VOLUME XVII 2025 SEASON BLUEWATERYACHTSALES.COM Elevated Experiences Focused on Families Technology Breakthroughs New Models & Brand Insight
YachtWorld proudly supports Bluewater Yacht Sales and its clients. VISIT www.YACHTWORLD.com In Good Company
ADDITIONAL THANKS Carl Beale, Deirdre Bell-Loftin, Ann Black, John Bishop, Mary Foust, Chris Hall III, Bob Hoste, Scott James, Chris Landry, Scott MacDonald, Craig Messick, Vera Sohovich, Randy Ramsey, Chase Sutton, Kristen Turk and all of our great participating team members, customers, captains, partners and affiliates named throughout the magazine. ON THE COVER The 2025 Viking 48C approaching Cape Lookout, NC, photographed by John Angelo Managing Editor & Art Director Jason Pim Writers Jason Pim Blake Tice Magnus Thiersmann Skye Hollis Graphics Asst. & Online Editor Josh Lamb Editorial Directors Wyatt Lane Baxter Lusink Blake Tice Executive Editor Robin Anderson Ad Coordinator Blake Tice C U S T OM E R P R O F I L E S 08 REGULATOR 34 MARYLAND TO MARATHON 19 VALHALLA V-33 TALK OF THE TOWN 22 VIKING 58C ALL SMILES FOR SIMPLE MAN 32 BACK COVE 372 A CRUISING COUPLE'S PINNACLE 36 DELIVERING EOS 48 AN OCEAN OF OPPORTUNITY 54 DELIVERIES & TESTIMONIALS B L U E WA T E R P E R S P E C T I V E 05 SUMMER IN ST. MICHAELS 10 BIG ROCK EXPERIENCES COLLABS & CONCERTS 14 SUMMER DEMO PROGRAMS FOLLOW VIKING & BLUEWATER 26 JUD BLACK STEADY, STOIC & SKILLED 34 REGULATOR AMBASSADORS 46 BLUEWATER'S GROWING TEAM 60 SHOWS & SHOTS B R A N D S & T E C H N O L O G Y 17 OMNI SONAR A MUST-HAVE TOOL 25 SABRE CONNECT 30 VALHALLA V-55 SY 38 REGULATOR 35 SETTING TRENDS 40 SEAKEEPER RIDE 42 VIKING 50 MODELS HOT OFF THE PRESS 44 SABRE 51 51 BACK COVE 412 52 JARRETT BAY 68
Sometime around 1999 or 2000, while working for Regulator Marine, I was walking back to my hotel from setting up at the Miami Boat Show. I stopped at the pool bar outside the Clevelander Hotel on Miami Beach for a hamburger and beer, and as it turned out I sat down next to Bluewater’s Jud Black. That was the first we met, and he's been a mentor to me (and so many others) ever since. Over the years he has bestowed many “Jud-isms” upon us. The thing about Jud is that he’s so quiet and usually the last to speak. So, when he does chime in, everyone listens closely to what he recommends. “You must be present to win,” is one of his classics which couldn’t be truer in our line of work. Being present highlights why we focus and invest so heavily on many events year in and year out. Being on the docks at our industry’s top boat shows and tournaments allows our team members great opportunities to assist both new prospects and our existing customers. It also enables us to connect with our partners and gain first-hand insight into their new products and upcoming initiatives. It's also the only way to stay on the leading edge of all the incredible technological advancements that are constantly reshaping the boats, their systems and ultimately the lifestyles we love. Throughout the pages of this magazine, you’ll see our daily emphasis on hosting and collaborating with partners on worldclass events that elevate our customers’ boating experiences. You’ll also see some of the takeaways and product insights gained from the close relationships we build with our brand partners and customers. This is a result of our steadfast commitment to be present wherever our customers' boating interests take them. Bluewater’s marketing budget is unrivaled in our Mid-Atlantic marketplace, and we have no intentions of slowing down. Over the last year or so, we’ve grown and developed our team considerably, bringing on highly experienced Sales Professionals throughout every region of our territory. We’ve also created a new position, New Boat Specialist, to aid in the delivery, commissioning and orientation of every new boat ordered by our customers. We’ve continued to invest in our back-office support team, composed of a group of closing specialists, finance officers and administrators that are the envy of our peers in the industry. The fruits of their labors are to make every transaction as smooth and convenient as possible for all of our customers. All the while, we benefit from the experience and wisdom of our management team, led at the top by Randy Ramsey and Jud Black. You couldn’t find two more genuine and congenial leaders to learn from and do life with. With a culture of service, respect and honesty, the Bluewater team is committed to earning your business and exceeding expectations—one phone call, text, email or handshake at a time. That’s because from bottom to top, we truly value being by your side for a lifetime. On behalf of the Bluewater Yacht Sales Team, Thank You! Wyatt Lane General Manager 4 BLUEWATER
THE BLUEWATER SUMMER CRUISE PROVIDES A WELCOME ESCAPE FOR ALL The Chesapeake Bay has no shortage of wonderful cruising destinations, with small communities, maritime towns, and even populous cities scattered throughout the 200-mile span of the bay. There are so many options that it is a challenge each year to find the perfect spot to host the annual Bluewater Summer Cruise. Past years have brought us as far south as Hampton Roads and all the way up the Patapsco river to the Baltimore Inner Harbor. We have spent time in cruising staples like Solomons and have also ventured to less-traveled towns like Crisfield and Deale. Despite our efforts to keep the weekend cruising event new and exciting, there is a common request almost every year: St. Michaels. It is no wonder why St. Michaels, Maryland is the perennial Summer Cruise favorite. Known as “the town that fooled the British” from its storied history in the War of 1812, the Eastern Shore town is ripe with maritime history dating back into the mid-seventeenth century. It is a charming bay town with shops and dining all along bustling Talbot Street, as well as multiple marinas, inns, and hotels. Not to mention that one of the best parts of visiting St. Michaels is getting there. The trip down the Miles River is one of the most serene, picturesque cruises that you can take on the Chesapeake Bay. 2024 marked the second straight year that the Summer Cruise visited St. Michaels, with both events hosted at St. Michaels Marina. Despite having a waitlist for much of the summer, the friendly staff at St. Michaels Marina has always gone above and beyond to accommodate our customers, and their well-kept facilities and close proximity to the town make it the perfect venue for the long weekend. The July event kicked off on a Friday evening with a welcome party under the Bluewater tent where nearly one-hundred of our customers, sponsors and staff joined together to start the festivities. The first full day of the cruise began on Saturday morning with a full breakfast spread, followed by the signature christening celebration. While the majority of the Summer Cruise participants are repeat visitors who make Savoring the Moment
a point to attend each year, new customers are welcomed to christen their new boats with a bottle of champagne and a toast with the crowd. Four boats were christened in St. Michaels last year, including a pair of Sabre Yachts, a Galeon and a Fairline. "The christening ceremony was really nice. Our broker, Scott James, coached us through the ceremony," recounts Eugene Thompson, owner of a Sabre 38. "Diana broke the champagne bottle on the first attempt! Bluewater did an excellent job hosting this event, the food was first rate, the drinks plentiful and the entertainment was outstanding. This is a must-do when you buy a boat through Bluewater!" No trip to Maryland is complete without crabs, and attendees were not disappointed to hear that the neighboring Blu Miles Seafood Grill was rented to host an Eastern Shore crab feast. The groups spent hours picking crabs, soaking up the air conditioning and sharing memories, as well as some friendly arguments over which tables were getting more of the prized jumbos. Following the long lunch, attendees dispersed either throughout the town or back to their boats to get some much-needed rest before dinner and dancing at nearby Harrison Harbor Lights.
Finding a space to host a large group in a tiny town is no small feat, but the team at Harrison’s was up to the task with their beautiful ballroom and balcony overlooking the river. Guests were taken on a short water-taxi cruise from the marina to the restaurant, where they were greeted with a cocktail reception, a spread of hors d’oeuvres, and some photoboothfun to start the night. The night continued with a seated dinner with a view and dancing with live music from the local Wheelhouse Rock Band. Although nobody wanted the weekend to end, Sunday began with a closing breakfast and a send-off to everyone who made the trip. Of course, there was one question that came up with nearly every group: where will we be going next year? After multiple requests over the years to bring the cruise to the Southern Bay, we are excited to bring the 2025 cruise to The Oyster Farm Resort in Cape Charles, Virginia. Like St. Michaels, Cape Charles features a bustling small town with multitudes of diningand shoppingoptions, as well as a modern marina and resort and countless amenities for our guests. This cruise will also mark the return of the four-day cruise format, running Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 13, 2025. Until then, the Bluewater team will be excitedly awaiting our chance to bring customers back for the next edition of the Summer Cruise. 2025 Summer Cruise July 10 - 13, 2025 Cape Charles, Virginia Join the fun at the Bluewater Summer Cruise to enjoy: • Nightly Docktail Parties • Boat Christenings • Dinner and Live Entertainment • Local Exploration • Games and Daily Events • Boat Tours and Demos 7 2025 SEASON
Jim Belliveau is a prolific boater, explaining he uses his boats almost as often as some folks use their cars. He’s owned and operated a great variety of watercraft, including many center consoles and sailboats built by leading manufacturers. Throughout it all, his wife Judy and their three children have been by his side, enjoying the rides. Living primarily in Annapolis, but also spending a lot of time in their second home in South Florida, Jim has purchased several different center consoles recently, including ordering a Regulator 31 before stepping up to their latest boat—a Regulator 34. For a little while their ownership of the 31 and 34 overlapped and they considered keeping one of the Regulators up north, and the other in Florida. But Jim loved running the new34 somuch (andwanted to avoid the insurance premiums of keeping a boat in Florida through the hurricane season) that they’ve been shipping the 34 between their two homes each year. For those who haven’t spent much time in Florida, the “toy haulers” start arriving around mid-October and begin packing out around Easter-time—give or take the timing of a few outlier cold fronts. So, just like many a snowbird’s luxury cars, twice a year the Belliveaus’ 34 is cleaned, shrinkwrapped and hauled via tractor-trailer up and down the interstate to accommodate the family’s seasonal lifestyle. This is a routine they’ve been enjoying since about 2020. Doing so means orchestrating haulout services at yards in both Florida and Maryland in collaboration with the transport company, but to them it’s well worth the effort to help spend as much time out on the water in the boat they love. COVERING A LOT OF GROUND From their homebase in Annapolis, the Belliveaus take frequent trips to St. Michaels, Baltimore, Chestertown and other destinations. “Whether it’s out for a sunset cruise, or visiting family, I use my boats like my car.” That probably doesn’t mean running errands in the boat, but MARYLAND FAMILY IS GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THEIR REGULATOR 34 Serious Fun 8 BLUEWATER
trips around the region to see their kids and even attend a Baltimore Ravens game has been part of the action. While wintering in Naples, Florida, they enjoy visiting Marco, Goodland, Everglades City and the Ten Thousand Islands to the south, and Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beach are within easy reach to the north. Jim explains he has owned several other center console brands, and enjoys driving them as much as possible up and down the Mid-Atlantic ICW, even as far as Charleston, SC. While he hasn’t taken the new 34 from Naples to the Florida Keys yet, they plan to make that trip in the immediate future. What does he like most about the 34? Besides being named Unregulated, Jim shares that the boat has earned another nickname—the Beast. “I have had it in some serious sh-t,” he explains. “The 31 was great, but the 34 is heavier, longer and wider. When the Bay is washboarding it gets so short and choppy, and she absolutely crushes it.” When you use a boat as much as the Belliveaus, you’re inevitably going to be faced with some challenging conditions, and the Regulator 34 provides the confidence to tackle just about anything Mother Nature can serve up. Other features unique to his 34 are the additions of FLIR and Starlink systems. The FLIR infrared helps them get back and forth from the beaches and other destinations safely after dark. The Starlink connection provides the peace-of-mind of always being within hailing distance of his business and employees, no matter where their boating excursions take them. These upgrades are in addition to many of the factory standard features offered by Regulator, including the Garmin Offshore Package and Yamaha Helm Master joystick controls, Yamaha digital boat control system and EX Autopilot—all aimed at making the boat as easy and fun to operate as possible. FACTORY TUNED Ordering both of his new Regulators through Bluewater over the last 5-6 years, Jim enjoyed visiting the Regulator Marine factory to check up on the construction of both boats. While doing so he got to know Customer Service Representative Ramsey Skinner and Joan Maxwell, Co-Founder of the company. “Regulator has a great team, and Bluewater is a great support team during and after the sale.” “I loved working with Scott [MacDonald] and Vera [Sohovich],” of Bluewater’s Annapolis office. Scott James in Hampton gets a nod too, for bringing a buyer for the 31 MacDonald listed. After enjoying each others company at boat show parties, Regulator Rallies and orientation in Florida, Jim adds, “Scott MacDonald provided outstanding sales and service to us and everyone I met at Bluewater is now counted among my friends.” Expanding on his growing appreciation for Maxwell and the Regulator brand, he describes recently driving across Alligator Alley from Naples to the Miami International Boat Show to see the debut of the all-new Regulator 35. “They did such a great job marketing and teasing the new boat, I had to go see it. I got to crawl all over it and hope to sea trial one in Annapolis,” he reports. He came away impressed with all the new technology packed aboard, including the Lithium battery system and the newest innovations in gyro stabilizers and attitude systems. He alluded that some of these features may have him thinking about another step up to a new Regulator in the coming years, but for now he’s happy to wait for them to build more hulls of the new model and work out any potential kinks. Plus it’s abundantly clear that in the meantime he’s thrilled to continue enjoying the 34 as much as possible. “We just had her out on Sunday [which was a very windy Easter in Southwest Florida], running to Goodland and back to Gordon’s Pass without a problem,” Jim concludes. His enthusiasm makes it readily apparent he’s looking forward to putting many more miles under the Beast’s hull. I’ve Been Everywhere, Man: Naples | St. Michaels | Baltimore | Chesapeake 9 2025 SEASON
SOMETHING OLD For at least 20 years, Gregory Poole Cat and Bluewater Yacht Sales (formerly Jarrett Bay Yacht Sales) have paired up to sponsor participants’ favorite kickoff event at what has become one of the largest marlin tournaments in the world—the Sunday Pig Pickin’ at the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Over those years, the party has been held at a variety of venues along the Morehead City and Beaufort waterfronts, before relocating to its ideal home at Big Rock Landing in recent years. Participants and their families look forward to this casual barbecue, gathering on the eve of the tournament under the shadow of the official weigh station each team hopes to be visiting with their catches later in the week. It takes more than just a village to host an event of this size, and the collaboration between local and out-of-town businesses, event staff, volunteers, town officials and essential service providers is part of what makes the Big Rock such a success. SOMETHING NEW In 2024, organizers from Bluewater Yacht Sales, Safe Harbor Marinas, Gregory Poole Cat and the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament also collaborated to offer a series of special experiences above and beyond the regular schedule of events. Extended to all regional Safe Harbor Members, plus Bluewater and Caterpillar customers, this opportunity included a cocktail party and dinner on Thursday night under the Big Rock tent in Morehead City. That evening, approximately three hundred members and friends gathered to enjoy great food, company, and dancing to live music from The Deloreans, just steps away from the Big Rock scales. BLUEWATER, SAFE HARBOR AND GREGORY POOLE TEAM UP TO OFFER SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT ELEVATING EXPERIENCES photos: John Angelo 10 BLUEWATER
SOMETHING BLUE Earlier in the day, Bluewater and Safe Harbor offered a special excursion to 40 pre-registered Safe Harbor Members to visit CMAST, which is the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology at N.C. State University. This is a satellite campus situated on the captivating Bogue Sound, an important estuarine environment supporting spawning grounds and bait schools critical to our favorite inshore and offshore gamefish. By many accounts this “field trip” was the highlight of the Safe Harbor Members Experience, and several attendees left enthralled about what they had learned that morning. “If you’re interested in fishing, and being the best at it, then science and biology can be pretty important and interesting,” explained Bluewater Yacht Sales General Manager Wyatt Lane. The group of Safe Harbor Members took part in a presentation by CMAST Fisheries Ecologist, Jeffrey Buckel, Ph.D., and learned about how varying anatomy traits and the biology of different gamefish species provides clues to understanding their behavior. After this informative classroom presentation from Dr. Buckel, the group went downstairs to meet graduate students Bethany Wager and Ryan Tharp and get hands-on with the subject matter. Petri dishes of ear drums, eyeballs, fin clips, livers, swim bladders and more were laid out for inspection by the group and prompted an interactive question-and-answer session. Understanding more about how these organs work can provide insights into how gamefish behave in the wild, and thus lead to better success rates for those concernedwith catching, releasing and conserving the species. In respect to marlin fishing, this scientific knowledge can lead to better understanding of how these fish move, both in the short term (acceleration, making turns, chasing prey) and long term (seasonal migration patterns). Lane explained that learning more about how much time billfish spend taking deep dives vs. hunting and catching prey at the top of the water column can be informative for anglers targeting them at the surface. In short, size, sex, diet and water conditions all contribute to how a marlin behaves in the wild—and thus how an angler might best target them. 11 2025 SEASON
SOMETHING BORROWED All of the blue marlin and many of the gamefish that are brought to the scales during the Big Rock tournament are given to CMAST researchers to autopsy and learn about these fish, their growth and behaviors. Thus, the data and insights provided by the tournament itself, comes full circle to help conserve and sustain the species, food web and habitats that are critical to ensuring a bright future for the sport of big game fishing. While playing with fish guts might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the consensus was that the visit to the CMAST facility was a great opportunity to learn more about our fisheries and the work being done locally to protect them. “It was impressive enough to compel this UNC-Chapel Hill graduate to send an online donation to N.C. State!” exclaimed Lane. To cap off the Member Experience trip, the group enjoyed an exceptional lunch at Southern Salt Seafood in Morehead City. Bluewater’s Event Manager Kristen Turk expressed sincere thanks to the many people that helped make these events successful, including Bluewater management team members, “Randy Ramsey and Wyatt Lane for connecting the team with Dr. Buckel at CMAST, as well as [Safe Harbor Regional Sales Director] Sam Branham for the vision and support in creating this new event.” Turk added that Gregory Poole’s sponsorship of the party provided important support along with Michelle Warren of the Big Rock Tournament for kindly providing her team’s assistance with the venue space, setup and break-down. Collaborative partnerships like this are just one of the many ways our companies endeavor to offer new and exciting valueadded experiences to Safe Harbor Members and Bluewater customers, and you can be assured will be back again with something new each year! Examining ear drums are one way scientists can determine a fish’s age Dr. Buckel shows the group attributes of blue marlin caught during Big Rock The Jarrett Bay 64, Builder’s Choice, brought in the 3rd largest blue marlin of the tournament, which was one of many fish later catalogued at CMAST. 12 BLUEWATER
SAFE HARBORMEMBERSHIP BENEFITS • Unlimited complimentary transient nights • Fuel at our cost • Membership Experiences & Discounts • Membership Concierge Learn more or inquire today: shmarinas.com/membership 2025 SAFE HARBORMEMBER EXPERIENCE AT THE BIG ROCK BLUEMARLIN TOURNAMENT Thursday, June 12, 2025 6-9pm Please join us for an upscale cocktail reception at The Vault, one of Beaufort’s premier downtown venues. Sip handcrafted cocktails by The Wandering Tavern and indulge in appetizers by Live Oak Catering while listening to live music by local favorite Brian Fulton. Mingle with fellow guests and reflect on the excitement of Big Rock in a stylish and historic setting. 13 2025 SEASON
Action When someone is in the market for a new boat, they quickly learn that boat shows and tournaments can be important opportunities in the buying process. Boat shows are a phenomenal way to tour many new boats in a short period, but the vessels are almost always hemmed in like sardines among hundreds of others. As a result, at most boat shows sea trials are out of the question and must be scheduled for another time or venue. However, there’s potentially nothing more important for buyers than being able to sea trial—or better yet, fish—the model of boat they're considering. Viking and Bluewater’s efforts to demo new boats allow buyers to do just that—take part in a day offshore on the boat of their dreams with some of the most capable anglers in the world. A full-fledged demo program essentially turns the summer tournament schedule into a means to connect with potential customers and offer them a special opportunity to learn more about the fishing and operating capabilities of a particular new model. By competing in these high-profile events aboard fully-equipped boats—such as the latest Viking 82 or 64—the teams give potential buyers a front row seat to real world performance. Customers can ride along, fish, and experience firsthand the engineering, comfort, and fishability that set these Viking sportfishing boats apart. VIKING 82 DEMO Each year, Viking Yachts runs the most effective demo programin the sportfishing industry, by putting their boats and their team right in the heart of the action, both on the U.S. East Coast and in Central America. This program typically taps the latest and greatest model the company has to offer as its flagship demo boat each fishing season. In April 2024, Viking Yachts held their 60th anniversary celebration and made a surprise announcement which caught everyone off-guard: the company was launching a new 82’ Convertible and hull number one was already close to finished! Unlike the typical unveiling of anewmodel at the Fort Lauderdale or Miami boat shows, this exciting new yacht would be set to debut to the public on the summer’s Mid-Atlantic tournament circuit—right in Bluewater customers’ backyards. In the coming weeks, impressive early sea trial photos started to trickle out of New Gretna, New Jersey. Then at the Viking Dealer Meeting in early June, it was fully confirmed the 82 would be ready to serve as the INSIDE THE VIKING YACHTS & BLUEWATER YACHT SALES DEMO PROGRAMS Get in on the 14 BLUEWATER
company’s flagship demo platform that summer, starting at the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Over the last several years, Captain Sean Dooley has been at the helm of the Viking Yachts demo program. He’s responsible for all boat movements and maintenance, hiring of the crew, and the fishing strategy at each event. Interestingly, the dynamic of always utilizing one of the newest boats off the production line puts Dooley and his team at an instant disadvantage—they have little time to get to know the boat before immersing themselves in the first competition. Besides prepping the boats to travel and fish, they must keep them in boat-show condition for all the prying eyes and VIP appointments back at the dock each night. Viking CEO Pat Healey is intricately involved in the program as well, making it a point to fish every event, and spend day and night with customers. It’s nearly an around-the-clock schedule for him and other Viking brass, plus the rest of the fishing team they’ve assembled. “I call them my thoroughbreds,” Healey told Marlin Magazine recently. “I can’t have them sitting around too long. We have to go out and run ’em.” Over the past several years, the Viking demo team has proven they excel at every challenge Healey throws at them, and the 2024 season was no different. They arrived at Big Rock directly from New Jersey tournament-ready and performed admirably throughout the week, catching two white marlin and two sailfish. They then quickly set their sights on a much bigger trip in the coming days—plying west to Bermuda. In late June they made the long hop across the stream and fished in the first two legs of the Bermuda Triple Crown, where they had a consistent if not dominant performance, earning two 2nd place finishes. They caught six blue marlin in the Sea Horse Anglers Club Tournament, followed by eight blue marlin in the Bermuda Big Game Classic! The Viking 82 then returned stateside in time to fish the White Marlin Open (WMO) and Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament in August. At the WMO they released one blue and five white marlin, while showing off their new flagship in Ocean City each night. Their terrific string of summer success concluded with a 3rd place finish in Pirate’s Cove, releasing two blue marlin and three sailfish. How this team manages to fish at such a high level and return each night to wineand-dine Viking’s VIPs, is a testament to their skills and professionalism. This is more than just a demo boat—it’s a high-impact, results-driven program that connects customers with the best production boats which are manned by some of the world’s top anglers. BLUEWATER’S 64 This past year Bluewater personnel didn’t exactly set out to have a full-blown demo schedule but decided to fish their new Viking 64C in two tournaments that book-ended the season. Delivered in late Spring 2024, the 64 Convertible immediately underwent commissioning and provisioning at Safe Harbor Bluewater in Hampton, Virginia. There, Viking specialists installed electronics, customizations and finishing touches in time to send the boat south to the Hatteras Marlin Club Tournament in late June. Bluewater Sales Professional and Captain, Carl Beale, was the primary man at the helm of the 64 Bluewater during this time. He took the point ondelivering, fishing and maintaining the boat, withhelp fromother sales staff in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland. At the invitation-only Hatteras Marlin Club (HMC), Bluewater brokers Daryl Brower, Aubrey Wroten and Clark Sneed were aboard, some accompanied by prospective customers. It provided a great opportunity to shake down the Viking 64, learn her mannerisms, and expose clients to all her features and luxuries. “It’s very comfortable and fast and had very minimal break-in challenges,” recalls Carl. He noted that the sonar and electronics needed some attention to get ready and dialed in for tournament action. “It fishes really well and is quite comfortable and smooth.” 15 2025 SEASON
“The bridge is air conditioned, and it has a huge Seakeeper—a 26—which is larger than many other boats in her class,” he adds. After leaving the HMC event in the Outer Banks, the boat was on display at Bluewater’s Hampton location while preparing for her next big excursion. The team ran the Bluewater 64 north to Ocean City, Maryland to be front and center at our August featured tournaments: Marlins for Mason and the White Marlin Open (WMO). Members of our Maryland team, including Roger Mooney, David Black, Chase Sutton and John Prather were all involved in fishing and logistics for these outings. Poised conspicuously on the bulkhead at Sunset Marina, the 64 was the center of attention for the thousands of people who fished or visited the WMO that week. One of the standout features to Carl was on display for all: “Our teak team at Safe Harbor Bluewater is top-notch, and basically craftsmen of a lost art. They pulled teak out of storage and the work they did on the covering boards for the cockpit blows away what anyone else can do, including the boats leaving the factory.” CRITICAL OPPORTUNITIES Stressing the importance of a demo program, Carl explains, “Viking’s boats change and evolve a lot in a short period of time. People in our area need to see the difference and how they’re getting better and better each day.” That means the ride and functionality, not just the look. “Viking’s demo program is amazing and says a lot about where they are. They’re not just competing at a high level, but always using their boats, and learningwhat’s going on out there to make them better. It’s important to show that to people first-hand.” While it makes good sense to undergo these exciting demo programs for sales and marketing exposure, they remain substantial investments in time and resources. Not only are the demo teams balancing movement logistics, tournament and provisioning fees, VIP appointments and countless other costs and concerns, they’re also being careful not to put unnecessary hours and wear or tear on a new boat that is ultimately intended for resale to a lucky new owner. Carl points out at that having the 64 instock and on display led directly to the sale of a new Viking 58 Convertible to the Curtis family [read about Simple Man, pages 22-25]. “They fell in love with the 64 seeing it here in Hampton and decided they definitely wanted a Viking. They ordered their 58 about three days later,” he concludes. Overall, the availability of new boat demos creates a natural platform for meaningful conversations, hands-on experiences, and building relationships that last well beyond the Mid-Atlantic fishing season. The result is that customers walk away not just impressed by the boats, but confident in the teams that build, sell and support them. VIKING 64C LOA: 63’ 10” Beam: 18’ 11” Draft: 5’ 7” Cockpit Area: 180 sq. ft. Fuel Capacity: 2,201 gal. Water Capacity: 302 gal. Gross Weight: 99,738 lbs. Power: Twin MTU V12 M96X @ 1,550 hp ea. Genset: Onan 21.5 kW Stabilization: Seakeeper 26 Cruise Speed: 33.1 kts. Top Speed: 41.5 kts. 16 BLUEWATER
At the core of all angling endeavors exist the twomost basic challenges: 1) finding the fish, and 2) convincing them to take the bait. Throughout history, countless lives have been spent, tips marketed, and products engineered to aid in this simple, but oh so complicated, pursuit. Rarely does a “game-changing” innovation come along that truly provides an instant advantage in hook-up rates. But over the last several years, electronic fish finding technologies have undergone remarkable advancements that have undeniably boosted the success of large sport fishing vessels and their crews. The decades-long arms race of introducing incrementally stronger or more nuanced hull-mounted transducers has been recently eclipsed by far more sophisticated systems: Omnidirectional sonar. Instead of being fixed permanently to a boat’s hull, these retractable systems deploy vertically, several feet below the hull and running gear. This offers an unobstructed 360-degree view of the underwater surroundings—a far-reaching, all-seeing eyeball under the boat while fishing. Captains and sonar operators can adjust and focus the device in specific directions to enhance detection and target their quarry. This technology greatly advances a crew’s ability to mark fish, quickly determine their position relative to the trolling spread, and anticipate a bite in real time. Some of Bluewater’s most experienced anglers have been raving about these new tools. But they still must leverage their traditional skills in finding the temperature breaks and good water that hold billfish, but once that is accomplished, the omnidirectional sonar becomes critical in staying on top of the fish while coaxing them in for a bite. Then the mechanical ingenuity of these units provides for them to retract safely and completely into a tube in the hull when it’s time to pick up and get going. TOURNAMENT INTEGRATION Several years ago, the advent of omnidirectional sonar prompted significant trepidation within tournament circles. At that stage, the cost and availability of these systems was prohibitive and early adopters would have a clear advantage over other teams. Organizers recognized the profound impact this technology would have on their competitions and worked to adjust their rules accordingly. For example, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament announced rule modifications to ensure fairness by introducing separate divisions for boats equipped with omnidirectional sonar. Invitation tournaments such as the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament (VBBT) were also concerned with keeping a level playing field and giving everyone a chance to catch up. Thus, they asked participants to switch off their omnisonar during competition during the last several installments of the event. OMNIDIRECTIONAL SONAR IS EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE GET T ING A G D L K 17 2025 SEASON
However in 2025, VBBT announced they will now allow the technology with no restrictions or special categories. “As the sport has evolved and the equipment has become more common, it’s the right time to embrace the advancements that are shaping competitive fishing. We’re excited to see how this adds to the thrill of the tournament!” explained Marketing Director Deirdre Bell Loftin in an announcement. The White Marlin Open has embraced a similar unified approach, with the only sonar rules existing to prohibit their use prior to the “lines in” start of each day of fishing. In 2025, the Big Rock will also allow its use, but offers a “Non Sonar Level” encouraging teams to wager on winning a Calcutta among boats who will not use the technology at any time during the tournament. The Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament has perhaps the most interesting solution, assigning a handicap to sonar-equipped boats by way of a different point-scoring system for teams with and without the technology. These shifts inrulemakingunderscore the significant advantage that the technology provides in competitive fishing scenarios; the transformative impact of omnidirectional sonar on sportfishing is undeniable. A MUST-HAVE FEATURE Without question, the integration of omnidirectional sonar has quickly become a defining feature of modern sportfishing vessels. Captains and boat owners recognize that investing in these systems stand to significantly enhance their fishing success. While the cost is substantial—systems start at $100,000— the potential for increased catch rates and competitive advantage is easily justified on a mu l t i -mi l l ion- dol l a r yacht with substantial operating costs. Bluewater sportfish brand specialists can confirm that almost all new sportfish models are now being designed with the necessary space for theseadvanced sonar systems. Moving forward, it is quite likely you will no longer see certain models offered by a builder, if it can’t accommodate an omniscan sonar in the engine room. Retrofitting existing vessels has become an increasingly common request at our partner yards. On a pre-owned boat, the installation process can involve significant planning and modification, but is still well worth the effort and investment. Manufacturers such as Furuno, Simrad, and MAQ have been at the forefront of developing these systems, but much of the integration falls to local yards and electronics dealers. Craig Messick, Service Manager at Safe Harbor Bluewater, says they have done at least twenty of these installations in custom and production sportfish. They’ve even had a couple early adopters return recently to replace their first units with the newer style sonars that include gyroscopic stabilizers. Dwayne Furlough, owner of Marlin Marine Electronics in Virginia Beach has also overseen the installation of omnidirectional sonars on a variety of boats in the area. His company has recently completed work on a couple Viking convertibles in the 5664 range and several custom Carolina boats. In practical terms, the sonar unit requires approximately one square foot of hull space somewhere along the centerline and forward of the running gear, plus approximately five or six feet of vertical clearance in the engine room to allow the hoist and wiring harness poised over top of the sonar tube. The available vertical space in the engine room is a factor in planning for the install, but having enough space to move around the unit afterwards, often in close proximity to the existing engines and other equipment, is by far the biggest challenge in these retrofits, according to Messick. He also adds that cutting the 8-inch diameter hole clean through the keel is typically easier on a custom-built boat that isn’t all-fiberglass. Owners who are able to move forward with this upgrade will have to plan for at least a few weeks in the yard. “We The mother of all through-hulls: drilling through the fiberglass keel of a 60' sportfish A deployed sonar on a custom Carolina boat 18 BLUEWATER
estimate the project at around 3-4 weeks depending on the weather and getting the tubes glassed in,” Furlough states. Most of their customers who have completed this work then head for the islands on their own bottom or a transport ship to immediately put their new tools to work in finding fish. The learning curve associated with operating these units is another consideration worth mentioning, as some owners are reporting varying results. Captains must invest time to understand and adjust the settings to maximize the sonar’s effectiveness, or consider dedicating another crew member to its operation. Afterall, it’s only a valuable tool if someone is paying close attention to what pops up on the screen. A few local Captains who have mastered the new tech are offering to help others, and Furuno does have instructional opportunities, says Messick. Despite any installation or operational challenges, the consensus within the sportfishing community is resoundingly clear: omnidirectional sonar is an indispensable asset, and now a musthave feature on the modern sportfishing yacht. “This has changed the way you fish offshore because you can cover so much more ground now than you could five years ago,” Furlough concludes. The adoption of omnidirectional sonar has marked a new era in competitive sportfishing, offering exciting advancements in fish finding, tracking and trolling presentation. Its widespread adoption in modern yacht construction and tournament regulations underscore its significance to the sport. As technologies continue to evolve, the sportfishing community must strike a familiar balancing act; leveraging the latest innovations while also working to hone the traditional skills that define a successful angler. John Donoghue grew up in Maryland but has spent most of his adult life living and boating in southern North Carolina. As a teenager on the northern Chesapeake, he got his first boat at the age of fourteen and has owned at least eight boats over that time. He explains at one point he was looking at hull one of the 35’ Ocean, but around the same time, he and his wife found out they were expecting their first child—with a young family in the making, they decided a serious boating lifestyle would have to wait. They went many years without a personal boat, but John’s business career involved owning a car dealership, and one day he took in an old boat on trade. He kept it for a couple years for personal use and his kids wound up loving it, leading to multiple sets of family jet skis, a center console and their own lifetime appreciation for on-the-water recreation. John explains that in 2014, he eventually bought his dream boat, a 35-foot express fisherman purchased at the Annapolis THE VALHALLA V-33 BRINGS THE DONOGHUE FAMILY TOGETHER COMING FULL CIRCLE 19 2025 SEASON
Boat Show. After about 10 years of enjoying that sportfish, and now entering retirement, he decided it was time to transition to a large center console. With the kids now grown, this would be easier to operate on his own and offer much more versatility between day trips and fishing excursions. He attended the Annapolis Boat Show in October 2023 looking to buy a center console in the 30+ range. When his eyes fixed on the Valhalla V-33 his search essentially stopped. “I had seen a lot about it on social media but had never been on one. I fell in love instantly once I saw it in person,” John recalls. At that show, he met with Hawk Ennis of Bluewater’s Maryland sales teamand set about listing his express boat for sale while working on the details of his V-33 order from Valhalla, which were finalized by the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show later that month. Withhelp fromHawk, aswell asWyatt Lane and Baxter Lusink in Bluewater’s Beaufort headquarters, the Donoghues’ V-33 was built to his specs at the Valhalla factory in Mullica, New Jersey (formerly the Ocean Yachts factory). Upon visiting the factory, he found himself face to face with John Leek IV (who’s grandfather started Ocean in 1977) telling him about the new 35’ he had almost bought decades earlier. Among the decisions that Donoghue made during the contracting process was deliberating on the power package. Having “always been a Yamaha guy,” he was unsure about taking Baxter’s recommendation of getting the boat with the Twin Mercury 400 V10s—the highest horsepower available from Valhalla. Not only would this boost performance, but it would also ensure the best resale value explained Wyatt and Baxter. After speaking with a mutual friend with experience operating Mercury engines, John reached a comfort level to proceed and was ultimately glad he did. He also performed his due diligence before adding the Seakeeper gyro upgrade, going so far as to charter a 46’ Viking when visiting Cabo San Lucas. On this trip, he specifically sought out a charter boat with a gyro stabilizer to see if it lived up to the hype. “I was hooked up to a striped marlin and saw this eight-foot wave coming… I braced myself [expecting a big roll,] but never even felt the wave,” he explains. So that was that—his Valhalla order was sure to include the Seakeeper 2 stabilizer option. MAKING A SPLASH Upon taking delivery of the boat, it’s been the talk of the town in Ocean Isle. “The boat turns heads everywhere we go.” John explains there aren’t many Valhallas in his area, and onlookers and serious fishermen alike all want to check it out when he pulls up for gas or at a waterfront restaurant. “When I had it at dinner, people came out of the restaurant. I even had someone come up to me at church, wanting 20 BLUEWATER
to talk about the Valhalla. Its styling, appearance and recognition is beyond compare.” He points to its sleek lines and faux teak finish on the toe rails, transom and console helmpod as attributes making it exceptionally eye-catching. “When it replacedmy old boat inmy slip at Sharky’s, I had friends texting me photos, saying, ‘we love your new boat!’” Performance-wise the Valhalla is going to be more versatile for his needs in retirement, noting he can single-hand, cater to guests, go to lunch, or fish offshore, all in the same package. He plans to fish the boat a lot in fact, noting he’s already had some success targeting kingfish and plans to participate more in that vibrant local fishery and scene. On the entertaining side of the coin, he cites day trips to the sandbar and Atlantic beaches, plus doing cocktail cruises for his wife and her girlfriends a few times per year. Aside from that and local cruises to restaurants, he is eyeing longer range trips to New Bern and Beaufort, North Carolina and Charleston, SouthCarolina, with hopes of trailering it to the Keys next winter. The Donoghues also looking forward to going north to the Chesapeake this summer to revisit the stomping grounds of John’s youth. “St. Michaels, Annapolis and Oxford are some of the spots I haven’t been to in thirty years, since I moved to North Carolina,” he says. The boat will be based at his brother’s house on Rumsey Island for a time as they reconnect with those popular Maryland destinations. A GREAT EXPERIENCE Overall, John deeply appreciates his time spent with the Bluewater Yacht Sales team, citing not only their professionalism, but many deepening friendships. “I consider Hawk a good friend now and would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone. He’s very versatile and knows both power and sailboats. He’s easy to get a hold of and has great follow-through. He was a great ally in buying this boat and selling the other one.” Most importantly, John said, “I really enjoyed working with Wyatt and Baxter too. They’re very hospitable and fun to be around. Thinking back to my days owning a car dealership, I’d be very pleased with how Wyatt represented Bluewater, and Baxter was a great listener. Everyone was very easy to communicate with and highly responsive.” With all the negotiating and paperwork out of the way, John was excited to turn his attention to making memories with his family out on the water. He notes that not only did he whet the appetite for his son to buy a boat of his own, but, “the grandkids have been bitten by the boating bug too. They know when we’re together, we’re at least boating to dinner or going out for a day cruise to get some sunshine.” And that, of course, is what it’s all about! 21 2025 SEASON
ANDY’S BOAT On average, it takes about six months to build a new Viking sportfish from when the hull is laid up in the factory to when the owner finally takes delivery in Atlantic City, but the true build process can take a lifetime. For Andy and Sherry Curtis, the dream of owning a brand-new Viking was decades in the making and finally became a reality in the early Spring of 2025. Andy says that his vision for boat ownership began at six years old, when he bought a small battery-operated model boat from the five and dime store—a toy he still owns today. Ever since that day, he has been working hard to make his childhood dream come true. He started out in the late 1960’s cutting lawns around the neighborhood for two dollars a yard and trimming ditches for an extra 50 cents. When not cutting lawns or going to class, Andy was active in the Boy Scouts, where he learned some of the valuable life lessons that would eventually pay dividends for his life and career. Andy recounted one such lesson from a local businessman who served as an Assistant Scout Master in his troop. “He said, ‘when you grow up, you’re going to find a secret to life is that you can only do so much with your two hands, but if you take your two hands and get a whole bunch of other good hands, you’ll live a good life.’ And that’s what I did.” Andy spent the following years working toward his dream, completing school, marrying Sherry, and eventually starting their family construction business in 1985. Things were not always easy though. The couple had to make many sacrifices to get the business off the ground, most memorable of which was selling their prized 1969 Camaro Z 28 to get the money for the company’s first truck and tractor. Fast forward to today, and the couple operates one of the largest road and bridge construction companies in Virginia with multiple locations and over 300 dedicated employees. Andy has also built an impressive classic car collection since the business took off, which now includes an identical Camaro to the one that started their business. GOING OFFSHORE Andy’s offshore fishing journey began in the 1980’s out of Fisherman’s Wharf in Virginia Beach. There he fished alongside some of Bluewater’s first Viking customers after the company became the Mid-Atlantic dealers. Sherry embraced the offshore lifestyle more recently, when the couple commissioned a 41’ Albemarle Express. While the family enjoyed making memories on that new boat, they felt isolated between the small tower and the cockpit, and craved more space so that everyone could be together. Finally, on one trip to the Norfolk Canyon, Sherry decided that enough was enough and it was time to step up to a larger Viking. After extensive research, Andy and Sherry narrowed their search down to two boats: theViking54and theViking58. Theycalled into the Bluewater main office and were VIRGINIA COUPLE REALIZES THEIR DREAMS ABOARD NEW VIKING 58C 22 BLUEWATER
matched with longtime Viking brand specialists Jud Black and Carl Beale. After talking through the advantages of each model, Jud and Carl phoned the factory to check on the availability and the production schedule for a new 58 Convertible. That is when Andy and Sherry were faced with a tough decision. The next available 58 hull was already in the mold and being built, so a decision had to be made with little time to spare. Some choices, such as the optional flybridge staircase that the couple wanted, required an immediate decision in order to move on to the next stage of production. Being decisive by nature, Andy and Sherry pulled the trigger on their new boat after some brief negotiations. “These guys know I don’t procrastinate. I said, ‘alright we will take it’ and we bought the boat sight unseen. We had never even seen a 58,” Andy recalled. With the deal done, the Curtis family excitedly awaited their chance to watch their boat come to life at the factory. By the time they took delivery in March, the family had made five visits to New Gretna so that they could witness each phase of the construction. Andy also made a point to meet the craftsmen who were building his boat, shaking hands and introducing himself to the folks who were helping create his dream. Carl Beale recounted, “I really enjoyed Andy’s excitement. Every time that we went up there with him, it was just so much fun to see someone who earned it and enjoyed it, and the way that he went around and talked to, shook hands with, and thanked people at the factory.” Their jubilation was evident to everyone who was a part of the build, with the production team even joking that this boat wasn’t known as hull number 554, but simply as “Andy’s boat!” The real name of the new Viking was determined a bit closer to delivery, where it was dubbed Simple Man after the famous Lynyrd Skynyrd song. “I’m just a simple guy. I’ve got a great life, a great family, and been very lucky in business. I can really relate to that song,” explained Andy. Once completed, Simple Man took its maiden voyage from Atlantic City, NJ to Hampton, VA to have some final commissioning work done by the Bluewater team before heading home. DELIVERY AND BEYOND The entire build process from the first decision until completion fell into place perfectly, and the Curtis family took delivery of their new Viking just in time for Spring boating. Despite the “simple” name, this 58 Convertible is outfitted with some of the most cutting-edge technology on the market, and the boat includes everything that could be desired. Some notable selections include the Furuno Omni Sonar system for panoramic fish finding, the Seakeeper SK18 gyrostabilizer, a Spot Zero watermaker, an ice machine, and an Electrosea strainer system. Looking at the cockpit, there is no question that this boat will spend some significant time offshore, with a Release Marine Trillion series fighting chair, two full length in-deck fishboxes, mezzanine seating, and refrigerator and freezer storage throughout. The Palm Beach Towers tuna tower provides a commanding view from above, and the climate-controlled flybridge is equipped with top-of-the-line electronics from Atlantic Marine Electronics. This boat was also built with the optional moldedin steps to the bridge, which is a familyfriendly feature that has recently surged in popularity. Andy's excitement was on display at each visit to the Viking factory 23 2025 SEASON
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