsored by Sound Rowers. Check out their web page at www.soundrowers.org.
I am happy to provide names and contact information for any of my customers who live near you. You might want to meet at a fun place and explore new waters!
What can I do to protect my boat from ultraviolet light?
Over time, UV light is a harsh enemy of fiberglass and gel coat, and it is important to minimize exposure of your boat to the degradation caused by UV light. The best protection comes from using a cover sewn from Sunbrella marine canvas. We sell covers sewn by Burnham Boat Covers to Maas patterns.
Do I order parts from Evergreen Rowing or from Maas?
You may order from either… whichever is most convenient for you. Incidentally, rubber stoppers for your drain hole are size OO and are sold at Lowe’s, Home Depot and Ace hardware stores.
Is a PFD required by regulations? Is a PFD needed? Which PFD works best?
Rowing shells are exempt from federal regs requiring PFDs, and they are also exempted from Washington state regs. I do not know about other states. Maas boats are so easily remounted if you fall out (or choose to go for a swim on a hot day!), that in most cases I feel you can get back into your shell and continue rowing before you can figure out how to put on most stowed or fanny pack style PFDs.
Certainly there are instances where having a PFD is wise, and an effective PFD may add greatly to your peace of mind. In storms with high winds, you may get separated from your boat, and having a PFD may save your life. Cold water kills. Here is some insight into the dangers of cold water immersion. Watch the videos of people going into the water and learn from their experience. “linktext”:http://www.coldwaterbootcamp.com/pages/home.html. Click on Boot Campers.
Should you decide to row with a PFD, the Stormy Seas vest is a great solution, since it is worn and ready to go to work. The short vest styling does not impede your sculling. It can be partially inflated, so it will not hinder your self-rescue remount. And they come in high visibility nylon, so they make you much more visible even if never inflated.
Has Maas changed their boats over the years? What’s different these days?
Changes to Maas boats are rare, but from time to time there have been significant changes. For example, in the late 1980’s, Maas added a vertical stringer along the keel of the Aero to add stiffness. This stringer joins the hull and deck and runs from near the stern, under the seat deck, to a point just behind the bow. The Aero hull has never been changed. Also, in the early 1990’s the fiberglass wing rigger on the Maas 24 was changed to a wing rigger fabricated from aircraft grade aluminum tubing. This change was accomplished by modifying the deck, so shells with the old rigger cannot be upgraded with the new rigger. Here, too, the hull shape was not changed.
Oars? Do you sell them? How do I choose?
We sell sculls (i.e. oars for sculling!) made in New Hampshire by Dreher (otherwise known as the Durham Boat Company). These are very high quality carbon sculls that are somewhat lighter than comparable sculls made by Concept2 and Croker. The Dreher sculls have a blade that is only carbon compared to the sandwich construction used by other manufacturers. Lighter weight in the blade makes for less swing weight each stroke, but it also means the boat may feel less stable. Having greater weight at the end of the shaft adds to the feeling of stability.
Dreher makes three models. They have a fixed length model that is wonderful for the majority of scullers, because it uses an intermediate stiffness shaft, a hatchet blade and a relatively large handle. However, if you prefer stiffer or softer flex in the shaft, one of several options for blade shape, the capacity to lengthen or shorten the overall length of your scull, or a larger or smaller diameter handle, then you will want to buy the adjustable length sculls or the new Aero model. The fixed length sculls sell for $400/pair including the shipping cost to my show room. The adjustable length sculls cost $500/pair including that shipping cost. The price for the new Aeros has not yet been announced.
We have demo sculls available for you to try.
How do folks dress when rowing open-water shells in Puget Sound in the winter? Do they wear wet suits, or just hope they stay upright?
Winter rowers often discover that they are wearing too many clothes! It’s best to wear several layers and a hat. Fabrics should wick moisture and provide warmth even if wet. Once you have taken 10-20 strokes, you likely will peel a layer and stow it in the space behind your foot stretcher. I’m often asked if I wear a wet suit top, and I don’t. Neoprene doesn’t breathe, and it is cumbersome and restricts free motion. I prefer polypro and similar wicking fabrics. Patagonia sews great winter gear, and another great source of winter rowing gear is JL Designs.
I wear a very light waterproof sock sold, for example, at REI. They’re called SealSkins, and they keep my feet warm since I have to do a beach launch. Others use water socks or light booties whose heels fit in the heel cups of their foot stretchers.
I don’t wear gloves, but many others do. In addition, JL (and others) sell pogies for sculling, which some people prefer to gloves because the pogie allows them to have a bare hand on the handle of the scull.
How can I find a leak in my boat?
If there’s water inside your boat, you have a leak. Older shells tend to leak. To find a leak, use the drain hole in the stern and blow or use a pump to put air pressure into the boat. With positive pressure inside the boat, have a helper pour soapy water on suspected leaks and look for bubbles. Places to check include the outer perimeter of the port ring (the silicone sealant may be broken), the syntactic foam on the curled edge of the deck, and any scratches in the gel coat.