It’s been two years since the last ICAST brought industry professionals together to get a firsthand look at the advancements in the sportfishing world. From July 20 to July 23, companies and brands showcased the latest and greatest products for both fresh and saltwater anglers. We’ve highlighted some new, innovative and just plain interesting products that were on display at this year’s event.
The Man Who Saw Boats: Remembering Ricky Scarborough Sr.
By Mitchell Bateman
If you’ve been involved in the world of offshore sportfishing for more than a week, chances are good that you have heard of Scarborough Boatworks and the man behind some of the finest boats ever built, Ricky Scarborough, Sr. From his first 18- to 25-foot hunting skiffs and work boats, to his last 60- to 85-foot custom-built luxury sportfishing yachts, Ricky’s reputation for quality craftsmanship and ingenuity is well known. The actual number of boats he built is a little fuzzy considering he didn’t keep written records of all the crab boats and hunting skiffs he built for his neighbors and family. With the incorporation of Scarborough Boatworks in 1977, along with better record-keeping, it is probable that the grand total of boats Ricky built was north of 100.
Lazy Ain’t Learning—Lessons from the Mechanic
By Captain Scott “Fraz” Murie
I’ve participated in many major engine rebuilds over the years. In the process, I’ve developed great relationships with groups of elite mechanics. Working with these guys has taught me how to save thousands of dollars in labor. Recently, I’ve witnessed some super lazy crews just hanging out on the dock doing nothing while the mechanics are in the engine room. They could literally be saving the owner thousands of dollars helping the mechanics.
Contender 44ST Reel Synergy
Photo courtesy Endless Imagery
By Steve Dougherty
For more than 35 years, Contender has built boats with a clear focus on performance through innovation, getting tournament anglers offshore faster than anybody else. However, gone are the days when their first 25-footer was the chalk horse. Today, the 44ST with four 425 hp outboards lining the transom delivers all of the advantages top teams need to stay ahead of the fleet.
DH Yacht Sales and Vilano Boatworks Announce Exclusive Partnership
Million dollar luxury fishing boat crashing through the ocean off the coast of South Carolina.
DH Yachts Sales and Vilano Boatworks, both headquartered in Florida, have developed a partnership that establishes DH Yacht Sales as the exclusive listing and brokerage company for the custom sportfish boat builder.
Vilano Boatworks is bringing something different to the boating world in the form of a new 65′ Sportfish with design and engineering by in-house Naval Architect Erwin Gerards. The jig-built composite boat features Caterpillar engines and has a projected splash date of May 2022. Performance will be in the 40kt cruise with a top speed approaching 50kts.
American Custom Yachts Facility and Assets Acquired by Willis Custom Yachts
Photo courtesy Willis Custom Yachts
STUART, FLORIDA, USA, June 29, 2021/EINPresswire.com/—Willis Custom Yachts announced the acquisition of American Custom Yachts Assets in Stuart, Florida. An icon In the Stuart marine market for decades the American property spans nearly 64 acres. Willis has plans to expand and enhance the facilities in the coming months with an additional 90,000 square feet of boat building and manufacturing facility, add additional covered repair and dockage facilities, add a new 150 Ton travel lift plus an enlarged haul out well with future 220 Ton lift. Additionally, a new waterfront facility east of NW Flagler Ave. in Stuart Florida is being developed for new Yacht customer deliveries very near the Stuart inlet.
With the additional 90,000 square feet of modern and highly automated yacht production facilities, construction times will be greatly shortened while extending the construction capacity and availability of the highest quality custom sport fishing vessels for customers. Expanded haul out and covered repair and dockage facilities will greatly enhance service and refit capabilities and capacities.
Yachts currently under construction are, ACY (American) hull # 22, a 68-footer and WCY (Willis) hull # 15, a 70-footer, and slotted to start construction this summer is WCY (Willis) hull # 16 another 70-footer, with hull #17 length TBD, scheduled to start spring 2022. Future construction slots are currently available but limited while the facilities expand.
Included in the acquisition of assets was also Bausch American Towers which now is part of the WCY family. Tim Bausch will continue to lead the rebranded entity Bausch Towers and will benefit from the new additional facilities and technology enhancements.
The Venture center-console brand was also part of the acquisition and plans are on the drawing board to modernize the brand with all new design and tooling for future opportunities as part of the Willis Custom Yachts family.
MarkCam Inc, the in-house design and CNC business will also be relocating to the new facility
with greatly expanded capacity and capabilities for much larger applications.
Doug West has joined as president and general manager of Yacht Services for WCY. Doug previously served as president/CEO of Lauderdale Marine Center and President of Rybovich in West Palm Beach, FL. Doug’s vast experience in two of the largest marine service facilities in the entire country will be a major contributor in shaping the future of the facility and its operations.
In a statement Mark Wills said, “I am very excited to be able to greatly expand our ability to offer the absolute finest quality custom sport fishing vessels to many new owners. Having waterfront access of this magnitude changes the game for us and will vastly enhance our ability to provide the highest quality service and support to all of our customers.”
New Viking 64 to Premiere at the 2021 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Image courtesy of Viking Yachts
New Gretna, New Jersey, Summer 2021—On the heels of the award-winning 54 Convertible, Viking is proud to announce the all-new 64 Convertible, the second-generation of this model that will make its world premiere at the 2021 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. This four-stateroom, three-head fishing battlewagon is poised to become another best-in-class superstar on the tournament circuit and the new standard in luxury, accommodations and comfort.
Valhalla Boat Sales Becomes Exclusive Dealer of Sportsman Boats
New Gretna, New Jersey, July 1, 2021—Valhalla Boats Sales (VBS) is proud to announce it has become the exclusive dealer of Sportsman Boats for central and northern New Jersey as well as Palm Beach County, Florida, expanding its saltwater outboard offerings in both boat type and price point.
“We’re extremely excited to become a partner with Sportsman, which is one of the fastest-growing and most respected builders of family center consoles in the industry,” says Pat Healey, President and CEO of Viking Yachts, the parent company of Valhalla Boat Sales. “They have a great team that’s committed, focused and experienced.”
Contender Boats Announces Second Manufacturing Facility in Fort Pierce, Florida
HOMESTEAD, FL – June 29, 2021 — Since its inception in 1984, Contender Boats has led the industry in building semi-custom sportfishing boats — for fisherman by fisherman. That mission has only grown stronger over the years.
Today, in a market trending toward brand consolidation, Joe Neber, president and owner of Contender Boats, solidified Contender’s legacy as a family-owned, Florida-based company by purchasing a second manufacturing facility in Fort Pierce.
White River Marine Group Acquires Hatteras Brand
Johnny Morris with 40+ year Hatteras veterans Alden Harris and Bob Arthur in front of the very first Hatteras sportfishing boat ever built, in 1960, the Knit Wits. Photo courtesy Bass Pro Shops
NC Governor Roy Cooper, May 20, 2021—White River Marine Group, LLC, a leading manufacturer of recreational boats, will open a manufacturing facility in Craven County, with a target of 500 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will make a significant investment in New Bern, creating its first coastal manufacturing site and adding Hatteras to its portfolio of well-known brands.
