Hunt Joins Hinckley with Scout
In an acquisition that marries two of the Northeast’s most iconic boat brands, Scout Partners LLC has purchased Hunt Yachts. Scout previously bought The Hinckley Company in 2010.
“I could not have designed a better stage for the future of the Hunt Yachts’ brand, legacy and products than this new ownership and partnership with Scout Partners and Hinckley,” said Hunt’s President Peter Van Lancker. “I can tell you that [Scout principal] David Howe and the Hinckley team share the passion and enthusiasm to ensure Hunt Yachts of even greater growth, success and innovation going forward.”
Hinckley President and CEO Jim McManus commented on the acquisition of Hunt, “We welcome Peter Van Lancker, all the Hunt Yachts employees and owners to the family of Scout companies. The two companies have much to share and represent a wonderful cultural pairing.”
According to a company press release, the most immediate synergy is in the Hinckley service yards, which will now have a direct pipeline to Hunt parts and technical advice to service Hunt products.
Hunt will operate under the name Hunt Yachts LLC and will maintain the same relationship it has had with C. Raymond Hunt Associates as the exclusive designer of its product line. The company is headquartered in Portsmouth, R.I., and currently offers powerboats from 25 to 74 feet.
Remembering George Hommell Jr.
It’s impossible to fly fish in the Florida Keys without feeling the influence of George Hommell Jr. His name can be found on famed tarpon honey holes (Hommell’s Corner) and important shrimp fly patterns (Hommell Evil Eye), and he is credited with refining the techniques for poling for bonefish.
But despite his many fishing successes—he was the go-to guide for sports legends Ted Williams and Jack Nicklaus and President George H.W. Bush—Hommell may be best known for what he did off the water.
Along with Carl Navarre and Billy Pate, he founded the landmark World Wide Sportsman shop in Islamorada. Hommell was also one of the first proponents of catch and release fishing and became a founding director of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT). In 2002, he was named one of NOAA’s environmental heroes in recognition of his numerous contributions to conservation causes.
Sadly, Hommell passed away at age 88 at the end of August. A fund has been established in his honor by the BTT, to continue his deep commitment to preserving his beloved fishery. Donations to the George Hommell Jr. Florida Keys Habitat Fund are being accepted by mail at 24 Dockside Lane PMB 83 Key Largo, FL 33035, or by phone at 321-674-7758.
NC Ferry Rescues Boaters
The crew of the M/V Cedar Island pulled two survivors of a sailboat accident from the rough waters of Pamlico Sound on a night run in late September. The ferry, which carries passengers from Ocracoke to Cedar Island, N.C., was nearby when John and Renee Hoffman capsized due to high wind.
Capt. Steven Goodwin was able to maneuver the ferry into position to launch the ferry’s 16-foot rescue boat, and crew members Glenn Salter and Daniel Smith piloted the rescue boat in four- to five-foot seas and 30-knot winds. “They risked their lives to get those people out of the water,” said Goodwin. “They deserve all the credit. They performed the rescue at night in some of the worst conditions possible.”
As the rescue boat returned to the ferry and the crew brought the Hoffmans on board, the 15 passengers already on the ferry erupted into cheers. “We were very lucky they were so close by and able to get to us,” said John Hoffman. “They probably saved our lives.”
Cummins Inboard Joystick
We’re all familiar with joystick systems for pod drives, but what about those who prefer inboard power? Cummins has heard you: its new Cummins Inboard Joystick offers a new level of confidence in simple inboard-powered boats.
Besides the benefits of fingertip maneuvering in close quarters and around the docks, the Cummins system comes with a new class of DC thrusters and Extended Run Thruster technology. This technology has been validated for longer operation than traditional DC thrusters, reducing the historical thermal trip concerns with standard DC thrusters during extended dockside maneuvering.
Cummins also offers Thruster Monitoring to alert the captain to excessive thruster use. If the thruster is used excessively, the indicator light will blink to inform the operator that he or she may be pushing the thruster into thermal trip, or draining the batteries to an unacceptable level.
The entire system will be serviced and supported by the Cummins global network, and backed by a 2-year/1,000-hour warranty.
Jarrett Bay Hard at Work
When things are good, they’re good. Jarrett Bay Boatworks has announced the relaunch of its popular line of semi-production 34 Walk-Around Express sportfish boats and has also begun construction on new 64- and 84-foot custom vessels—both for repeat customers.
The 34 Walk-Around Express is molded from cored-composite fiberglass and has many of the same features as the company’s cold-molded custom models, but at a lower price point. Along with the brand’s renowned ride and handling, owners can expect dedicated gaff storage, as many as five in-sole fish boxes and a cockpit big enough to fish four anglers at a time. Bespoke cabin decor, refrigerated fish boxes, a custom fighting chair, and tower and console options are all available.
The new 64 and 84 custom sportfish models, hulls No. 59 and 60 for the company, were designed with specific input to meet the desires of their owners—with highlights including extra large cockpits, fuel capacities and accommodations. “Finding a builder that understands how our family likes to use our boat and builds that perfect interpretation again and again is more than most can ask for,” said Harris Huddle, owner of the new 64, his fourth Jarrett Bay. “But to have that same builder go above and beyond for the life of your boat, and then some, is more than most can deliver. We’re looking forward to our next adventure with the Jarrett Bay family.”
Trinity’s Patriot Vessel
Her owner is hopeful that she will serve as inspiration to other yachtsmen to build in the U.S., and with her sleek naval architecture and good looks, Finish Line might just do it. The 120-foot raised pilothouse yacht can top 23 knots, with a range of more than 3,600 nautical miles, and her draft is five-and-a-half feet at half load, enabling her to access shallower water ports on the East Coast and in the Bahamas.
“Finish Line has been a deeply gratifying build for us,” said John Dane, president of Trinity Yachts. “Her owner, truly an American patriot, built the yacht here in the U.S. to create jobs. Over the life of the yacht, additional laborer jobs will be created and will perpetuate the economic value that all yachts bring local communities.”
The yacht boasts a full-beam owner’s cabin and three guest staterooms, all with private full heads. Forward of the watertight bulkhead separating the guest and crew areas are three crew cabins and heads. On deck, she features an air-conditioned aft deck with full bar and dining table for eight. The main salon has another bar and entertainment area with custom sofas and lounges. The open formal dining room is forward, as is the galley. The top sun deck holds a helm station, wet bar, chairs and tables, and a davit to handle the tenders and two personal watercraft.
Finish Line is powered by twin MTU 16v2000 main engines rated at 2,600 hp each, driving six-bladed propellers via six-inch shafts and ZF 3370 gearboxes. A 100-hp Arcturus TRAC bowthruster assists the captain when handling the yacht in tight quarters, and electrical power is supplied by two Kohler 80-kW generators.
Mercury’s Eco Prop
How can a piece of stainless-steel alloy be eco-friendly? It’s all in the design, according to Mercury Marine. Its engineers have introduced a new propeller that it says results in less drag at cruising speeds, which increases fuel efficiency, and therefore, lessens its carbon footprint.
“Mercury Marine already produces fuel-efficient engines, as well as driver aids such as the ECO Screen display,” said Jared Reichenberger, brand manager for Mercury Propellers. “As marina gasoline prices have continued to rise, however, customers are increasingly focused on fuel economy. We realized an appreciable fuel economy gain could be found in the design of the propeller itself.”
Mercury engineers designed the new Enertia ECO propeller with a 16-inch diameter, large blade area and a high progressive rake, a combination made possible only through using Mercury’s proprietary X7 stainless steel alloy.
At cruising speeds, the Enertia ECO posts a minimum of 10 percent fuel economy gain compared to Mercury’s already efficient line of offshore propellers. This gain translates to dollars as the typical offshore boater averages nearly 100 hours on the water each year. In addition to saving money, the prop provides additional range from each tank of fuel.
The Mercury Enertia ECO was specifically designed for high horsepower, outboard-powered boats and will be available to consumers beginning in January 2014 in right- and left-hand rotation across four pitches: 17, 19, 21 and 23 inches.
Record Sale for Grady-White CEO
A car owned first by Eddie Smith and then by Eddie Smith Jr. of Grady-White Boats recently sold at auction for $27.5 million. The 1967 Ferrari was one of only 10 built, and the fact that it had only been owned by the Smiths increased interest to the point that the sale set a world record.
In a grand act of kindness, the family plans to give all proceeds to various charities. “You think about, you know, what this car is probably going to sell for,” said Eddie Smith Jr. in an interview on CBS This Morning. “It’s pretty neat to think about the fact that thousands and thousands of lives will be touched in some way.”
