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13 Best Sport Fishing Yachts of 2023

• By Patrick Sciacca
• August 30, 2023

It is possible to fish from any type of boat, but a sportfishing yacht is purpose-built for angling aficionados to chase fish of all sizes and species, whether it’s fun fishing for mahi-mahi off the beach in South Florida or campaigning a pro-level crew from the Bahamas to Bermuda and back pursuing billfish during tournament season. The best sport-fishing yachts combine rugged, blue-water construction with performance, range, agile handling, and the comforts of luxury-yacht living. On the outside, sportfish yachts are notable for their dance-floor size cockpits for fish fighting; livewells to keep baits fresh; in-deck fish boxes to keep the catch stowed and cold; and an armada of rod holders for drift fishing, kite fishing or trolling. They also are known for big diesel horsepower and speed, sometimes north of 40-plus knots. Sportfish yachts are also known for luxurious interiors with supple leathers, granite countertops, high-end galley appliances and en suite staterooms. These are highly self-sufficient angling platforms geared for life beyond the horizon where the water is deep and the fish are big.

Top Luxury Fishing Boats

The following 13 sportfish yachts are all vessels we’ve reviewed. They are listed in no particular order.

• Hatteras GT65 Carolina : A customizable sportfish yacht with Caterpillar diesels
• Viking Yachts 64C : An eye-watering 42 knots of fish-chasing speed boat 
• Royal Huisman Project 406 : The biggest sportfish yacht ever built
• Rybovich 94 : A superyacht-sized angler’s dream
• Viking 38 Open : A family-sized express sportfisherman loaded for offshore fishing
• Bertram 61 Convertible : A tournament-ready battlewagon with a distinct look 
• Hatteras Yachts 45EX : Entry-level sportfish yacht with all the angling amenities of its larger siblings
• Huckins 45 Sportfisherman : Built for bluewater angling with the patented and sea-taming Quadraconic hull form 
• Jarrett Bay 46 : A mid-size custom-Carolina sportfisherman with a yacht-level finish
• Viking Yachts 92 : Designed to travel the world’s oceans chasing behemoth billfish
• Merritt 72 : An iconic Florida boatbuilder’s high-end fishing boat
• Bertram 35 : This 35-foot flybridge sportfish pays homage to the builder’s legendary roots.
• Viking 54 Open : This express-style fish boat also comes in a Sport Tower and Coupe version

Hatteras Yachts GT65 Carolina

The Hatteras Yachts GT65 Carolina falls in the middle of the New Bern, North Carolina, boatbuilder’s three-model GT lineup, which also includes a GT59 and GT70 . This sportfish yacht has a solid-fiberglass hull bottom built for blue-water duty and comes with a variety of diesel engine options, which starts with twin 1,622 hp Caterpillar C-32A diesels.

Like all Hatteras GT models, the GT65 has notable bow flare to beat back tempestuous seas as well as a high freeboard to keep decks dry in the slop. The Hatteras GT65 also represent a design evolution for the series with a “stepped-back flybridge” an element found on in earlier Hatteras models, as well as a new window treatment and hull-side vents. With yacht-level luxury on the inside and a fishing-mission design on the outside, the Hatteras Yachts GT65 is a formidable sportfish boat.

Quick Specifications

Viking yachts 64c.

With its 180-square-foot, dance-floor-size, teak cockpit, options for a fighting chair or rocket launcher, a mezzanine perched perfectly for spotting prey in the spread and enough livewell space to keep a gaggle of goggle-eye baits frisky, the 42-knot Viking Yachts 64C is built for battle with big fish.Its impressive speed, which comes via optional 2,022 hp MTU M96X V-12 diesels , ensures that the Viking 64C is likely to be first boat with lines in the water. Cruise speed: 36 knots at 80 percent engine load. (Base powerplants are twin 1,550 hp MAN V-12 diesels.) For the traveling tournament crew, the Viking 64C has four staterooms, including three en suite guest staterooms, plus a crew cabin with upper and lower bunks.

Royal Huisman Project 406

A 171-foot sportfisherman? Yes. That’s exactly what the six-deck, Royal Huisman’s Project 406 is. The interior and exterior design of Project 406 is from noted Dutch yacht-design firm Vripack . Vripack calls the vessel a “sportfisher on steroids.” The hull and superstructure of the supersize sportfish is Alustar aluminum, a material known for its strength and relatively light weight.

Even with six decks, Vripack has managed to create sleek lines for Project 406. It starts with a high freeboard forward that seemingly dares the ocean to approach. Transitioning from the bow, the sheerline slopes downwards in a steady cadence. The flowing sheerline resolves seamlessly at the cockpit. The vessel’s raked house and stacked deck are juxtaposed against the long profile, creating a sinewy aesthetic, which is no simple feat in this 171-footer. Add in all of the expected angling accouterments and 30-knot speed, and you have a sportfish yacht ready to chase fish around the world.

Rybovich 94

Size, speed and agility is a unique trifecta in a sportfish boat, but the 94-foot, 41-knot III Amigos from Michael Rybovich checks all those boxes as well as a few more too. The sportfish boat , designed by Patrick Knowles with naval architecture from Dusty Rybovich, is built in cold-molded mahogany. Prop pockets help keep the boat’s half-load draft down to a Bahamas-friendly 5 feet. The Rybovich 94’s impressive speed is helped by a pair of beefy 2,600 hp MTU diesels . 

The owner of II Amigos also owns a 196-foot Feadship superyacht and, while he wanted the sportfish to be all business on the outside, he wanted luxury-yacht finishes on the inside.  “Subtle but telling touches are the solid doors to the staterooms; each mimics the owner’s Feadship with ¾-inch thickness. The doors close flush (each has hidden hinges), and the sound is of a Rolls-Royce door closing.”

Viking Yachts 38 Open Billfish

The Viking Yachts 38 Open Billfish is the builder’s entry point to its diesel-propelled sportfish boats. An owner-operator-size angling platform, the 38 Open is powered with twin 550 hp Cummins QSB6.7 diesels, which gives the sportfish boat 36-knot speed. Notable angling features on board the 38 Open include a 109-swqure-foot cockpit, complete with a mezzanine seating flanking the centerline stairs to the bridge deck as well as a laminated backing plate foe either a fighting chair or a rocket launcher. For overnight canyon trips, there is a forepeak stateroom with a double bunk as well as a single above it. Additionally, the salon’s sofa converts to a berth for guests or crew. The galley is outfitted with Corian countertops, two-burner electric cooktop, microwave/convection oven and drawer-style refrigerators and freezers. Some options include a Palm Beach Towers tuna tower and electronics packages from Atlantic Marine Electronics , both are Viking Yachts’ subsidiaries.

Bertram 61 Convertible

Bertram’s 61 Convertible leads the builder’s offshore series, which also includes a 35 Convertible and the express-style 50 Sport . Like its 50 Sport sistership, the 61 Convertible has a stepped sheerline, a nod to the legendary boatbuilder’s earlier designs. It also creates an instantly recognizable profile. The 61 Convertible is ready to run out of the box thanks to its twin 1,925 hp Caterpillar C-32A diesels. Top hop is 44 knots.

When it comes to chasing fish, the 61 Convertible has 188 square feet of fish-fighting space. A 100-gallon in-transom livewell is accompanied by twin in-sole fish boxes as well as rod stowage to port and starboard. A tuna door to starboard makes bringing in that bigeye on board a breeze. (Fish not included.) The accommodations layout belowdecks includes three staterooms. There is a full-beam master stateroom amidships.

Hatteras Yachts GT45X

The Hatteras Yachts GT45X express sports twin 1,150-horsepower Cat C18 ACERT diesel engines that deliver 40-plus-knot speeds. During our sea trial, the GT45X showcased remarkable handling, gracefully leaning into turns without any loss of power from the props. Hatteras has equipped the GT45X with a custom-engineered, sound-deadening system. This feature reduces noise and vibration, ensuring a relatively quiet ride for all aboard. Inside, the yacht has a luxe sensibility with its wood sole, sumptuous leather seating, a fully equipped galley and a spacious forward stateroom. On deck, there are two comfortable helm seats, an undercounter fridge, an ice maker, an inviting L-shaped settee and a table, creating the perfect entertainment area for relaxing after a successful day of fishing. The integrated hardtop enhances visibility with its one-piece windshield and large side windows, offering optimal views of the surrounding waters. To adapt to changing weather conditions, simply install clear curtains across the bridge deck aft, transforming the GT45X into an all-season sport-fisherman. Personalization is key with Hatteras Yachts, and the GT45X offers a variety of optional features. From a bow thruster and additional stateroom to teak accents and a flybridge option, you can customize your yacht to meet your specific needs. With a simple ala carte ordering process, just select your must-have options, start the engines and have your next angling adventure.

Huckins 45 Sportfisherman

The Huckins 45 Sportfisherman starts with the Florida boatbuilder’s patented Quadraconic hull . The Huckins’ Quadraconic name derives from four conical projections that make up the bottom surface shape. The sport-fisher has a deep forefoot and some measurable flare above the waterline for good buoyancy and dry running. A single chine rises from the waterline and then descends quickly to optimize spray control. The deep-V shape forward warps to a flat running surface far aft for efficient planing and excellent roll resistance.

Power is twin 480 hp Cummins diesels, which give this sportfish boat an easy 28-knot cruise. Top speed is 35 knots, so a 30-knot cruise is easily an option. The owner of the 45 Sportfisherman we got aboard is an avid stand-up angler and set up his boat with three flush-deck insulated fish boxes with macerators, a Dometic ice maker, two 28-foot Rupp outriggers, six gunwale rod holders, saltwater and freshwater washdowns, and a four-rod rocket launcher in lieu of a fighting chair.

Jarrett Bay 46

Originally named Persistence, this Jarrett Bay 46 was built for fishing enthusiast and NASCAR driver Jeff Burton. When creating his fully custom sportfish boat, Burton noted that his vessel would be both a fishing boat and a family boat. Fishing features include an in-transom fish box, a sailfish pod, insulated fish boxes and a tuna door (sans bridge) in the cockpit. Jarrett Bay installed three rod holders in each gunwale and six more across the flybridge rail, plenty of rod room for setting up a trolling spread. With upper and lower helm stations (the latter being an owner request), the Jarrett Bay 46 also gives the skipper options if the weather goes south. The Jarrett Bay 46 has ZF pod drives with underwater exhaust paired to twin 575 hp Caterpillar C9 diesels. At a comfortable 2,000-rpm cruise, this sport-fisher makes about 26 knots while those diesels consume 41 gallons per hour. Dial it up to a top-end speed of 35 knots and consumption goes up to 58.3 gph.

Viking Yachts 92

The Viking Yachts 92 is the largest sport-fisher the New Gretna, New Jersey-based boatbuilder has ever constructed. Offered with an open- or enclosed-bridge setup, the hefty sportfish boat (displacing around 205,000 pounds) hits 37-knots-plus when powered with optional 2,600 hp MTU diesels. At 2,100 rpm, this battlewagon cruises easily at 31 knots at 78 percent engine load. Dial it back to 28 knots, and engine load is a mere 70 percent. The 92-footer is also agile thanks to the Viking Independent Programmable Electrohydraulic Rudder (VIPER) steering system, a fly-by-wire setup that lets the helmsman control each rudder individually.

From an angling perspective, the 92 has 55-foot Rupp outriggers , fish stowage large enough for a wolf pack of bigeye tuna, space for a season’s worth of baits, secured gaff stowage and enough tackle drawers to handle all the lures and terminal gear an owner could ever buy. The Viking 92 also has six staterooms to accommodate owners, guests and crew for tournament season and long-haul adventure angling.

Like some of the other names on this list, Merritt is an iconic Pompano Beach, Florida-based, custom sportfish builder with a current model lineup that includes 66-, 72- and 86-foot convertible designs. The Merritt 72 is a model that has stood the test of time, and one that owners flock to year in and year out, for its fishability, seakindly nature and the ability to tailor the layout to an owner’s angling needs.

Because these boats are custom-built, the specifics can change from one 72 to another, but 30-knot cruise speeds and nearly 40-knot top-end speeds are common in all 72s, as are massive cockpits for fighting Hemingway-worthy marlin, stout construction for chasing those fish in the blue water and superyacht-level finishes inside and outside.

The entry point into Bertram’s three-model Offshore Series⎯spanning from 35 to 61 feet length overall⎯the Bertram 35 blends a familiar profile with modern power and technology to create a 36-knot angling juggernaut. This owner-operator-sized, Michael Peters -penned, flybridge sport-fisher starts with a wave-slicing, deep-V hull form with 22 degrees transom deadrise. The form is supported by a solid fiberglass hull bottom with cored hull sides for added strength without added weight.

The 35 has a 126-square-foot cockpit ready for any fish-fighting fanatic. Bertram sets up the 35 with rod holders, a livewell, in-deck fish boxes, and a transom door for the big ones. Optional teak decking and covering boards add a custom look. Inside, the salon is accented with teak and maple Amtico soles and overhead dimmer lighting. A wainscot-style ceiling houses rod stowage for big-game gear. Power is twin 500 hp Caterpillar C7.1 diesels matched to ZF drives. At a comfortable 27.5-knot cruise at just 68 percent engine load, the Bertram 35 has a 253-nautical-mile range, making it easily canyon-capable.

Viking Yachts 54 Open

Many anglers like open- or express-style sportfish designs as they enable the captain and crew to keep in close proximity, and the Viking 54 Open , which also is offered in a Sport Coupe or Sport Tower, does just that. The 54 Open’s bridge deck has a Palm Beach-style helm on centerline, flanked by a double-wide companion seat to port and a single seat to starboard. Abaft the helm and to port is U-shaped seating with a walnut table, creating a respite from the sun on tournament day while still allowing the crew to keep an eye on the spread via the open after bulkhead. Across from that seating is an L-shaped settee.

With a focus on fishing, the 54 Open has 154 square feet of cockpit real estate. Two sets of mezzanine seats offer perches for the crew to watch the spread. Other fishing-friendly features include a transom livewell, an in-deck fish box to starboard (with an optional livewell tub), an insulated in-deck box to port, a deck plate for mounting a rocket launcher or fighting chair, cooler stowage in the mezzanine steps (a bait freezer in the steps is optional), and a tuna door. Power is either twin 1,400 hp or 1,550 hp MAN diesels. For owners who prefer a three-sided fiberglass enclosure to a clear-plastic setup—but still want an open after bulkhead—Viking offers the 54 in the Sport Tower version. The 54 Sport Coupe model closes the after bulkhead, completely protecting the bridge deck from the elements.

• More: Bertram , Hatteras , Huckins , Jarrett Bay , Merritt , Royal Huisman , Rybovich , Sportfishing Yachts , Viking , Yachts
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The Best Luxury Center Console Boats Over 40 Feet

16th jan 2023 by samantha wilson.

The luxury center console boat has risen in popularity over the years to become one of the best loved and best-selling powerboats in the US. Designed around saltwater fishing, everything about the center console is robust, fast and adventurous, but without sacrificing on comfort. With a centrally positioned helm and open passageway on either side – as well as spacious, open decks at the stern and bow – they have plenty of space for casting and catching. With a hull designed to handle some seriously rough waters, high-performance outboard engines and, in the 40 foot range, even a cozy cabin, it is no wonder they are some of the best sport fishing boats on the market.

You might find these related articles interesting: " Best Midsize Center Console Boat Brands " and " Best Center Console Boats Under 25 Feet " and our range of Center Console Boats for Sale .

In this article we’re going to take a look at:

• How to choose the best luxury center console boat
• 6 of the best luxury center console boats over 40 feet in 2023

The top manufacturers in the industry offer many models in varying sizes with a range of built-in fishing equipment and technology onboard. Here we’re going to focus on the luxury center console boats in the 40 foot plus range, looking at functionality, aesthetics, performance, comfort and builder reputation. With an average price of around $1 million, average cruising speeds of 35 mph, ranges of around 400 miles and a full 360-degree access to the water around the boat for reeling in that big one, they truly have it all. 

Photo credit: HCB Yachts

How to Choose the Best Luxury Center Console Boat

Buying a luxury center console boat – or any boat for that matter - is no small decision. It’s a huge investment that needs careful consideration to ensure it’s the right fit for your needs. Whether you choose to buy a new or used boat, the decision-making process will be the same. While it’s likely you won’t be new to boating if you’re investing in a center console boat over 40 feet, these are some things to consider when choosing your next boat.

Where and how do you plan to use your center console boat?

Center console boats are designed for serious fishing, but fishing isn’t the only use for your boat. Consider whether you want to entertain family and friends or enjoy overnight or weekend trips to help you decide on the size you’ll need. At this point also consider where you’ll be storing your boat both during the season and over the winter. Make sure your local marina has space for the size of the boat you want to buy.

What features and amenities are on your must-have list?

If you don’t have that list yet, then now is the time to make it. From the fishing equipment to the electronics and the size of the engines, every center console boat has a different list of specifications, and new boats can be tailored to suit your needs. It’s the perfect way to narrow down your choices. You’ll want to consider engine power and top speeds, technology and electronics, fuel capacity and range, features such as coolers, LED lighting, head facilities, speakers, wraparound seating, fishing holders and storage capacity. While you might have to make some compromises, it helps you know what is most important to you. 

What is your budget for buying a center console?

A 40 foot plus center console boat is a luxury purchase, and the price tags will vary depending on the specification and size you opt for, as well as the manufacturer. Before you even start searching, work out your realistic budget including all the costs associated with boat ownership, and get confirmation of financing contracts first (check out our guide to boat financing ). There’s nothing worse than seeing your dream boat and then figuring out that it’s just outside of your budget. 

6 of the Best Luxury Center Console Boats Over 40 Feet in 2023

There are some incredible options out there when it comes to center console boats, from the most respected manufacturers in the business to some new-kids-on-the-block boat builders who are making waves with new technology and new designs. It’s difficult to make that choice so we’ve compiled a few of our favorite center consoles over 40 feet to get you started on your search.

In no particular order here are six of the best center console boats: 

Invincible 42 Open Fisherman

This beauty is one of the serious contenders for best center console boats over 40 feet in the past few years. With massive triple or quad Yamaha outboards offering top speeds in excess of 65 mph, a 600 gallon fuel capacity, and 360 degrees of unobstructed fishing space, the Invincible 42 Open Fisherman is the ultimate ocean-going sport fishing vessel. It’s packed with fishing amenities, from a 53-gallon transom live well to a 64 gallon live well under the aft cockpit, to five fish lockers and five vertical rod holders. A cabin, head with shower, dinette and L-shaped galley allow for weekend trips in ultra-comfort. Choose from a range of extras including a hard top and dive door to customize it.

Invincible boats for sale

Scout 425 LXF

This sleek model by top manufacturer Scout is certainly eye-catching, with a silhouette more reminiscent of a sports boat than the traditional center console look. But don’t be fooled, center console it most certainly is, with Scout describing it as being in the upper echelon of their sport fishing boat lineup. Measuring 42 feet in length and over 13 feet at the beam, the Scout 425 LXF is the perfect choice for families or groups who want to fish together in comfort. As with their entire S-Class range of elite boats, luxury and high quality materials have been used throughout, with sophisticated engineering used to create the deep V double stepped hull, as well as a wealth of state-of-the-art technology and quad Yamaha engines. If you’re looking for a luxury center console of exceptionally high quality then this should be high on your list. 

Scout boats for sale

Valhalla V-46

A step up in size from the popular V-41, the Valhalla V-46 is one of the premier performance luxury center consoles in its substantial size range. So what do you get for the extra length? Accommodation is the most notable addition, with a spacious cabin, galley and head, but out on deck you’ll also find a whole host of fishing extras including a double row of helm chairs under the hardtop as well as plenty of livewells. In terms of performance, you get everything you’d expect from a manufacturer like Valhalla, with the Michael Peters SVVT twin-step hull, a 700-gallon fuel tank and choice of triple or quad Mercury 600 hp V12 Mercury Verado engines (for speeds of 60-plus knots).

Valhalla Boatworks for sale

Boston Whaler 420 Outrage

The flagship 420 Outrage exemplifies everything that Boston Whaler does so perfectly, with no detail left unconsidered. With a large cabin, galley and head, convertible helm and cockpit areas with seating to accommodate six people, and a perfect layout that incorporates all the fishing space you could ever need with storage and entertaining zones, it is much more than a fishing boat . The attention to detail is staggering, from the bait prep station complete with electric grill, sink and refrigerator/freezer to the two enormous livewells and even a dive door for safe and easy access. Choose from quad Mercury Verado 400s and Triple Mercury 600 V12's teamed with Joystick Piloting for incredible power and precision.

Boston Whaler boats for sale

Everglades 455CC

If you’re searching for fishability twinned with ultra-luxury then the Everglades 455CC should be high on your list. This is the longest and widest boat they’ve ever built, combining two decades of craftsmanship into this flagship vessel. With a huge helm station featuring three Garmin touchscreen monitors which provide continuous access to a full array of information and control features, it also has an impressive list of fishing equipment, including plenty of fish-fighting space. Impress your guests with the luxury finishes, including exotic woods, or head off for a weekend thanks to the spacious and comfortable cabin and enclosed head. 

Everglades boats for sale

Grady-White Canyon 456

Sleek, fast and beautiful, this Grady-White creation is the largest boat they’ve ever built and is packed with attention to detail and luxury additions. Let’s start with the four Yamaha F450 engines which give a top speed of a whopping 58 mph and a brisk cruising speed of 43 mph at 4500 rpm. Then there’s the full cabin with queen berth, a full galley and an enclosed head and shower. Built on Grady’s trademark SeaV²® hull and with the Seakeeper gyro-stabilization system, it offers one of the smoothest rides of any center console boat on the market. With countless fish boxes and livewells, a suite of electronics, comfortable port and starboard seating, and a huge amount of 360 degree deck space it is no wonder Grady-White hasC made this their flagship boat. 

Grady-White boats for sale

This article was most recently updated in July 2023 by Lenny Rudow.

Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

More from: Samantha Wilson

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• By Jim Hendricks
• July 17, 2023

The field of 40-something center-console offshore fishing boats has boomed in the past few years. While an outboard-powered 40-foot center-console proved ­nearly unthinkable a decade ­earlier, more than a dozen major boat brands now compete fiercely in this size category. Forty feet represents a magic size, one that can traverse the gnarliest inlets, continue fishing when sea conditions have chased lesser boats to port, and reach distant angling destinations such as the Bahamas , Northeast Canyons or West Coast seamounts, with console interiors big enough for overnighting. Thanks to equipment such as joystick systems and thrusters , they handle and dock easily in crowded ­marinas and tight slips.

Jupiter Marine’s 40 stands out as not only one of the latest entries, but also one of the category’s most impressive. This new 40 dovetails ­nicely between Jupiter’s 38 and 43 center-­consoles (not to mention the Jupiter 41 SB enclosed-­bridge model). Jupiter has not jumped on the step-hull bandwagon, instead relying on a deep-V running surface for the 39-foot-11-inch hull that features 24 degrees of deadrise at the transom and a Posi-Stern hull-pad design. 

At speed, the 16,000-pound (with engines) boat rode and handled like a dream in the 2- to 3-foot seas we encountered on test day. Triple Yamaha XTO 450s propelled us to a top speed of 57.3 mph with three crewmembers and a full tank of fuel (500 gallons). At rest and trolling speeds, the nearly 12-foot beam provides remarkable lateral stability for fishing securely, even in cross-sea conditions.

Jupiter builds in durability with composite PVC coring (that means no wood to rot), a fiberglass and foam-filled uni-grid stringer system and vacuum-­infused vinylester construction. The inner liner is mechanically bonded to the hull. Separating the transom bulkhead from the motors is a transom platform that lets you easily walk from one side of the boat to the other, a handy trait if you’re trying to fight a big tuna across the transom.  

The teak-accents option adorning the gunwale tops on our test boat gave the Jupiter 40 an added touch of class. For comfort while fishing, coaming pads encircle the interior. Anglers will love the ­60-gallon pressurized transom livewell with a viewing window (and a seating pad and a backrest), twin ­100-gallon insulated fish boxes under the aft cockpit sole, a 126-gallon forward insulated fish box, and a portside door that lets you slide aboard a big tuna or swordfish. There was also a 48-gallon cooler/bait freezer under the aft-facing bench abaft the three-across helm seats on our test boat. 

Life afloat is not always about chasing and catching fish. The marine industry in general and Jupiter in particular arrived at this conclusion much sooner than I did, and that’s why the new 40 features an inviting lounger for two atop the forward console. Creature comforts don’t end there. The bow area is adorned with a pair of lounges with integral backrests, so the 40 is as much at home on an evening harbor cruise as it is fishing kites for sails or trolling the edge of an offshore rip for ­tuna and marlin.

Sometimes you need a handy place to get out of the weather or catch some sleep while in a remote marina or on the anchor in a quiet bay. The Jupiter 40 has you covered (literally) with a roomy console interior, accessed from a companionway on the port side. It offers over 6 ½ feet of headroom, a 7-foot-long berth, a mini galley, a hanging ­locker, and a separate head compartment with a ­shower, vanity, sink and ­electric ­marine toilet.

A full-height curved ­acrylic windshield complements the hardtop, and the dash on our test boat featured three Garmin multifunction displays—a 24-inch MFD in the middle and 16-inch MFDs on each side. There was also a special compartment to starboard that lifts open to reveal the Yamaha Helm Master EX joystick and the bow-­thruster control. It’s mirrored by a handy glove box on the port side of the helm. 

The helm deck itself is elevated about 10 inches to provide a better point of view over the console for the captain and crew, and air-conditioning vents cool the helm area on sultry days. To rock the tunes, our test boat came with a deluxe JL Audio marine system with four 10-inch subwoofers, eight 8-inch speakers and two 6.5-inch speakers.

Read Next: Jupiter 32

As mentioned earlier, my test boat featured the ­upgraded Yamaha XTO 450 V-8 outboard, which replaces the XTO 425. The extra 25 ponies come in part thanks to an increase in intake and exhaust volume, but the 450 is also ­quieter, shifts more ­smoothly, and boasts more charging power and faster, easier engine tilting. I also liked the new styling of the 450. Aesthetically, it is a significant improvement over the 425. 

Ultimately, even in a crowded field of 40-something offshore fishing machines, the Jupiter 40 is hard to ignore, especially when powered by three of the new Yamaha XTO 450 outboards.

Editor’s Note: While the photos in this story depict twin Mercury Verado 600 hp V-12 outboards, our test took place with triple Yamaha XTO 450 V-8 outboards. Photos of the Jupiter 40 with the Yamaha 450s were not ­available at press time.  

Specifications

Jupiter Marine – jupitermarine.com

• More: August/September 2023 , Boat Reviews , Boats , Center Consoles , fishing boats , Jupiter Boats

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Dream Big: New Boats Over 40 Feet

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Looking for an upgrade? Wish your boat were just a little bit bigger? Put these new boats, all longer than 40 feet, on your shopping list — or at least on your wish list.

Sportfishers.

Sportfishing boats have something of a split personality. They're heavily powered, designed with wave-slicing hulls, and built to get to the fishing grounds swiftly. On the other hand, they have luxurious appointments below decks for the crew to relax on the ride home or for entertaining.

Regulator 41

Length: 41'3" | Beam: 12'6" | Draft 3'7" | Fuel: 600 gal. | Water: 60 gal. | Waste: 25 gal. | Weight: 20,100 lb. with quad engines

This center-console is a serious offshore fishing machine. The new 41 is the largest ever from the North Carolina builder and is designed to get you out to the canyons and back quickly, in comfort and style. With a deep-V hull featuring 24 degrees of dead-rise at the transom, this hull requires plenty of power to get it moving, but that comes in spades from the quadruple 350-hp Yamaha outboards mounted on the Armstrong bracket. The boat exceeded 60 mph in testing, but according to published performance data, the most economical speed seems to be in the 35 mph range, still plenty fast enough for most folks, but with a vastly reduced thirst to make that 600 gallons of fuel last longer.

Quadruple 350-hp Yamaha outboards on the Regulator 41 offer speeds topping 60 mph, though toning down the throttle to the 35-mph range is a bit more economical.

Options include an upper helm above the T-top and an outdoor galley behind the standard three-position seat/leaning post. The console interior features a small galley, a dinette that coverts to a double berth, and an enclosed head with shower, so overnight stays are a possibility for a couple. A diesel generator fitted below the cockpit sole provides power to the air conditioner, battery charger, water heater, and other domestic loads. There's no getting away from the fact that this is a big center-console, but the Yamaha Helm Master joystick control system eases nerves when it's time to bring the boat back into the dock. RegulatorMarine.com

Length: 49'3" | Beam: 17'0" | Draft: 4'8" | Fuel: 997 gal. | Water: 178 gal. | Waste: 52 gal. | Weight 66,342 lb.

Viking's first 48 convertible, launched more than 30 years ago, was an almost instant hit. A revamped model appeared in 2002, and this latest model debuted at the 2016 boat shows. Equipped with a pair of MAN diesel engines, the new 48C is designed to cruise in the 30-knot range, depending on the engines. The boat is about fishing first, and it features almost 125 square feet of cockpit space. That's not to say Viking has taken any shortcuts below decks.

Interiors on the Viking 48C are luxurious and can be customized to the owner's tastes.

The accommodation spaces are roomy and luxurious and can be customized to the owner's taste. Viking is a semicustom builder, but the first yacht featured a large flat-screen television with a surround-sound system that would put many home theaters to shame, a gourmet galley, and sumptuous staterooms to relax in after a hard day's fishing. Joinery choices are either teak or walnut in either satin or gloss finish.

There is space aplenty on the upper deck, which features a centerline helm with excellent sightlines for the captain, power-assisted hydraulic steering, single-lever electronic engine controls, and tons of space for the electronics of your choice. VikingYachts.com

With these boats, it's all about the journey. Most trawlers travel at sedate speeds, typically below 10-knots, and while the so-called “fast trawler” has emerged, trawlers tend to be displacement or semi-displacement hulls, so speed is governed more by hull length than by engine power.

Krogen 50 Open

Length: 52'9" | Beam: 17'5" | Draft: 5'4' (with single engine) | Fuel: 1,240 gal. | Water 400 gal. | Waste: 75 gal | Weight 68,000 lb

The one-level design of the Krogen Open 50 makes for better socializing.

The new Krogen Open 50 model reflects a great deal of customer feedback, which led to a design departure: an open and continuous saloon/galley/pilothouse main deck. Rather than several steps to the helm, everything from the large rear cockpit through the saloon to the wheelhouse is on one level, making for better socializing. All of the attributes that Krogen is known for — exquisite joinery, rugged construction, and phenomenal seakeeping ability — are still here on the Open 50. Krogen isn't straying far from its target audience of voyagers and liveaboards. Available with either single or twin John Deere diesels, and with a 1,240-gallon fuel capacity, the anticipated range is 2,100 miles at 8 knots, with the single engine model, but slow down to 6, and that jumps to a staggering 5,000 miles, enough for an Atlantic crossing. The first boat won't be splashed until 2017, at which time pricing will be announced. KadeyKrogen.com

Nordic Tug 44

Length 44'5" | Beam: 13'10" | Draft: 4'7" | Fuel: 600 gal. | Water: 175 gal. | Waste: 45 gal. | Weight: 37,300 lb.

The Nordic Tug 44 is a semi-displacement hull that delivers slow and steady cruising. At a leisurely 8 knots from a single 510-hp Volvo diesel, the 44 uses less than three gallons of fuel per hour and has a range in excess of 1,700 miles, so stops at the pump are fewer and farther between.

The Nordic Tug 44's huge master forward allows couples to cruise in comfort.

Rather than cram in lots of berths, the layout has a huge master forward, with an island queen, along with a generous guest cabin aft. This is a boat designed for a couple to cruise in comfort, with the option of welcoming friends and family on board once in a while. The main saloon, with galley, is almost the full beam of the boat, and just three steps lead to the separate pilothouse, which has internal steps leading to the optional flybridge; the pilothouse is a great new feature for this year, keeping everyone inside if the weather turns nasty.

If you want space on board, it's hard to beat a catamaran on room for living, entertaining, lounging, and personal space. While sailing craft make up the majority of catamarans, the popularity of power catamarans is growing. With an engine in each hull, the widely spaced props offer superior maneuverability in tight areas.

Length: 48'5" | Beam: 25'0" | Draft: 4'10" | Fuel: 185 gal. | Water: 206 gal. | Waste: 45 gal. | Weight: 38,000 lb.

So you like sailing, but you're not too keen on living life at an angle? Love sailboats, but the lack of space would drive you nuts? If you answered yes to these questions, then a catamaran could fit your future. Nothing touches a cat for interior volume, and the Leopard 48 doesn't disappoint. For maximum sleeping space, opt for the four-cabin layout, which also has room for four heads with showers. But if the number of guests will be more limited, then the three-cabin layout is the way to go, which gives over the entire starboard hull to the owner, with a large queen cabin aft and a settee and voluminous head and shower compartment forward.

On deck, a raised helm station gives excellent all-round visibility, and the large cockpit is seemingly big enough to host the Super Bowl. Built by Robertson and Caine in South Africa, the Leopard 48 is the private version of The Moorings 48 charter version, so if you want to try before you buy, book a charter vacation and give a similar boat a workout for a week or two.

With more than 1,500 square feet of sail area, the boat should sail well. But when the breeze dies or you need to maneuver around the docks, a 39-hp Yanmar saildrive in each hull will push the boat with ease. LeopardCatamarans.com

Length: 42'6" | Beam: 13'10" | Draft: 3'3" | Fuel: 180 gal. | Water: 80 gal. | Waste: 50 gal. | Weight: 22,500 lb.

Proa or cat? To the outsider, the Aspen looks just like any other power catamaran. But take a closer look and you'll notice that the starboard hull is about 30 percent wider than the port hull. Instead of having two engines, the Aspen has only one — in the starboard hull. To prevent the boat from turning in circles, the boat has a narrower port hull, and thus less hull drag, so the boat tracks straight. The standard Volvo 330-hp motor uses less than 2 gallons of fuel per hour when cruising at 8 knots, but if you want, the boat can top out at close to 20 knots.

The helm of the Aspen C120 is outfitted with two Stidd chairs.

The generous beam means there's room for two double cabins, each with its own head compartment, plus a single, which shares a head with the guest double. The saloon is where you'll spend most of your time, though, and thanks to the generous beam, there's plenty of living space. The helm is forward to starboard and has Stidd chairs for captain and mate, while aft is the dinette and wraparound settee. The galley is to port, ahead of the door to the cockpit, which has a ladder to the flybridge.

Sailing Cruisers

What could be more exhilarating than skimming across the water as your boat heels in the breeze? Modern sailing cruisers incorporate advanced rigging designs to make them easier to sail, and larger yachts often feature spacious galleys and cabins, larger social areas in the cockpit, and creature comforts.

Beneteau Oceanis 41.1

Length: 40'9" | Beam: 13'9" | Draft: 7'2" or 5'7" depending on keel choice | Fuel: 53 gal. | Water: 63 gal. | Waste: 25 gal. | Weight: 20,000 lb.

Unveiled for the first time to the U.S. market at the 2016 Miami International Boat Show, the Oceanis 41.1 is a great example of a modern, midsized sailing yacht. Twin wheels, split backstays, a chine crease, and an opening transom that turns into a generous swim platform have become commonplace in recent years, and they're here on this latest from French builder Beneteau.

The cockpit is wide and ideal for socializing. The rig is easily handled with all lines leading aft. With the port and starboard sheet winches close to the two wheels for the convenience of the person driving, the boat could be single-handed without too much trouble. The foresail is self-tacking, so bringing the boat about is as simple as it gets. The mainsheet sits clear of the cockpit on top of a large arch, keeping the cockpit free of lines.

The Beneteau Oceanis 41.1 has a sleek European feel both on deck and below.

There are a number of options for accommodations below, depending on the owner's desire, but there's no getting away from the sleek European feel to this yacht, which is apparent as soon as one descends the companionway. A 45-hp Yanmar sits below the companionway steps, which should provide plenty of power to push the boat to hull speed when the wind fails to cooperate. Beneteau.com/us

Morris Yachts M42

Length: 42'3" | Beam: 11'3" | Draft: 6'11" to 5'0" depending on keel choice | Fuel: 40 gal. | Water: 50 gal. | Waste: 25 gal. | Weight: 16,250 lb.

There's a popular bumper sticker that says, "Life is too short to own an ugly boat." No one will ever call the M42 ugly. Designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built to order by Morris Yachts in Maine, the M42 looks elegant from any angle.

Rather than squeeze in as much accommodation as possible belowdecks, the M42 is more about spending time enjoying the surroundings as you slice through the water on this yacht. Morris refers to the M42 as a coastal cruiser. With bunks, the galley, and the head below, the M42 is set up to be sailed by a couple or even a singlehander for days or extended weekends on the water.

The M42 has a perfect setup for singlehanders or couples alike.

All control lines, sheets, and halyards have been led under covers to control/winch pods in the cockpit, within easy reach of the helmsman, leaving the deck clear and safe. There are no stanchions or lifelines to detract from those curves, and the carbon-fiber mast and light composite construction ensure that the boat performs well, even in light airs. For dead-calm moments, the three-cylinder Yanmar saildrive fitted with a bronze folding prop will get you back to the dock. MorrisYachts.com

Power Cruisers

Buy a power cruiser longer than 40 feet and you are likely to get some serious luxury for your money. Unlike trawlers, which may feature equally well-appointed interiors, power cruisers often have planning hulls and larger motors so if you want to get some place in a hurry these boats could be the choice for you.

Sea Ray 450 Sundancer

Length: 46'8" | Beam: 14'2" | Draft: 4'0" | Fuel: 375 gal. | Water: 120 gal. | Waste: 42 gal. | Weight: 33,500 lb.

Like the Regal 53, the Sea Ray 450 Sundancer has a glass door at the rear of the saloon, with the main living spaces all on the same level. There are so many windows on the main deck that Sea Ray actually refers to this as a sunroom rather than saloon. A retractable sunroof lets in even more light and air. Power comes from a pair of Cummins 550-hp diesel engines, with the option of either V-drives or Zeus pod drives.

The Sea Ray 450 Sundancer has a full-width master and other high-end appointments such as a media room that can accommodate a 50-inch flat-screen television.

Accommodations below include a full-width master. Although Sea Ray uses darker trim woods, the interior of the boat is light thanks to large windows below that can hardly be called ports. Other features that give the boat an air of sophistication include solid surface counters in the galley and heads, glass-bowl vanities, and an optional outdoor kitchen and grill adjacent to the swim platform. Want to catch up on the game? The 450 comes with a 50-inch flat-screen TV in a dedicated media room. SeaRay.com

Regal 53 Coupe

Length: 53'0" | Beam: 15'4" | Draft: 4'7" | Fuel: 450 gal. | Water: 100 gal. | Waste: 52 gal. | Weight: 36,000 lb.

The largest model in the Regal lineup, the 53 Coupe is all about entertaining and having fun on the water. Like other luxury coupe manufacturers, Regal adopted a design featuring the cockpit and saloon on one level. Large glass doors at the rear of the cabin slide out of the way, joining the saloon and cockpit into one large, seamless area — perfect for large gatherings.

The Regal 53 Coupe has spacious accommodations as well as a transom garage with tender with electric outboard motor.

There is plenty of room below decks, and the large transom door opens up to reveal a garage replete with tender with electric outboard motor. Interior accommodations are bright and airy thanks to large hull side windows, a sliding saloon roof, and the aft glass door. The boat has two large staterooms with queen beds, with the option of adding a third cabin with bunk beds.

The large engine room with standing headroom will be appreciated by those who check and maintain the pair of 550-hp MAN diesels. Instead of conventional shafts, the engines are linked to Zeus pod drives, which save space and eliminate the need for thrusters. RegalBoats.com 

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Contributing Editor, BoatUS Magazine

A marine surveyor and holder of RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certification, BoatUS Magazine contributing editor Mark Corke is one of our DIY gurus, creating easy-to-follow how-to articles and videos. Mark has built five boats himself (both power and sail), has been an experienced editor at several top boating magazines (including former associate editor of BoatUS Magazine), worked for the BBC, written four DIY books, skippered two round-the-world yachts, and holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest there-and-back crossing of the English Channel — in a kayak! He and his wife have a Grand Banks 32.

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Best Sport Fishing Boats

• By Marlin Staff
• Updated: May 2, 2019

Who doesn’t like to look at sleek, gorgeous sport fishing boats? Even those who’ll never have the means to purchase one or ever feel the need to venture offshore in pursuit of blue-water species love to stop and ogle the big pretty sport-fisher at the end of the dock. Gleaming bright work, rich teak and lines that seem to stretch on for days captivate anyone with a touch of saltwater in their veins.

But sport fishing boats haven’t always looked the way they do today. In the not-so-distant past (our sport is barely more than 70 years old), sport-fishers were more or less working boats, and they looked like it. The need to go farther and faster in pursuit of bigger fish or more productive waters slowly pushed builders to the edge of the technological capabilities of the time. Any changes that came about were rooted in competition — one guy wanted to go farther faster and catch more fish than the other guy.

While that may sound simple, it takes a special character to start experimenting with a sport fishing yacht that might cost several times one’s annual salary, with no real way of knowing if something is going to work until it splashes in the water. Of course, sport fishing boat manufacturers now can use computer-aided design software to make models and run simulations that take a lot of the guesswork out of the process, but boatbuilding is still a fine art, which makes each and every builder an artist.

So here’s a glimpse into what makes 30 of the top boatbuilding artists in our industry tick and how they go about creating one masterpiece after another.

The entire coastline of North Carolina enjoys a long fishing tradition, so it’s no wonder that the state has spawned an enormous number of boatbuilders. Albemarle Sportfishing Boats started building boats in 1978 after Scott Harrell, a Ford tractor dealer, started vacationing and fishing in Hatteras Village, North Carolina. He eventually started selling boats as well, but even so, he wasn’t satisfied with what was available on the market at that time. The rough waters tore apart most of the trailer boats that Harrell sold and fished on, so he decided that he wanted to build a boat that would take a beating and still provide a dry, comfortable ride.

Burch Perry, Albemarle’s general manager and Harrell’s grandson, says that while the company may have left trailer boats behind, they still build boats that are meant to last.

“We are on our 35th year, and we are still a pretty traditional builder when it comes to the construction techniques we use on our boats,” Perry says. “The materials have got a lot better and much stronger. We still build our boats to fish comfortably and to last a long time. In fact, a lot of times we find ourselves trying to sell a new Albemarle to someone and competing with one of our boats that we built years ago.”

Although Albemarle builds boats from 24 to 41 feet, in recent years the company has focused on boats in the upper end of its range — vessels from 36 to 41 feet. “Even though the outboards have gotten bigger and more economical, we felt it would be better for us to build more of our larger boats,” Perry says. “We like the diesel inboard power because we believe it provides the best fishing platform since you don’t have to fish around an outboard. We think the pod drives are really cool, but they are bit cost prohibitive in our size range. We will build you a boat with pods if you prefer them, but we think that we will continue to see a big demand for shaft-driven inboards.”

New owner Scott McLaughlin purchased the company from Brunswick several years ago after admiring the brand for years. “He definitely wants to continue the brand’s legacy and see it carry on,” Perry says. “And his ownership allows us to do just that.”

Since 1992, when Dominick LaCombe teamed up with the Chouest family to create American Custom Yachts Inc., the company has focused on building boats that can really scoot. The first ACY that Marlin reviewed back in 1994 topped out at 50 mph — incredibly fast by even today’s standards. Today, the company is still going strong, building super-fast boats built to match the specific needs of each customer.

“It’s extremely important to get to know your customers and find out exactly how they plan on using their boats,” LaCombe says. “It’s good to know how they are going to be traveling and what kind of accommodations will be needed for crew and guests. Some customers might come in here and say that they want a 60-footer that they can travel the world in. I might have to tell them that if they made the boat a bit bigger, that they would have better range, more overall efficiency and room to carry spare parts. With our extensive fishing experience, we can give an owner a list of pros and cons concerning all aspects of the boat, and between us, we can usually come up with the best scenario that matches how they want to use it,” LaCombe says. “Every bit of input we can get from the mates, captains, etc., helps us match up the right boat to fit the owner’s needs.”

LaCombe says his customers usually have a pretty extensive knowledge of boatbuilding, so it makes his job a little easier. “You get to really know these people after seeing them around at the boat shows and tournaments. We never build the same boat twice, so we listen to our customers’ ideas and incorporate them whenever possible. From the first time I meet a potential customer, sometimes a year goes by before we sit down and sign a contract. And it should take that long. The customer should check out everybody and look at all the options out there. I prefer a well-educated customer.”

Most of the boats featured in these pages, while exceptional sport-fishers, were never built to be full-time, working charter boats. Private owners who travel extensively to fish in remote areas have a totally different set of needs than the average charter-boat captain who’s more concerned about staying efficient and being able to fish hard in any kind of weather. Capt. Buddy “BC” Cannady, one of the B’s in BB Boats Inc. (the other being Billy Maxwell) has built more than 132 boats, and some of them have been chartering for a long time. Tuna Duck, Cannady’s oldest boat and one that has been chartering for 35 years, does 150 trips a year or more with Capt. Dan Rokes at the helm. Another BB boat Trophy Hunter was in second place at the Pirates Cove Big Game Tournament at the time this article was being written.

Maxwell met Cannady during the winter in 1989, when Maxwell was repairing a torn-up boat. “After I finished the boat, he asked me to come to work for him during the winter of 1990 because I had worked so hard on that first boat,” Maxwell says. “We became partners in 1999 and built my brother-in-law David Graham the Easy Rider.”

While Cannady has 36 boats at more than 50 feet under his belt, 23 of those were built under the BB partnership with Maxwell.

“The cool thing about working with Buddy is that it’s always been a wintertime project, providing four or five months of work for the working captains and mates that have to quit fishing,” Maxwell says. “Everybody who works in our shop is either a captain, mate or involved in the commercial fishing industry. All of our guys know how to fish and where to put things. They are all experienced watermen … Buddy is a legend. It’s been a pleasure to work with him.”

And both men take pride in the fact that they work on the boats as well. “We have our hands on everything — and that’s the way we like it,” Maxwell says. “Our first priorities are economy, safety and ease of use. We want you to be able to make it back safely, hose the boat off and go again the next day.” As an added bonus, a BB can hit 30 knots while burning just 60 gph — you can’t beat that.

Bertram Yacht got its start in 1960, when Richard Bertram began racing and winning on an experimental hull called Moppie. That hull went on to anchor one of the most successful sport-fishing models of all time, the legendary 31 Bertram. The company went on to build just fewer than 13,000 boats in its 53-year history, expanding the line and making more history with iconic fishing hulls like the 54 and 60 Bertram.

“We build saltwater sport-fishing boats,” President Alton Herndon says. “And that means we focus on the fishability, ride, speed and comfort on every boat that leaves this facility. Our customers go to sea often enough that they are sometimes going to get caught in rough sea conditions; we build boats that will bring them home.”

Bertram Yacht recently relocated from the Miami area north to Merritt Island, Florida. “It’s been a very good move for us,” Herndon says. “We had outgrown the Miami facility in terms of the size of the boats we could build and launch there. We had to lift our 80-footers over the buildings on a crane to launch them into the canal, so it just didn’t make any sense to stay down there.”

Bertram also benefited from the huge number of skilled boat builders in the Merritt Island area, and Herndon says that they have on file more than 2,000 applications without advertising. “We’ve got a wonderful team here, and the folks we’ve hired were selected from this large group of applicants. It’s really a wonderful area.”

But that’s not to say that everyone is new. Herndon says that quite a few employees made the move to Merritt Island and that the total Bertram team averages 15 years of experience per employee in the boatbuilding business.“They know their jobs, and they know them well, and the quality of the product reflects that. I’m very proud of our team,” he says.

“The other side of being a successful boatbuilder is to take care of your customer after the sale. And that’s actually the most enjoyable part — spending time on the water with them and getting to the know them. We design and build our boats for their intended use, so who better to learn from than our customer?”

John Bayliss made a pretty big splash in the sport-fishing world in 2002 when he opened up his shop in Wanchese, North Carolina. Like so many builders before him, Bayliss started his career as a fisherman before moving on to boatbuilding. One of his early side trips, a stint as the factory captain at Hatteras Yachts, opened his eyes to a whole different world of boatbuilding and gave him a bunch of good ideas that he would one day incorporate into his own line of gorgeous sport-fishers.

“Boatbuilding is a lot like an arms race,” Bayliss says. “You build a boat with all these good ideas in it, and someone sees those features and says those are great, but how about this, this and this? So then you incorporate those ideas, and it just keeps growing from there. The owners who are really into fishing, like we are, come up with excellent ideas. So it’s a never-ending cycle to make the next boat better than the last one.”

Bayliss says that a passion for the sport and building boats is one of the main reasons behind his success.

“My employees are as passionate about fishing and boatbuilding as I am,” he says. “They might be out with their wife at dinner, but you can be sure that they are thinking about a fix for a little problem on the boat they are working on. Our guys take that level of commitment and creativity to the next level. Creativity fosters more creativity. If the people you surround yourself with share the same passion, then you are going to be successful — and that goes for fishing, football, just about anything,” he says.

“We are extremely committed and will stop at nothing to make sure that we will build the very best sport-fishing boat that we can build. I’m very competitive with myself, and my people are right there with me. If we make a mistake or see something that we need to make better, then we will make it right. We are way more particular than even our owners,” Bayliss says. “Boatbuilding is, in a lot of ways, just like fishing -— you’re not going to make a ton of money doing it, but it sure is a pretty dang cool way to make a living. Between fishing and boatbuilding, I don’t feel like I’ve ever really had real job yet.”

Like most boatbuilders in North Carolina, Capt. Sunny Briggs got his start working during the winter months in the yard for some of the area’s legendary boatmen, such as Capt. Omie Tillet and Capt. Sheldon Midgett. In fact, Capt. Buddy Davis and Briggs worked side-by-side under Midgett until Briggs broke off to start his own shop in his backyard in 1982.

“We all started out the same way, charter fishing during the spring and summer and then boatbuilding in the winter,” Briggs says. “I was mate for 13 years before I started running boats. That was my whole life … I didn’t do anything else but go to school and fish.

“Most of my customers come to me with a size of boat that they are already interested in, so I’ll sit down with them and draw something up to see what we can put into a boat that size,” he says. “We’ll calculate the range and speed and go from there. Many people think that they can get away with a more reasonable price by building a 50 versus a 60, but that’s not really the case. Those two boats have the same equipment, pretty much the same horsepower, with a bit more fuel and water on the 60. We haven’t added much that would make the price go up. The most reasonably priced part of the boat is the hull. So if you can add a couple of the feet to the hull to get a better running surface and riding surface and pick up a bit more room on the inside, then you are far ahead of the game.”

Briggs says that his 61 or 62 is his favorite size. It doesn’t have excessive power, provides a nice space for entertaining, a big cockpit, and he can still achieve a great look that is appealing to the customer. In his opinion, the 61-footer even rides better than smaller sizes, such as a 57 or 58.

“I look back to the Johnny Harm days, and all the really good guys had a wooden boat and diesel engines. And when the Cummins diesel first came out, you’d seldom saw any of the greats going around in anything other than a wooden hull — it’s just a better ride,” Briggs says.

In 1988, Henry Morschladt and Michael Howarth sold their iconic sailboat company, Pacific Seacraft, deciding to build what they thought would be the premier sport-fishing yacht on the market. In 1991, Cabo launched its Ed Monk-designed 35-foot flybridge model. Immediately, the marketplace saw a new standard, and the bar was set high. Offshore anglers couldn’t believe that sailors had designed the boat. Several of what would become Cabo’s signature features caught their eyes, including oversize custom hinges, molded-in bait tanks with the first windows to turn the lighted livewell into an aquarium, fully gel-coated bilges and spacious interiors. In addition, the wiring and plumbing runs were true works of art.

In August 2013, Versa Capitol Management, a private equity investment firm with $1.3 billion of assets, purchased Hatteras and Cabo Yachts. Cabo/Hatteras president and CEO John Ward, a 24-year marine executive whose experience includes Boston Whaler and Mercury Marine, will continue to lead the Hatteras/Cabo team.

“Three things define Cabo,” Ward says. “Fishability, the highest quality components like hinges and hardware, and wiring and plumbing that have no peers.”

Other changes have come along as well. A redesigned hull now runs smoother and drier. Overall, Cabo’s sea-keeping ability is vastly improved compared to the first hull. Fortunately, the public took notice of these small, well-built sport-fishers, and they’ve become extremely popular throughout the Gulf states and abroad. “This is a tough segment, suffering huge declines with the advent of big outboards,” Ward says. “Fortunately, the Cabo brand still has an incredible following all over the world and is going strong.”

Morschladt and Howarth pioneered many of today’s styling and construction advances, Ward says. “We’re still waiting to define any new direction our new owners feel necessary.”

Like Pacific Seacraft before it, Cabo’s customer service philosophy has always had the goal of “out-servicing” its competition, no matter what it takes. With Cabo, warranty claims became painless. And it shows in every customer loyalty brand survey.

Ward feels Cabo’s service has never been better. “We treat the two brands the same when it comes to customer service,” he says. “Except in Cabo’s case, I think we are better today, since the boat is now built on the East Coast, and we have our service facility down in Fort Lauderdale, [Florida]. We can react more quickly and efficiently. Plus, when necessary, we’ll get on a plane to fix it.”

Ira Trocki, a cosmetic surgeon with a passion for boating, created a company that builds some of the most iconic sport-fishing brands in the business. One of the iconic names that Trocki still honors with his builds is Buddy Davis, who died at the age of 62 in January 2011.

Like many builders in the Dare County, North Carolina, tradition, Davis Yachts builds custom Carolina boats. These are purpose-built boats with sharp entries and exaggerated bow flares to meet the strong currents of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, and the often rough seas of the Gulf Stream.

“Buddy Davis designed boats to handle huge head seas, to perform in a following sea like it is riding on rails and yet be stable on all points,” Trocki says. “The beautiful bow flare isn’t just for looks. The spray from the knife-sharp bow gets blocked by the flare, so it’s beautiful but functional.

“We build each Buddy Davis by hand,” Trocki says. “But we use all the latest technology. In fact, we are more advanced than many, as we employ a resin-infusion process for each hull.” The gelcoat is sprayed onto the mold, and then multidirectional fiberglass, Divinycell composite foam coring and more fiberglass is laid — dry — into the mold. “We cover the entire mold in a vacuum bag and then draw the resin from one end of the mold to the other. This makes for an exact resin-to-glass ratio while eliminating any and all air pockets. It is the most perfect laminate you can muster. It makes for an extremely light, strong and stiff hull. There’s no wood in a Buddy Davis hull,” Trocki says.

And while it gets a lot of lip service in the industry, at Buddy Davis, customer service truly does take priority. “We go a step above just making it important,” Trocki says. “One of our customers had an engine problem on July Fourth. Of course, the engine company didn’t answer its phones. The customer called us and said that he had eight people coming from afar to spend the holiday and was terribly disappointed he couldn’t use his boat. The president of Buddy Davis, Bob Weidhaas, himself a mechanic by trade, left his family’s events and drove two-and-a-half hours to the customer’s home to personally fix the engine.”

Trocki is also a Buddy Davis owner. “Like other owners, I want to be able to look out at my boat and enjoy it as piece of art … except mine can run 40 knots.”

_— Dean Travis Clarke _

In 1987, Jim Floyd and a friend decided to build a strong, seaworthy sport-fishing yacht based on the variable-deadrise running surface of Floyd’s old 23-foot Seacraft. “I grew up fishing on a 23 Seacraft,” Floyd says. “Coincidentally, the patents on its hull design ran out just about the time that I wanted to build my first boat, so I adapted the Seacraft bottom for larger hulls.”

After 10 years of designing and modeling, Floyd built his first yacht in a barn in Delaware. That boat, the 59-foot Fin-Ally, had perhaps the most unique bottom in the genre, complete with longitudinal steps for improved tracking and roll stability. To date, F&S has built more than 20 large sport-fishing yachts for its truly satisfied owners.

“I want to build the strongest boat I possibly can,” Floyd says. “The ride should be the same — the best possible. Our stepped bottom is superior to other designs on every point of performance.” F&S customers become friends because Floyd pays attention and treats them fairly. “I try to build as much boat as I can for the money allotted,” he says.

Floyd has created boats ranging from his smallest — a 36-foot center console with twin outboards — to his largest so far — a 75-foot convertible currently under construction. All F&S boats consist of cold-molded hulls with Corecell topsides.

F&S occasionally pushes the design envelope, taking lines to a more modern place. However, it also builds exquisitely traditional sport-fishermen. Though he has built one 50-footer with IPS pod drives, Floyd says, “We actually tend to stick with the tried and true on at least 50 percent of the technology decisions. Certainly we use advanced technology like honeycomb and composites for construction. But for other systems, like power, electronics and the like, we generally opt for the tried and true that we know will perform well and last.

“We have all raised the standards over the last ten years. I’d be behind the eight ball if I didn’t keep up,” Floyd says. “We step forward and embrace the latest and greatest — but with hesitation. After all, ultimately, we answer to the customer.”

Floyd also has a refreshingly realistic take on customer service. “We have a warranty,” he says. “However, with that said, we have never turned our back on any problem on any boat anywhere in the world. I have three guys who can be on a plane in no time. We are a microscopic-size business on the global scale. We can’t afford a single unhappy owner.

Like a lot of boat companies, Gamefisherman got its start when one man saw a need and decided to fill it. While working for Rybovich, Mike Matlack noticed that a lot of people were interested in buying a smaller-size day boat. “Nobody was building them,” he says. “I felt that there was still a demand for little 37-footers, so I left Rybovich, and the first Gamefisherman, a 40-foot flybridge, rolled out in 1986.”

Eventually, Matlack expanded the line, going both bigger and smaller, but he never got away from his true purpose: building smaller, nimble sport-fishing machines. In 2006, he moved the operation to Stuart, Florida. “We still build the smaller boats,” he says. “Everybody else is building 80-footers. I don’t want to get into that market. That’s what they make Holiday Inns for. Our boats are first and foremost fishing boats. There are guys who will build you a nice fish boat slash condo, but our boats are fishing boats. We are trying to start a mothership operation, since it just makes more sense. If you are traveling, it’s better to have the mothership. An 80-footer can get there, but when the boat gets there and the boat has to go fishing, where are your nonfishing guests going to go? They have to get off. With the mothership, the game boat goes fishing and everyone who wants to stay back can relax on the mothership.”

Matlack uses cold-molded, composite construction in his boats, which allows him to build a different boat for every customer. “If somebody walks in here and wants a 39, 46 or 62, I can build it because I’m not using a mold,” he says.

As far as game boats go, only a handful of boats share Gamefisherman’s reputation for nimbleness. “Our boat’s handle very well,” Matlack says. “That’s one of the things we really work at. They are as fast as we can reasonably make them, and they back up and spin real well. We have large cockpits … I build the boats from the back end forward. Out of the 17 40s that exist, there’s only one here in the States, and the rest are all in the hottest fishing spots: three in Panama, Guatemala, Hawaii, etc. They all end up where the serious fishing guys want to be.”

Peter Landeweer comes from a large fishing family that started out fishing for giant bluefin tuna up and down the East Coast on a 53 Hatteras. The growing family soon outpaced the Hatteras and decided to design and build its own boat, a 67-footer they named Snow Goose. “Garlington came up for sale in 1993, and that’s how we got into the boat business,” Landeweer says.

Richard Garlington started building boats in the mid ’80s, and his boats’ low profiles, clean lines and rounded edges immediately began to turn heads. Landeweer liked the look as much as anyone. “We like the timeless, traditional look -— a boat from 20 years ago doesn’t look old if it has the traditional sport-fish look,” he says. “There’s a certain style that you have to stick with — the S-shear, the split shear — you can’t change it too much. But just like the basic design of the fighting chair, you can make things a bit prettier, but the design doesn’t change much at all. And it really doesn’t need to in my opinion. A lot of people copy the lines of the Garlingtons.”

Landeweer says that the 61 is their most popular model, but that with the new power options now available, the smaller boats like the 44 are starting to make more sense. “You can get 1,400 horsepower out of a 12-cylinder now, which gives you plenty of power in a much smaller and lighter package,” he says. “We started building our 49-footer due to all of the resorts being built everywhere. Why do you need a huge boat when you just leave boat at the end of the day and go stay in an apartment? I’ve built three 80-footers, and most guys still get off the boat.”

Garlington Landeweer utilizes an all-composite, vacuum-bagged, wet-laminate construction. “There’s not a single piece of wood in the construction of the boat,” Landeweer says. “I like the composite. We are not the lightest, but we are stronger. Everybody does it their own way. All of our boats are molded in a female mold.

“We are not the fastest boats either, but we are right up there. We might be the softest-riding. It’s more important to me how she runs in a head sea, since it’s not always calm when you want to go out fishing.”

Willis Slane dreamed about a boat he could use to fish the rough conditions around Hatteras, North Carolina. He heard about a new material called fiberglass and contacted a young West Palm Beach, Florida, naval architect named Jack Hargrave. Together, they designed a 41-foot trunk cabin sport-fisherman with a 14-foot beam, powered by a pair of 275 hp Lincoln V-8s. She boasted a projected top speed of 30 knots. On March 22, 1960, the first Hatteras Yacht, Knit Wits, was christened.

Hatteras went on to greatness and survived a number of different owners, most recently Brunswick Corp. In August 2013, Versa Capitol Management, a private equity investment firm with $1.3 billion of assets, purchased Hatteras and Cabo Yachts.

“Both Hatteras and Cabo are cornerstone American brands in their respective markets, and both have been affected during the extended economic downturn,” Versa Capital CEO Gregory L. Segall says. “We see great opportunity to build value in these businesses, while retaining the expertise in engineering and Eastern Seaboard production that has given Hatteras/Cabo their well-earned reputations.”

Cabo/Hatteras president and CEO John Ward, a 24-year marine executive whose experience includes Boston Whaler and Mercury Marine, will continue to lead the Hatteras/Cabo team.

“Hatteras has always enjoyed a reputation as a capable, seaworthy boat,” Ward says. “One hallmark of the brand is that it never goes too light. All bottoms are solid fiberglass, some resin-infused and others hand-laid.

“I feel Hatteras sits in the middle of the technology boom. Resin infusion is one technology that we use that makes for a better laminate. Other examples include Seakeeper gyros for added stability at slow speeds and digital switching and breakers. I have no doubt that we will be employing more advanced technology in the future, as long as it differentiates us in the marketplace,” Ward says. “We don’t own an engine company, so we are fortunate that we can work with a variety of fabulous and responsive power suppliers. We rarely encounter problems with customer service there.”

Ward offers his formula for good customer relations. “What we need to do is make the process seamless and totally transparent. We need really good relationships with vendors. We need to step up and handle any vendor problems and then duke it out with those vendors ourselves rather than just handing it over to the customer,” he says.

— Dean Travis Clarke

When Jack Henriques immigrated to the United States in his 20s, he carried four generations of Portuguese boatbuilding experience with him. He founded Henriques Yachts Inc. in 1977 and quickly launched its first model, the Maine Coaster, a 35-foot downeast-style boat. Upon his death in 1997, Henriques passed the company on to his two daughters, Natalia and Maria, and his son-in-law Manny Costa.

“We are a small, semicustom boatbuilder that listens closely to our customers so that we can easily meet their needs. If you want a custom tackle center or a special interior feature, we can provide those things. We just launched a 50 footer — our biggest model — and we have a 42 under construction right now, which should be completed this spring,” Natalia Costa says.

“We build traditional sport-fishing boats used to fish the Northeast canyons, so our boats can make long runs and bring you back home. Our first boats were no-frills fishing boats, and although they are still strong and durable, we’ve grown out of the more plain interiors to much more nicely appointed staterooms. We’ve come along way since making the old Maine Coasters,” Natalia says.

Each Henriques is built to order, which opens up room to customize interiors and fishing packages. “If there is anything that can be customized, we will do it. We modify our interiors to fit the owners’ needs,” Manny Costa says.

The biggest distinguishing factor on a Henriques is the large cockpit. “We have the largest cockpits of any boats in our size,” Manny says. “The fishermen we build for require space in the two areas in which they spend the majority of their time. Our cockpits and engine rooms are the roomiest in the industry. Our 50-footer has a 210-square-foot cockpit.” This trend works its way down the line. The 42 Express offers 155 square feet of space in the pit.

As technology and building techniques improved over the years, the company philosophy remained the same. “Henriques has always been about building a safe, structurally sound vessel for the most demanding fishermen and the elements they brave when they tackle the sea,” Manny says. “Luckily, we’ve stayed very busy revamping our 50 and building our new 30 Express. We look forward to putting more sport-fishing boats out on the water.”

After charter fishing for a few years in North Carolina, Randy Ramsey decided that his old boat had had enough and began building himself a new one. “I was building the boat in a old pole barn with incandescent lighting and dirt floors,” Ramsey says. “Before I even finished it, a fellow came along and asked me if I could build him one just like it. I said sure. By 1993, we were on hull number 13 or 14. I had to sell my charter boat and start building boats full time. My life has really been a representation of the American dream. If you have a passion for something, you can still be successful.”

Jarrett Bay makes a true Carolina-style fishing boat, with a beautiful bow flare that appeals to a lot in the sport-fishing crowd. “Most of our buyers are pretty savvy, and we try to sell them much more than just a boat; we want to plant the idea of the great lifestyle that you can enjoy when owning one of our boats. We strive to build something that’s going to work for you,” Ramsey says. “If you don’t like me, then you shouldn’t build a boat here. Relationships are very important in the boatbuilding process, and we need to be friends and family. We want to be able to talk to the people and speak freely so that we build the exact boat that the customer needs.”

Ramsey hasn’t changed the way he builds his boats either. “We want a bulletproof hull, one that is probably a bit heavier than most,” he says. “We glass our hulls both inside and out, which makes the hulls a wooden-cored, fiberglass hull. The houses and interiors get foam coring to keep the weight down. We also like the very conspicuous Carolina look. You can trace our look and lineage back to Omie Tillet. They do have a lot more rake and a little less flare than they did at one time, but we still try to stay true to the Carolina look. We all want our boats to look like they are going 50 mph while they are sitting still … and we try hard to make sure that they do,” he says.

“We’ve been around for 27 years now, through a lot of ups and downs, so we know how important it is to service the customer after the sale — we want people to know that we will always be around to help them out,” Ramsey says.

Because of Jim Smith’s penchant for building racing boats in his early days, Jim Smith sport-fishing boats were, for a long time, looked at as primarily go-fast boats. Jim Smith Boats Inc. owner and president John Vance says that in the early days, a lot of folks were skeptical about using some of the brand new construction methods that were coming out at the time.

Always a pioneer, Smith originated cold-molded, lightweight construction while working at Monterey Boats, a big reason why he was able to take lot of unnecessary weight out of a boat. “We build an efficient boat,” Vance says. “I don’t even have to talk about the speed because that’s our reputation. It’s been a bit of plus for us that we’ve always been on the leading edge when it comes to increasing the size of boats as well. In 1981, we were building a 50-footer that many said was too big to fish from. Well, we just launched a 105. During the ’90s, when people were building 65s, we were building a 70. We’ve always been a little bit ahead in the market in the size game. If you are looking at building a big boat, our name kind of pops up.”

As with most builders, Vance is very cognizant of what his owners want and takes great pains to ensure that they get it. “These guys have usually owned a bunch of boats, and they like to take all the ideas that they’ve seen on their boats or their friends’ boats and incorporate them into a final package,” Vance says. “We listen and try to give them what they want. Sometimes we can’t due to engineering or structural concerns, but we sit down with a piece of paper and, with respect for their knowledge, make sure that they get what they came here for. Our reputation was built on speed performance, and that was what distinguished the company for many years. However, we went to using professional naval architects in the ’90s, and what that did was make our boats great sea boats. Now, we focus on ride quality in every aspect of the design and engineering of our boats.”

Like so many of his boatbuilding brethren, Paul Mann made his way in the world as a mate and captain fishing the rough seas out of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. So he knows what goes into making a good fishing boat.

“I design my own bottoms and understand what differences are needed to accommodate each owner’s individual fishing style,” Mann says. “A client who wants to fish eight hours a day in rough seas but doesn’t want the boat to roll dramatically requires a boat with less deadrise aft, so it’s stable. Conversely, running hard and long in rough water needs a different bottom with more deadrise and convexity for a smoother ride, but it will roll more in a beam sea. Either way, every Paul Mann boat runs perfectly in a following sea with virtually no yaw and very little lag on the back of a big wave. All my running surfaces have some degree of convexity for a better ride and less drag. I design boats that most closely meet an owner’s requirements without going too far in either direction, so they’re happy with the all-around performance.

“I also like to keep the client regularly informed about where the project stands budget-wise to avoid any and all surprises. Ultimately, my goal is to give my client a high-quality boat that does everything required, comes in on budget and on time,” he says.

Just because Mann comes from an old-school line of builders doesn’t mean he’s not quick to take advantage of the modern methods and techniques that will make his boats better. “Today, everyone wants to go faster and spend less,” he says. “With the price of fuel, you have to use advanced composites in your boat to make it lighter. As for the electronic and electrical gadgetry, I find that most times, it’s the owners who push that envelope further. I would prefer to go toward more conservative operating systems. With simple and functional systems, you rarely have issues.”

Mann enjoys great repeat business because he knows that the relationship doesn’t end with the sale. “Customer service is as important as building the boat,” Mann says. “When someone buys a Paul Mann boat, the service comes with it. Our boats often travel far from the Eastern Seaboard and out of the country. Service must follow that. We’ll fly our craftsmen anywhere the work needs to be done. I am always available to my owners and captains via email or phone.”

For the last 10 years, a small-boat company in Costa Rica has been producing exceptional little fishing boats in the 32- to 46-foot range that have won one tournament after another. (At one point several years ago, there were five Maverick boats in the top five at the Los Suenos Triple Crown. Dragon Fly, a 42 Maverick, won Los Suenos’ first leg and was named overall champion last year, then won the Presidential Challenge in Marina Papagayo, Costa Rica.) The company was started by Richard Lebo and Larry Drivon but was recently purchased from Lebo by Drivon and Gary Mumford, an expat who has been living in Costa Rica for the last 14 years. “Richard decided it was time to retire, and he went back to the States, so Larry and I decided to carry on,” Mumford says. “The company is 10 years old, and we’ve built 10 boats; we are working on 11 and 12 right now.”

Maverick boats not only look like the quintessential little sport-fisher, they perform like it too. “We build a light, super strong boat that’s made to fish every day,” Mumford says. “One of our boats, Spanish Fly, which was built in early 2004, has over 30,000 hours on it. We took a potential customer out on that boat the other day, and he was amazed how tight it still was — no squeaks, nice and quite still. These cold-molded boats will last forever when taken care of properly.”

Maverick is the process of retooling its shop and hired long-time Capt. Parker Bankston as shop foreman to oversee the new changes. Bankston has worked through several builds at the Viking Yachts plant and spent some time at Merritt’s Boat and Engine Works as well, so he’s spent a lot of time in the boatyard and knows how to build sport-fishers right. Bankston also runs the plant’s new computerized numerical control machine and is the head of new product development.

“We triple plank our hulls and stringers using a combination of Okoume plywood and laurel mahogany, but we are now building all our decks and houses with Divinycell core and using Alexseal coatings,” Mumford says. “We are also starting to get some good cooperation with engine manufacturers like Catepillar, Yanmar and Cummins, which are stepping up to the plate.” If you want a super tight fishing boat with a good value for your dollar, you’d be hard-pressed to find one better than a Maverick.

Few builders enjoy the decades-long reputation for excellence that Merritt’s Boat enjoys. The Merritt family moved to Pompano Beach, Florida, from Long Island, New York, in 1947, and opened the boat shop in 1948 in order to take care of the family’s charter boats. Soon, Merritt’s quality workmanship and high-level customer service thrust the company into the forefront of the South Florida boatbuilding boom.

“We are doing real good,” Roy Merritt says. “Business is as good as it’s ever been. We’ve built so many boats over the years that they keep coming back. We are working on hull 101 right now, and we’ve got four 86s and a 72 being built right now.”

Roy Merritt’s time in the business has shown him that you don’t want to mess around with the tried-and-true shape of a sport-fisher. “Most of our customers are second-boat guys, and we are usually going to build them a boat around what we have. If they want something that we aren’t comfortable with, then we won’t do it,” he says.

“There are a lot of man-hours that go into making things right; the boat had to look special and hold up. The boats we build now, with the new materials and composites, will be around for 100 years,” Roy Merritt says. “We have all these different materials going everywhere: composite hull, outside skins made of Kevlar and e-glass, carbon-fiber decks and carbon-fiber cores — we do everything we can to make them light and make them perform. Our 86 cruises 29 knots and burns 135 gph an hour … that’s the sweet spot for that hull. Other boats that size might burn another 40 or 50 gallons per hour to do the same speed. No matter how much money you have, you don’t want to waste fuel, so we do what we can to make them light. The length of the boats just seems to keep getting bigger. Traveling fishermen like the feel of their own mattress and have their favorite pillow — you don’t have to get another room onshore when you own one of our boats.

“I have a great job; it’s like I have a hobby shop where I can do all these experiments to try to make boats that are bigger, go faster and go farther,” Roy Merritt says.

The Leek family built the first Ocean Yacht, a 40-foot flybridge model, in 1977. Since then, they have christened hundreds of boats in the 40- to 70-foot range.

“Ocean Yachts are beautiful boats,” general manager John Leek IV says. “But we mean them to be comparatively more affordable than other brands.” Ocean has always prided itself on having many owner/operators in its stable rather than boats with professional hired captains and mates. “We design our boats so as to make [do-it-yourself] work as easy as possible for those owners who want that,” Leek says.

“We provide a high-quality finished product. We fill a niche where customers feel they’re getting great value for their dollar. Our design team has always had great taste, and our interiors have always spoken to women in a family. First and foremost, the interior design has to be functional. But then the materials must speak to women — they are warm and inviting. Selling a boat to a family is infinitely easier when the wife loves it too,” he says.

“In some instances, advanced technology is just not useful when you try to make an affordable boat,” he says. “Every element you install raises the price. While Ocean is early to embrace new technology, it still has to be sensible for the end user, be affordable and both simple to own and operate. We absolutely lean toward simplicity at Ocean Yachts. With that said, we will certainly customize any boat the way the owner wants it. Gone are the days of straight production. So I guess our philosophy is that we embrace the tried and true and simplicity.”

Obviously, no company that charges hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars for a product can simply kiss the customer goodbye after the sale. But Ocean seems to have struck an even-handed attitude toward customer service.

“Our customer service department isn’t 24 hours a day,” Leek says. “But we know our customers and their spouses — and even their children and dogs — by their first names. They have all our staff’s personal cellphone numbers, and they can call us directly. Our customer service is built on a personal relationship. If the dealer is able to help them, we encourage that. If not, we will respond immediately and resolve any issue.”

It’s funny how life can throw a few curveballs at you from time to time. John Patnovic, the new president and owner of Post Yachts, wound up buying the venerable boatbuilding company after a visit to the old Post plant to purchase some of its unused lumber. “The old owner of Post keeps his boat in my marina, so when I heard that they had a bunch of wood lying around, I went over to see if I could pick it up cheap,” Patnovic says. “I ended up buying the whole company –— my wife was thrilled.”

After the purchase, Patnovic moved the operation from New Jersey to Chestertown, Maryland, where he could keep a close eye on things. Now, he’s ready to start building boats. “We are all ready to go,” he says.

“Post has always been a build-to-order company, and we will remain that way,” he says. We can build hulls ranging from 42 to 66 feet, and we should have some coming together shortly. Our bet is that the boating industry is going to be a lot different than it was in past, and we think that a small, nimble custom manufacturer is going to have a place at the table. We can make any changes you want at a reasonable cost and will provide the finished boat at a more than reasonable cost.”

Although Post is an old name, that doesn’t mean it is stuck in the past when it comes to the building process. Post boats feature resin-infused hulls and a deck house with the same bottoms that made Post famous. “They were well-regarded and good sea boats, but the new ones will be a little bit lighter for more speed and bit more range. Everybody wants to go faster these days,” Patnovic says.

Post will continue to service its two primary customers, sport fishermen and cruisers. “We will continue to cater to both parties. If you want a hard-core fishing boat with cockpit freezers and tuna tubes, we can build it. We now have all the boats digitized and put into 3-D CAD programs, which allows us to easily add staterooms or make any changes whatsoever. Give us 24 hours, and we will give you a photograph of your new boat,” Patnovic says. “We have the ability to build a superior, proven boat at a great price. Everyone will have my personal attention because we are not going to be building a whole lot of them at once. We just want a shot at your next boat.”

After charter fishing for 16 years in Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, Ritchie Howell started building smaller boats in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Soon, he found himself hook-and-line commercial fishing with none other than Paul Spencer. “We put or money together on the first couple of boats we built … me, Billy Holton, Paul Spencer and Irving Forbes,” Howell says. Spencer eventually persuaded Howell that he had what it took to be a boatbuilder, so Howell started a shop of his own. “I had a lot of help,” Howell says. “I got to learn from a lot of great guys. I wasn’t a smartass to them, and I listened to what they had to say.”

That ability to listen, Howell says, also allows him to make a boat that will satisfy the customer. “The more details a potential owner can provide to me, the better the end result. It’s like Burger King: You can have it your way, but we have to know what they want,” he says.

“I’m confident can give someone the best product for their dollar. We build only yacht-quality boats, and it wasn’t like that when we started out. I’m not in a place where we can go back and build a charter boat, and we are very price competitive for a yacht-quality boat,” Howell says. “The things that set our boats apart are the performance and the ride. On the last five or six boats we’ve built, we’ve been able to build them with a sharp entry and a stabilizer that keeps the boat from rocking. It’s really the best of both worlds.”

Howell still prefers to build plywood and fiberglass hulls. “I really think that this combination makes the strongest hulls,” he says. “Everything else has Corecell core. I don’t just want to rely on foam for the hull. With that said, we are looking to maybe build an all carbon fiber boat. I think the attraction of the carbon fiber is its incredible strength-to-weight ratio. We should be able to build them bigger, with less power to make them even more efficient,” he says.

“Everything’s about speed and performance and fuel burn. Our boats are fast and burn half the fuel at the same speed of a production boat.”

Bob Roscioli began his 51 years in the boating industry by pumping gas as a dock boy at Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After several stints in various boatyards as a painter and prep man, Roscioli struck out on his own and started his own paint business. Roscioli built up the business and soon became known as one of the best brush painters around. “I went on to build some of the prettiest sport-fishers in the world, but I’m still known as painter,” Roscioli says.

Roscioli got into the boatbuilding business proper when he purchased the big boat division of Donzi in 1987 after seeing the 65 Donzi that Jack Staple and Dick Kent had built for themselves. “That big fiberglass boat with those big 1692 engines in it was an animal,” he says. “But they didn’t really know how to market it, so I decided to buy them out and give it go.” The rest is go-fast boating history.

Always a pioneer in going bigger and faster, Roscioli says he still feels that the most important thing to consider when heading into a boat is building a good relationship with the customer. “The first thing I want to find out is to see if there is a synergy between the buyer and our company,” he says. “We love building boats, and we want to have fun doing it. We want to make sure that the client who buys our boats feels like they are part of our family. The boats actually speak for themselves when it comes time to make the sale. I encourage our clients to ride on our boat and then ride on the others they are considering — our boat sells itself.” Besides their remarkable efficiency and speed, Roscioli boats are known for their exquisite fit and finish that extends to every part of the boat, including the engine room. “When we started building boats, going down into the engine room was a bit taboo … but I wanted to make an engine room that the ladies wouldn’t mind going into,” he says. “I saw a pair of show engines at the Detroit booth at one of the boat shows that sported a $20,000 metallic green paint job, so we were the first boats to have stand-up engines rooms and engines painted with urethane.”

Roscioli just introduced a new design called the Evolution, which will come in sizes ranging from 82 to 92 feet. “This boat is like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” Roscioli says. “This one is going to be for the brave people.”

Michael Rybovich and Sons Boat Works is the fulfillment of Michael Rybovich’s long-time dream. “We have a new family-run boatyard,” Rybovich says. “From the time we sold our yard in the ’70s, up until two and a half years ago, it was dream of mine to put the Rybovich family back into a boatyard. After a few twists and turns over the past several years, we finally got where we wanted to be.” Rybovich opened up a full-service and new construction yard in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, about 10 miles north of the old Rybovich facility.

It didn’t take long for the Rybovich name and reputation would work its magic. “We have two boats under construction right now and two more under letters of intent,” Rybovich says. “We are building custom, cold-molded sport-fishers just as we always have. We are a one-off builder that builds directly to the needs of each individual customer.”

Although Rybovich is an old name in boatbuilding, its newest build is a unique departure from the norm. “Our first hull out of this shop is a very interesting project — a 64-foot walkaround. We built two walkarounds in the ’80s and found them to be extremely practical, especially for sail fishing in the Palm Beach area. We have taken that concept to a three-stateroom, three-and-a-half bath sport-fisherman. It’s a really exciting project,” Rybovich says.

The company also has an 86-footer under construction. “It’s a more conventional flybridge sport-fish with as much power as we can put into it,” Rybovich says. “That boat is being built for one of our customers that has one of our boats right now. That kind of return business contributes greatly to the success of our yard. It’s a special thing when guys come back to you because they were happy with the first project and relationship that you have built together.”

Rybovich strives to build boats that perform at a superior level in all sea conditions, and the quality of the workmanship has to be top notch. “We like to think that our fit and finish is second to none. It’s one thing to develop a reputation for quality, but it’s another thing all together to be able to maintain that level of quality. We can do that, and that’s essentially why we are still here,” he says.

Born in the small fishing village of Wanchese, North Carolina, Ricky Scarborough Sr. did what seemed natural: commercial fishing, hunting and building boats. Boats and boating were not just a hobby but a way of life. Determining what made a boat sit the way it does in the water, ride the way it should and look the way it should all but consumed him.

In 1977, Scarborough, in need of a worthy vessel to commercial fish in but without the funds to purchase one, built his own in the downstairs portion of his home. When he began, a fellow fisherman approached Scarborough and asked to purchase the boat, but Scarborough needed it for the summer season. He agreed to sell it come fall and then began another. That was the start of more than 32 years and 80 custom projects from 25 to 85 feet, with the majority between 50 and 75. No one in North Carolina — and few anywhere else — have built more custom projects over the same time period.

In 1993, Ricky Scarborough Jr. came to work for his father after receiving a business degree from East Carolina University, and he has been building boats ever since. Ricky Jr. believes in taking the Scarborough boat to a new level while keeping the legacy and quality of what puts Scarborough boats in a league of their own. “Our boats have more traditional Carolina lines, and we can look back at 30 years of experience to help keep us on the right path. We’ve been in the same spot for over 30 years with a really low overhead. That allows us to provide a good value per dollar without sacrificing quality,” Ricky Jr. says.

“A custom boat build is as much about the relationship with customer as it as about the end product. I try hard to make the building process as easy and as pleasant as possible,” Ricky Jr. says. “With the flexibility provided by the cold-molding process, the customer can really get involved in every aspect of the build, and it wasn’t always that way. If you like the boats that we’ve put out, if you like they way they look, if you like the way they ride and you like working with us, then we are going to make a great boat together. I never take it for granted that there might not be another customer coming along, so we try to make our customers very happy.”

Few builders enjoy the reputation that Paul Spencer has earned over his long career, both as a charter captain and premier boatbuilder. Spencer got into the business like many of his North Carolina contemporaries — by building a boat of his own to go charter fishing. He’d grown up looking at the boats built by Buddy Davis, Omie Tillet and the rest, and since his father-in-law at the time was Sheldon Midgett, it was just a natural evolution for him to try his hand on his own boat. That first boat performed so well that he immediately began getting orders for more.

But even though Spencer comes from a strong North Carolina background, his boats are a bit of a departure from the style. “We have a little bit of a different look,” Spencer says. “Our boats tend to be a bit leaner and longer than most. This creates the look that we like and also helps them perform really well. I got to visit a lot of the shops up here as I was coming up, so I got to see what they were doing. I also liked some of the things I saw coming out of Florida, so I started mingling the ideas a little bit. Taking a bit of the bow flare out, lowering the bow, making my own style.” The marriage between the two styles proved to be an unmitigated success, and Spencer is now working on hull number 95.

“It’s really important that when we start a build that we sit down with the client to find out just what they plan on doing with the boat,” Spencer says. “I might ask them what kind of accommodations they may need and where they plan on taking the boat to fish. If they need four staterooms and three heads, then that means it’s going to be a pretty long boat for me … a 66- to 69-footer. The challenge is building a boat that will go as fast as the client wants to go and still have enough space for all the fuel they need to have a good range. Over the years, we’ve found ways to use every bit of space, including building integrated fuel tanks instead of metal ones.

“The second challenge is to get all the equipment on the boat that the client wants and still stick to your budget. They all start out with a budget, but when they see some of the stuff out there that they can get, they can get excited and want it all. Since the build represents this person’s dream boat, we try to make sure they get what they want,” Spencer says.

Tribute Performance Boats’ lineage starts with Rich Scheffer Sr., who was the foreman at Jim Smith until Smith passed away. Scheffer started Tribute in Smith’s memory 21 years ago. The quest for performance, one of the key ingredients in a Tribute, started in those early days when rocket ships were offered by only a few builders in South Florida. “Only a few guys were able to build a 40-plus knot sport-fish in those days without the benefit of advanced composites and today’s bigger horsepower engines,” Scheffer says. “Not only were these early Tributes fast, but they also caught fish and traveled the globe extensively when only a few boats were doing it. For example, in 1997 the Manleys caught one of the first-ever fantasy slams on the 58 Tribute Escapade in Venezuela, catching a blue, white, swordfish, sailfish and spearfish.

“Each Tribute is built with a purpose and posses her own distinct personality since we start with a clean sheet of paper. It all starts with the wish list and a good understanding of how your boat will be used and where it will go,” Scheffer says.

Tribute has indeed produced some boats that vary greatly in personality — from the more contemporary 72-foot Alican to the spaced-age 86 enclosed-bridge Double Down. With many in the fleet measuring more than 70 feet, the larger Tributes are built with the plan to travel extensively, stay on the troll and follow the fish without coming back to home port for major service for years. Superb engineering and longevity is something on which Tribute prides itself, and that becomes pretty apparent when you step into one of its engine rooms.

“We are a family business at Tribute and have grown to be very close to our owners throughout the years — over half of our owners have built two or more boats with us,” says Rich Scheffer Jr., the founder’s son and the man now leading the construction efforts alongside industry veteran Dennis Close. “We even have a few boats running around with nearly 20,000 hours on them. Constant improvement and seeking out new innovative processes is something we pride ourselves on, so our boats will last as long as you will love them.”

The Healey family started building boats in New Gretna, New Jersey, in 1964, when brothers Bill and Bob Healey purchased Peterson-Viking Builders. Forty-nine years later, the company enjoys a stellar reputation as one of the premier production builders in the world. However, just a glance at any Viking on the dock tells you that Viking Yachts is much more than a typical production boat company. In fact, its boats are about as custom as you can get in many respects.

“Basically, the first thing I want to get across to our customers is that we are boatbuilders; I’ve grown up doing only one thing in life. I live it, eat it and sleep it, and so do all of our managers,” executive vice president Pat Healey says. “We all started young as a team, and we apprenticed under some of the great ones like Bruce Wilson. Guys like Lonni Rutt, our [vice president] of engineering; and David Wilson, the man in charge of new product development; Bill Gibbons, our propulsion man; and Ryan Higgins, our company captain, are all very involved in the design and engineering of our boats. It’s all about the people and having the proper team together … most of them are 20-plus-year employees of Viking.”

One thing that’s remarkable about Viking is its incredible consistency. While a lot of builders build one or two very good boats a year, Viking somehow manages to do it 60 or 70 times a year. “Over the last 15 years, we’ve become arguably one of the best … no one is building a boat at our level and with the numbers of boats we are building,” Healey says. “And we ship them all around the world. A good 30 percent of our business comes from our international sales.”

Healey is also grateful to the high quality of customers that choose a Viking. “We’ve got great customers … they are the best of the best. We’ve got customers who purchase one of our boats over and over again, and they are a big part of why we are celebrating our 50th anniversary on April 1, 2014,” he says.

Healey is also proud of the service and dealer network that the company has put together over the years. “Having those key components, with all of dealers like HMY, Galati and Bluewater, are all part of what makes Viking the best of the best,” he says.

Jim Weaver never imagined he would end up building boats for a living; however, after years on the water and with his experience in the construction business, he decided to build a boat for himself in 1998. The vessel turned out so well that he got an offer to sell it, which he did. He then built another, and before long, Weaver Boat Works began to take shape.

“Most of the customers who come our way have already made their mind up about buying one of our boats,” Weaver says. “We have a reputation for doing what we say we are going to do, when we are going to do it and for how much. I’m not much of a salesman and don’t try to be. If you build a nice boat for a fair and reasonable price, people are going to want to buy it.”

Weaver makes fast boats, and he attributes a lot of his boats’ speed to the work of his naval architect, Donald Blount. “All of our boats have been fast,” he says. “We’ve never built anything that didn’t run at least 40 knots. When you build a boat that can go fast, that means it has a very efficient hull design. Our 80 hits a top end of 48 knots and cruises at 30 knots while burning 100 gph. At just 1,200 rpm, that boat is up on plane and doing 25.8 knots.”

That efficient hull also comes into play when it’s time to slow down and start trolling. “Our boats have a very clean wake because they are not as heavy. It’s the same when backing up; our boats are more of a sports car than a pickup truck,” Weaver says.

In 2007, Weaver built its first 80-footer and has built six more since then. “You usually sell a boat off another boat,” Weaver says. “They will see it fishing, or get passed by it, and have to have one too. We’ve been very fortunate. Out of the 25 or 26 boats that we’ve built, six of those were repeats. It’s a great feeling when a man buys your boat and 10 years later, comes back and buys another one.”

To meet the strength requirements with those speeds, Weaver uses Kevlar to reinforce the inside and outside of each cold-molded, one-off hull that comes out of his shop. “We build every boat as strong as we can make it,” he says. “They’re really over-designed and intended to take punishment.”

Willis Marine Inc. is one of the few companies that got its start in North Carolina but then relocated Florida. “I started building boats up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in a little town called Frisco,” owner Mark Willis says. “I fished professionally for several years up on the Outer Banks and decided to build myself a little 30-foot charter boat. Well, as soon as it was done, somebody bought it. Then I got real busy building boats. My ex-partner, Buddy Smith, and I started Island Boatworks up there, and after we built a few, I left and came down to start my own shop in Stuart, [Florida].”

Willis brought the lessons he learned in North Carolina to Florida and started building sport-fishers using a variety of different methods. “We specialize in building cold-molded boats out of triple-planked Okoume plywood,” he says. “Today’s plywood is always consistent, and it makes a light, strong hull. But I really don’t have a preference when it comes to building methods. If someone came to me and asked for a plank-over-mahogany hull, I would gladly do it for him, because I know it also makes a great hull. We can also build an all-composite hull if that’s what you want — we are pretty well-versed in all of it.”

No matter what materials or technique you choose, you can rest assured that when choosing a Willis, everything inside will be in the proper place. “We pride ourselves in good planning and strong, dependable systems. Some builders will rush to get a boat sold and will just start shoving stuff into the hull to appease an owner. You have to pay attention to the planning so that you can get to, and repair, anything that goes wrong without having to disassemble the whole boat to do it. It’s just commons sense,” Willis says.

“We are working on hull number 14 right now, and it’s a 77 with a cold-molded hull. All of the topsides are carbon-fiber composite, a little departure from what we have done the past, but this boat should be a very lightweight, high-performance boat,” Willis says. “We went with a much more modern look on our new one; she’s got a lot of sex appeal … a different look for us. We’ve done all of our styling in house, which is a source of pride for us on this one.”

Winter Custom Yachts specializes in building modern, Carolina-style sport-fishing boats. Capable of building custom boats ranging from 24 to 75 feet, owners Tim Winters and Will Copeland came to the business with engineering backgrounds, and their meticulous attention to detail reflects that ethic. “I think the main thing that separated us from the pack is our willingness to take the design aspect to a much greater detail,” Winters says. “Since we all come from engineering backgrounds, we are probably more methodical than most with our layouts. We are also a bit modern with our styling. We like a more subtle look and pair it with a more hybrid bottom that’s designed by Rhodes Yacht Design.

“We incorporate a lot more curves in our boats and a lot more belly in the transom. They back up better when you put some belly in the transom, and it also lets it spin and move side to side much better. They are much more nimble, and you can really see the difference,” he says.

“Everything is 3-D molded now, which allows you to jig every structural component. This allows us to mock up the boat and let the owners see exactly what they are going to get. When we hit the floor, this makes everything go as smooth as possible. This also allows you to customize even the smallest details, including each piece of hardware and all the finishes that will go into your vessel,” Winters says.

This combination of modern styling and advanced planning has worked out well for the company, even in the hard economic times of late. “We’ve got nine in the water, five under construction and three waiting to be built,” Winters says. And not all of those boats fit the conventional mold. “We recently built two single diesel boats and equipped them with an oversize bow thruster. You can really make those things dance, and you wind up using a lot less fuel. Maybe this will be my niche going ahead,” he says. Winters embraces all engine and layout configurations; he’s got a 43-foot convertible on the floor with Zeus Caterpillars, a 35-foot walk around with a single 360 Cummins and a 46-foot walk around with conventional inboard power. In short, if you want it, Winter can build it.

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Finding used yachts between 40 and 45 feet that fit your budget, your boating requirements, and are within a reasonable distance can be a daunting task with so many options on the market. The team at SI Yachts has been helping boaters find the perfect vessel since 1964 and keeping them on the water through our industry-leading service team. Call our main office today at 1-718-984-7676 and we'll connect you with the right sales professional for the type of boat, brand, or model you are searching to find.

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45' CENTER CONSOLE

The largest unsinkable boat of its kind, Grady-White sets the standard in luxury fishing boats with this flagship 45-foot center console! The Canyon 456 is an incredibly spacious, technically sophisticated boat built on Grady’s trademark SeaV² ® hull, ranked highest in performance and ride in every J.D. Power and Associates Marine Study ever done. This makes it the driest, softest riding center console on the market. One of the world’s largest center console boats, the 456 is crafted with Grady’s exceptional attention to detail, more richly appointed than other big outboard sportfishing boats and the only one to include the legendary company that stands behind it.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photo gallery.

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat running

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat running at sunset

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat starboard side

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat running with city in background

Grady-White Canyon 456 Center Console Boat Running

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console running with palm trees in background

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat sea command center helm

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat helm layout

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat cockpit

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat console interior facing aft

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat forward seating with tables

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console running starboard

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat cruising

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat running on misty calm water

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing offshore

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat running at sunrise

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing offshore in blue water

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat running fast

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat hooked up

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat running view of stern

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat running carving a turn

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat Sea Command Center seating

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat grilling

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat bow seating with tables

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat bow seating with speakers and tables

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat forward lounge seat

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat windshield

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat bow shade

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat sea command center captain's chairs

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat aft facing sea command seating

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat t-top with color

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat console interior

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat cabin berth

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat integrated rod storage slides

Alt Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat marine safe with touchpad entry

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat galley

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat cabin interior rod storage

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat galley and lower storage

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat galley and upper storage

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat head

Grady-White Canyon 456 45-foot center console fishing boat head rod storage

features & options

Performance, virtual tour, canyon 456 main specifications, beam amidships, 14' (4.27 m), center line length w/o engines, 45' (13.72 m), bridge clearance, 10'5" (3.18 m), cockpit depth, 28" (0.71 m), 30" (0.76 m), transom deadrise, 21 degrees (seav 2® progression), 1800 (1342 kw), fuel capacity - standard, 616 gal. (2,332 l), weight w/o engines, 24,500 lb. (11,113 kg), canyon 456 features & options.

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Denotes feature as trademarked, exclusive, patented, or patent pending

Automatic bilge pumps (2) (total 4,000 GPH) (15,142 LPH)

Basic flotation

Bow grab rails - low profile 316 grade stainless steel

Cockpit toe rails

Composite stringer system & transom - water impervious

Fire extinguisher holder

Nonskid fiberglass liner

Self-bailing cockpit w/high-volume scupper system

Stainless steel through-hull fittings

Yamaha Siren Marine Vessel Monitoring System

Cockpit & Deck

100% hand laid SeaV² hull & deck

Anchor windlass w/remote switches at helm & windlass

Batteries (10) w/battery select switches (5) & charger system (3)

Bow thruster

Casting platform

Cleats - flush mount (pull up)

Cockpit bolsters

Cockpit lights - blue LED

Cockpit side doors - port & starboard w/boarding ladder

Deck hardware - 316-grade stainless steel through-bolted

Dockside power w/galvanic isolator & 35' Glendinning retractable shore power cord

Drink holders - stainless steel (12)

Easy up bow shade (ivory mesh)

Electric reel outlets (2)

Electrical system management - CZone® AC & DC digital switching

Engine flush system - Reverso® electronic self-cycling

Factory engine pre-rigging

Fender cleats - Phender Pro™ quick-release

Fish box - 43-qt. (41 l) port bow insulated fish box w/ob drain

Fish box - 123-qt. (116 l) port bow insulated fish box w/ob drain

Fish box - 239-qt. (226 l) starboard bow insulated fish box w/ob drain

Fish box - 459-qt. (434 l) aft insulated refrigerator/freezer fish box w/lights, digitally controlled thermostat & ob drain

Forward bolsters

Fuel capacity - 616-gallons (2,332 l) (2 - 308 gal. tanks)

Generator - 12kW diesel, 30-gallon (114 l) fuel capacity

International lighting

Lighting - underwater blue LED (3)

Livewells - port & starboard aft transom 35-gallon (132 l) insulated raw water livewells w/lights, full column distribution inlets & ob drains (1500 GPH) (5678 LPH)

Rod holders - cockpit (6), bow (4)

Rod storage - 2 lockable rod pods, holds 2 rods each (4)

Rod storage racks - horizontal (6)

Rubrail - high density PVC w/stainless steel insert

Seating - 60" foldaway aft bench seat w/cushion

Seating - port & starboard seating w/multi-position, forward & aft facing foldaway backrests (2)

Stabilizer - Seakeeper® 6 gyroscopic stabilization system

Stereo - Deluxe stereo system w/waterproof touch screen display, AM/FM tuner, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth® connectivity & remote unit; speakers w/LED lights - bow (2), T-top (4); subwoofers - cockpit (2)

Stern eyes - 316 grade stainless steel

Storage - forward anchor locker w/rode storage

Tables - electromechanically adjustable fiberglass bow tables (2)

Trim control - ZipWake® auto-leveling dynamic trim system

Washdown - cockpit freshwater shower (recessed) - aft cockpit w/20' Glendinning retractable hose w/hot & cold mixer

Washdown - cockpit freshwater shower (recessed) - forward w/20' Glendinning retractable hose

Washdown - pressurized raw water

Water heater - 11-gallon (42 l) (includes hot water cockpit shower)

Water reservoir - raw water sea chest

Water tank - 80-gallon (303 l) freshwater

Sea Command Center

Accessory outlet - 5V duplex USB port

Accessory outlet - 12V

Accessory outlet - 110V duplex

Air conditioning - 16,000 BTU w/outlets at helm (4) & aft seats (3)

Cockpit galley starboard w/grill, stainless steel refrigerator & trash compartment

Cooler - 53-qt. (50 l) insulated box w/ob drain (under starboard aft seat)

Drink holders - stainless steel at helm (4) & aft seats (2)

Flush mount electronics area

Footrest - molded console footrest

Footrests - fold down (4)

Lean bar grab rails (4)

Phone charger (wireless) - helm mounted

Rigging station - port freshwater sink w/up-down swivel faucet & pull-out spray handle, tackle & bulk storage

Seating - aft facing deluxe cushioned seats (3) w/flip-up bolster center & electromechanical footrest/step

Seating - electrically adjustable deluxe contoured helm captain's chairs w/flip-up bolsters & fold-down armrests (4)

Seating - molded forward lounge seat w/arm rests & drink holders (4)

Steering - Helm Master® EX w/Full Maneuverability

Steering wheel - 316 grade stainless steel Edson Wheel w/knob

Storage - portside 3-drawer stainless steel units (2)

Storage - tackle storage under aft-facing center seat w/trays (6) & bulk storage drawers (2)

T-top - AV²® enclosure w/painted aluminum frame, electrically sliding sunroof w/screen & shade, storage net, LED spreader lights (3), tri-colored (red, blue, white) LED recessed lights (6), aft mounted rod holders (8), outrigger plates, SureShade® electrically retractable shade w/Sunbrella® canvas (oyster)

Windshield - wraparound glass integrated w/T-top w/electrically sliding port & starboard side vents

Windshield wiper w/washer - freshwater

Console Interior

Accessory outlet - 5V duplex USB port (2)

Accessory outlet - 110V duplex (2)

Air conditioning - 12,000 BTU w/outlets at console (3) & head (1)

Berth - forward convertible vee berth

Carbon monoxide monitor

Door - lockable sliding door w/separate screen door

Drink holders - stainless steel (4)

Forward hatch - low profile acrylic hatch w/retractable screen shade

Galley - portside galley w/Corian® countertop, stainless steel microwave drawer & stainless steel drawers (3)

Galley - starboard galley w/stainless steel sink, Corian® countertop & stove cooktop

Head - lockable enclosed ventilated head area w/lighting, sink, Corian® countertop, shower w/teak grate, mirror, storage cabinet, vertical rod storage (4) & VacuFlush® marine head w/freshwater supply, 20-gallon (76 l) holding tank, overboard discharge & deck pump out

Lighting - dimmable indirect lighting throughout

Refrigerator - stainless steel

Rod storage - retractable vertical storage rack under port countertop (4)

Rod storage - port & starboard forward berth sapele Integrated Rod Storage Slides™ (4)

Stereo - Deluxe stereo system w/waterproof touch screen display, AM/FM tuner, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth® connectivity & remote unit; speakers (2) & subwoofer

Storage - marine safe w/touchpad entry

Storage - port & starboard lighted glass shelves

Storage - port cedar-lined closet

Storage - starboard stainless steel drawers (3)

Storage - underberth compartments (3)

Teak wood sole

Windows - port & starboard tinted frameless glass windows w/blinds

Table - solid sapele dinette table w/teak & brushed aluminum inlays & electromechanically adjustable stainless steel base (seats 4)

TV - 32" LED flat screen w/HDMI inlet

CE certification package (European Conformity)

Hull color - Celestial Blue, Coastal Fog, Ocean Mist, or Sea Glass gelcoat

International AC electrical conversion - 220V (50Hz)

Outrigger kit - 22-ft. (6.7m) GEMLUX® carbon fiber outriggers w/polished stainless steel base

T-top color - underside of T-top (requires matching gelcoat color option)

Canvas Options

T-top Clear2Sea™ side wings & helm enclosure (ivory)

Canyon 456 Performance Data

XTO Offshore® 450

Top Speed : 58.0 MPH @ 6000 RPM

Optimum Cruise : 30.1 MPH @ 3500 RPM

GPH at Optimum Cruise : 44.0

MPG at Optimum Cruise : 0.68

CLASSIC WHITE

Engine Size

16 3/8 x 21 XTO OS

Weight as Tested

31650 lb. (including persons, fuel, water, gear, engines & accessories)

Bottom Paint

Optimum Cruise

30.1 MPH @ 3500 RPM

Canyon 456 Overhead

Select the hotspots below to learn more about the Canyon 456 features.

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Six Boats with Cabins You Can Live In

• By Chris Woodward
• Updated: February 18, 2021

Hard-core fishermen love center console boats. But even among the most dedicated anglers, many now seek more family time and improved convenience and comfort. That pushes boatbuilders to be creative.

At the same time, center console fishing boats have grown to 50-plus feet in length: That makes more room for berths and galleys and opens the door to center consoles as boats you technically could live on. Of course, you might not want to set up residence aboard these dressed-up models, but you could certainly plan an overnight or weekend trip in style.

We selected six fishing boats with cabins whose consoles surpass the Spartan label. If you’re set on buying a center console but want some four-star comforts, check out these vessels at the next boat show. (Note: Boats are ordered by LOA. Some manufacturers offer all cabin features in their standard package; others offer some as options.)

Grady-White Canyon 376

Grady says the Canyon 376 helped define a new breed of center consoles that not only offer full offshore-fishing functionality but also the wide beam, roomy console-cabin interior, and luxury appointments of a cabin-style family boat.

The 376 can carry up to 38 rods in various locations, including lockable vertical holders inside the console. The deluxe leaning post houses a 41-gallon livewell with a clear lid, light, full-column inlet and overboard drain; a rigging station with freshwater sink; a 164-quart cooler; holders for a knife, pliers and lures; and lockable bulk and tackle-tray storage.

A 66-gallon fish box in the cockpit (available with an optional digital-control refrigerator/freezer), and two bow fish boxes, offering more than 125 gallons of storage, deliver all the room you’ll need for refreshments, equipment and the day’s catch. The cockpit features heavy-duty boarding doors at the transom and to port, each with a boarding ladder.

Step down the cherry stairs leading inside the lockable, air-conditioned console to find a stand-up shower area with curtain and a VacuFlush head, a galley with Corian countertops and deep stainless sink, plus a stainless refrigerator and microwave. A large settee converts to a berth with room for two, and offers storage along the side. The standard Fisher-Panda 5kW diesel generator maintains temperature levels in the cabin and at the helm.

The 376 tops 60 mph with triple Yamaha 425 XTO outboards. It cruises at 31.2 mph, turning 3,400 rpm, for 0.98 mpg. Other available power options include twin 425s or triple Yamaha F300s. A Seakeeper 5 gyro stabilizer is also an option.

LOA: 36 ft. 7 in.

Beam: 13 ft. 2 in.

Dry Weight: 13,533 lb. (w/o engines)

Fuel: 390 gal.

Transom Deadrise: 20 deg.

Max hp: 1,275

Boston Whaler 380 Outrage

Whether your focus is on fishing or family, the Whaler 380 Outrage offers a full suite of features.

Anglers will appreciate the dividable and pressurized 60-gallon transom livewell, 45 square feet of cockpit space atop large refrigerated in-floor fish boxes, toe rails with downrigger ball holders, an acrylic transom door and a portside boarding door. A second livewell is available with the deluxe leaning post, or families can opt for a summer kitchen.

Vertical rod holders in the gunwales ring the boat; the hardtop adds six additional holders. A tempered curved-glass windshield with an electrically actuated vent encloses the helm.

A lockable, acrylic sliding door beside the helm leads to the air-conditioned cabin. The interior features a microwave, vanity with custom vessel sink, solid teak flooring, and seating that becomes a berth. Rubber-backed cushions reverse to hold storage tubs.

Racks for four rods line the walls. The enclosed head comes with a VacuFlush toilet, teak seat, shower wand, and flip-down hooks for drying wet gear.

The 380 Outrage is available with triple or quad Mercury outboards, with or without a gyro. With quad 400 Verados and a gyro, the 380 topped out at 58.6 mph. It cruises at 32.5 mph, turning 4,000 rpm and achieving 0.78 miles per gallon.

LOA: 38 ft.

Beam: 11 ft. 8 in.

Dry Weight: 14,500 lb. (w/o engines)

Fuel: 445 gal.

Transom Deadrise: 23 deg.

Max hp: 1,600

Scout 380 LXF

Scout’s 380 LXF (luxury sportfish model) blends the qualities of a high-performance fish boat with a high-end cruiser. Built on Scout’s epoxy-infused, double-stepped hull, this 38 ½-footer features a 12-foot-1-inch beam.

Standard fishing features include a 100-gallon transom livewell; twin 92 1/2-gallon in-deck fish boxes with overboard drains; vertical gunwale and transom, under-gunwale, and belowdecks rod holders as well as an optional hardtop rocket launcher; a Seakeeper 3; and both a portside door and a transom door.

Seating includes three-across helm buckets with arm rests, an aft-facing mezzanine bench, a fold-out transom bench, bow wraparound benches and a two-person sunpad.

Inside the console cabin, you’ll find a convertible 6-foot-5-inch queen berth, a single-burner, glass-stove cooktop, microwave, flush mount 32-inch LED flat screen TV, DVD and CD player, galley sink, drawer refrigerator, enclosed shower area with toilet, sink and mirror with vanity cabinet. The cabin also features a 12,000 BTU air conditioner, powered by an 8kW diesel generator, as well as vertical storage for five rods.

Available with triple or quad Mercurys or Yamahas, the 380 LXF tops out at

69.7 mph and accelerates to 30 in 6.8 seconds with quad Verado 400s. With the quads, the most efficient cruising speed lands at 50.7 mph for 0.9 mpg.

LOA: 38 ft. 6 in.

Beam: 12 ft. 1 in.

Fuel: 404 gal.

Max hp: 1,400

Regulator 41

Regulator’s flagship 41 remains true to the company’s heritage: It’s a serious fish boat, but it thoughtfully and purposefully elevates the creature-comfort factor. Wide-open spaces with thickly bolstered seating create a weekender that’s ready to troll or raft up with friends.

From the twin forward-console lounger to the convertible electric pedestal table, the deck delivers relaxation. But look closely and you’ll see four fish boxes: twin 54-gallon insulated boxes beneath the bow benches; a 156-gallon belowdeck box (that also acts as locking rod storage), and an 84-gallon box at the transom. The aft bulkhead also features twin 40-gallon livewells. A starboard boarding door allows you to easily boat a big fish.

The mezzanine seating and prep area features tackle- and tray-storage compartments, a sink, drawers, countertop and electric grill. The newly-redesigned cabin features a galley kitchen—with refrigerator, microwave, sink, and inductive cooktop—double berth, a head and shower, a dining table with seating for four, and a 28-inch LED HDTV.

An Onan 7.5 kW diesel generator powers the interior air conditioning. Settle into even rocky seas with the standard Sesakeeper 5 gyro stabilizer.

Powered by quad Yamaha 425 XTO outboards, the 41 tops out at 63.7 mph and reaches 30 mph in 6.23 seconds. At a cruising speed of 25.9 mph, it turns 3,000 rpm and achieves 0.78 mpg.

LOA: 41 ft. 3 in.

Beam: 12 ft. 6 in.

Dry Weight: 23,500 (w/ engines)

Fuel: 600 gal.

Transom Deadrise: 24 deg.

Max hp: 1,700

Pursuit S 428

Pursuit’s new flagship S 428 not only represents the largest boat the company makes, it’s also the most powerful and spacious as well as highly innovative.

The deck features an industry-first second row of powered seats beneath the oversize hardtop. That seating converts to an entertainment center with a sink, refrigerator/freezer, and electric grill. Forward bow seating comes with electrically actuated backrests. The convertible forward-console seat adjusts to a variety of positions, and the hullside windows create a great view of the horizon from inside the console cabin.

For anglers, this 42-footer comes with three fish boxes totaling 134 gallons, two 36-gallon transom livewells, tackle storage, bait-prep areas, hull side doors port and starboard, and a spacious aft cockpit. You’ll find horizontal rod holders under the hardtop, beneath the gunwales and in the cabin, and 12 vertical holders in the gunwales, transom and bow.

Step down into the cabin from the port side of the helm. The top of the opening pushes forward to allow upright entry, and household-style steps create sure footing. A secondary screened door allows ventilation on nice days.

The interior seating quickly converts to a sleeping berth. The cabin also comes with a fully enclosed head compartment that houses a shower, vanity, and elongated toilet.

Side windows and a skylight allow in plenty of natural light, which shows off the rich hardwood décor. When weather demands, the cabin is air-conditioned and heated. A microwave, a 32-inch TV, and hidden storage round out the space.

With standard power—quad Yamaha 425 XTO outboards with Helm Master EX—the S 428 tops out at 59.3 mph, turning 6,000 rpm. It reaches 30 mph in 5.2 seconds. At a cruising speed of 31 mph, turning 3,500 rpm, the vessel gets 0.71 mpg.

LOA: 42 ft.

Beam: 13 ft.

Dry Weight: 23,600 lb. (w/ engines)

Fuel: 547 gal.

Transom Deadrise: 22 deg.

Yellowfin 54

With quad outboards and seating for up to 14, including plush dual-row seats at the helm, the Yellowfin 54 comfortably accommodates a robust crew on a quick run to the fishing grounds.

For cruising, the 54 offers V-lounge bow seating with backrests and storage. The forward-console lounge easily accommodates two to three adults.

Because each Yellowfin is built to customer specs, amenities vary. But, as always, Yellowfin focuses on fishing. The 54 comes with a generous 100-gallon livewell in its transom flanked by molded-in single tuna tubes. The well can be configured as one tank or divided into two. A wealth of rod holders is spread throughout the boat for horizontal and vertical stowage.

Yellowfin also utilizes every space above and belowdecks for storage of fishing tackle, rods, fresh catch in insulated chill-plate-cooled boxes, safety gear and all other toys and equipment.

A spacious cabin area with standup headroom beneath the console houses a queen berth and a fully equipped kitchenette, along with wraparound seating and a head. Accessed from within the cabin, an organized mechanical space houses the gyro stabilizer, batteries, wiring and electronics.

In our recent review of the 54 with four Yamaha 425 XTO outboards, we reached a top speed of 60.8 mph at 5,700 rpm. We found the best mpg at 50 mph, turning 5,000 rpm, and achieving 0.52 mpg.

LOA: 54 ft.

Beam: 15 ft.

Dry Weight: 28,000 lb (w/ engines)

Fuel: 900 gal.

Max hp: 3,000

• More: Boat Reviews , Center Consoles , fishing boats

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Baltimore bridge collapse brings back memories of Oklahoma's I-40 bridge disaster

A Baltimore bridge partially collapsed  early Tuesday after being  hit by a cargo ship.

The Associated Press reported several vehicles had plunged into the river below and said the ship had caught fire. 

➤  Photos, video show collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge

➤  Live coverage:   Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses, rescue operations underway

The incident brings back memories of a similar incident that happened in Oklahoma in May 2002, when freight barges being transported on the Arkansas River hit a pier supporting the Interstate 40 road bridge crossing the river near Webbers Falls.

The supports failed, causing a section of the bridge to collapse and the deaths of 14 people, while another 11 were injured.

Here's what was happening in Maryland on Tuesday morning, along with happened in Oklahoma years ago.

What happened in the bridge collapse in Baltimore?

The  Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed  early Tuesday after it was  struck  b y a large cargo ship . The bridge is a major span critical to East Coast shipping.

The Baltimore City Fire Department received several 911 calls about 1:30 a.m. Several vehicles were reported in the river, and the ship had caught fire.

Live updates:  Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship collision; rescue effort underway

"This is currently a mass casualty incident and we are searching for seven people who are in the river," Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told Reuters.

“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”

Synergy Marine Corp said the Dali, Singapore-flagged container ship, collided with one of the pillars of the bridge. All its crew members, including two pilots, have been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.

Where is Baltimore?

Baltimore is located about 35 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. or about 90 miles southwest of Philadelphia.

Where is Francis Scott Key Bridge and when did it open?

The  Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in March 1977  as the final link in Interstate 695, the Baltimore Beltway.

The  1.6 mile bridge crosses over the Patapsco River  where Francis Scott Key reportedly was inspired to write the words of the Star Spangled Banner, according to the  Maryland Transportation Authority.

The bridge consists of four lanes and is 185 feet high. The cost to build it was $60.3 million. The bridge can handle 11.3 million vehicles per year, or nearly 31,000 cars per day, according to the transportation authority.

More about Key Bridge:  Where is the Francis Scott Key Bridge? What to know about collapsed Baltimore bridge

What happened in Webbers Falls, Oklahoma I-40 bridge disaster in 2002

On May 26, 2002, Joe Dedmon, the captain of the towboat Robert Y. Love, was reported to have lost consciousness while traveling the Robert S. Kerr Reservoir and losing control of the tow.

When the barges he was towing collided with the pier supporting the bridge, eight passenger vehicles and three tractor-trailers fell into the river before traffic stopped.

Some people were able to swim to shore, and some were aided by fishermen participating in a bass fishing tournament near the bridge. The incident killed 14 people and injured 11.

The bridge was estimated to carry 20,000 vehicles per day, which were rerouted for about two months while the bridge was rebuilt. The bridge reopened on July 29, 2002 , 10 days earlier than expected.

Exactly one year after the disaster, a memorial to the victims was dedicated in the Webbers Falls City Park .

Contributors: Charles Ventura, Thao Nguyen, Susan Miller, USA Today Network