Reef Runner 23 REVIEW | A Rare High-End Small Boat

[@henrydail6976]

I just caught your channel 2 days ago. My wife and I watched back to back videos, what great information all boaters need to know. We'll keep watching and you guys keep living the dream, thanks for sharing.

[@NickOlinde]

I appreciate the kind words! I have some more good videos coming!

[@RussParentela]

Love the content and your passion comes thru in the reviews.

[@zacarias5443]

Yes it’s a great boat and ,Donna is a great person.

[@NickOlinde]

Agreed!

[@reefrunnerboats7040]

Love the review. You nailed so many of the aspects that we try to build into the 230

[@NickOlinde]

Yall build an awesome boat!

[@denislaouenan5553]

What is the dead rise angle at transom? you might have mentioned it but I missed it. Thanks for emphasizing the 3 piece construction vs 2 piece. So much more convenient for fishing boats and also much safer and less tiring. That boat really appear to be good. The bilge access, the rear platform, the electrical rigging and the choice of hardware, also nice to not have FS.

[@carlosdelaarena2575]

To me, the hull looks to be a modified oceanic 20,9 which comes from a regal 20. If it is, It has a 22deg transom dead rise. The Bertram 20 is narrower with a 24deg. Ultimately, they all come from the Bert design.. I agree with you on the quality of this boat. It's built properly with common sense features. The hull has a full bow which gives you more room inside but less bow entry so a set of spray rails is a a nice addition to this hull design. I think Reef Runner is doing an amazing job bringing back quality and heritage. I've seen Donna talking boats and she REALLY KNOWS what she is talking about. Great review dude.

[@bbluewater]

Great review! I’m in love with the 28 after seeing it at the Palm Beach boat show.

[@NickOlinde]

The 28 is a sick boat. My uncle takes delivery of his this summer and I will be doing a video of that boat, as well.

[@Jassman3536]

Donna and the crew make a very nice boat and she is extremely knowledgeable of her boat construction and the competition. I am a little partial to Albury having owned a 23 and 27 and preferred the ride better. It was a softer ride due to hull design with a longer waterline where more of the boat is in the water. If I never rode in an Albury I would get this 23 RR.

[@lestergarabito608]

Love the boat reviews! Keep them coming, specially in this range 23 to 26 feet. A bit more realistic for the average folks. Thanks

[@NickOlinde]

I am going to do as many of them as I can. I will keep doing these small boats while also sprinkling in bigger stuff. Though I will say that I plan to only review boats that I feel are high quality boats. I have no desire to go out and film a review of a Sea Hunt or anything like that.

[@tannerhauser5648]

I really would like to see cushions on the gunnels for your knees. Is that an option?

[@NickOlinde]

Absolutely it is. Reef Runner boats are built to order and they will build it however you want it! My uncle chose not too since those combing bolsters eat into walkaround space. And that is on any boat.

[@johnoneal5536]

You hit the mark on the attention to detail with the electronics rigging, sure sign of quality and give AF.

[@NickOlinde]

Exactly. The rigging is some of the nicest that I have seen.

[@MortgageMarty]

Great review. Loving these more and more. What are your thoughts on a Front Runner boats?

[@migueltebusco]

Hi Dj, you can not compare Front Runner with Reef Runner, Front Runner is a Production boat, the only 2 good boats on the market right now is Reef Runner Boats and Bahama Boats🌴

[@NickOlinde]

I appreciate it. Front Runner is a good boat. I have not really spent all that much time on them can not fairly say too much about them. What I will say is just from what I hear from people is that they are good boats, but not completely top tier boats. Somewhere between mid tier and top tier.

[@NickOlinde]

Haha while I agree they are both two of the nicer boats out there, I am not sure it is fair to say that they are the only two good boat builders out there. There are handful of good ones out there that I would buy.

[@sawmaster6095]

Love this video, and I have very similar tastes: small, well built, simple/durable/reliable boats. I like the ride characteristics of the RR over Albury (I like my boat to be on top of the water), but what are your thoughts on the actual construction between the two? Knowing how Albury vacuums the hull and liner together with bonding putty and having knocked on the hull sides of both, the Albury seems a lot stronger to me.

[@NickOlinde]

I like both of those boats and both are performers, but I do agree with you. The Albury, in my opinion, is a stronger built boat. Both are high quality, but I think the Albury is stronger. Thicker glass, plexus, etc. The usable interior volume of the Albury is greater, as well. I think it rides better too

[@gabrielpimentel3259]

I would love to see a review on the Sportsman 262CC Open, I really liked and learned a lot on the one you did on the Reef Runner 23, great review and I'm really interested on that Sportsman 262CC Open...Thx/Gabe

[@Hamptondan1515]

So the vertical cleats are for aesthetics? Thanks!

[@NickOlinde]

And to have less things on the gunnel to either hit your toe or something. But in reality a cleat on the gunnel top and a cleat down below with a hause pipe do the same job, but down below I think they look better. Less busy.

[@igobygio]

Saw you out filming this one and pretty sure I saw you headed south in the river in the Bahama last week. Guide out of a 25 Tidewater custom in the river......hello neighbor!

[@NickOlinde]

That was us! NExt time you see us out come and say hi!

[@marciodentro]

what a nice boat!!!!!!!!!!!

[@NickOlinde]

It’s a sweet little rig!

[@kawiman561]

Awesome little boat,I'm surprised your uncle didn't add a compass.

[@NickOlinde]

You and I both actually. I think it was more of an oversight rather than an active choice. I am a firm believer that every boat needs a compass.

[@freedomwanderer]

Looks like an amazing boat.

[@NickOlinde]

It is!

[@pvalentin214]

What's your opinion on the pursuit 378 ? Would like an honest opinion

[@NickOlinde]

I like Pursuit boat a lot! I personally would not consider them a top tier builder, but they do build good boats! The 378 is a VERY nicely laid out boat. Very smart layout. Not the fastest or most efficient boats but good boats.

[@pvalentin214]

Thank you so much for the reply

[@johnfranklin4766]

Can you do a video on StringRay 253cc

[@JoseGarcia-qw5px]

Can you do a review on the LTB brand

[@NickOlinde]

I would love to! I need to find an LTB to review first

[@JoseGarcia-qw5px]

@NickOlinde ok cool I love your reviews very informative for a boat buyer

[@chrismagory9423]

No 25s?

[@NickOlinde]

What do you mean?

[@Anthony-pi6pf]

i have heard from some people that they are a bit of a wet ride! is this true in your experience??

[@davidcruz7962]

How about COMPETITION 25? Please 🙏

[@NickOlinde]

I love the competition boats, but would need to find someone who has one that would let me review it.

[@davidcruz7962]

@@NickOlinde THANK YOU very much. I will like to get some information about the competition 25

[@NickOlinde]

@@davidcruz7962 Absolutely. If I find one you will see the video! They are very good boats though! They are fairly bare bones even they though they will build to order, but they are extremely well built and they ride well. The LTB 25 is a very natural competitor to the Competition 25 and deserves a look, also.

[@patricklynch2767]

How much $?

[@RodneyWoodstock]

So, the questions for you and your uncle (family) is…the 23 Albury or 23 Reef Runner, 1. Which is the favorite for your uses - crossings, heavy fishing, some family running? 2. What are the all-in prices as-built/shown in the reviews?

[@NickOlinde]

It really depends on use. The Reef Runner is definitely a more hardcore fishing boat so if that is your mission then it is an awesome boat for it. I personally would choose the Albury all day, everyday. I am convinced there is not another boat on the water as overbuilt as a Albury. They are just so solid. It is also the best ridding boat of this class that I have ever been on. The Albury with outride the Reef Runner.

[@mfhairstream6812]

good video but would have liked to seen more of the boat

[@NickOlinde]

I am trying to get better with every video so I really do appreciate the constructive criticism.

[@ronaldglover1176]

Contender review and comparisons

[@SimconJon]

Boat review ideas: Sheaffer 239, Conch 25, Morada 24, Young 26, Dorado 25, Kencraft 26, Pair Customs 24, Canyon Bay 24, Stuart 23... Ok Im done now. Like the content.

[@WillieWalnuts]

Less u more boat. Lol

[@NickOlinde]

I’m getting better with every review! It’ll get there!

[@MikeBraga-bv7kd]

You talk way too much.

[@NickOlinde]

I mean would you rather me just show pictures and videos of the boat? I try my best to actually explain everything and why things are as they are. I do agree that I have a lot of room for improvement and I am doing my best to make every video better than the last.