The Shift in Power: INBOARD to OUTBOARD

EVEN JUST A HANDFUL OF YEARS AGO, IF YOU WANTED A CUSTOM SPORT-FISHER IN THE 35-TO 55-FOOT RANGE, THE LIKELY OPTION WAS INBOARD POWER. BUT TODAY’S NEW BREED OF HIGH-HORSEPOWER OUTBOARD ENGINES, WITH THEIR GREATLY IMPROVED EFFICIENCY AND OVERALL RELIABILITY, MEANS THAT OUTBOARDS ARE NOW A SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT A FEW CUSTOM BOATBUILDERS WHO ARE LEADING THE SHIFT IN POWER.

THE TARGET AUDIENCE

Gamefisherman has always been on the leading edge of technology, so it’s no surprise that the popular Florida builder has joined the fray with outboard-powered models, in addition to its existing lineup of inboard boats. The company is building two models—a 46- and a 50-footer—and both are walkaround designs with quad outboard power.

“There are really three types of buyers who come into our shop looking for a boat like this,” says Gamefisherman partner Scott Dunnuck. “The first is an owner-operator who is used to having outboards on a big center console, but now they want more comfort, sleeping arrangements for longer trips, and more protection from the elements than you get in an open boat. The second person is someone downsizing from a bigger convertible. They want something they can run themselves, but that has the look