Southport 29 FE

This crossover model offers the luxury and amenities of a family cruiser without sacrificing the fishability and offshore performance of a high-quality center console fishing boat. Designed around Southport’s proven, safe and efficient Hunt deep-V hull design, the 29 FE has unique layout and design features. Luxury appointments include an adjustable-height table for cocktails and alfresco dining that folds down to create a spacious forward sunpad, comfortable forward and aft seating arrangements. A forward-facing loveseat-style cushion under the console with suede-like plush vinyl comes in three color palettes. To shift from entertaining to fishing, the plush three-quarter aft lounge seat across from the stern seat folds down, and the area aft of the lounge seat is a fully equipped bait-rigging station with a freshwater sink, insulated bait storage area and cutting boards. For added convenience with a hint of luxury, the lockable stand-up head enclosure includes a faux granite sink and countertop with durable nonskid, easy-to-clean Marinedeck® on the cabin sole. Deluxe helm chairs with flip-up bolsters are standard, as is a leaning post tackle station with waist-high access to a fresh/saltwater sink, insulated bait box and a lighted 45-gallon oval livewell—an entertainment center is an option as well as a quarter-berth beneath the console front seat. Twin 300-hp outboards deliver good fuel economy and responsive handling up to top speeds over 55 mph. Families will enjoy this multi-purpose boat with a safe, soft, dry ride and easy handling. (207) 620-7998; southportboats.com

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating Magazine July 2014

The tournament-quality Bluewater 355e meets anglers’ demands—whether for tournaments or just for fun—with its speed, range, space, and fishability. The 355e is 35 feet, 9 inches long, with a 10-foot beam that enhances its spacious, flush deck. With a new design from the keel up, it combines a powerful deep-V hull configuration with a separate deck cap to provide 360 degrees of uninterrupted toe space beneath the extra-high gunwale. With a 380-gallon fuel capacity and rated for 900 horsepower, the 355e takes you where the fish are as fast as you care to go.
Twelve standard rod holders and locking under-deck storage keep your rigs secure and out of the way. An extra-large macerated insulated fish box forward holds your catch with four more fish boxes built in for good measure. A 90-gallon in-floor livewell and Bluewater’s exclusive 60-gallon transom well—which easily converts to two 30-gallon wells—provide ample bait storage. The 355e includes built-in tackle storage for 12 Plano trays and your choice of 4 leaning post/tackle stations. The one-piece multiPlex stringer system is enhanced with molded storage boxes integrated into the design, which provides greater rigidity and includes far more insulation for all of the fish boxes.
The 355e offers a host of options including twin or triple power; hardtop or tower with duplicate controls and electronics; instruments and control panel per your specifications; creature comforts such as a head and shower; and a variety of luxury seating configurations. (772) 464-3735; bluewaterboats.com

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating Magazine July 2015