FROM: DR. DAVIDE MCKEE
PROFESSOR OF MARINE BIOLOGY/ TEXAS A&M CORPUS CHRISTI
AKA: 'LAGUNATIC' AND 'THREE TIME "STONER' OWNER
Robert asked me to write a short letter attesting to the quality and workmanship of his boats. Having owned THREE Stoner Boats over the past 30 years has not only allowed me the know a lot about the quality and workmanship of his product but also about the man that puts his name on them.
All of my boats were flat-bottom Stoner Skiffs that were designed as commercial net skiffs for carrying large loads of fish and nets in the very shallow Laguna Madre under all types of weather conditions. They have served me well for sport fishing as they get up and run in shallow water, carry lots of gear and people and do not require high power horse engines to perform well. I had my 2nd Stoner Skiff (18') for 17 years before selling it to one of my friends who ran it for another 6 years. The engine finally gave out but the hull was still in good condition! I have never had a bit of trouble with any of my three boats. My current Stoner Skiff is a custom 22' that was designed by Robert and me. The boat still looks new and shows little wear after 11 years on the lagoon. I have no plans to ever get rid of the boat.
Robert Stone takes great pride in making his boats and still makes them the old way (the right way).... hulls of proven design make one at time (often with little or no help) with lots of pride and TLC going into each one. Every one of them is made to last a very long time.
FROM: CAPTIAN NOE GARZA
PROFESSIONAL FISHING GUIDE FOR OVER 22 YEARS
I once told that I was the only guide that would fish in a named storm and catch fish. Well, that may be a little extreme, but i do fishing some very rough conditions because I have faith in my STONER BOAT. The boat is very well made and can hold up to to any conditions the South Texas weather can throw at her. I fish all year round. I especially love fishing in the fall and winter. This is our best fishing! An I am usually the only guide out on the Lagoon. So I have to have 100% confidence that my skiff will hold up and get me and my crew back safely. I have been running Stoner Skiff professionally now for more than 22 years. My current Stoner Skiff was completed by Robert Stoner in December 1999. I have been asked "when are you getting your new boat?' Why should I when even after over 15,000 hours on the Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay my Stoner Skiff is still in good condition. I've been told my Stoner Boat is the most recognized boat on the Laguna Madre.....I don't wonder why!
Stoner Boats are very east to maintain and clean. The boats are wide open with all sorts of fishing space. I once told my client that there was so much room they could bring their own lawn chairs..... well, they did! Two in fact for their teenage daughters and there was still room to fish. The boats can float in very shallow water and can handle the open bays.
Well, I can go on and on saying good things about my Stoner Boat and how well I have been treated by both Robert Stoner and Adam Stoner. But I have been fishing for the past two days and have a fish again tomorrow. See the catches from the past two days and this entire month of January on my website www.captnoegarza.com all made possible by my Stoner Skiff.
