Word of mouth, the grapevine, scuttlebutt, back fence talk … there are many terms for what we call dock talk in our industry (or dock lore when it’s been around long enough). It is inevitable and can even be beneficial. We want people talking about all the wonderful products we use, the latest technology and the newest boats on the water. It also provides an avenue for open discussion, and a lot can be learned when people share experiences and lessons learned.
Whether you are out tarpon fishing with your companions or just enjoying a pleasure cruise out on the open ocean, you may find it difficult to enjoy these activities in anything resembling peace and quiet. Between the grinding of the boat’s motor, the humming of the propeller as it drives the boat forward, the slapping of the waves against the hull or the breeze hitting your face, there are a variety of sounds you will encounter on your sea voyage that can make finding a quiet place challenging.
Our industry is filled with a beautiful, wide-ranging swath of style. How a boat looks is critical. She can be the best-running, sweetest-handling and fastest hull in the water. But the recreational boating industry has proven that if she’s not aesthetically pleasing, nobody is interested. To the untrained eye, or someone not too interested in fishing vessels, sportfishing yachts can look alike. I’ve heard it many times—”they’re all the same!” Even some yacht designers have said this to me. I beg to differ.
(Photo/Michael Rybovich & Sons)
For boat builder Michael Rybovich & Sons, one could say there is not a single hull number one but several hulls that can be given the title. While the core of the Rybovich legacy—a family-run company committed to expert boat craftsmanship—has stayed true since the beginning, the company has had to reinvent itself throughout the years.
Titan Yachts’ latest endeavor, the 63-foot Lunatico, charged straight out of the marina like a blue marlin chasing a livey from the moment it touched the water. Jokingly referred to as the “Splash and Go,” the Lunatico set out for the Bahamas two days after it splashed. In a hurry to make it to Marsh Harbour to participate in Skip’s Tournaments, they had limited time for sea trials. “Attention to detail left little room for error. We had great confidence in our work, as did our customer and his captain,” said Russ Garufi, President of Titan Yachts.
The Caymas 401 CC is designed for serious saltwater tournament anglers as well as discriminating weekend fishermen and their families. Like all Caymas saltwater models, it features the patented Stepped Vee Ventilated Tunnel (SVVT) hull.
Designed by Michael Peters, this revolutionary drag-reducing hull increases speed, enhances fuel economy and delivers a remarkably soft, dry ride in heavy seas. Hardcore anglers will appreciate the 401 CC’s innovative features.
Purchasing a 2008 boat in need of updates has its advantages. During a 10-month search to find such a boat was exactly what Michael Yocco and his father Joe accomplished.
“Our approach was to find a boat within a certain budget which included the purchase price and any upgrades we wanted. Then ask ourselves if the cost of refitting a boat is worth it based on the value post-refit,” Yocco says.
A pantry has been converted to rod storage on the 68-foot Viking, Whirlwind.
By Dale Wills
Adequate rod and reel tackle storage on a modern sportfishing boat is generally not the highest priority. Naturally, most soon-to-be boat owners look at other attributes such as engines, number of staterooms, salon layout, bridge configuration and cockpit space when deciding if a boat is right for them. But once a boat is delivered and a captain and/or crew is hired then all kinds of stuff begins to get loaded and stowed, including the all-important tackle.
Check it out! Enjoy our annual build report showcase of the newest projects from the industry’s leading boat builders. Scarborough Boatworks is the final builder of 22 boat builders featured. Check out the rest of the builders below!
Sponsored by Riggs Yacht Sales.
Amid the age of immediate gratification fostered through blistered fingertips navigating smartphone apps, self-checkouts and next-day deliveries, some things simply cannot be rushed. From master shipwrights working in massive facilities to those covered in dust emerging from makeshift sheds, the expertly crafted sportfish yacht is an amazing pedigree. What follows is a selection of the newest projects from the industry’s leading boat builders.
By Patrick Knowles
Imagine a time of consistent and identifiable customers who kept your order books, and the shipyards, filled to maximum capacity. An industry where business flows in as steadily as the tides. This was the state of the U.S. marine industry three decades ago upon my entry as an American yacht designer. The client base was well-grounded, stable and secure.
