Florida Custom Boat Design
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ABOUT THE DESIGN….
Originally built as a custom design for a Florida doctor and built by a respected wood boat builder in Harker’s Island in North Carolina, this boat has attracted favorable comment for both its ability as a sportfisher and cruiser. Both fast and maneuverable, her owner reports that the boat is “exceedingly dry with no tendency to dive”. She features an easy riding, dry running v-bottom hull with considerable deadrise at the forefoot to smooth the action of offshore swells. However, hull lines flatten out somewhat aft for at-rest stability that fisherman appreciate and also to throw a low-resistance wake.
While powerplant options are up to the owner, the original was outfitted with GM 8V-71’s for a total of 640 SHP. Driving 25” X 20” props through 1-1/2:1 gears, 20 knot speeds were easily reached, with a cruising range of 450 miles. Such figures include a 15 Kw. Generator, electric appliances including stove, refrigerator, two deep freezers, air conditioning, complete thermal and acoustical insulation, and electronics. This is very respectable showing performance-wise, especially compared to current production vessels of comparable size that tend to be overweight and less nimble. These latter boats typically need much larger engines for similar results, and thus consume more fuel.
Accommodations include two double staterooms, each with adjoining heads, with considerable amounts of locker and storage space. The deckhouse includes a convertible dinette and a generous galley.
Cockpit space is ample for two fighting chairs with room for refrigerated bait and fish boxes.
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ABOUT THE DESIGN….
Captain Don, along with a respected Naval architect and one of the most respected boat builders of North Carolina, finally put on paper another winner, one of the most proven and seaworthy boats ever to put to sea. The sportsman 32 is also modeled along the lines of the grand luxury sport fishing machines common to the southeastern seaboard. With flaring topsides, clipper bows, graceful sheer lines, and a deep forefoot, this vessel compliments Captain Don’s other vessels and is as seaworthy and graceful. The reverse curvature of the bow and deep entry makes for a dry ride in rough seas, and the bottom flattens out aft to give a boat that is not only faster with less horsepower, it’s “at rest” stability is appreciated by serious fisherman that you don’t get on the full length deep-v hulls.
With a roomy cabin for cruising and layovers, this boat makes an excellent offshore fisherman and dive boat. The cabin features full headroom, private double stateroom forward with v-berth, convertible dinette and hanging locker to port, and a galley with enclosed head and hanging lockers opposite. The aft cockpit is just above the waterline, making it safe yet easy to land your catch or retrieve divers..
