CABO 41

Cabo 41

If you have the faintest impression that the new CABO 41 is not a 100 percent, purebred sportfishing machine, let me enlighten you.

Start by stepping aboard through the extra-wide transom door and walk across the spacious cockpit, but do not, I repeat, do not look left or right at the fishboxes in the sole, the bait prep station, the drawers for lures, the shaded mezzanine seating for watching your lines, or the big bait tank in the transom. Do not look up at the gorgeous PipeWelders tower skimming the clouds on the Cabo 41. Do not look at the seamanlike helm with its Palm Beach-style throttles/shifters on each side of the wheel so you can back down on a big one while facing aft.

Step into the surprisingly roomy cabin and no matter how tired you are, do not sprawl on that inviting settee. Don’t linger at the large galley, either, even if you’re hungry. Make an immediate left past the large-screen TV and walk into the enclosed head. No need to slow down and splash your face or do any of the usual head duties.

Continue into the enclosed shower stall, and you’ll see how serious the CABO 41 is about fishing—the aft bulkhead has stand-up racks for four big fishing poles, complete with the meanest Penn reels. You give up a bit of shower space for this clever storage (I’d make sure the hooks were well-protected), but it underlines the serious fishing DNA of this new 41-footer. No, you don’t have to take the rods out before you shower; there’s plenty of
room (30 by 40 inches) for big guys, the fresh water is good for the reels and a little shampoo isn’t going to faze these large guns. If you don’t want them watching you, turn around.

Where, oh where can I find rod storage. On the CABO 41, almost anywhere you look.

California Roots

The CABO 41 comes from a long line of superbly built yachts starting, surprisingly, with the CABO sailboats originally built in California. When smog in the Los Angeles basin got so bad that air quality management bureaucrats forbade opening acetone cans (and building largish fiberglass boats), the company moved to California’s high desert
and shifted its sights to building extraordinarily good sportfishing yachts.

Hatteras Yachts, seeing it first as a serious competitor and then as a smart acquisition, bought CABO and moved it to the high-tech Hatteras facility in New Bern, North Carolina.
The one thing Hatteras was careful to bring along was the high quality that has always marked CABO—if you’re a CABO aficionado, you’d be hard-pressed to tell if this CABO
41 was built in a dusty desert town or by a bunch of good ’ol boys in the Carolinas.

Having seen boats from both, I can say that you won’t be disappointed with the Hatteras iteration of CABO. Seams and fiberglass joints are so tight that they don’t need the usual
gallons of silicone to make them look good, and you could eat out of the bilge. Quite frankly, everything is just right. Here’s how right: This is the only all gelcoat-finished boat built by Hatteras—the others are painted.

Back Onboard

Let’s retrace our steps through the big transom door (with humongous hinges that look like they came off a bulldozer cab). Centered in the transom is a 48-gallon, double-lid bait tank, and on each side of the sole are two huge insulated fishboxes with macerators. From their size, it’s clear that CABO is expecting you to land some serious game fish. Raw-water wash downs get rid of anything icky, and the middle of the cockpit has a molded-in aluminum reinforcing plate ready for something like the gorgeous varnished teak leaning post on our review yacht.

Up a step is a wide mezzanine bench seat that overlooks the cockpit action with room underneath for an optional bait freezer or Eskimo 500-pound-per-day ice maker. Our boat also had the optional bait prep station which, quite frankly, is a no-brainer on this war wagon. It has enough drawers for lures and rigs you’ve only dreamed about, plus a fridge and reels for rigging your own lines.

Ample seating and a well-appointed dash await.

Helm? Oh, yeah, really sweet! Single or double pedestal seats (our boat had Pompanettes so inviting you involuntarily sat in one) are positioned in front of a stainless steel wheel with a brodie knob. There’s also an L-shaped lounge for onlookers and kibitzers. Our test boat had a pair of monitors for the Garmin electronics package with all the usual bells and whistles. Plus, there is a monitor dedicated to the engines and onboard systems.

Interior Space

Since you were in a rush to get to the shower earlier, take a leisurely look around the cabin. Notice that there’s no raw fiberglass. The cabin is a warm European
walnut with a satin finish. The settee really is as comfy as you thought, and it faces the big-screen TV on the aft bulkhead. The galley has a surprising amount of counter space for laying out sandwich makings (for the true gourmet) plus niceties that include a ceramic cooktop, under-counter fridge, oven, and microwave.

There’s plenty of galley space and natural light down below.

You’ve already been through the head, although you might not have noticed that the head is a Jabsco electric model. Or that there’s a civilized sink for trimming off a two-day growth. A raised berth in the bow cabin falls somewhere between queen and king at the pillow end and tapered at the feet to provide walkaround space. Two hanging lockers plus
cavernous pull-out drawers under the berth should keep you in clothes for long weekends and yes, there’s also rod storage here, but thankfully, you don’t have to sleep with them.

A dinette table and the entrance to the head.

Speaking of rod stowage, you might have been admiring the cabin settee when you should have looked above it to see there’s dedicated stowage for four more fishing rigs. What looked at first like a hanging locker by the cabin entry is… wait for it…stowage for maybe a half-dozen more rods.

Up Above and Down Below

Another no-brainer, depending on what fish you’re chasing, is the full PipeWelder tower with electronic mounts, outrigger controls and a full steering station protected from the sun by a fiberglass hardtop.

The CABO 41 is available with several power options, depending on your preferences. Our test boat had the Cummins QSM 715-hp diesels with straight shafts. However, if you’re a Volvo aficionado, there are D11 diesels from 625-725 horsepower. With our 715s, we topped out at about 40 knots (the same as with the biggest Volvos). But here’s the zinger: We were only sucking down 65-70 gph of fuel with the hammers down. Drop back to 30 knots, and you cut your consumption to under 50 gph running at 2,100 rpm, so your engines will last forever.

The spacious engine room was a welcome surprise. You won’t want several guys in there, but all the access points are readily within reach. And, here’s a thoughtful touch: The CABO 41 has room for a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer.

Having known CABO back in the day, I was delighted to see that Hatteras has maintained the quality standards set in the high desert. If you’re an angler (or even a family heading
for Bimini), the CABO 41 is not to be missed—just make sure the hooks are turned away in the shower.

Specifications

LOA: 40′ 10″
Beam: 15′ 9″
Draft: 3′ 5″
Displacement: 31,000 lbs.
Power: 2x Volvo D11
Cruise/Max speed: 30/40
knots
Range: 304 nm @ 30 knots
Fuel/Water: 550/95 gals.
Price: Inquire

Contact

CABO Yachts
110 North Glenburnie Rd.
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 633-3101
caboyachts.com

By Chris Caswell, Southern Boating July 2019

Tom and Katia Bates

Bontona Peninsula provides luxury waterfront living with a dock to match. Tom and Katia Bates made sure of that.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is home to 165 miles of navigable waterways. Aside from the New River that winds through the downtown area and into the Atlantic Ocean, the multitude of canals that make Fort Lauderdale the “Venice of America” are man-made,
including parts of the Intracoastal Waterway. Developers began dredging and clearing the swampland in 1920 to create the island subdivisions surrounding the downtown area.

In 1928, the Port Everglades channel opened, and the “Boating Capital of the World” was never the same. The canals are now lined with beautiful homes, many with boats docked
alongside…the best of both worlds.

Bontona Penninsula

For Tom and Katia Bates, it’s the location that made them decide to purchase Bontona Peninsula, one of the few pieces of property in Fort Lauderdale that is surrounded on three sides by water. “We look at how many feet you have on the water, closeness to the ocean and southeast exposure,” says Katia.

The property is only minutes away from the Atlantic Ocean by boat, which ups the property value. Another key location feature is its proximity to the downtown area. The home is a block off the famed Las Olas Boulevard and less than a mile from the eclectic shops, galleries, and restaurants to one side and the beaches to the other, yet the home offers a secure, private setting.

Tom was born and raised in South Florida. His father is dad bought him a JU-class hydro-powerboat at age nine. He continued to race through his teens with offshore and
superboats and was throttle man for Spirit of America, Bandit and Caliente. He refit boats before he focused on home construction and worked with Herb Postma who had the Hatteras of Fort Lauderdale dealership before starting Westship Yachts. Through his career, Tom has become an award-winning builder with expertise in project planning and management, remodeling and designing custom coffee tables made with high-powered engines.

Eye for Design

Katia is the designer of the family, born in Italy and a second-generation member in the interior design industry. She has an in-depth knowledge of Italian and European styles as well as contemporary and transitional designs and is recognized for her work on Casa Casuarina, the former Versace Mansion.

She’s particular about her work and her unique trait is that no two locations are designed the same. “You’re not paying me to do something I’ve already done,” she says. “You’re paying for my ideas that are new….For me, it has to be authenticity. The market that I work with can’t repeat itself. My clients pay the price of their interiors, not so much my fees, my fees are equal to everyone else. It is the money they invest in the material that
they buy that is superior to other standard projects….When you get into that type of quality of work, there is not just an artisanship at the level of an artist; you can’t do what you did for the other guy because you don’t give exclusivity to this one, and you rob from that one, so I never repeat myself.”

The same goes for yachts. She recently designed the interior of the 145-foot Westship Tanzanite, but her passion is with homes. She gutted the original Bontona Peninsula estate, but the 14-inch thick, solid concrete exterior walls remained. The Bates’ wanted an open feel full of light that took advantage of the water views. “When you enter properties in this price range, you need to take advantage of the things that surround
you, not just inside,” she says.

The Home

The design starts from the moment you walk in the front door—the eyes are led straight through the entry to the living room, through the large windows and door to the pool framed by the palm trees, and out to the river. The living room’s high ceiling makes you catch your breath as the open space surrounds you. The 10,565-square-foot home has five bedrooms and nine and a half baths, including the 3,000-square-foot master bedroom
suite.

Four VIP bedrooms vaunt ensuite baths and closets and private balconies. The entire outdoor area, designed for entertaining contains a pool and infinity hot tub. Both are surrounded by an enormous stone and marble patio. Five power pedestals on the dockside provide power for yachts up to 275 feet using either European or U.S. power supplies. A magnificent lawn surrounds the estate-like driveway in front, and the garage houses six to eight cars.

Learn More

The .85-acre Bontona Peninsula estate has been carefully designed with the highest quality materials, from custom marble flooring to semiprecious stone countertops and is
available for $32 million. floridaluxurious.com

Learn more about Tom’s engine tables at @tombatesdesign on Instagram and for the home, call (954) 646-8120. innovativecreationsusa.com

By Steve Davis, Southern Boating April 2019

Miami Boat Shows

The Miami Boat Shows

The Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show and the Miami Yacht Show bring everything needed to enjoy the boating lifestyle.

For the first time in many years, the Miami International Boat Show brings together both power and sail enthusiasts to one location. The ultimate boat show experience highlights more than 170 boat brands and thousands of marine-related products and accessories at the Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key February 14-18. In addition, the Miami Yacht Show, showing off the ultimate in large luxury yachts, has moved from its Miami Beach location to downtown Miami next to the Adrienne Arscht Center and the Sea Isle Marina.

The move gives the Miami Yacht Show 3,500 parking spaces, additional on-land exhibit space, including the new AquaZone, and is closer to the Super Yacht Miami show at Island Gardens Deep Harbour on Watson Island. Visitors have an option to purchase one ticket for both shows.

A sail-exclusive area on Pier 9 and a special section of Tent F at the Miami International Boat Show add to the show’s educational features held in the new Sailor’s Cove. Two seminar tents are dedicated to sailing and boating education, including Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center, Discover Boating Hands-On Skill Training courses, DIY and cruising seminars, and on-water classes.

This year’s Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show along with the Miami Yacht Show offers visitors a more comprehensive boat show experience. Here are a few of the boat builders introducing their new designs and where you can see them.

By Kate Lardy, Southern Boating February 2019

At a Glance

Combo Miami Yacht Show & Miami International Boat Show
Adults: $53.00

Transportation: Free shuttle bus and free water taxi services are available to make getting to and from the shows easy. Shuttle bus Thursday-Monday 9AM-7PM; Water taxi at Bayfront Park and American Airlines Arena 9:30AM-7PM

miamiyachtshow.com; miamiboatshow.com

Miami International Boat Show

February 14-18
Thurs-Mon: 10am-6pm
Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, Virginia Key

Premier Day, Thursday Feb. 14: $40.00

General Admission
Adults 13 and older: $25.00
Two-Day Pass: $45.00
Five-Day Pass: $100
Children 12 and younger: FREE (when accompanied by a paid adult)
No pets, service animals only

Miami Yacht Show

One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL
Feb 14-17: 10am-6pm
Feb 18: 10am-5pm

General Admission
Adults 13 and older: $28.00
Children 12 and under: FREE

2018 Miami Boat Show Preview

2017 Miami Boat Show Preview

2016 Miami Boat Show Preview

2015 Miami Boat Show Preview

Southport 33 DC

Based on the proven platform of the Southport 33, the new Southport 33 DC (Dual Console) adds amenities for the family-focused owner. Loads of seating means even the extended family is accommodated, including deep forward cockpit seating with a convertible sun pad, fold-away seats in the aft cockpit and a co-pilot lounge with fore- and aft-facing backrests under the protection of the hardtop. The port console hosts a twin berth cabin with the head on the starboard side.

Southport’s fishing heritage is not forgotten as the hull delivers an exceptionally dry and safe ride, and a 35-gallon transom livewell comes standard. Also standard is a retractable sunroof in the hardtop and a dive door.

32′ 6″ LOA, 10′ 8″ beam

southportboats.com

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

Bluegame Yachts

With thousands of sea miles behind him, Bluegame’s designer, Olympic sailor Luca Santella knows that safety concerns for any boat. He took a fresh approach to boat design and created what he calls “sports utility boats.”

With a flexible platform, the Bluegame 42 and Bluegame 62 can be whatever you want them to be—an open, sportfisherman, fast commuter, tender, or day cruiser. Both new models feature interiors by Italian firm Zuccon International Project, which, like the exterior, is highly customizable. They can reach 35 knots with low fuel consumption thanks to Volvo Penta IPS drives.

Bluegame 42: 42′ 5″ LOA, 14′ 3″ beam

Bluegame 62: 61′ 6″ LOA, 17′ 6″ beam

bluegame.it

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

CL Yachts CLB72 & CLA76

The nearly 150-year-old builder launched a new luxury performance division in 2018—CL Yachts— and unveiled the CLB72 and CLA76f. The new offerings tap into current trends and take a different approach to design, materials, and innovation.

Careful engineering and extensive use of carbon fiber in the hull structure make for an exceptionally lightweight boat, which eases handling and gives a top speed of around 30 knots. The layout varies greatly between each, but both boast a full-beam amidships master and a particularly spacious engine room. The priority is given to comfort and user-friendliness is seen in the gyrostabilization, active interceptor system, and floating interior that minimizes vibration.

CLB72: 76′ 9″ LOA, 19′ 8″ beam

CLA76f: 76′ 6″ LOA, 19′ 8″ beam

clyachts.com

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

Astondoa 52 Flybridge

G Marine, as the exclusive U.S. dealer for the Spanish shipyard Astondoa, brings Mediterranean boating to America but with some modifications. The dealer has completely redesigned the Astondoa 52 Flybridge for tropical cruising and replaced the crew cabin with a garage that holds a PWC and a paddleboard or kayak.

The galley and bar were moved to the main deck aft to be close to the cockpit action. There are also ice chests on the top deck for an icy-cold beer. In addition, G Marine exhibits Astondoa’s new 377 Coupe, the little sister to the popular 655. While small and sporty, the Coupe shows the shipyard’s megayacht expertise with two stylish oak-finished cabins that rival the big boats.

Astondoa 52 Fly: 52′ 6″ LOA, 15′ 3″ beam

Astondoa 377 Coupe: 38′ 1″ LOA, 11′ 8″ beam

gmyachts.com

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

Everglades 340DC

Marking Everglades’ reentry into the dual console market, the Everglades 340DC is a versatile boat with three distinct social areas and some creative extras, such as the windshield that opens with a push of a button and the companion seat that folds down into a chaise lounge.

For anglers, its cockpit with two livewells is one of the largest in its class at 96 square feet. An outdoor galley, a berth in the port console and a shower in the starboard console make it possible to overnight; add the optional generator, berth A/C,
grill, and Seakeeper stabilizer, and you have a weekend getaway.

The company says this model is paving the way for an extended line of coastal explorers, so keep a watchful eye.

33′ 6″ LOA, 11′ 1″ beam

evergladesboats.com

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

Chris-Craft 35 GT

Chris-Craft calls its newest addition to the Launch series the 35 GT, its most innovative model yet. Classic design, reverse transom, large rear sunpad, and touches of elegant
varnished mahogany throughout unmistakably belong to the Chris-Craft Launch family, yet several options make the Chris-Craft 35 GT quite customizable.

Propulsion is sterndrive or outboard, a painted hardtop is another option and SureShade can further extend the shelter at the push of a button. Owners can also pick their preference to board through a dive door or walk-through transom.

37′ LOA, 10′ 10″ beam

chriscraft.com

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

Azimut S6 & Azimut Atlantis 51

Italian style comes to Miami in the form of the Azimut S6 & Azimut Atlantis 51.

In downtown Miami, the S6 has a fresh, refined interior design by Francesco Guida. It employs carbon tech construction and triple Volvo Penta IPS drives to maximize fuel effciency, reduce noise and propel it to 36 knots. The extra space aorded by the IPS’s compact engine room goes to a huge garage that comes with a personalized tender, a Tecnorib Pirelli J33-Azimut Special Edition.

On Virginia Key, the Atlantis 51, shown, is pure open—the main deck is one big open-air lounge. Below, a generous beam and vertical bow work together to maximize volume for three very comfortable cabins plus a large below-deck dinette.

Downtown Miami:
Azimut S6: 59′ LOA, 15′ 7″ beam

Virginia Key
Azimut Atlantis 51: 53′ 1″ LOA, 14′ 11″ beam

azimutyachts.com

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

Invincible 37 Catamaran

A new catamaran joins Invincible’s fleet, a sibling to the 40 for those who prefer a smaller footprint. The Invincible 37 Catamaran has 360-degree walkaround fishability on a single level atop the inherently stable double-hull platform.

It shares its seakeeping ability with the 40 as Invincible worked with the multihull experts at Morelli & Melvin to create the boats it says can tear through seas and turn at high speeds. The 37’s deck layout di ers a bit with a flat transom and longer fish boxes forward. With a 550-gallon fuel tank, it’s possible to fish far and wide.

37′ LOA, 12′ beam

invincibleboats.com

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

Bertram 61

Everything old is new again, and new means better when you add a gyrostabilizer and near military-grade windows. Based on the 1980s Bertram 54, the Bertram 61 took design cues from the past while taking advantage of modern technology. The company’s new flagship, with hull design by Michael Peters, o ers countless layout, tower, and hull color configurations.

One feature that remains consistent, though, is the spectacular frameless wraparound windows that give a 360-degree view from the open galley/salon. Fully equipped for tournament fishing, the spacious 188-square-foot cockpit allows anglers to maneuver easily when the bite is on.

61′ 1″ LOA, 18′ 3″ beam

bertram.com

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

Viking 38 Billfish

Viking’s 38 Billfish is the builder’s latest innovation in versatility, comfort, and performance.

Viking’s 38 Billfish exemplifies the builder’s evolutionary strategy to build a better boat every day. Already leaving its predecessor, the 37 Billfish, in its wake, this new model
is longer, wider and sports a refined running surface. A new hull design with foam encapsulated stringers, a raked stem, double chines and a pair of running strakes delivers performance and maximizes speed and efficiency with two 550-hp Cummins QSB 6.7 diesels.

Aimed at bluewater anglers and young families, the 38 Billfish appeals to the upward moving owner/operator as well as those looking for an easy-to-handle and maintain convertible that’s ideal for mastering inshore and offshore assignments.

Small and Mighty

Perhaps more than anything, this new Billfish model demonstrates how much boat Viking is able to build in 38 feet. There’s no mistaking the Viking DNA with its eye-pleasing, unbroken sheer, the finely proportioned deckhouse and the spacious cockpit. A full-feature convertible in a mid-size package, the boat checks every box for practicality and fun.

Underway, with full fuel and water and five people aboard, the 38 Billfish ripped to a top speed of 35 knots drinking 56 gallons per hour on my Lake Worth, Florida, test run. Throttled back to 31 knots for a swift cruise, the turbocharged, after-cooled Cummins consumed 41 gallons per hour.

At a moderate 26 knots, figure on 31 gallons per hour. With a capacity of 460 gallons, the boat has more than ample range wherever you decide to set the throttles. Pick the spot, and the 38 Billfish performs and handles with the enthusiasm of a student on the last day of school thanks to the Cummins Inboard Joystick matched to the DC bow thruster. Both acceleration and throttle response are swift with virtually no diesel exhaust.

Runs in the Family

Sharing the popular style and traits of its larger brothers, the flybridge utilizes a center console command station. Visibility throughout 32 points of the compass is excellent.
The fiberglass helm pod painted to mimic teak adds a custom touch and is augmented with single lever controls with thruster buttons and power-assisted hydraulic steering.

Viking subsidiary Atlantic Marine Electronics provided the electronics that are well-organized and stowed in the console for all-weather navigation. Additional instrumentation is mounted overhead in the fiberglass hardtop as are the 24VDC Miya
Epoch electric teaser reels favored by offshore tuna and billfish anglers, and a rocket launcher is built into the aft aluminum rail. A single Release helm seat is standard and a second seat is optional.

Lounges to port and starboard ahead of the console offer plenty of seating and room to stretch. A Costa Clear three-sided enclosure provides comfort and protection. Viking’s legacy in building tournament contenders is obvious in the many features found in the 109-square-foot cockpit starting with the molded, non-skid deck with a 29-inch reach to the waterline. It was raining on test day and the surefootedness was appreciated.

Fish on, friends

A transom livewell, port and starboard insulated fish wells measuring 46 inches by 18
inches by 16 inches and fresh and raw-water wash-down systems are standard fare. The coaming is rounded and is comfortable when leaning against it during stand-up battles with sails, mahi and cobia. A walk-through transom door with a lift gate complements a swim step.

Underneath the coaming, tricolor LED lighting illuminates the cockpit. An aluminum mounting plate is laminated in the deck to accommodate a fishing chair or rocket launcher, and flush-mounted rod holders are conveniently placed. To port is a bait freezer inside a molded console with a removable fiberglass tray to handle a day’s worth of rigged
balao and mullet, which not only keeps the baits ready but also eliminates the clutter of a portable cooler on deck.

To starboard, lifting the molded console lid reveals a sink with a freshwater spigot and a board for cutting bait or rigging while underneath, a door opens to access four tackle drawers and accessory switches, including a temperature gauge for the freezer. Cushions atop the consoles make ideal perches for keeping out of the weather, watching baits in the wake and relaxing underway or at the dock.

A spacious master suite makes the most of storage space.

Day Boat Vibes

With its traditional day-boat layout, the salon door is replaced by a Costa Clear curtain, but it opens the cockpit to the air-conditioned salon/command deck with 80 inches of
headroom and the option to install a lower helm station. For early season starts in the north or late season cruising and fishing, the lower helm station is a popular choice, especially with fishermen that go shorthanded.

The open salon design is a reminder of the style so well propagated by Palm Beach
Ryboviches and Pompano Beach Merritt boats way back when. To maximize the comfort and usefulness of the space, Viking has added a refrigerator, a U-shaped lounge and a
fiberglass hi-lo table to port that can convert to a berth and a starboard-side, 88-inch-long lounge with rod and tackle stowage below.

The command deck is especially inviting after returning to the dock and serves as a social area that makes the boat very flexible in its mission as both a capable hardcore fishing boat and family cruiser.

Peek Underneath

Electrically actuated rams lift the sole to expose each engine compartment, but a center hatch also provides access for quick daily checks. Viking’s attention to detail in the mechanical space is outstanding. The bright white Awlgrip-painted bilge lights up the area, and the slender, inline six-cylinder Cummins engines are accessible for routine maintenance and service. Racor fuel/water separators, seacocks, sea valves, and strainers are labeled and painted with white Awlgrip. Wire and plumbing runs are neat and chafe-protected.

Our test boat had a 13.5 kW Onan generator, a Seakeeper SK6 gyrostabilizer, accessible engine and house batteries in fiberglass boxes, a voltage stabilizer isolation transformer,
Dometic air conditioning, a Dolphin Pro battery charger, an oil exchanger system for draining and filling the engines, transmissions and the generator, a freshwater outlet for
keeping the machinery space clean, and a Delta-T ventilation system that provides fresh air supply and water intrusion suppression. Each diesel is equipped with a Y-valve to function as emergency bilge pumps.

‘Reel’ Living Space

Unlike big center console boats of similar length with a cuddy cabin, the 38 Billfish has actual overnight living accommodations three steps down from the salon deck. The
L-shape galley features a stainless steel sink, Corian countertop, Kenyon electric cooktop, Samsung microwave, and an Isotherm refrigerator and freezer. Teak cabinetry is abundant, and the electrical panel is eye level for ease of use. The spacious head
to port has a Dometic MSD, Corian countertop, teak vanity, and a better than full-size fiberglass shower stall with a glass door.

The master stateroom is forward with a bi-fold door for privacy, an island double berth with an innerspring mattress and stowage underneath, a pair of maple-lined hanging lockers, rod locker, TV and stereo. The air conditioning system services the lower accommodations, and the flooring throughout the area is custom Amtico vinyl. Hatches in the sole provide access to bilge pumps, shower sump, plumbing, and the like.

High Pedigree

This is the smallest Viking, but noting that even the sole hatches are framed with teak showcases its pedigree to its larger siblings.

Specifications

LOA: 38′ 8″
Beam: 14′
Draft: 3′ 4″
Displacement: 30,954 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 460/69 gal.
Cruise/Max Speed: 31/35 knots
Power: 2x Cummins QSB 6.7 @ 550-hp
Price: On request

Contact

Viking Yacht Company
(609) 296-6000
vikingyachts.com

By Peter Frederiksen, Southern Boating June 2019

Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence

Ocean Alexander Divergence 45

The Ocean Alexander Divergence 45 is a welcome contrast from the big boat brand.

When the assignment came in for this sea trial, I thought there was a typo in the email. Sure, it said the boat to test was the Divergence 45, but it also said the builder was Ocean Alexander.

Was this American magazine going metric and specified the size in meters? That wouldn’t be too far off because Ocean Alexander (OA) is capable of building a 147-foot yacht. But no, the 45 designation represented feet, and it was an OA. Wait! What? Yup. Ocean Alexander is now building in the 45-foot range with a new center console “yacht” with
outboard power and true OA craftmanship.

Large Yacht Goes Small

It is not a typical center console, but a center console on steroids. Everywhere you look, there are components and features that are built to large yacht standards; from the deck seating to the cabin layout to the space-age console, it has the ability to be a family platform for diving or fishing as well as for entertaining.

The coolness quotient is high when you realize that both the port and starboard aft bulwarks can fold down to create mini balconies.

Noticeable at first is the single level, full walkaround deck. Transiting from fore to aft is painless thanks to the recessed cabinet pulls and low-profile drawer handles. Cleats are mounted at the top of the gunwales and recessed when not in use to maintain a sleek profile. This is critical when fishing as access around the boat is essential in maintaining the proper line angle to minimize any contact with the boat or motors.

The coolness quotient is high when you realize that both the port and starboard aft bulwarks can fold down to create mini balconies. It adds to the size of the cockpit by extending the beam from 13 feet, 9 inches to 19 feet, 1 inch. When the bulwarks are up, the patented door-within-a-door aids in boarding from either side and thanks to the extended swim platform, boarding is accessible via the stern too.

Plenty of Seats

If you’re concerned about having all your friends on board, you may run out of friends before you run out of seats. OA built ample seating into this model and each one has a
commanding vantage point. Forward is an artfully curved, three-section settee in the bow with cushioned backrests supported on each end by an extension of the coaming structure to the deck.

You’ll run out of friends before you run out of places to sit!

Many center consoles have a seat at the front of the helm, but OA went the extra mile and created a two- to three-person, full-length, forward-facing lounge settee—a voluminous area with grab rails and speakers that will be a favorite with owners and guests alike. Between the bow seating is a hi-lo dining table perfect for drinks at sunset. Lower the table and filler cushions, and this area transforms into a large sunpad lounge.

Midship, triple Llebroc helm seats adorned with thick padding, beefy bolsters, fold-down armrests, and contoured backrests keep captain and crew well positioned regardless
of the seas. The cockpit is centered with a forward and aft bench seat big enough for three each. Well-padded like all the others, the forward seat has a reversible backrest so guests can face forward during the ride out to the fishing grounds or aft when the lines are in the water. The transom seat folds out and can neatly tuck away when it’s time to fish. There’s designated seating for at least 14 of your friends.

On Deck

Entertain guests on deck with the outdoor galley cabinet between the helm seats and the cockpit. This large cabinet houses a retractable flatscreen TV as well as a Scandvik stainless steel sink and faucet, two-burner Kenyon cooktop, Kenyon grill, and U-Line fridge.

Four Fusion speakers pump out music, recessed lighting and forward/aft spreader lights illuminate in the hardtop and a retractable, motorized SureShade cockpit awning extends all the way aft to protect guests from the elements. The standard Kohler 11kW diesel generator keeps those at the helm and in the cabin cool. Options include a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer, KVH Tracvision satellite TV, FLIR thermal night vision, and a host of other choices to personalize your 45.

Down Below

Designer Evan K. Marshall’s focus on the interior layout was to enhance the owner’s experience. To that end, Marshall starts with six-foot, six-inch headroom in the cabin accessible from a staircase to port of the helm console. Adding side and forward windows in the hull along with a skylight creates an open feel. There’s a mini galley to port equipped with a GE microwave, Isotherm fridge drawer and Scandvik sink and storage installed in a solid, satin-finished wooden cabinet.

Doing double duty is the forward dinette with U-shaped settee and center hi-lo table for dining. With the table lowered, filler cushions in place and forward seat backrest dropped, the settee becomes a queen-size berth.

There’s a separate, standup head (just over six feet) to starboard. A clear Ambassador basin sink complements the Cambria Berwyn counters and wood finish. There’s a Tecma
toilet system, and a glass door keeps the shower stall separate. A Dometic reverse cycle, extreme tropical climate, 10,000 BTU air conditioning system cools the entire cabin area.

Power at the Helm

Four 350-hp Mercury Verado outboards power the Divergence 45, and all I can say is when they light up, hold on. We screamed out of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, into a confused chop of more than four feet. The 45 skimmed across the top thanks to the sharp entry and 18-degree deadrise at the transom. My wheelman put us into a few tight turns barely pulling back on the throttles.

With a lean into the seas, the 45 came around as expected with assured footing. Although it was too choppy to get clean running specs, I did see that we were clocking more than 40 mph at one point. If it could do this speed in these conditions, then I’m confident it
can hit the 48 mph mark that OA publishes.

The helm is fully loaded with electronics and controls.

Controls for the 45 are at the space-age, carbon fiber helm console that is loaded with Garmin electronics, including three 17-inch multifunction displays for charts and radar,
VHF and more. There’s also Sirius XM, Lenco tabs, Mercury throttles and joystick with Skyhook, Mercury VesselView 5-inch display, Maxwell windlass controller, and other components. Electrical system controls are through the OctoPlex NMEA monitor.

In Style

The 45 comes in two styles: a cruising/dive model and a fishing version for the serious tourney crowd. For the latter, the galley can be converted to a tackle and prep area with
storage drawers for lures, hooks and gear. Additional rod holders are accessible around the boat including six built into the transom, convenient when fishing off the swim platform, as well as a transom livewell. Fish box freezer plates and outriggers are also available.

Owners can choose from a multitude of wood options, paint schemes and even matching engine cowling colors. From Marshall’s prolific pen, the Divergence 45 has a sleek yet aggressive style and design that amplifies the functions of the yacht. The broken sheer that sweeps from the high freeboard forward, the raked windshield and the low-profile
hardtop says this machine means business for both cruising and fishing in style.

Ocean Alexander knows there is a good market for center consoles and outboard-driven vessels and why they’ve taken the bold step with the Divergence 45. It’s not a typo.

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 47′ 5″
Beam (bulwarks closed): 13′ 9″
Beam (bulwarks open): 19′ 1″
Draft (engines down/up): 3′ 1″/2′ 6″
Displacement (loaded): 33,950 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 607/100 gals.
Fuel (diesel for generator): 60 gals.
Power: 4x Mercury Verado 350-hp
Price: Upon request

CONTACT:

MarineMax Ocean Alexander
301 SE 17th St, Pier 66 Marina in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 779-1905

By Tom Serio, Southern Boating June 2019

Return to the Miami Boat Shows

Sanlorenzo SX76

A departure for the Italian yard, the new SX line is a fusion of the classic flybridge yacht and the growing trend of explorers. The latest addition, the SX76 makes its U.S. debut in Miami. The high bow and reverse-raked main deck windows give a hint of ruggedness, while the interior is characterized by open spaces and large windows.

Placing the helm exclusively on the flybridge, which can fully enclose with side windows and aft panels, gives more social space to the main deck. Just four steps below
the main deck level, the swim platform carries a tender of up to 13 feet and a
personal watercraft.

When these are offloaded, the area becomes a vast beach club of nearly 200 square feet.

76′ 7″ LOA, 21′ 8″ beam

sanlorenzoamericas.com