Tag: sportfishing

Hatteras GT59

Hatteras GT59

The Hatteras’s GT59 C Series blends contemporary design, outstanding open-water performance, and stellar fishability.

Roaming the docks of the 2018 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), I stop to admire the beautiful lines of the new Hatteras GT59 Convertible. From my view looking aft, I note the sharp, swept stem and curved forefoot designed to smoothly splice waves at high speed, and the significant chines are sure to keep the decks and the hull dry by deflecting spray well away from the hull. Those features are key for a sportfishing machine that can power up to reach an estimated, wide-open-throttle speed of more than 40 knots.

Most of all, I admire the prominent, outward-curved “Carolina” topside flare forward that adds increasingly greater buoyancy to help keep the bow up in big seas and provide additional spray deflection. That’s appropriate for an owner who wants to run to distant canyons with the knowledge that, like the four other models in the tournament-ready GT series, the GT59 is designed to get his crew out and back safely.

Safe & Sound

The Hatteras GT59 has three versions of twin Caterpillar C-32 ACERT diesel engines.  They are rated at 1,600-hp, 1,800-hp or 1,900-hp.

Like those four sister ships that currently range from 45 to 70 feet LOA, the GT59 incorporates a well-regarded, variable degree hull form that warps from sharper sections forward to flatter sections aft that adds lift to the stern underway and, in concert with the wide chines, provides optimal roll stability for better all-around performance. Patented hull tunnels permit flatter driveshaft angles for maximum usable engine torque and thrust that adds relief from water pressure against the transom when backing down and maneuvering ability to keep the fish in play.

The large, 156-square-foot cockpit abounds with fishing and comfort features and is accented by beautiful tumblehome topside sections. Hull No. 1 on display at FLIBS and christened Hatterascal is graced with teak planking on the cockpit sole, a molded step to the starboard side deck and coamings. Beneath the teak and accessed by beautifully fit hatches, there are two insulated fish boxes with macerator, a large transom fish box that can serve as a livewell and a coaming cap for a transom door wide enough to board substantial game fish. Rod holder storage is abundant, and a bait freezer is under the mezzanine seat.

Fish On

No matter how you fight fish:  a stout mounting plate for a rocket launcher or fighting chair is securely affixed under the cockpit sole. Mezzanine seating for three to four people stretches across the aft bulkhead, and the back cushions are separated for air conditioning outlets that take the hot and humid out of spectating or waiting for a turn at the rods. Hawse holes for mooring lines accentuate a cockpit that is clear of line-snagging deck gear.

The Hatteras GT59  is fitted with a full tower from Carolina Custom Towers, a partner vendor with Hatteras, and it’s a primo piece of welding with joints ground smooth and polished to jewel-like perfection. An athwartships-facing ladder to starboard of the cabin entry door, which goes up and over the bait-and-tackle locker, is positioned properly for those transiting to and from the flying bridge; using it when the boat is rolling is far easier than ladders of those early years that faced forward. A bait freezer, two insulated storage boxes and a fridge for drinks are found under the mezzanine step. The addition of an optional Seakeeper stabilizer package might be a good choice for those who want to fish or cruise with the family.

The flying bridge is command central with a captain’s helm chair on the centerline that offers 360-degree views of the water around the boat, but more importantly, its location enables clear views of the cockpit. Hatterascal sports an optional teak helm pod in a high-gloss finish for the custom steering wheel and single-lever electric controls. For seating a few more fishermen, family and guests, a second helm chair is available as are two long lounges (with rod storage underneath) that flank the helm console. Removable, ladder-style seatbacks add two more observer positions to help keep a lookout for gamefish behind the boat. An even niftier feature is the double-wide lounge just ahead of the helm, which has plenty of room for storage or even an optional freezer.

Space for Everything

The console is nicely laid out, and more than wide enough for three large displays linked to a full suite of electronics. Hatterascal is equipped with three Garmin 8617 HD sunlight readable touchscreen MFDs completely integrated with a Garmin system package, including a 12kW open array radar, GSD-26 black box sounder, and much more. Tower electronics include a Garmin GPSMAP 7608 and backup controls for the autopilot and VHF.

When the focus shifts from fishing to cruising or entertaining, the main salon of the GT59 offers all the luxury an owner could ask for. Satin-finish teak figures prominently in the salon décor with a cabin sole of contemporary vinyl flooring and interior fabrics, wall coverings and countertops selected by Hatteras Design Center professionals.

Hatterascal’s high-gloss teak in lieu of the standard satin finish is stunning to the eye and to the touch. Large windows in the deckhouse sides and aft bulkhead offer wonderful views of surrounding waters and abundant natural lighting. Unexpectedly roomy is the best description of the salon layout, which features storage and a large TV screen to starboard beneath the window, a comfy sofa, and cocktail table aft to port and a wide-open, L-shaped galley anchored by a serving and food prep island with three comfortable stools to hang out with the chef.

Accommodations

Hatteras offers three distinct accommodation deck arrangements, starting with the standard three-stateroom, two-head layout (the master stateroom head is private and ensuite) with a starboard utility room. An optional third head arrangement replaces the utility room with a large day head with shower compartment to starboard that affords more privacy for the VIP guest stateroom forward. There’s a washer/dryer combo in a locker in the companionway.

For the serious fishing aficionado, the third arrangement configures the utility room as the Hatteras Integrated Tackle Storage (HITS) system designed with mission-specific safe storage of an owner’s collection of cherished rods, reels, and other gear. A 60/40 split berth arrangement option is available for the forward stateroom for dedicated fishermen with crew or lots of angler friends.

Hatterascal is already booked for a busy 2019 tournament season. Chris and Laura Jessen, who own the successful and well-known Fish Tank Sportfishing Team, along with their captain, Ben Horning, will campaign the GT59 from Abaco, Bahamas, in May to Cape May, New Jersey, in August. If you miss them on the trail, the folks from Hatteras headquarters in New Bern, North Carolina will help you find a dealer so you can see this impressive new yacht firsthand.

Specifications

LOA: 59’9″
Beam: 18’9″
Draft: 4’9″
Displacement (full load): 92,000 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 1,750/200 gals.
Cruise/Top Speed: 32/42 knots
Power: 2x 1,900-hp CAT C-32A (reviewed)
Range (at cruise): 482 nm at 32 knots
MSRP: $2,995,000 (w/standard 2x 1,600-hp diesels)

Contact

Hatteras/Cabo Yachts LLC
110 N. Glenburnie Rd.
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 634-4815
hatterasyachts.com

By John Wooldridge, Southern Boating January 2019

Paul Mann Custom Boats

Paul Mann’s latest proves that determination, custom design and attention to detail blends a tournament fishing yacht with luxurious style and does so magnificently.

Walk into any marina and you’ll see a lot of white boats. There may be yachts, but if she’s there, you won’t miss the new Paul Mann 61-foot Jichi, a sportfisherman that draws attention with a striking color scheme of platinum and black accented with warm, polished teak.

She’s docked stern-to at the Cocoplum Yacht Club in Coral Gables, Florida. The rich, deep teak of the cockpit and mezzanine outlined by the faux teak toe rail and transom pulls eyes in before the gleaming upper deck and polished tower structure draw your attention upward. It’s easy to see this is one special boat.

First thoughts are of fishing. It’s impossible to miss the 47-foot outriggers, the abundance of rod holders and the Release Marine Rocket Launcher fighting chair in the cockpit. Clearly, the owner is an experienced tournament fisherman who enjoys the fight of billfish, but the meticulous styling says his good taste goes beyond sporting activities.

Inner Beauty

Paul Mann Custom Boats are recognized for their detailed woodwork, exceptional cabinetry, clean design, and unique detail that lends itself to the owner’s personality. “The overall design and look is me,” says builder/designer Paul Mann, “but the owner has his chance to come in and really express what he thinks he wants his boat to look like.”

The result is a smart, clean, contemporary, three-stateroom, three-head layout with megayacht appointments: cedar-lined hanging lockers, custom-built showers and sinks, Eurostyle flat panel doors and drawer fronts with push locks and concealed catches, carpeted cabins and bunk storage areas,  custom headboards and upholstery, marble countertops below with Ice Crystal Quartzite countertops in the galley, custom dinettes, and electric window screen shades.

A complete entertainment system with TVs in the salon and in each cabin include Fusion, Bose, JL, Apple, and Samsung equipment throughout. With the addition of the Miele induction cooktop and microwave in the galley, the interior of this sportfish is more yacht than fishing boat.

Exterior Strength

Speaking of fishing, during a tournament, it’s key to get out to the grounds fast, more like, first. Twin Caterpillar Acert C32s provide 1,925 horsepower each that comfortably get on it at 40 knots even when seas are rough. The 1,750-gallon fuel tanks can keep the boat on the run for extended periods.

The hull is built with a cold molded jig method and uses three layers of 3/8-inch Okoume plywood on the bottom and three diagonally-planked layers of ¼-inch Okoume on the hull, each with fiberglass and epoxy between each layer, which make the structure glassed inside and out. “All of our boats, Carolina boats especially, have a sharp entry and a modest exit as far as deadrise, and that’s what makes it stable,” explains Mann.

“The spray rails come up and turn down just a little bit, and that’s what helps take the water. Just that little bit cups the water and gets her to roll and turn like she’s on an axis. You can down-wheel it hard, and she’ll roll right around in just about her length and never kick out or blow out. …When we’re running, say thirty knots, she sits on top of her spray rails. The only thing in the water is the bottom; there’s no water from the spray rails. That’s when you feel like you’ve done your job, when you get her to run right on her bottom.”

Hull of a Time

Paul Mann Custom Boats have a hull design that incorporates a subtle convexity that allows the boat to run much harder and faster in a heavier sea.

The boat is controlled from the bridge deck as well as the tower helm. The bridge centerline helm places all the controls and instruments within arm’s reach and eyesight. Therefore, it requires minimal movement on the captain’s part when in the thick of the action. The 360-degree unobstructed view from both locations allows clear visibility to what’s going on in and around the boat. The tower helm is offset for a larger display that helps when exposed to weather.

Three Release Marine helm chairs with custom satin finish cushions provide comfort at the bridge helm equipped with the latest in electronic and mechanical technology, including Garmin multifunction displays and KVH satellite communications. A clear, acrylic panel protects the displays while instruments are protected in an overhead compartment that opens when in use.

An ingenious safety feature for the helm is the valve setup incorporated into the steering system. Also, if steering on the bridge fails, valves under the helm can be shut off. This keeps the system pressurized and allow steering from the tower and vice-versa; the same valve setup is installed under the tower helm.

The bridge deck has two lounges forward of the helm that provide plenty of room for guests or the family to enjoy the open air and 360-degree views. Additionally, the area also provides lots of storage space for gear and rods. In front of the console, a cushioned seat conveniently houses a custom-built freezer.

The bridge is protected from the elements with a hardtop and removable front and side panels.

The Trenches

The cockpit is the heart of fishing on Jichi. The equipment is configured for any style of fishing: Livewell systems are set up very specifically and rod holder systems are strategically placed. “Dredges and chains and teaser systems are set up very high-tech and easy for the captain to operate,” says Mann and adds that the tower and everything put in the tower was made to do certain types of fishing. The boat is set up to adjust from dredge fishing to kite fishing to trolling.

Custom-built pressurized livewells have quick-connect fittings. This means the tanks can be removed when trolling or entertaining. Adjusting the pressure of raw water pumped from the sea chest protects the bait. “Too much pressure can descale your bait, deoxidize them, [and make them] all look bad,” says Jichi skipper Capt. Hanibal Moya. “The bait when you’re kite fishing is what makes a difference from the guy fishing next to you. Your bait is everything when you live fish; it’s the difference from first to fifth [in a tournament].”

When it’s time to empty the wells or if seawater swamps the rail on back down, two three-inch and two two-inch drains quickly discharge the water from the cockpit.

A custom fish box with stainless steel liner along with Dometic freezers and refrigerator built into the mezzanine keep fish fresh and drinks cold. Four electric reel outlets under the washboards and six Release Marine heavy-duty, 30-degree rod holders with liners add to this yacht’s fishing arsenal.

Keep it Cool

In the heat of the battle, air conditioning keeps crew cool. Hidden slots built in the back bulkhead cool the cushions and provide a refreshing breeze. Mann tested overhead and corner chines for air-conditioning vents. Hence, he designed a slot system that provides direct cold air without seeing a grill. “I want you to feel the air conditioning, and I want you to have to find where it’s coming from,” he says.

Started from the bottom now we here

Paul Mann built his first yacht when he was 26 years old, a 52-footer. “ I’ve grown up around the original builders in our area that founded the Carolina boats,” he says. “I was very lucky in my life to have grown up in a fishing era and a boat building era in an area that went from building charter boats and boats to make a living on to yachts that fish.”

Mann started at the bottom, but celebrates 30 years in business in 2018. He’s learned to be consistent in the face of continuing change. By the looks of it, Mann has adapted to new materials, new electronics, and new processes. But he consistently builds magnificent fishing yachts that provide superior performance.

Specifications

LOA: 61′
Beam: 18′
Draft: 5’6″
Displacement: 78,000 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 1,750/275 gals.
Power: 2x Caterpillar Acert C32 1925-hp
Cruise/Top Speed: 38/45 knots
Price: Inquire

Contact

Paul Mann Custom Boats
(252) 473-1716
paulmanncustomboats.com

By Steve Davis, Southern Boating June 2018

Sea Force IX Sport Center Console

The Sea Force IX 41.5 Sport Center Console is a tournament-ready boat that is equally suited to be a yacht tender.

Big center consoles often must fill many roles—one day a serious sport fisherman, the next a shuttle tender to a yacht, then a pleasure cruiser and, after that, a dive boat with easy reboarding access. Fortunately, owners of the Sea Force IX Sport Center Console have everything they need for those multiple roles already built into the boat.

Designers of the 41.5 Sport are accustomed to drawing up much bigger vessels for the team to build at the Palmetto, Florida, facility. The Sea Force IX model lineup starts with the 41.5 Sport (41’8″ LOA, 12′ beam) as the first in the new Performance Sport Outboard center console line and climbs up to the 131.5 Luxury Performance Skybridge Sport Yacht (131’8″ LOA, 26’10” beam).

“This is the smallest boat we have ever built,” explains Rick Hyer, design engineer at Sea
Force IX, during the launch of the boat at the 2017 Fort Lauderdale International Boat
Show. “Our primary market is from 81 to 94 feet with inboard sportfishing boats. Now we have ventured into this larger center console market, with a 55-footer next. The construction is all composite, all vinylester resin.”

Powered by triple Yamaha 350-hp four-stroke outboard engines, the Sea Force IX 41.5 Sport is a wave crusher and offers a smooth ride in rough conditions. She also carries some heft at more than 21,000 pounds. However, with a full load and five passengers, she still can run to the 55-plus-mph top speed and cruise comfortably in the 40-mph range.

“This is a bottom design that Sea Force IX has proven to be successful with,” says Todd Albrecht, sales and marketing manager for Sea Force IX. Prior to his current position, Albrecht had long been with Jupiter Marine, and his experience with larger center consoles helped guide Sea Force IX with its new center console line. “It has been modified to get a little more deadrise, from a traditional 17-degree deadrise to a 23-degree bottom. The boat creates lift for the entire running surface with twin lifting strakes on both sides, no steps, and large chines. The faster you push the throttles, the higher it gets out of the water, and reduced wetting surface increases the fuel efficiency.”

A boat this big is a prime candidate for both the Yamaha Helm Master system and the Seakeeper 5 gyro stabilizer. Both are options, but neither product was on this boat, which was hull No. 1 of the 41.5 Sport line. However, Yamaha’s service network can now add the Helm Master system after the boat is purchased. While the joystick control may be what everyone talks about when discussing Helm Master, there’s much more to the system.

Because Helm Master now works with twin, triple and quad engine setups, it’s suitable for a variety of boat types and sizes. For 2018, Yamaha added a new feature with Helm Master called SetPoint. The feature’s three modes— FishPoint, DriftPoint, and StayPoint—provide even greater control for situations such as fishing, waiting for a bridge and controlled drifting.

Paying homage to the builder’s fishing background, the 41.5 Sea Force IX Sport Center Console has twenty (yes, 20) rod holders and rocket launchers. There’s also a 60-gallon livewell, custom outriggers, icemaker, abundant tackle storage, and a cockpit nearly big enough for a fighting chair. “We installed a diesel generator with a 30-gallon fuel tank,” Albrecht adds.

“For a weeklong trip to The Bahamas, that’s going to be enough fuel to power the generator so you can run everything, including the 16,000-BTU air conditioning, which offers two additional vents plumbed to the helm area.”

The two front-seat passengers and the captain ride in style on Llebroc helm chairs with footrests, while the captain looks forward to an elegant Edson wood steering wheel and twin Garmin GPSMAP 7616 multi-function displays. The Yamaha throttles and shifters are in a comfortable position and teak wood lines above decks. The helm is protected by an expansive hardtop. “The hardtop arch is an aluminum frame, and then the top is cored fiberglass,” says Albrecht. “We then paint the aluminum in house. The only way to give it this custom look was to do it ourselves.”

Below,  the cabin of the Sea Force IX Sport Center Console has teak woodwork and a cabin that features a dining table that lowers on an electric actuator and converts the dinette to a queen berth. The cabin also features UltraLeather for all the fabric surfaces and Staron countertops. Accessories include an AC/DC stainless steel drawer-style refrigerator, microwave and freshwater sink. A stand-up head is much appreciated as is the abundant storage. In addition, access to the air conditioner and other ship’s systems is all easily achieved down below. A Bomar deck hatch allows for plenty of natural light and ventilation.

“We considered how someone is going to use this boat. They are going to fish, but they are also going to cruise, so it needs to be a yacht-style boat,” says Albrecht. “Here in
the bow, you have two big, comfortable lounge seats and a nice clean anchor setup.” Sea Force IX went with the shoot-through-the-bow-style anchor design that offers a crisp look
as well as shaving off overall length. “It started with our clients up north who are paying by the foot for dock space. “Having that anchor hanging is an extra foot of cost to them
at the dock. It’s a cleaner look to tuck it into the bow.”

The design of the Sea Force IX Sport Center Console includes a removable swim ladder,  deployable from either side of the aft teak platform. The ladder attachments are built directly into the hull. “We built a boat that can be customized and used for many different activities,” Albrecht states. “That’s the goal with this center console line, and we’re looking forward to offering boats with even more utility and performance.”

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 41′ 8″
Beam: 12′
Draft: 2′ 8″
Displacement: 21,000 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 500/60 gals.
Power: 3x Yamaha
350-hp outboards
Cruise/Top Speed: 41/55 MPH
Range @ cruise: 375 nm
MSRP: Price upon request
Contact: Sea Force IX
(941) 721-9009
seaforceix.com

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating April 2018

Simrad Products

Anglers can count on better fishing fortunes with technologically advanced Simrad Products.

Never in the history of man have there been so many advances in technology that enhance our lives and the activities we enjoy, including fishing. The world’s most active sportfishing enthusiasts demand products that give them the competitive edge, and Simrad® has consistently responded to the call with marine electronics that outperform the competition. Now, with Simrad’s latest multifunction display (MFD), anglers benefit from a new generation of functionality and ease of use for offshore performance.

Simrad NSS evo3
The NSS evo3 series combines styling, technology and performance with an unprecedented level of built-in functionality. Features include advanced SolarMAX™ HD screens, dual channel CHIRP, glass-helm design, and refined user interface, plus a host of premium features and direct connections. “Simrad NSS evo3 multifunction displays add another chapter to our rich heritage of producing the best recreational navigation systems,” said Leif Ottosson, CEO of Navico. “With premium SolarMAX HD displays, dual channel CHIRP and Network Dual Sounder technology, we are confident NSS evo3 displays will be the first choice of boaters and sport fishermen worldwide.”

NSS evo3 series’ models are offered in 16-, 12-, 9-, and 7-inch TouchSensible™ touchscreens, with keypad and rotary-control knobs, making the units simpler to operate when the boat is moving and in all weather conditions. The precise and reliable interface offers expanded scrolling functionality for quicker access to networked technologies; restyled Exit, Power and MOB buttons that are moved to the corners of the keypad for easier access in darkness; a menu button and cursor-scrolling keypad grouping for simple and fast operation when users lock-out the touchscreen; and a programmable WheelKey button that can be customized to serve a variety of personalized functions or direct autopilot control. The new touchscreen software adds easy-to-understand, modernized bridge-control modes and panel access, a unique press-and hold cursor function and a simple sonar improvement that allows the user to always see the most recent sonar data.

Furthermore, Simrad SolarMAX HD display technology provides exceptional clarity in direct sunlight as well as low-light environments. The NSS evo3 displays feature the
most advanced in-plane switching (IPS) screens in the marine industry for superior color accuracy and enhanced viewing, and optimized LED backlighting and contrast levels further improve the boater’s ability to see clearly in virtually all on-the-water conditions. Perhaps even more important, the touchscreen performs accurately under constant sea spray and foul weather; even when covered in fresh or salt water, the touchscreen responds, a factor that is most reassuring whether near or offshore.

CHIRP enables wide-angle and deep-view sonar images from the same transducer (with a dual channel CHIRP sonar transducer installed on the boat) or from multiple installed transducers. The NSS evo3 built-in dual channel CHIRP sonar is the evolution of practicality, purpose-built to equip charter captains, tournament anglers and recreational fishing enthusiasts with unprecedented views of both low and high CHIRP channels at the same time so that fish targets are marked more clearly.

Non-fishing cruisers also benefit from the NSS evo3 technology since it provides next-generation connected vessels with a fast, 10 Hz internal GPS antenna, full autopilot
integration, engine monitoring interfaces, and TripIntel™ trip computer, which simplify journey planning. Built-in Wi-Fi enables access to GoFree® online services to download software updates and purchase a wide choice of global cartography solutions, and delivers smartphone monitoring and tablet control to extend the display’s reach well beyond the helm. With GoFree® wireless capabilities and the new Simrad Network Analyzer Service Assistant, users easily update their entire system automatically.

NSS Evo3 is compatible with the most expansive selection of optional cartography on the market, including Insight Genesis™ custom mapping, Insight PRO by C-MAP, Lake
Insight HD by C-MAP, C-MAP MAX-N+, Navionics®, and more. Charts can be downloaded over Wi-Fi or installed using the unit’s dual microSD card slots.

Simrad® S5100 High-Performance CHIRP Sonar Module

Simrad delivers high-resolution sonar across multiple depth ranges in its new S5100 High-Performance CHIRP Sonar Module, making it a perfect fit for offshore sportfishing anglers. The S5100 delivers true simultaneous coverage of up to three different depth ranges, whether connected to three single-channel transducers or one dual-channel and one single-channel transducer.

Simultaneous split-screen viewing capability puts anglers in complete control of the water column, and advanced processing technology allows fishing with noise-free clarity at all depth ranges without ever losing bottom depth tracking. Users can customize their viewing to mix and match favorite transducer coverage and transmit power for wide and narrow beamwidths to reveal more fish, detect small and tightly-spaced fish and identify thermoclines.

Using the Simrad S5100 with Airmar® wide-angle CHIRP transducers provides enhanced coverage of the upper water column, a perfect set up for targeting pelagic species. Wide-angle transducers are also useful in shallow water, where traditional narrow beam angles offer limited bottom coverage. A wider coverage area speeds searches and makes individual fish targets easier to see.

“The Simrad S5100 sonar module brings a new level of high-performance sonar to offshore sportfishing anglers with greater detail and resolution,” said Ottosson. “We are excited to add this serious fishing tool to integrate with Halo Radar, our new autopilot line and the NSS evo3 for when your living depends on finding fish.”

The S5100 features high-speed Ethernet connectivity, making it easy to install anywhere on board and is compatible with Simrad NSS evo3 and NSS evo2 multifunction displays, NSO evo2 glass-bridge systems and the S2000 series of fishfinders.

Go to simrad-yachting.com for a list of authorized dealers and distributors of Simrad products.

By LN Evans, Southern Boating, November 2017

Steady On Sportfishing

New technology can keep your outboard-powered boat stationary with safety and angling benefits.

Sportfishing is a hit-or-miss proposition—you drop a bait over a specific spot and either hook up or move along because you have determined no fish are biting. Because wind and current conspire to move you off that spot in literally seconds, doing it right means dropping the anchor, and that takes time.

SeaStar Solutions’ new SeaStation GPS Anchoring System offers a tech-driven way for your outboard-powered boat to stay on top of that spot without dropping anchor. You can explore a spot, and if there are no fish, you are quickly on to the next spot without having the hassle of anchoring. It’s a new feature of joystick-control, and it’s one that any multi-engine outboard boat can use. That’s because the SeaStar Optimus 360 system can be added as a retrofit to most twin, triple and quad outboard-powered boats—although one exception is Mercury Verado engines. Once you have the Optimus 360 system and joystick control installed on your boat, the SeaStation feature can be added on with the addition of a dedicated SeaStation GPS antenna and software program.

SeaStar Solutions showed off its new SeaStation feature at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show in February to the public during demo rides on Biscayne Bay. The results are impressive, as the system can hold the boat on a spot within three meters. “When you’re after baitfish, you can move the boat right up to the bait ball and hold your position with SeaStation,” said Scott Allgood, Seastar Solutions Optimus Sales Specialist. “That allows you to get the baitfish faster and move on to fishing. Or if you are fishing a weed line, you can hold your boat’s bow orientation in a set direction while you drift down the weed line.”

SeaStation offers three primary modes:

  1. Heading hold: Hold heading regardless of position. Practical applications include kite fishing/drift fishing, and it allows easier setup to maximize fishing time. It keeps the boat from rotating so lines won’t get tangled.
  2. Position hold: Hold position regardless of heading. Practical applications include bait fishing and wreck/reef fishing. The system will find the best natural heading for the boat, taking into account the current and wind to hold the boat most efficiently. As a result, it holds the position with less shifting and movement of the engines.
  3. Heading and position hold: Here the system allows the boat to stay in position and hold its heading. Practical applications include waiting for a bridge to open, waiting for a spot at the dock to become available and bait fishing near a structure. Regarding safety, SeaStation is not to be used when people are in the water, or when the boat is too close to structures. Someone should always be at the helm.

View a demonstration of SeaStation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-QnLPTRpkc

SeaStar Solutions has applied the same smart algorithms to SeaStation that the Optimus 360 joystick control utilizes to reduce unnecessary shifting and jockeying of the engines. It provides superior position and heading functions for a large selection of engine platforms. “The feedback we received from users and fishing captains was to reduce the jarring from the engines shifting and unnecessary movement,” Allgood said. “The engines obviously do shift, but as little as possible because it can affect the fishing. We took this input seriously and we are confident SeaStation will be a fishing enabler.”

The winds and swirling currents of Biscayne Bay created a challenge during the Miami Boat Show during our demonstration, but the unit easily held the boat’s position. In addition, having joystick control in low-speed situations is extremely helpful for expert and novice drivers alike.

For example, for the novice cruiser the ability to run the boat at under 1200 rpm and move forward, sideways, backward or diagonally with the twist of the wrist is a boon to confidence around the docks. For the expert, backing down on a kingfish by simply using the joystick, and moving in reverse at the max speed of six mph, makes life much easier. No steering wheel, throttles and shifters to worry about.

“Optimus 360 now brings boat owners with multiple-outboard setups the ability to have joystick control, and now SeaStation anchoring,” Allgood said. “The cost for a twin-engine setup is about $14,500, plus what the dealer charges for the install. Until May 31st, if you purchase a new Optimus 360 system the SeaStation Anchoring is provided for free. After that, the charge is $3,800 for the antenna and software.”

The components that make up Optimus 360 are proven, including the pumps and cylinders,” Allgood said. “Once you have a system of proven components, now in a new configuration like Optimus, then it’s about the software.”

For customers who are interested in having Optimus 360 and SeaStation added to their boats, there are 180 dealers in the continental U.S. or Alaska that can install and service the Optimus System, as well as a large number of boat builders that offer it as a factory option.

For more information: seastarsolutions.com

Big fish, big money

Winter fishing in the Chesapeake is a big deal. 

But a bigger deal is the legal drama over who will receive $2.8 million of winnings from this year’s White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland. In August, Phil Heasley, aboard Kallianassa of Naples, Florida, caught a 76.5-pound white marlin to win an estimated $2.8 million, which was reported as the largest individual cash prize in sportfishing history. Tournament rules state that anglers cannot fish until after 8:30AM, but adherence to the tournament’s rules is in question and the prize money is now in escrow.

Heasley, president and chief executive officer at ACI Worldwide, caught the only “qualifying” white marlin in the tournament, fishing along with Capt. David Morris and mates Kyle Bohannon and Joseph Hagen. According to a court document filed by White Marlin Open Inc. (WMO), Heasley, Morris, Bohannon, and Hagen were on Defendant Heasley’s vessel when he caught the white marlin. None of them passed multiple polygraph tests administered by two examiners.

Heasley contends that he and his crew did not violate tournament rules. In September, Heasley and his attorneys filed a notice of removal to have the civil case removed from Worcester County Circuit Court and transferred to a federal court. That’s where it stands now. Richard Kosztyu, who caught the winning tuna in the tournament, would gain the most if a judge rules against Heasley. Kosztyu has received $767,091 and would receive an additional $2.3 million. The circuit court document is available on the WMO website. whitemarlinopen.com

Time for stripers
Striped bass fishing is a fine winter fishing activity at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Action typically picks up in the Virginia Beach area in October and runs through April. With their annual migration, tens of thousands of stripers move through the area in search of schooling bait fish. Located in the middle of two food-rich currents—the Florida Current coming up from the south and the North Atlantic Current coming down from the north—and two great bodies of water for winter fishing, the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is an ideal feeding place. Add the 17-mile-long Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to the mix and you’ve got plenty of structure for anglers to target hiding fish. Anglers can also try to cash in on their catch this season by participating in the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout. This year’s benefit tournament runs December 8-10 with weigh stations at Rudee Inlet and King’s Creek Marina on Cape Charles. midatlanticrockfishshootout.com

Good clean fun at Harbor East
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has certified Harbor East Marina in Baltimore as a Maryland Clean Marina. The facility earned the recognition after adopting best management practices from the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook, meeting all environmental and regulatory requirements and passing a site inspection. Harbor East is a 200-slip marina that can accommodate vessels up to 125 feet. Transients are welcome. The marina offers easy access to many of Baltimore’s best attractions including the National Aquarium, Harborplace (shopping and dining), sports venues, the convention center, and others. Harbor East also plans to participate in the Great Baltimore Oyster Partnership, a collaborative effort to restore the state’s oyster population. As part of the program, oyster gardens will be installed at the marina, where baby oysters will be planted and protected. harboreastmarina.com   

By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016

Viking Yachts 37 Billfish

Now an integral part of the Viking Yachts lineup, the Viking Yachts 37 Billfish (37’8″ LOA, 13’10” beam) is built to be a canyon-ready tournament contender that’s equally at home fishing for blue marlin in The Bahamas or Pacific sailfish in Costa Rica.

The day-boat style offers unfettered access to the 86-square foot cockpit equipped with a bait freezer, tackle stowage, a transom door with a lift gate, insulated fishboxes, and a transom livewell. The open salon provides all-weather protection with a comfortable U-shape dinette and hi-lo fiberglass table that converts to a bunk opposite a cushioned lounge. At the end of the day there’s plenty of room to relax in a comfortable environment—a significant element missing from today’s wide-open, large center-console boats. vikingyachts.com

Don’t Miss: Jupiter 25 Bay

The all-new Jupiter 25 Bay offers cutting-edge performance and styling typical of a Jupiter Marine build. The boat features the amenities of a traditional bay boat while adding functionality with higher gunnels, flush decks, voluminous tournament live wells, and storage often found on larger offshore center consoles.

The Jupiter 25 Bay (26’1″ LOA, 8’6″ beam) features all-around versatility with its shallow 14-inch draft that delivers backwater and offshore performance. The ergonomically designed center console has an appealing helm area with owner’s choice of factory-installed towers and dual-screen electronics. The standard built-in center console seat incorporates a 130-quart cooler under the cushion. A 100-gallon fuel tank offers plenty of range. With an optional Yamaha F300 engine, the 25 Bay has a top speed of 55 mph.   jupitermarine.com

Cutwater Sport 242

The Cutwater Sport 242 (23’11” LOA, 8’6″ beam) welcomes the outdoors with the removable enclosures of the roof, side windows and rear bulkhead. Features include a forward cabin with wraparound seating and a high-low convertible table, private head, two sinks with hot and cold water, drop-in barbecue grill, microwave, TV/DVD, Fusion stereo system, and optional air conditioning. The outboard version of the CS-242 comes standard with an aerated fish well integrated into the transom and room for a fishbox.

The Sport 302 (30′ LOA, 10′ beam) features a revised cabin top and a cockpit that’s ideal for fishing with a 30-gallon livewell, large fish box, rod holders, sink, Euro-style galley, a drop-in barbecue grill, and accommodates six in three separate berths. Twin counter-rotating Yamaha 250-hp outboards power the Sport 302.

cutwaterboats.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

Llebroc Billfish Series Chair

Llebroc Industries introduces the Billfish series of All-Weather marine seating offered in three sizes: Standard (28”), Narrow (24”) and Wide Bench Seat (42”). All Billfish models with a flip bolster have 316 mirror-finish stainless steel flip hinges, aluminum back supports, aluminum flip-up arm rests, superior impact strength, and weather-resistant with marine-grade upholstery manufactured for a saltwater environment.
MSRP $795 for base model includes shipping.
llebroc.com

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