Century Boats’ new 2600 CC offers big boat ride with small boat maneuverability. The 2600 CC (26′ LOA, 8’6″ beam) is packed with standard equipment, but with plenty of optional upgrades to tailor the boat to any specific need. The 2600 CC combines fishing, performance, and luxury family amenities, with the mantra “It’s off shore on Friday, the sand bar Saturday, and ready for dinner Sunday.” The 2600 CC’s deck provides plenty of walkable space and is surrounded by ample storage, with two insulated fish boxes and a 42-gallon bait well system with a Power Stream Venturi Aerator. Six gunwale rod holders, an enclosed electric head, freshwater shower at transom, and a four-battery management system are some of the standard features. In addition, an adjustable entertainment table forward, fiberglass hardtop with spreader lights, rod holders, and Fusion speakers complete the standard and optional features. Offered with twin Yamaha outboards, you can opt for 150-, 200-, or 225-horsepower engines to get you on the fish fast. With twin 200-hp engines, the 2600 CC runs to a top speed of 51 mph and cruises at 26.6.mph. (813) 236-8879; centuryboats.com
By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating Magazine, July 2015
The Ocean Master 336 CC is designed for long offshore runs and no-compromise fishing. Ocean Master’s new 336 CC is a power combination of seaworthiness, safety and rugged construction. Her large cockpit and 360-degree fishability are hallmarks of Ocean Master center consoles.
Crafted with 20 layers of hand-laid fiberglass, vinylester resin and oversized stringers glassed into the hull, the 336 CC is rock solid. Equipped with a pair of Evinrude E-TEC G2TM 300-hp engines—a flaring V-hull form softens the aft for better planing—the 336 is a performer that’s sure to inspire boat owners looking for a safe ride and great fishing platform controllable in a wide range of sea conditions.
In recent testing the 336 CC’s top speed was 54 mph, clocking in at 4.7 seconds to plane. It also sipped fuel displaying 2.11 mpg for 570 miles at 26.5 mph. Each semi-custom 336 is built specifically for its owner, allowing buyers to have direct input into the building of their boat.
Specifications
LOA: 33’5″
Beam: 10’3″
Draft: 18″
Weight without engine: 10,000 pounds
Fuel/Water: 300 U.S. gals.
MSRP: from $200,000
Are you teaching your kids how to operate and maintain the boat? Start now with these ideas for every age group.
Kids and boating can go hand in hand.
Kids, especially siblings, squabble. It happens with toys, clothes, you name it. But squabbling over a responsibility?
That’s the reality aboard Glen Ader’s and his wife’s boat. Their boys, ages 11 and 8, are typically happy to tackle different tasks on the 32-foot Grand Banks. But when it comes to handling dock lines, each wants to be the only one to do it. Ader laughs in relating how he and his wife gently remind the boys to take turns: “It’s like, ‘C’mon, dudes, share.’”
The couple may be unusual in some respects—they held part of their wedding ceremony on the back of their then-boat, a Trophy. But they’re no different than hundreds of other parents who are also passionate boat owners. The Aders have been raising their boys to become cruisers since they were in their car seats. Car seats that got carried from the family automobile to the boat, naturally. So, as their sons are growing up, the Aders encourage them to learn more about the responsibilities of operating and owning a boat. They know that kids and boating is the best combination.
Ader is a firm believer that kids are never too young for parents to start this education process. “Kids love to learn, and love to learn with their hands,” he avers. He grew up boating and recalls that by his teens, he took the family boat out more than his dad, a tugboat captain who regularly enjoys the lifestyle to this day.
Ader’s experience as a child and his own children’s ongoing experiences underscore the findings of the 2013 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, published by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. It reveals that nearly 8 out of 10 adults who boated that year had also done so as children. Furthermore, the report found that people who enjoyed the lifestyle as children were more likely to do so as adults, too.
If you’re a parent or grandparent and haven’t yet thought about teaching your young ones the ropes (no pun intended), here are some general age-oriented tips to get you started.
Elementary School
Five- to 10-year-olds can learn a variety of things, some of which depend on their dexterity:
• Knot tying. If your kids can tie their shoelaces, they can learn a few simple knots. Imagine your child’s pride when you use his or her handiwork the next time on board.
• Wind and current. No need to go into detailed dissertations on the Beaufort scale or sea states; the Ader boys were each around five or six when they began learning the basics on how wind and current affect a boat.
• Handling dock lines. Let your kids practice when the water is calm and there aren’t a lot of other boats around to get comfortable. “It’s something they can do where there’s not really a lot of risk of them getting injured,” Ader says.
• Simple maintenance. If you do your own maintenance, show your kids what good vs. dirty oil looks like. They can stand by with tools for other tasks and even pitch in while you supervise. Ader says his 8-year-old has likely used a wrench in the bilge more times than his 11-year-old.
• Washdowns. When you’re finished hosing down the boat, hand your child a chamois and turn ‘em loose on rails or brightwork. Consider making a game out of who can dry off the boat the fastest (and safest).
Middle School
All of the above responsibilities can be taught to 11- to 14-year-olds if not done so previously. These additional tasks are appropriate as well:
• Using a boat hook. Practice tossing items into the water for your kids to retrieve using the hook. Depending on your child’s abilities, he or should may even be able to try this at an earlier age.
• Reading helm instruments. By now, your kids can better understand how an autopilot works, what a GPS displays, and more. Consider teaching plotting, too
• Taking the boat out of gear. While none of us wants to dwell on “what if” scenarios, it’s important to be prepared for emergencies. Show your children how to shut things down if for some reason you can’t get to the helm. Consider teaching this if your kids are nearing middle school, too.
Most parents find that the lessons their children learn on boats transfer to other areas of life, including in the classroom.
Teenagers
• Boat handling. Just as teens can’t wait to get their hands on the car keys, many want to take the wheel of the family boat. Depending on your state’s regulations, your teens may have to be a specific age to handle the helm and have passed a proficiency exam. There’s no minimum age in Florida, for example. However, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who wants to operate a vessel with a 10-hp or higher motor in state waters must have a boating education ID card and photo ID. The boating education ID proves he or she has completed a course given by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, or an equivalency.
• Emergency drills. Explain what to do in a man-overboard situation, and show your teen how to properly circle back and pick the person up. Even though the Ader boys are still pre-teens, Glen Ader and his wife have already discussed between themselves how they’ll eventually simulate a man-overboard situation by tossing something in the water.
Resources
Admittedly, all of the advice so far is geared toward those of you who are experienced boaters. If you’re a relative newcomer, the Discover Boating initiative, overseen by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, can help. The Discover Boating website includes a new directory of youth boating programs. More than 3,000 local and national programs are listed so far.
Many of these offer first-timers lessons on how to handle a boat, sometimes aboard boats in the program’s fleet or ones chartered for the purpose. Enter your zip code, select the type of activity your kids are interested in (powerboating, sailing, etc.), and the radius you’re willing to travel (10 to 100 miles). Most programs include details on age requirements.
Furthermore, kids as young as four years old can be enrolled in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Boating Fun class. Among other things, the hour-long program provides them with an activity and coloring book that further teaches safe-boating lessons.
Whatever your kids’ ages , and no matter your experience level, it’s vital to put kids and boating together. “The phenomenon, I think, that’s going on now with the younger generations is the need to disconnect and spend more time together,” says Frank Peterson, president and CEO of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation. That’s a nonprofit organization focused on increasing participation in fishing, boating, and aquatic stewardship.
“We call it ‘togethering,’ and I think fishing and boating allow people to spend more of that ‘together time.’ Our sports really appeal to the younger generations. What we have to do is break down some perceived barriers to entry that they may have.”
Icemule Pro Catch Coolers have tough exterior and interior fabric for use with or without a liner to keep your drinks cold and you’re your fresh catches fresh. The simple design features IceMule’s patented insulated dry-bag technology and includes clips, straps and bungees to be tied down to your boat, kayak or paddleboard. Features include the TriFold DriTopTM System—a foolproof seal to keep ice in and air out, MuleSkinETTM and MuleSkinEVTM—a tough 1000-denier outer layer for strength and durability, PolarLayerTM Insulation—keeps items cold for up to 24 hours, IM AirValveTM—allows for insulation layer air removal to roll the cooler up for storage. Available in small (22²), medium (32²) and large (42²). MSRP starts at $89.95; icemulecooler.com
Whether you fish for sport or tournaments, a solid platform helps land the trophies. Check out the top fighting chairs in the industry.
When you’re battling a big fish, the fighting chair is your link to the boat. It provides comfort and leverage when the struggle is long and the angler is weary. Fighting chairs, which were originally constructed from steel, are still as popular when they were when heavy-tackle sportfishing first took off.
Technological improvements have introduced materials such as fiberglass, aluminum, and carbon fiber. However, the most popular chairs still utilize teak and stainless steel. Some chairs are designed for fighting the world’s largest gamefish, such as marlin, which can top 1,500 pounds.
On boats with limited space, smaller chairs or leaning posts can alleviate the pressure and fatigue of standing in the fight. Regardless of size, fighting chairs help anglers enjoy the experience and clear the way for deckhands to assist in the battle. Here’s a look at the top fighting chairs and the unique features they offer, including a vintage series of chairs that hearken back to yesteryear.
Bluewater Chairs
Go big or go small with either the Large Marlin Chair or the smaller Battle Station. Bluewater Chairs—founded in 1987 by Tom Ackels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—offers these two distinct models among its product lineup. The Large Marlin Chair is a fully featured chair built of Burmese teak and stainless steel and comes with a lifetime structural guarantee. These top fighting chairs offering mirror-polished stainless-steel legs with a teak footrest, padded arms, and solid backrest, the chair keeps you locked in. A high-tech bearing swivel system allows for freedom of movement, and additional features include fail-proof cast gimbals, boltless rod holders and one-piece working tray with rocket launchers. All chairs are built by hand and can be customized to meet exact specifications. The scaled-down Battle Station is for smaller boats, where the combination of a rocket launcher and a fighting chair is needed in a tight space. bluewaterchairs.com
Fish on! This dude should use his fighting chair if he wants to land the big one!
A streamlined fighting chair from Nautical Design makes our list of top fighting chairs.
Murray Products, offers a large tuna chair with comfort and style. No wonder it is on our list of top fighting chairs!
Scopinich’s fighting chair comes with a cooler and is on our list for top fighting chairs!
Release Marine gives anglers the Trillion Series fighting chair. Trillion seems a bit pricey though.
Pompanette’s top fighting chair contains a well-engineered offset pedestal assembly.
Bluewater Chairs Large Marlin fighting chair.
Murray Products
Founded by Ed and Frank Murray, Murray Products in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been building fighting chairs for over 50 years. Back in the 1960s, the brothers realized that chairs were breaking under the weight of species like marlin and Bluefin. So, they built stronger chairs. Murray’s large tuna chair is built out of select aged teak and mirror-polished stainless steel. The thru-bolt attachment of accessories and epoxy construction comes standard. The chairs do not contain wood screws or fasteners.
A five-position fighting gimbal fits all rod-butt lengths, and the chair is designed with a double-bearing system for smooth turning under extreme pressure. The rounded front edge of the seat is easy on the legs during a lengthy fight, and a UV-resistant finish keeps the chair looking new. All the main hardware including the arms of the chair are prepared so that the stainless-steel bolts are epoxied and sealed right into the seat for superior strength without risk of any water intrusion. A rocket launcher back includes a magnetized cutting area to help keep hooks and other tackle organized. murrayproducts.com
Nautical Design
For 31 years, Nautical Design in Harmony, Pennsylvania, has manufactured sportfishing equipment such as fighting chairs, helm chairs, rocket launchers, fiberglass tackle centers, and leaning posts. While producing a full line of fighting chairs, a popular offering is the FFC-130 fighting chair and gimbaled rocket launchers. Smaller cockpits and larger center consoles require space-saving features. The Nautical Design FFC-130 has a tight turning radius, while uniquely engineered tuck-away and knock-down footrests allow you to clear the footrest out of the way quickly. The gimbaled four rocket launcher, tray and cupholder station offers versatility.
Combined with a four-inch stainless steel adjustable pedestal, the configuration is designed to have a full range of adjustment. In seconds, the chair can go from waist-high rocket launcher height to a lowered fighting chair position. The angler can sit, pivot and turn just like a fighting chair. Best of all, it fits into a small space compared to a regular fighting chair. nauticaldesign.com
Pompanette
Pompanette has been building rugged fighting chairs since 1949 starting out in Dania Beach, Florida. Pompanette’s lineup includes its International Line of teak chairs and Tournament Series chairs. Made of fiberglass and injection-molded components, Pompanette’s chairs meet all needs and budgets, from custom sportfish to charter.
The International and Tournament Series chairs are made from 316L stainless steel components and rated for 130-pound line class. Pompanette does not use aluminum, and fasteners are thru-bolted to ensure the chairs last over time. With hand-picked teak, the chairs are cross-laminated with a long-lasting, high-gloss finish. The company has developed a reverse offset pedestal to make large boats fishable. Careful bending (rather than welding) of a solid piece of four-inch stainless steel helps ensure the offsets hold up over time. The modern curves and shapes of rocket launchers combined with polished stainless-steel boltless rod holders add elegance. pompanette.com
Release Marine
Since 1979, Release Marine in Savannah, Georgia, has been building some of the world’s finest fighting chairs. The Trillion Series is a top-of-the-line signature chair, rated for use with heavy tackle. Release starts with hand-selected teak in the construction, matching the individual pieces to ensure uniformity of color and grain.
The Trillion features a sleekly curved and contoured seat, footrest and matching backrest. High-tech CNC machines cut and shape the teak seat, backrest, and footrest. Then, multiple stages of sanding and finish applications help ensure a long-lasting shine and durability under harsh conditions. More than 100 man-hours go into the production of each Trillion chair. They are available in either a straight or offset pedestal configuration for larger vessels. Release Marine also custom-manufactures marine products such as teak deck furniture and marine tables. releasemarine.com
Scopinich
With more than 100 years of experience in the marine business, Scopinich strives to deliver the finest fighting chairs. In addition to traditional fighting chairs, Scopinich has been developing and constructing products for the vintage fighting chair market. Based in Stuart, Florida, Scopinich’s Limited Edition Vintage Collection is for the collector. Or for the fisherman who is refitting a classic vessel. Or for the angler who simply appreciates the look and design of classic chairs, even on modern boats.
The vintage chairs are custom built with high-polished stainless steel and chrome-plated brass. The backrests and seats are made from metal but can be substituted with either mahogany or teak. The side rod holders are fixed tapered tubes, with a single tube per side. The vintage chairs can be updated with a heavy-duty gimbal and modern pedestal bearing systems for dependability. All Scopinich products are manufactured in the U.S. scopinich.com
