The Billfish 39 will make its debut at next week’s Miami Boat Show. But instead of nervous anxiety, the team of Fort Pierce’s B&D Marine exudes confidence that their first major build will attract a lot of positive attention.
The 69th annual Miami Boat Show will have its usual share of introductions and debuts. As the first major boat show of the calendar year, boating companies for decades have used the platform to launch new product lines and garner new customers.
Although this year’s show will downsize to two venues consolidating the in-water displays to Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center, organizers are pleased to announce the participation of more than 2,000 exhibitors and expect more than 20,000 visitors.
Brothers Brandon and Damon Vernese, sister Jaimee Hartnett and family friend Antonio Bouie hope to see their share of prospective boat buyers. Having completed Hull No. 1, the foursome is eager to get started on their next project. What begins as a three dimensional Computer-Aided Design can be customized and hand built in about six months.
“There is no wood, it’s all composite materials,” explained Brandon Vernese, 35. “We use core cell foam, Kevlar, vinyl esther resin to make it a one-piece unit.”
The brothers chose to use fiberglass plumbing for live wells and cooler drains instead of thru-hulls.
“We tried to keep it simple,” Vernese said. “When you have to work on it every weekend, it takes the fun out of owning a boat.”
Wednesday afternoon in the boat yard at Cracker Boy Boatworks in Fort Pierce, the crew from B&D Marine and the crew from T-N-T Custom Boatworks attached the tower to the boat. For the first time since it was conceptualized in August, Michigan angler Jim Elder’s Matador appeared ready to explore the blue waters off Tavernier in the Florida Keys and Cay Sal Bank off the Cuba coast.
B&D Marine and the Billfish 39 can only hope to achieve the status earned by its Fort Pierce neighbor boat builders, respected industry leaders Maverick Boat Company and Bluewater Sportfishing Boats.
The Miami Boat Show will showcase the latest boats, equipment, gear and accessories. There also will be plenty of activities for boaters, sailors, children and anglers, too.
The Big Game Room returns for its seventh year featuring the latest fishing products, destinations and seminars from numerous experts.
At Pier 5 at Sea Isle Marina, Discover Sailing will offer free half-hour sailboat rides on Biscayne Bay with a skipper.
Visitors to the Guy Harvey Artist Pavilion will have a chance to meet the award-winning artist and shop his selection of merchandise, artwork and clothing.
The Miss Geico world’s fastest offshore racing boat, capable of 185 mph and powered by the same turbine jet engines that flew missions during the Gulf War, will be a must-see.
69TH ANNUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW
When: Thursday through Feb. 15
Times: Thursday (Premier day) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach and Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center, 1635 North Bayshore Drive, Miami
Admission: Premier day $30; Adults $16; Two day pass $30; Five day pass $75; Youth (ages 13-15) $6; Children under 12 free
Parking: Free South Beach shuttle bus service connects show locations with more than 15,000 parking spaces. Park & Ride service available from American Airlines Arena with continuous service to both show sites. Daily rate $10.
Information: Call (954) 441-3220 or visit MiamiBoatShow.com or StrictlySailMiami.com
MEET THE BILLFISH 39
Built by B&D Marine in Fort Pierce
Employees: Brandon Vernese, Damon Vernese, Jaimee Hartnett, Antonio Bouie
No of Hulls: 1
Length: 39 feet
Beam: 11 feet 8 inches
Weight (with tower): 13,500 pounds
Power: Triple 300 horsepower Evinrude E-Tec outboards
Speed: Before tower, 62 mph
Fuel tank: 400 gallons (up to 600 gallons)
Water: 100 gallons
Live wells: Two in cockpit, one in bow
Lighting: LED, entire boat except spotlight
Hull material: Kevlar composite
Base price with twin 350 outboards: $299,000
Information: (772) 460-8559 or visit www.BadMarine.com (under construction). See them at the Miami Boat Show at Sea Isle Marina slip 415.
source: Ed Killer, TCPALM.com
Ranked #1 of 24 hotels in Ft. Pierce. Read our most current
Comments on this entry are closed.