Blackfin and the Swimsuits

Blackfin and the Swimsuits

The three models for Southern Boating’s annual swimsuit photo shoot shared the spotlight with three, just as beautiful, Blackfin Boats.

By Steve Davis, Southern Boating April 2020

When it’s warm, boating becomes a favorite pastime, and as winter turns to summer, the swimsuits come out of storage for swimming, sunning, and water sports. For those in the far south, such as Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, it’s a year-long happening. To highlight Southern Boating’s annual swimsuit issue, Blackfin Boats offered up three of its hottest models to show what fun in the sun is all about.

Blackfin was set to debut the newest edition to its lineup, the 242DC, at the 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last October, but before the world could see the new dual console, Southern Boating got the first peek in September when the versatile boat shared the camera lens with three beautiful swimsuit models. Also in the camera’s eye were the 272CC and the 332CC.

The Blackfin 242DC features a foldaway transom bench, an optional Garmin or Raymarine electronics package, and insulated baitwell.

Blackfin feels the 242DC (27’ 5” LOA with engines, 8’ 10” beam) is the ideal mix of fishing performance and recreational luxury. The dual-console design allows easy walk-through access from the stern to the bow with a variety of seating options, including a foldaway transom bench. Everyone on board will enjoy the wet bar with sink, the 35-quart Yeti Tundra cooler, and Porta Potti (an electric toilet with holding tank and transom shower is an option). Anglers have plenty of gunnel- and transom-mounted rod holders, an insulated baitwell, and in-floor fish boxes with macerated pump-outs. A walk-through transom door makes it easy for swimmers or for fisherman reaching to grab the catch. The fiberglass hardtop with powder-coated aluminum framework is equipped with an additional rod holder, LED overhead lighting, and spreader lights. With Blackfin’s Advanced Carbon Fiber Technology (ACT) hull laminate, Core Rigid Technology (CRT) molded composite stringer grid, and Closed Mold Technology (CMT) fiberglass hatches, the 242 DC is strong enough to reach the fishing grounds or the family beach.

The 272CC (29’ 5” LOA with engines, 9’ 4” beam) is known at Blackfin as a “battlewagon with built-in finesse.” It can handle the toughest seas and keep you dry inside. Built with the ACT hull along with the CRT stringer and grid system and CMT hatches, this center console has a fold-down transom seat with flip-up backrest, a 30-gallon see-through baitwell with a cutting board lid, and a patented pantographic head door that opens with minimal interference for the walkway. The hardtop has a tempered glass windshield with wiper and power-actuated vents, and the helm area incorporates helm seats with flip-up bolsters, a pull-out (and removable) 45-quart Yeti Tundra cooler, freshwater sink, bait prep station, and slide-out tackle/utility boxes. There are plenty of rod holders, storage areas, seating, and a Fusion Apollo Series stereo with JL speakers and a four-channel amplifier. Whether fishing or entertaining, the 272CC provides a secure and comfortable ride.

Winner of the 2019 Miami International Boat Show Innovation Award, the 332CC (35’ 10” LOA with engines, 10’ 6” beam) offers “one of the smoothest rides in its class.” It is ideal for the dedicated fisherman, yet offers comfort and space for family and friends. The tackle station/entertainment center is extra wide for rigging or setting up cocktails, and the two Yeti coolers give both lots of options. Two fish boxes with macerated pump-outs can keep the cooler fish free, and there are lockable rod storage compartments under the port and starboard combings. Add to that two insulated baitwells (35 and 20 gallons), raw- and freshwater wash down faucets, rod holders everywhere, plenty of storage, and Garmin, FLIR, and Raymarine electronic packages, and fishing is serious business. On the other hand, a walk-through transom and side dive door offer water sportsmen easy access to the water, and the bow seating arrangement includes a large sunpad for relaxing while cruising to the beach. The 332CC can accommodate 900 horsepower through twin outboards, and its stepped hull, built with the same technology as the other Blackfins, will improve performance and have greater fuel efficiency.

Every Blackfin Boat is designed by fishermen, but becomes the perfect recreation vessel for snorkeling, diving, and family fun, even swimsuit models. blackfinboats.com

Swimsuit 2019: Behind the Scenes

Swimsuit 2019: Behind the Scenes

Fort Lauderdale’s expansive waterway lends perfectly to leisurely cruising for locals and serves as a dream destination for visitors. More than 300 miles of waterway weaves through Broward County, where anchorages, full-service marinas, hotels, restaurants, and extravagant waterfront homes line its banks.

Southern Boating has indulged in this water wonderland since 1972, it’s our lifestyle, and we felt it was high time to highlight Fort Lauderdale’s waterway landscape in our annual swimsuit issue. When the opportunity to showcase the glamourous Bontona Peninsula property arose, there wasn’t a doubt that this was the perfect backdrop for our 32nd annual swimsuit photo shoot. How could we say no to a newly redesigned home in the Las Olas Isles with 700 feet of dockage along the New River just off the famed Las Olas Boulevard and a short boat ride to the Atlantic Ocean? We didn’t.

The home highlights Fort Lauderdale’s best assets: sweeping waterway views, ample sunshine, and lavish accommodations. Around every highly stylized corner was another opportunity to photograph stunning swimwear and ravishing resort wear, and no Southern Boating photoshoot could go without a dock, a yacht, and water—luxury at its finest.

But we had some fun too. Check out these behind the scenes photos and videos.

 

We’d like to give a special shoutout to all who helped produce this shoot.

Sponsors

Bontona Peninsula: Tom & Katia Bates

Sunny courtesy of Michael Joyce & Hargrave Custom Yachts 

Production Team

Photographer: Joey Wright

Assistant to Photographer: Angelo Lumas

Production: Erin Brennan & Ashley Grace

Hair & Makeup: Michele Winters

Food: Farm to Fork *use code SB30 to receive 30% off your order!

Models

Alexandra @alexandrabaron

Reagan @reagan_wray

Raquel @raqqmilla

Swimwear

Jypsea Local jypsealocal.com

Z-Supply zsupplyclothing.com

Lulus lulus.com

Kulani Kini kulanikinis.com

Mott50 mott50.com

Resortwear & Accessories

Koy Resort koyresort.com

Malvados malvados.com

Abaco Sunglasses abacopolarized.com

Chuchka chuchka.com

Provisioning

Farm to Fork farmtoforkmeals.com

Nautical Ventures is a Water Wonderland

Nautical Ventures is a water toy wonderland

Being on the water can have a physical and spiritual effect on people. It makes them smile and creates lifelong memories. Just as with our annual swimsuit issue, boats and toys enhance that fun. Nautical Ventures is your go-to place for fun on the water.

Getting its start 31 years ago as a Hobie kayak and sailboat dealer, Nautical Ventures grew, and it was in 2010 when Roger Moore and Jeff Garcia purchased the store believing
that water sports equipment would complement their yacht brokerage business, QPS Marine.

Having sailed around the world with his wife, Samantha, Moore finally set anchor in Fort Lauderdale. He now lives on an 84-foot Northern Marine expedition yacht. Additionally, Garcia grew up in a family-owned shipyard, soon owning the Nautor Swan sailing charter fleet in St. Martin and making a name retrofitting pre-owned yachts in the French West Indies. After time as a project manager at Derecktor Shipyards, he joined Moore in 2007.

Needless to say, they know boats.

Over the years, Nautical Ventures has grown exponentially with the expansion of product lines that now include yacht tenders, pleasure and fishing boats, and a wide array of
yacht-related toys and equipment.

Knowledge Base

With that growth, “we have been able to attract experienced staff to run each division of products that allows us to be knowledgeable in each department: kayaks, sailboats, yacht tenders, yacht toys, etc.,” says Moore. “In 2013, we expanded to include new boat sales via Nautical Ventures Marine, and we are now a leading dealer for Axopar, Blackfin, Century, Chapman Transition, Glastron, Highfield tenders, Novurania, Ranger Tugs, Release fishing boats and Schaefer Yachts.

The toys

The Space

Additionally, with a new, 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art retail and service facility located on the water in Dania Beach, Florida, Nautical Ventures is able to provide the marine community with a pleasurable buying and service experience. That experience reaches to their North Palm Beach location that includes a 66-unit dry stack marina as well as the Riviera Beach store adjacent to the renovated Riviera Beach Marina Complex.

“My joy comes from the growth of the company and the people we have attracted to it,” says Moore. “We started with about nine employees and now have close to ninety-two.
Watching them grow, personally and professionally, to meet the challenges of our rapid growth has been most rewarding.”

“Also, we have developed a culture of trust and respect for each other as well as with the customers who come here. Yes, we need to sell products, but we want to sell the right product to meet the customers’ needs.”

Nautical Ventures provided the boats and toys for Southern Boating’s 2018 Annual Swimsuit feature. 

nauticalventures.com

By Steve Davis, Southern Boating April 2018

Swimsuit 2018 Behind the Scenes

Swimsuit 2018 Exclusive: New video below! 

The photoshoot for our 2018 Swimsuit issue was quite the adventure, with just shy of three days to photograph three lovely ladies enjoying 13 different marine-related products provided by a partnership with Nautical Ventures.

Back in September, we traveled to Resorts World Bimini with Nautical Ventures to shoot the April 2018 Swimsuit issue.

Here’s a sneak peek at the products you’ll see in April (the models don’t hurt either!).

Products:

Blackfin 272 CC

Metan Marine Classic Collection Super Sport 13

Schaefer Yachts 640

L2Fish

Hobie Mirage Compass

Hobie Mirage Eclipse

Highfield CL260 Tender

Crystal Explorer Kayak

Zapata Flyboard

Nautibuoy Marine

Freestyle Slide

Freestyle Trampoline

Gocycle Bikes

GoCycle Bikes

After an extensive and in-depth product development process, KKL’s multi-award winning breakthrough product Gocycle was first made available to the public in April 2009.

Inspired by F1 high-performance and automotive design, Gocycle is the first injection-molded magnesium alloy bicycle in history. Lightest in class, environmentally sustainable and stylish with on-demand electric power, Gocycle is an automotive joy to live and cruise with.

They say you can’t reinvent the wheel or improve the design of the bicycle. Gocycle did both.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more: gocycle.com

Freestyle Trampolines

The custom-made Cruiser Trampoline by FreeStyle Slides. Add even more fun to your time aboard your yacht! Included in the Cruiser Collection.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more: freestyleslides.com

Freestyle Slides

Freestyle Slides has a vision for cutting-edge family entertainment on the water, which led to the development of the world’s largest inflatable water slides. Products are designed on the same scale as attractions in theme parks and water parks. These incredible products set a whole new standard for the marine industry.

The Freestyle Cruiser™ from FreeStyle Slides is the world’s first custom made, sealed-air inflatable water slide for the yacht industry. At FreeStyle Slides, our vision for cutting-edge family entertainment has led to the development of some of the unique inflatable slides in the world. The Freestyle Cruiser™ is a highly unique product that provides the most exciting experience in water toys for privately owned and charted vessels.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more: freestyleslides.com

NautiBuoy Floating Platforms

Instantly add more space without the need for expensive boat modifications or additions. NautiBuoy creates a customizable docking or leisure zone for vessels of all sizes.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more: nautibuoymarine.com

Zapata Flyboard

From teens to adults to models, the Flyboard Pro is the next generation of personal watersports equipment made to be enjoyed by everyone. Whether mastering a new skill or having fun with the family, the Flyboard® will have you flying in no time!

 

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more: zapata.com

Crystal Kayak

The Crystal Explorer by The Crystal Kayak Company is a totally crystal-clear canoe-kayak hybrid that lets users observe the underwater world below them. The Crystal Explorer features durable yet lightweight construction and is designed for conditions ranging from totally flat to breezy and choppy waters. It’s removable frame, seats and inflatable chambers allow for easy stacking, storage, and transportation.

The Crystal Explorer from the Crystal Kayak Company is a canoe-kayak hybrid made out of totally-clear Lexan. The polymer hull is designed to act like a large snorkel mask that pierces the surface tension of the water, allowing users to see fish and coral underneath while remaining safely on the surface. The kayaks are eleven-feet long and just under three-feet wide, and are designed to accommodate either one or two people. The design includes high sides and the open cockpit of a canoe, while users can paddle the craft as if they were in a kayak. A low center of gravity helps with tracking in the water, making it easier for beginners to use.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more:crystalkayak.com

Highfield CL260 Tender

All Highfield Tenders include the Highfield innovative aluminum transom, which takes the inflatables to the next level.

Compact and economical, the Highfield CL260 is an ideal ship-to-shore tender.

The extra level of comfort for this double-deck hulled dinghy that will keep your feet dry.
The high-quality finish and luxury look belies the fact that this range of tenders has been designed to work hard. A durable aluminum hull coupled with full-length keel guards make these the ideal tender for those beach-hopping days with friends and family.

The large weight savings achieved compared to equivalent GRP tenders means you’ll enjoy the impressive performance with smaller engines, and with excellent payload capacities, the Classic range really does offer a tender for everyone.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more at highfieldboats.com 

Hobie Mirage Eclipse

Break free from the shore. Trade the well-worn path for a waterway. Step out of your routine and onto a pedalboard. The Hobie Mirage Eclipse gives you the stability, control, and power to chart your own course. The water is waiting. You in?

The Eclipse pedalboard is another worlds-first watercraft from Hobie. Fly high at exceptional speed, nimbly carving turns using fingertip steering controls. There’s minimal setup. The board is lightweight and durable and full of thoughtful features such as gear tie-downs, bow handle, and a carefree kick-up rudder.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

 See more at hobie.com

Hobie Mirage Compass

Set your course with the new Hobie Mirage Compass, the newest addition to Hobie’s fleet of award-winning pedal kayaks. Simplicity defined, its time-tested MirageDrive pedal system with Glide Technology moves you easily through the water. Outfitted with a breathable mesh seat, the Compass offers maximum stability and an oversized cockpit and flat deck for standing. A sharp turning radius makes this fishing kayak nimble in tight quarters, yet able to speed over open water in stealthy fashion. Kayak fishing features include molded-in rod holders, H-Track accessory mounts and a transducer cavity ready for you to install a Lowrance® fishfinder.

Explore a new direction with the Mirage Compass. Slide easily across the water and navigate forward virtually hands-free. Explore a new direction with the Mirage Compass.  The Hobie Mirage Compass comes standard with a built-in transducer mount and includes through-hull cable plugs.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more at hobie.com

L2Fish

The breakthrough design of the L2Fish allows paddlers to enjoy the most demanding stand-up paddle activities from fishing to hunting, windsurfing, yoga, and even camping.

These stand up paddle boards that are nearly impossible to roll or pearl, versatile enough to be used for training, fishing, windsurfing, kayaking or just a casual paddle. Light and comfortable enough for paddlers of all sizes to enjoy, as Tasha does below.

The breakthrough design of the L2Fish allows paddlers to enjoy the most demanding stand-up paddle activities from fishing to hunting, windsurfing, yoga, and even camping. Utilizing a catamaran style hull and hollow core construction, the L2Fish maximizes buoyancy and greatly reduces the weight to volume ratio. The large tunnel in the hull minimizes the surface area of the water, allowing the L2Fish to slice through the water with speed to rival many racing boards on the market today.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more at livewatersports.com

Schaefer 640

Sophistication, technology, and high performance are the main characteristics for the Schaefer 640.

Perfection is in the large internal spaces and small details from the integrated social area to the mobile platform, main hall on two levels, large living room and gourmet kitchen. One of the boldest projects of Schaefer Yachts is waiting for you with the option of 3 or 4 cabins.

Experience the Schaefer 640 and surprise yourself.

Sophistication, technology, and high performance are the main characteristics for the Schaefer 640.

Perfection is in the large internal spaces and small details from the integrated social area to the mobile platform, main hall on two levels, large living room and gourmet kitchen.

One of the boldest projects of Schaefer Yachts is waiting for you with the option of 3 or 4 cabins.

Experience the Schaefer 640 and surprise yourself.

Return to the 2018 Swimsuit Lookbook. 

See more: schaeferyachts.us

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