Specifications:

LOA: LWL: Beam: Draft (Keel): Draft (Props): Displacement: Fuel Capacity: Water Capacity: Deadrise: Freeboard (Fwd): Freeboard (Aft): Power:

42'-9" 36'-9" 15'-3" 27" 47" 33,500 Lbs. 400 Gals. 205 Gals. 12 Degrees 6'-8" 43" (2) 450 hp Iveco Diesels

The 43' Sport Fisherman is being designed for an Australian client who admires American style sport fishing boats. Although Australia is known for its great fishing, the client plans to use the boat mostly for cruising with his family. Her styling is pretty straightforward, with a broken sheer line similar to the Carolina boats. The flaring bow transitions to tumblehome at the stern. Her bottom is a convex V-shape with a fine entry and down angled chine flats. Deadrise at the transom is about 12 degrees.
The interior layout is also fairly simple in order to ease construction. As you enter the saloon, the galley stretches along the starboard side. She will have a LPG range so that the generator will not have to be started first thing in the morning in order to make breakfast. To port is a large 'L' shaped settee with a hi-lo table. The client figures most of their meals will be served on deck, so doing away with the dinette was a good way to gain interior space. A TV and stereo will be housed in a locker forward of the settee, under the "windshield".

Moving forward, the electrical panels will be to starboard, outboard of the companionway steps. At the bottom of the steps, the head compartment is to starboard and features a large shower stall. Rather than squeezing two small heads onto the boat, the choice was to have one nice one. I think this is a great trade off and really simplifies the interior as well as the machinery installation. On the port side is the master stateroom with a large double berth. In the forward outboard corner is a large hanging locker. There will be cabinets running along the outboard side of the berth, from the head of the berth to the locker.
The forward stateroom has three berths, two to port and one to starboard. The starboard berth is raised, allowing for a storage locker with drawers underneath. A large hanging locker is aft to starboard. This stateroom is meant for the clients three children. While it is pretty roomy for a boat this size, I hope they all get along!

The cockpit is typical for this type of boat, with prep centers stretching across the forward end. In the starboard console is a sink and cutting board. The port console features a large freezer, a baitwell and engine room access on centerline. Room has been left for a fighting chair if one is ever needed. Hatches in the sole provide access to the lazarette and the genset. A transom door will be to starboard.

Her flying bridge is accessed by a ladder to port from the cockpit. The helm is on centerline and features a Carolina style steering "bubble" with the gear levers on each side. Forward of the wheel is a large surface for mounting electronics. A bench seat spans the front of the helm console, providing room for 3-4 people. There should be plenty of storage below the console and under the sloping forward bridge face.


Her engine room is fairly straightforward as well. Outboard of the engines are the water tanks, one each to port and starboard. The SeaLand VacuFlush® holding tank and vacuum generator  are forward on the starboard side. The A/C compressors and the water heater are also in this area, in a space just forward of the engine room, aft of the head compartment. On the port side, mounted on the forward engine room bulkhead, will be a 300 gpd watermaker. There will be a second entry/exit under the companionway stairs forward. All engine rooms should have at least two exits in case a fire is blocking one.

The single fuel tank is aft , below the forward end of the cockpit. Just aft of the fuel tank is the generator. The service hatch for the generator is aft to avoid any water dripping on the generator and turning it into a pile of rust. The aft location also insures the cabin will be relatively quiet when it is running.

The client plans to build this boat himself, possibly hiring some help with the hull and deck. Her construction will be all composite utilizing DuFlex™ panels and strips from ATL Composites. These will be covered with additional layers of GRP set in epoxy. Her stringers will be foam cored GRP, as will her bulkheads. The deck and superstructure will also be made up from DuFlex™ panels. Overall, she will be a fairly lightweight boat.

The design is fairly well advanced. I am really excited about this boat and can't wait for her to be built! I may even have to plan a trip Down Under for her launching. If you have any questions regarding the 43' Sport Fisherman or you'd like something similar for yourself, please don't hesitate to contact me.