Regulator 31

The versatile Regulator 31 is equipped with twin F300 Yamaha engines, a massive cockpit, oversized tackle center, 228-quart fishbox, and additional sportfishing features. Head off shore with ease and confidence with SeaStar Optimus electronic power steering with tilt helm and the newly-enhanced 3X Deluxe Tackle Center, featuring a sink, baitwell and an abundance of storage. The deep-V hull, designed by renowned naval architect Lou Codega, is matched by low bow rise and peak performance for a perfectly balanced ride. Taking a cue from the Regulator 41, the all-new 31 (31’4″ LOA, 10’4″ beam) also features a starboard dive door, integrated forward seat backrests, stand-up head compartment with electric head, and 6-gallon holding tank along with other lifestyle amenities designed to maximize comfort off shore.

The deep-V hull, designed by renowned naval architect Lou Codega, is matched by low bow rise and peak performance for a perfectly balanced ride. Taking a cue from the Regulator 41, the all-new 31 (31’4″ LOA, 10’4″ beam) also features a starboard dive door, integrated forward seat backrests, stand-up head compartment with electric head, and 6-gallon holding tank along with other lifestyle amenities designed to maximize comfort off shore. regulatormarine.com

Buddy Davis 42CC

The new Buddy Davis 42CC exudes the Buddy Davis pedigree.

That means a superior ride and handling and designed with built-in fishing amenities from bow to stern. Not to mention, it introduces the builder’s new breed of resin-infused fiberglass custom boats. The Buddy Davis 42CC features a large console area that includes an interior complete with head, galley, dinette, and berth. There’s room for up to three 16-inch displays on the helm with an additional electronics box built into the hardtop.

Under the triple helm seats you’ll find a custom refrigerator/freezer, ample tackle storage, sink with saltwater washdown, and built-in cutting board. Forward is an anchor locker with a seawater washdown, fold-down seating and a forward-facing lounge seat with storage options. Serious anglers will appreciate a large fish box in the forward deck with two under-deck fish boxes in the cockpit along with an integrated livewell in the transom. Powered by quad Yamaha outboards, the 42 can run up to 62 miles per hour.

42′ LOA, 12’6″ beam

Read our full review of the Buddy Davis 42 Center Console

Or return to the Center Console Roundup

davisyachts.com

Bertram 35

The new Bertram 35 capitalizes on the soul and beauty of the original 31 yet offers a beamier and longer hull design. Michael Peters designed the hull for a projected top speed of 40-plus knots with twin 460-hp diesels. Two engine boxes in the cockpit allow engine access and serve as mezzanine seating for anglers watching their bait. Construction features an infused vinylester, solid fiberglass, hull bottom with Kevlar centerline and strake reinforcements accompanied by a structural grid. Cruisers looking to explore waters where only center consoles can venture will appreciate the 2’6″ draft. The wide beam on the Bertram 35 (35’1″ LOA, 12’5″ beam) adds comfort while trolling at slow speeds and creates a substantial cockpit for anglers to work and cruisers to relax. bertram.com

SeaVee 340Z

The new SeaVee 340Z (34’9″ LOA, 10′ beam) features the patented twin-stepped, cross-ventilated hull incorporating multiple lifting bodies and unique geometry for a fixed trim angle throughout a wide range of speeds. That provides the captain a clear view of the horizon, maximum fuel efficiency, more speed, and safe predictable handling when making hard turns.

Capable of planing at only 16 mph, the 340Z handles rough seas with ease. The Miami-based builder offers the 340Z with twin or triple outboards ranging from 600 hp to 1,050 hp, which enables the 340Z to run more than 70 mph at top end. A newly designed larger bow with reverse chines redirects ocean spray downward for a dry ride. For fishing, the 340Z can carry up to 42 fishing rods neatly tucked away under the deck, on the sides of the console, in the T-top, and on the back of the leaning post. Up to three pressurized livewells facilitate the fishing experience.

The SeaVee 340Z features a dedicated console designed to maximize deck space and plenty of interior room. Sea Vee also offers a variety of towers, cold storage, and rod holder configurations. Families seeking additional amenities can choose from a variety of comfortable forward and aft seating, sunpad options as well as shower and head. seaveeboats.com; (305) 759-6419

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating Magazine July 2016

Promarine 400 SFS

The Promarine 400 SFS (39’11” LOA, 10’11” beam) is offered with a max propulsion package of triple 557-hp Seven Marine engines. That’s more than enough muscle to power the boat on a twin-step ventilated hull bottom and get anglers to their favorite fishing grounds for an early morning bite. The Fort Lauderdale-based builder constructs the hull of hand-laid fiberglass with high-tech composites throughout. To add to the construction strength, the hull and deck are chemically bonded, mechanically fastened and fiberglassed together for a superior ride in rough water. Anglers will enjoy two large fish boxes built into the 400 SFS to store their catch of the day, and can utilize two 50-gallon oval

Anglers will enjoy two large fish boxes built into the 400 SFS to store their catch of the day, and can utilize two 50-gallon oval livewells (colored blue inside with LED lighting). For convenience, one livewell is located near the tackle station and the other is in the center of the transom. The center console cabin is composed of a fiberglass inner liner that offers 6’6″ of headroom with a sofa, convertible bed, storage, sink, countertop, and head. To add to the fishing features, the Promarine 400 SFS comes with a self-bailing cockpit, fiberglass hardtop with spreaders and LED lights and rocket launchers. The 400 is also built in a Grand Touring Series for families and a Sport Cabin Cruiser series for overnighting.

To add to the construction strength, the hull and deck are chemically bonded, mechanically fastened and fiberglassed together for a superior ride in rough water. Anglers will enjoy two large fish boxes built into the 400 SFS to store their catch of the day, and can utilize two 50-gallon oval livewells (colored blue inside with LED lighting). For convenience, one livewell is located near the tackle station and the other is in the center of the transom. The center console cabin is composed of a fiberglass inner liner that offers 6’6″ of headroom with a sofa, convertible bed, storage, sink, countertop, and head. To add to the fishing features, Promarine builds the 400 SFS with a self-bailing cockpit, fiberglass hardtop with spreaders and LED lights and rocket launchers. The 400 is also built in a Grand Touring Series for families and a Sport Cabin Cruiser series for overnighting.

promarineboatsusa.com; (954) 769-1807.

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating Magazine July 2016

Mako 334 CC

Mako’s new 334 CC (33’4″ LOA, 9’10” beam) is designed for anglers seeking advanced design and sportfishing features as well as creature comforts and state-of-the-art technology. With a ring-deck design, a port tuna door, massive amounts of storage, and a triple-outboard capacity of 1,050 horsepower, the Mako 334 CC was built to be an offshore predator.

Mako is part of the Tracker Marine Group, and the Mako 334 CC features an aggressive deep-V hull with notched transom and high-speed raw water pickup. The console comes with Mercury Joystick Piloting, Garmin electronics, and a Fusion UD750 stereo. Other features include a forward cushioned seat with a cooler, a folding aft bench seat, walk-in freshwater head, leaning post with a freshwater sink, port and starboard aft fish boxes with Gulper Macerators, an aft port tuna/dive door, and stowable dive ladder, and two 34-gallon pill-shaped baitwells. The innovative design is available in two models: the Bluewater Family Edition and the Sportfish Special Edition.

mako-boats.com; (855) 804-8402.

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating Magazine July 2016

Nor-Tech 340 Sport Open

The newly redesigned Nor-Tech 340 Sport Open (34′ LOA, 10′ beam) debuted in late 2015 with even more new features than her wildly successful 2012 predecessor, the 34 Sport. Starting at the bow, forward seating has been added and redesigned with improved storage access. The sun lounge has been shortened to accommodate new seating and has a fold-down armrest and grab rails built in, and steps are built in along the midship gunwales. The console dash panel is now designed to accommodate two 17-inch screens or multi-function displays, a 7-inch engine monitor and stereo on the dash panel.

A Garmin 7616 electronics package is commonly installed. Nor-Tech utilizes the C-Zone system that eliminates most of the standard toggle switches, and the functions can be controlled electronically on the Garmin displays. Under the console, a spacious cabin is equipped standard with a double berth, lighting, and sink, and options can be added such as head and shower and air conditioning. A new, stylish port light has been added along with a skylight over the head compartment, while the T-top frame has a new swept-back look with fewer pipe obstructions. Triple 350-hp Mercury Verado outboard engines power the 340 Sport Open to top speeds over 80 mph.

sofloperformanceboats.com; (954) 232-6389.

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating Magazine July 2016

Loophole that lets anglers exceed snapper limits draws fire

Anglers in Texas are unleashing their creativity when it comes to getting around shortening seasons and shrinking quotas for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, but their actions are facing criticism.
The popular species has become a flashpoint in the debate over federal vs. regional management of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. In February, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council introduced the final draft of Amendment 39 to Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico, which would establish a regional management program for recreational red snapper fishing.
For now, though, the NOAA’s Fisheries Service sets the length of the federal recreational red snapper fishing season. Historically, the season began June 1st and continued until the quota was met. But 2014 saw one of the shortest federal seasons on record—just nine days. However, individual states can set their own season length for anglers fishing in state waters, and this is where things get interesting.
Texas, for example, pretty much ignores the federal season altogether. Recreational anglers in Texan waters, which extend nine miles out from the coastline, can fish for snapper year-round as long as they stay within their bag limit.
However, catch limits are routinely exceeded thanks to charter fishing companies operating what they call “catch share fishing experiences.” These companies, such as Galveston Sea Ventures in Galveston, Texas, have been allocated a set portion of the commercial red snapper fishery—a catch share—in the Gulf, but they do not operate as commercial fishermen. Instead, they ferry recreational anglers out to the fishing grounds and back, and when they return, their customers can buy as many fish as they’d like to take home. Call it what you will—a loophole or a gray area—it’s stirring passions on both sides.
According to Scott Hickman, owner of Circle H Outfitters and Charters in Galveston—another catch share fishing experience company—they sought out the legal requirements prior to launching their first trip and continue to strictly follow the rules as to what is mandated by both federal and Texas law enforcement. Hickman reiterates that his trips are not charters but commercial fishing trips during which people can enjoy the experience and only reel in fish if they want to.
The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), however, says that the growing popularity of catch share fishing does not bode well for the future of the fishery, as companies with commercial permits will be able to relentlessly fish near-shore fishing grounds. CCA Conservation Director, Ted Venker, claims the line between recreational and commercial fishing is no longer distinct, and that no one is protecting the public.
In April, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council stated that the 2016 recreational red snapper season is likely to be another short one running for as little as eight days, while charter boats operating in federal waters should see a longer season, between 38 and 56 days. For more information, visit: Sustainable Fisheries

By Del Gillis, Southern Boating Magazine June 2016