InTheBite

Builder’s Choice Repeats as Marina Casa de Campo Open Champion

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Builder’s Choice, a 64-foot Jarrett Bay, hasn’t fished the Marina Casa de Campo Open for two years, but the team never missed a beat. The boat led the field of 14 boats from the start to win the 2023 Marina Casa de Campo Open, which concluded last weekend in the Dominican Republic. With Capt. Brent Gaskill at the helm, the team claimed both dailies with two blue marlin releases the first day and three the second. The last fish was hooked and reported at 3:58 with two minutes to go until lines out. Builder’s Choice won the Open two years running in its previous appearance.

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2023 Chub Cay Classic Won by Following Seas

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Following Seas, a 58-foot Viking run by Capt. Charlie Vanderbeck, claimed top honors at the 2023 Chub Cay Classic billfish tournament. The third annual event was held March 9-11 at the Chub Cay Resort and Marina. Following Seas released a blue and white marlin to earn 700 points to top the field. Under the all-billfish release format, blue marlin scored 500 points each. White marlin would have count for 200 points, and sailfish were worth 100 points.

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IGFA Bestows 2023 Awards

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Dania Beach, Fla. — The International Game Fish Association (IGFA), a global nonprofit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices today announced the 2023 recipients of its prestigious Annual Awards, covered by InTheBite in 2022. Comprised of six awards, two of which are new this year, each award honors a unique component of sport fishing, including conservation, heavy tackle angling, light tackle angling, sportsmanship, freshwater angling and fly fishing.

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Yamaha Introduces Upgraded 450-Horsepower XTO Offshore® Outboard

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The Yamaha X450 overboard engine.

KENNESAW, Ga., Jan. 17, 2023—Yamaha Marine kicks off 2023 with new product offerings, including an updated XTO Offshore outboard which delivers greater convenience, enhanced technology and 450 horsepower. Featuring the same 5.6-liter of big block displacement and long list of features as the original XTO 425, the updated XTO 450 improves upon the powerful platform that changed the offshore boating game.

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Bay Point Billfish Open Begins

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PANAMA CITY, Fla.—More than a decade after the last Bay Point Billfish Tournament, a new Blue Marlin tournament is coming back to the newly rebuilt docks at Point South Marina at Bay Point.

A local group of four is spearheading the charge to put together the Bay Point Billfish Open, a weeklong dock party and fishing tournament set for the last week in June, with the first edition of that event set for the summer of 2023.

The event will host live music, an in-and-out of the water boat show, food and drinks, and some big time sportfishing, including many of the best teams competing along the Gulf Coast each summer.

The goal is to both bring back the incredible atmosphere that was a part of the original Bay Point Billfish Tournament that ran from 1984 to 2012 and attracted thousands of locals and visitors alike to the marina each July.

Just as the newly rebuilt marina has been brought back better than ever, expectations for the new Bay Point Billfish Open include a step up in terms of the music, food and competition for big money prizes, with teams fishing for blue marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin.

Bay County businessman George Roberts, among the group bringing the event back, participated in the last 10 years of the old Bay Point Billfish tournament and placed several times. He is honored to be part of bringing back the Bay Point Billfish Open, saying, “We intend to make it an awesome tournament, the best on the Gulf Coast!”

Bert Merritt has joined on as the event’s Tournament Director. Merritt’s resume includes 30 years of coordinating billfish tournaments along the Gulf Coast.

Visitors who previously attended the Bay Point Billfish Tournament will no doubt notice the wider docks and updated facilities offered at the newly rebuilt marina, and boat captains will appreciate the larger berths designed to accommodate today’s modern sportfishing vessels.

“It’s hard to overstate just how vital the Point South Marina at Bay Point is for the community,” says Marina Manager Justin Bannerman. “The St. Joe Company was able to rebuild the marina better than ever following the destruction of Hurricane Michael, knowing that when we reopened it would signify a major milestone in healing and renewal. Being able to once again host a major sportfishing event like the Bay Point Billfish Open is exciting for us, and we look forward to welcoming locals and the fishing community back.”

The inaugural Bay Point Billfish Open will take place from Wednesday, June 28th through Sunday, July 2nd. Those interested in registering for the tournament, and those interested in sponsorship possibilities, can get more information on the Bay Point Billfish Open website or can call the Tournament Director at 850-380-8961.

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For more information:
Bert Merritt
Tournament Director
850.380.8961
https://www.baypointbillfishopen.com

10-Knot Speed Restrictions: Contact Elected Officials!

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We’ve filed our comments to NOAA (the deadline was October 31), but this campaign is far from over. Please continue to help us oppose the looming 10-knot restriction along the Eastern Seaboard being proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “It’ll take NOAA a minimum of two months to review the comments—use this time to inform your elected officials about the devastating impact the proposed rule would have on the boating and fishing community,” says Viking Director of Governmental Affairs and Sustainability John DePersenaire, shown above speaking at the Viking press conference on the issue at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. “We must make a strong political pivot and take our message to our elected officials.”

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New VETUS BOW PRO Bow Thruster Models

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The BOW PRO.

VETUS will launch its first BOW PRO Boosted units for 400-mm tunnels at METSTRADE 2022.

VETUS has set a new industry standard in DC thruster power with the launch of its first BOW PRO Boosted units for 400-mm tunnels, which will be previewed for the first time at METSTRADE 2022.

Expanding the VETUS line-up of advanced BOW PRO models, the BOW PRO Boosted 385 (BOWB385) and the BOW PRO Boosted 420 (BOWB420) are the most powerful fully proportional brushless thrusters available on the market with 48VDC compatibility.

The latest models bring the unique benefits of VETUS BOW PRO thrusters to owners and operators of larger boats, with installations ideal for vessels from 25m to 40m (82ft to 131ft).

The Specs

Offering a power output up to 385 kgf (BOWB385) and 420 kgf (BOWB420) at 48V, the two new units feature all the renowned innovations that differentiate the efficient VETUS BOW PRO thrusters from conventional units. Skippers and crew will have precision proportional control and can be confident they can extensively use their thruster system when docking or maneuvering without the fear of overuse or overheating issues.

All BOWB units feature an intelligent motor controller with integrated boost function, charging the bow thruster’s batteries using VETUS’s internal three-stage charging process. This solution enables connection to a 24V power supply to recharge the 48V battery bank to keep the thruster batteries at their optimum level.

The proprietary VETUS motor controller also regulates the maintenance-free brushless induction motors, ensuring the thrusters are very efficient and quiet. Active heat control and a low power consumption give the BOWB thrusters a runtime only limited by the size of the battery pack installed – a unique feature for DC thrusters.

Installation and maintenance of these thrusters is safe, fast, and easy, with the units integrating seamlessly with the proprietary VETUS V-CAN system for plug and play convenience.

VETUS Speaks

Thijs Boegheim, Sales Director EMEA of VETUS-Maxwell, said: “VETUS is proud to expand the BOW PRO family to 24 thrusters with the units for 400-mm tunnels. The launch of the BOWB385 and the BOWB420 will make life easier on board for even more boaters, answering demand for powerful, reliable and efficient bow thrusters that offer built-in safety features and easy integration with 48V platforms. As leading technology specialists in the sector, VETUS can guarantee its thrusters are the best quality solution for almost every boat.”

The BOWB 400 series is compatible with VETUS’s standard proportional control panels—the BPPPA single thruster paddle panel, the BPPJA single thruster joystick panel with hold-to-dock functionality and the DBPPJA 360-degree double thruster joystick panel. As the BOW PRO is V-CAN-controlled with CAN-bus protocol operation, the thrusters also offer the opportunity for interaction with other compatible devices, such as docking systems, for optimal performance.

The launch of the BOWB 400 series follows the introduction of three models in the BOWB 300 series for 300-mm tunnels.

The BOW PRO Boosted 385 (BOWB385) and the BOW PRO Boosted 420 (BOWB420) units are available on request. For further information, visit www.vetus.com.

About VETUS – Creator of Boat Systems

Founded in 1964, VETUS sets the global standard in the design and manufacturing of complete onboard boat systems—including engines, generators, bow thrusters and control panels—for recreational and small commercial vessels. VETUS prides itself on innovation and engineers the majority of its 4,000+ product lineup in-house. The company’s commitment to quality, reliability and delivering a superior customer experience has earned the trust of boaters, yacht builders and marine training establishments all over the world.

VETUS has its headquarters in the Netherlands, with subsidiaries in 17 other countries and an unparalleled worldwide distribution and service network.

Large New Custom Jarrett Bay Commissioned

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The new 90-foot build from Jarret Bay Boatworks.

Beaufort, NC (October 18, 2022) – Jarrett Bay Boatworks is excited to announce the commission of Hull 68 by repeat owners for an impressive upgrade to a high-tech 90-foot sportfish with a full tower and open bridge.

This newest custom build will join the builder’s long list of extraordinary projects with cutting-edge infusion and advanced lamination techniques, both to the superstructure and the decks, to save weight. The cold-molded hull will be traditionally crafted to ensure Jarrett Bay’s signature legendary ride, while a massive cockpit and bridge will provide the space needed to fish and relax comfortably. The range is expanded with her ability to carry more than 4,000 gallons of fuel, allowing for extended travel.

There are few compliments greater than a returning customer. Jarrett Bay boasts many owner families who have entrusted their craftspeople to build their dream sportfishing boat more than once. Final details are currently under review, including power options and the interior arrangement. Construction is set to begin in the early part of 2023 and Jarrett Bay invites fans and followers to join in on the journey through the popular vlog series, Jarrett Bay Insider.

Jarrett Bay 90 Specs:*

Length: 90′

Beam: 22′ 7″

Draft: 5′ 6″

Displacement: 200,000 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 4,100 gal

Water Capacity: 500 gal

Power: TBD

*Model under development. Specs are preliminary estimates

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About Jarrett Bay Boatworks

Jarrett Bay Boatworks, founded in 1986, has delivered more than 100 custom and semi-production sportfishing boats and services more than one thousand boats per year through their 175-acre Jarrett Bay Marine Park in Beaufort, North Carolina at ICWMM 198. Recognized as an ABBRA Boatyard of the Year, named an NC Manufacturer of the Year, and a two-time recipient of “Best Power Yacht 50-100 Feet” Refit Excellence Awards, Jarrett Bay has nearly 200 employees and 135,000 sq. ft. of building space—making it one the East Coast’s largest and most respected all-inclusive boating facilities.