OnBoard Magazine - Issue XII - 2020 Season

n July of 2018, the Darby family and Captain Chucky Moore were fishing the Edisto Billfish Tournament in South Carolina, when their beloved boat, Artemis , was struck by lightning. The bolt’s surge ravaged the electronics, tower and many onboard systems. Although owner John Darby admits he contemplated shopping for a new boat after the accident, Artemis had become a respected part of the family over the years. A one-of-a-kind express custom built by Mark Bayne of Charleston, she has many accomplishments under her belt including a Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament win. Ultimately, it was decided Artemis deserved to be kept and repaired to first-class standards, and it would prove well worth the wait to take her fishing again. That Fall, Moore brought the boat north up to the Jarrett Bay yard where it was hauled and a more thorough assessment of the damage began. Over the course of doing so—pulling many electronics and examining systems—the conclusion was reached this would be an appropriate time for a more thorough overhaul of the boat. Jarrett Bay Project Manager Donnie Lee recalls, “They got here around the time of Hurricane Florence, and once we were recovered from that, the Darbys had decided to upgrade everything.” The makeover would indeed be comprehensive, including a full repower with a pair of new 1200hp V8 MAN engines, a new generator, spline shafts, teak decking, covering boards and more. The existing Seakeeper gyro stabilizer was also a victim of the lightning strike and was replaced, while the tower was refurbished with a new ceramic coating. Of course, many electronics were upgraded, including new sonar, and she was finished with new paint inside and out. Capt. Moore recently relayed his experience to Elliot Stark, writing for In the Bite, “Randy Ramsey, Tate Lawrence, the VP of Jarrett Bay… they were all great. Donnie Lee THE ARTEMIS IS REBUILT TO THE NINES AFTER A SIZZLING SUMMER INCIDENT This sonar head unit cover was custom built to match the high gloss Release Marine helm pod. JC and John Darby in Artemis' new engine room. Photo from IntheBite.com 50 BLUEWATER