Updates by Foreman Gary Davis
Hull #51, 63’ Southern Exposure
The cabin has been built for this 63’ beauty, so we have begun construction of the bridge and console. This 63’s arrangement is a slight departure from our previous cabin style in that we have streamlined the profile, and built in an additional “rounded” shape into the side and front panels of the cabin and bridge. The front has a more rakish look, and with the larger corner radius, really flows together nicely. It is a slightly different, more modern and streamlined take on our traditional sportfish designs, which is going to go great with our stylish Carolina FlareTM hull configuration.
Interior work in the forward living areas is nearly all roughed in, with the figured cherry veneer ready to apply throughout the interior. Spacious guest and crew accommodations have storage built into every conceivable area, as well as specialized rod and tackle storage customized for every possible tournament fishing need. The master stateroom is forward in this layout, and also has very unique storage features incorporating a space for many of the “secret weapons” the Southern Exposure team carries to all of their tournaments.
With the equipment in the “pump room” and the 1800+ hp powerhouses in the engine room, this team will likely be showing up often at weigh stations across the globe next spring.
Hull #52, 53’ Kirsten
Walt is moving up from his current 42’ Express Jarrett Bay into this new 53’ Sportfisherman
model. The entire interior, bridge and cockpit layouts from previous 53’ deliveries have proven to be so perfectly accomodating, that Walt has decided that nothing needs improvement in these areas. Currently, the interior hull structural work is being completed throughout. The floors are in & glassed in the forward areas, and painting has started in the engine room and lazarrette. One significant improvement which is being incorporated into this boat, is the installation of new MTU V-10 Common Rail Engines. These new power installs will raise the 1000hp each engine delivered in our previous boats up to the MTU rating of 1500 hp each. With this added power, we are expecting cruising speeds to be approaching 40 knots. Walt will continue to make his mark in the
canyons with this dream machine!
Hull #53, 43’ Express
Hull construction on Stephen Davis’ 43’ Express has been underway for a few weeks, and the bottom is completed. Side planking is just being started, and is progressing nicely. The 42’ Kirsten is being used as the template for Davis’ new 43’. Power options are still under consideration, but in any case, she will be in the 700hp range, which will produce a cruise speed of mid-30 knots. Interior and bridge arrangements should be under construction this summer.
Hull #54, 66’ Sportfisherman
This new 66’ Jarrett Bay is a slightly elongated version of the 63’ Hull #51. It incorporates our newest hull bottom design, which was developed as part of our R&D efforts in conjunction with MTU on the 70’ Hull #48 test boat for their new common rail engines. The 66’ will have the same tunnels and running gear package developed from the extensive Jarrett Bay 70’ tank testing results. The bottom design incorporates features which enable speeds of 50 knots with the new MTU power available.
The stringer system, bulkheads and all of the inner hull structure are being built with the expectation of at least 40 knots cruise and 50 knots at full speed. At these speeds, every detail of the hull and running gear is critical to the final performance achieved. An unprecedented amount of custom sportfish propulsion research and development is underway to make sure every bit of power and performance is being optimized. Hull construction will be ongoing this summer while we finalize the interior design layout & appointments. Preliminary discussions indicate that this will be a very luxurious package and definiltely one of our most impressive projects to date.
