FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What exactly is a Panga?
Panga is a generic term for the skiff-type vessels used by most indigenous fishermen of Central America. We were the first U.S. company to realize the practicality and versatility of the Panga design in 2001. Since then several other Panga-type importers and builders have followed our lead. However, like skiffs, Pangas are not built and outfitted the same. Our production head has over 30 years of fiberglass boatbuilding experience.
2. Are your boats totally made in the U.S.?
You bet. Our boats are built from scratch in Sarasota, Florida.
3. How do you rank your building standards?
Top of the line. It’s our claim to fame, one of the ways that separates us from other Panga builders. We use only the finest materials and construction techniques. An angler recently emailed us saying, “You use care in construction like a builder of fine yachts.”
Here’s an example: Our 28’ hull’s stiffness and soundproofing come from a cored design with ½” H80 Divinycell composite material sandwiched between five layers of double-bias 1708-knitted fiberglass from chine to shear line. The hull bottom is a solid ¾” of double-bias 3610 knitted fiberglass bonded to an integrated all-composite stringer system. The transom is made of 2½” Penske high-density composite covered in six layers of 3610 fiberglass. To ensure safety, and give you peace of mind, we glass in positive-density foam floatation under the deck. This process fills in all below deck voids, leaving no place for water absorption and makes our boat truly unsinkable. Another illustration is our rubrails that are mounted without fasteners, a feature found on only the highest-grade vessels. Other builders typically use screws that lessen the integrity of the boat and eventually rust. The best way to get a sense of construction and features to see the various manufacturer's boats side by side.
4. What are the some important design features common to Pangas?
You may already know that Pangas are narrow beamed but remarkably stable, exceedingly dry and incredibly fuel efficient. However, that doesn’t make them equal. Let’s take a 22-foot version as an example since they are extremely popular around the world.
We’re pleased to tell you that our pricing is extremely competitive.
6. How come your boats are so fuel efficient?
Because of the narrow beam and efficient hull design less horsepower is needed to move our boats. For instance, a 22 footer typically requires a fuel guzzling 250 HP engine. On our 22's, a 90 HP is adequate and a 140 HP will make the boat fly.
7. Does the narrow beam make your boats tender?
Not at all. In fact, quite the opposite. Stability is gained from the ratio of length to the concave running surface at the keel. When our boats are at rest they’re extremely stable with a short period roll if any.
8. What are the differences between your Pangas and those in Mexico and Central America?
We’ve spent some 30 years fishing from Latin American Pangas and know them intimately. Those boats just don’t have the construction and amenities that American anglers demand from our boats. Although some builders are getting away from it, many of the Mexican boats use plywood in the transom and some use plywood in the floor. Also, most put very little hardware on their boats. Such things as center consoles, bait wells and storage lockers are mostly nonexistent.
9. You don’t have a large dealer network. Why is this?
Our intention was never to mass produce boats so we purposely limit our production capacity and maximize our quality control. Additionally, many of our boats are customized. We are happy to preserve quality, supervise every aspect of the building process, add design changes almost at once, and service only a small number of select dealers.
10. What minimum horsepower motor could I use without totally sacrificing performance?
Fifty or 60 horsepower works well on our 18 footers. Our 22 footers can get by with 60 but a 90 is more adequate. A twin 140 or a single 250 would suit our 28 footer.
11. Are these boats any good for fly-fishing?
Absolutely. We frequently customize our boats for fly-fishing.
12. Do all your boats need trim tabs?
Trim tabs are not necessary for our 18 footers. However, they are of great benefit to our 22's. Depending on usage, tabs may or may not be useful for the 28 footer.
13. How long does it take for delivery of a custom ordered boat?
Generally, around 6 weeks.
14. Are all your models unsinkable?
Yes
15. What colors can I get for my boat?
We have several standard colors, but you can choose any color that suits you.
16. What’s your warranty policy?
Ten years, parts and labor. No rot lifetime warranty.
If you have a question that needs answering, give us a ring at 941-358-6800 or write info@pangamarine.com.
Panga is a generic term for the skiff-type vessels used by most indigenous fishermen of Central America. We were the first U.S. company to realize the practicality and versatility of the Panga design in 2001. Since then several other Panga-type importers and builders have followed our lead. However, like skiffs, Pangas are not built and outfitted the same. Our production head has over 30 years of fiberglass boatbuilding experience.
2. Are your boats totally made in the U.S.?
You bet. Our boats are built from scratch in Sarasota, Florida.
3. How do you rank your building standards?
Top of the line. It’s our claim to fame, one of the ways that separates us from other Panga builders. We use only the finest materials and construction techniques. An angler recently emailed us saying, “You use care in construction like a builder of fine yachts.”
Here’s an example: Our 28’ hull’s stiffness and soundproofing come from a cored design with ½” H80 Divinycell composite material sandwiched between five layers of double-bias 1708-knitted fiberglass from chine to shear line. The hull bottom is a solid ¾” of double-bias 3610 knitted fiberglass bonded to an integrated all-composite stringer system. The transom is made of 2½” Penske high-density composite covered in six layers of 3610 fiberglass. To ensure safety, and give you peace of mind, we glass in positive-density foam floatation under the deck. This process fills in all below deck voids, leaving no place for water absorption and makes our boat truly unsinkable. Another illustration is our rubrails that are mounted without fasteners, a feature found on only the highest-grade vessels. Other builders typically use screws that lessen the integrity of the boat and eventually rust. The best way to get a sense of construction and features to see the various manufacturer's boats side by side.
4. What are the some important design features common to Pangas?
You may already know that Pangas are narrow beamed but remarkably stable, exceedingly dry and incredibly fuel efficient. However, that doesn’t make them equal. Let’s take a 22-foot version as an example since they are extremely popular around the world.
- A. Collars around the gunnels. This is a box-like section that gives the boat rigidity. Some builders disregard this critical feature. We build a wide collar around the gunnel to give you 360-degree, walk-around fishability. It also offers a stable platform for passengers to get on and off the boat.
- B. Cutaway transoms that allows engines to be mounted higher. A general rule is that for every foot of setback for the engine it can be mounted 1-inch higher. Ours is a 27-inch transom as opposed to the normal 25 inches so the engine is two inches higher to start with. Many builders use a 20-inch transom that makes a splash well necessary and wastes space in the back of the boat.
- C. Concave running pads, slight tunnels in the hull that increases performance. In some of the later Latin American Pangas there was a hook added to this tunnel at the transom. This hook was to keep the boat from porpoising as anglers started putting bigger engines on them. The hook deflects water down, therefore away from the prop. This makes sense but these boats don’t work well with a jack plate. We modified the bottom, taking the hook out and putting two wedges or separate hooks at each outside corner. That solved the problem of using jack plates efficiently.
We’re pleased to tell you that our pricing is extremely competitive.
6. How come your boats are so fuel efficient?
Because of the narrow beam and efficient hull design less horsepower is needed to move our boats. For instance, a 22 footer typically requires a fuel guzzling 250 HP engine. On our 22's, a 90 HP is adequate and a 140 HP will make the boat fly.
7. Does the narrow beam make your boats tender?
Not at all. In fact, quite the opposite. Stability is gained from the ratio of length to the concave running surface at the keel. When our boats are at rest they’re extremely stable with a short period roll if any.
8. What are the differences between your Pangas and those in Mexico and Central America?
We’ve spent some 30 years fishing from Latin American Pangas and know them intimately. Those boats just don’t have the construction and amenities that American anglers demand from our boats. Although some builders are getting away from it, many of the Mexican boats use plywood in the transom and some use plywood in the floor. Also, most put very little hardware on their boats. Such things as center consoles, bait wells and storage lockers are mostly nonexistent.
9. You don’t have a large dealer network. Why is this?
Our intention was never to mass produce boats so we purposely limit our production capacity and maximize our quality control. Additionally, many of our boats are customized. We are happy to preserve quality, supervise every aspect of the building process, add design changes almost at once, and service only a small number of select dealers.
10. What minimum horsepower motor could I use without totally sacrificing performance?
Fifty or 60 horsepower works well on our 18 footers. Our 22 footers can get by with 60 but a 90 is more adequate. A twin 140 or a single 250 would suit our 28 footer.
11. Are these boats any good for fly-fishing?
Absolutely. We frequently customize our boats for fly-fishing.
12. Do all your boats need trim tabs?
Trim tabs are not necessary for our 18 footers. However, they are of great benefit to our 22's. Depending on usage, tabs may or may not be useful for the 28 footer.
13. How long does it take for delivery of a custom ordered boat?
Generally, around 6 weeks.
14. Are all your models unsinkable?
Yes
15. What colors can I get for my boat?
We have several standard colors, but you can choose any color that suits you.
16. What’s your warranty policy?
Ten years, parts and labor. No rot lifetime warranty.
If you have a question that needs answering, give us a ring at 941-358-6800 or write info@pangamarine.com.