Be sure to check out next month's Power & Motoryacht. I recently had the chance to chat with NatGeo's Chris Fischer who's new series Expedition Great White will begin aring in June. Fischer, his hadrcore angling crew, and  shark expert Dr. Michael Domeier have been doing extensive tagging and releasing of large great white sharks (up to 4,500 pounds). The series will show the crew as they attempt to capture, tag, and safely release these magnificent pelagic critters.To date, the team has successfully tagged aboout 20 whites. What's even more interesting is where they believe these sharks mate and give berth, but I'm not giving it away. Check your local cable provider for air dates and show times.

 
A $75,000 dolphin?

That's right, The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is adding a big payout, winner-take-all dolphin division. The tournamnet's minimum entry level is $2500, and you can add another $1500 for the gamefish and winner take all levels. These fees place you in the Guaranteed Blue Marlin purse, Daily/Weekly Release for billfish, Daily/Weekly gamefish prizes, and the winner take all-dolphin for a cash prize estimated at over $75,000 for the Dolphin-WTA level alone!!

“This new level adds more excitement for the participants and encourages boats of all sizes to enter in this year’s tournament”, commented Tournament Director, Crystal Watters. “We have really stirred up the interest on this one and are hoping for record numbers this year”, she continued.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament will take place June 11-19, 2010.


For more information on entry levels, visit http://www.thebigrock.com or call Big Rock Tournament headquarters at 252-247-3575.

**The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is the largest non-profit of its kind on the east coast and will celebrate its 52nd year in 2010. Last year the tournament had 169 boats with a purse of $1,752,366.

A dozen top billfish teams battled it out on the cobalt waters off Playa Carillo, Costa Rica, last week and when the transom smoke cleared, the crew onboard Hattaboy took top honors.

The tournament, which was held Mach 4-7, saw its parcticipants dealing with unsually windy weather during parts of the event but all competing crews perservered and found fish. And who wouldn't head out when you can come to a place that offers you equal shots at blue marlin, striped marlin, and broad-shouldered Pacific sailfish.

According to tournament director Joan Vernon, day one ended with the Texas-based Sea Angel team owning a slim lead over the rest of the fleet with 800 points, followed by the Hattaboy, owned by Ted Smith and based out of Los Suenos Resort and Marina, with 600 points. The Big Oh, hailing from Jupiter, Florida, and owned by Gray Ingram, slid into third after the first day of fishing with 600 points. Each of the leading teams released one blue marlin, worth 300 points, then added a few more sailfish worth 100 points each.

For two more days, the crews chased, caught, and released a plethora of plelagics and the anglers onboard Hattaboy found productive water and the bites. By lines out on the final day, this crew had swept both the Top Team standings and the Costa Del Mar Top Angler division. They had added another marlin and four sails to their total to score 1700 points. In three days of fishing, Hattaboy scored a marlin release every day, with the final tally being three marlin and eight sailfish released.

Finishing in second place was the Big Oh team at 1300 points. Led by owner Gray Ingram, they fell just short of the mark set by the Hattaboy. Ingram was the third place angler with 600 points. The Sea Angel crew finished third in the team standings.

 
Next year’s Presidential Challenge of Central America’s Costa Rica tournament is scheduled for March 24-27, 2011.

The sleek lines of a Bayliss sportfisherman are unmistakeable and are proudly displayed in this North Carolina custom builder's latest flagship, the 68-foot Uno Mas (Hull No. 11). She features twin 1,925-hp Cat C32 Acert diesels as well as a 2,600-gallon fuel capacity, holds 450 gallons of fresh water, and has two watermakers onboard. This boat is ready to travel.

Her flying-bridge setup includes flush-mounted 19-inch KEP displays as well as A FLIR night-vision system, two radars, two Satphones, and computer navigation, according to her builder. And if you're a guest on her, there are no less than 14 TVs and monitors. Want to watch the game? No problem. Want to watch the engne room? No problem.

And when it comes to fishing, this yacht has more than 50 rods and reels onboard, but try and find them.There's clevery conceleaed tackle towage and air-actuated lockers that slide from hidden pockets all over this vessel. But when it's time to wet lines, the gear will look great in the teak-covered cockpit. If you want a chance to find all the gear for yourself, you can see her at the Palm Beach Boat Show this month, March 25-28.

Italian shipyard Sanlarenzo just launched its latest flagship, the 44 Steel. This displacement tri-deck comes in at 499 tons and features a "Beach Club" space at her stern, which also has direct access to a massive swim platform. Included in this Beach Club is an array of gym equipment as well as a spa for relaxation after a hard workout.  A Starboard-side door on the 44 provides access to a 20-foot tender.

This mega is powered with twin 2,040-mhp Caterpillar diesels, which provide the yacht with a comfortable cruising speed of 15 knots and a top speed of 17 knots. When dialed back to slow cruise of 12 knots, the 44 Steel can travel 4,000 NM without a fuel stop.

I've attended the Canyon Runner offshore seminar several times, and every time I go I learn something new from this crew. If you're into big-game fishing and live in the Tri-State area, you may want to pick up one of the few remaining tickets for this event coming to Long Island this Saturday, February 27 ( I will be going again this year to pick up some new tricks). Now is the time to prepare for next season and this multiple-tournament-winning crew can show you how to put more and bigger fish in the boat from tuna, to marlin to swordfish, and more.

Here are the details:

New for 2010 - 19 Breakout Sessions

New for 2010 - 8 BRAND NEW NEVER BEFORE SEEN TOPICS

**$10,000+ DOOR PRIZES! - FREE BEER! - FREE BREAKFAST!**

2010 ALL NEW NEVER BEFORE SEEN BREAKOUT TOPICS
1) The Art of Tuna Trolling - Techniques & Patterns - Advanced Training - Canyon Runner Crew
2) Inshore Bluefin Chunking & Light Tackle Techniques - Schoolies to Mediums! - Capt. Gene Quigley (Shore Catch) & Capt. Freddie Gamboa (Andrea's Toy)
3) The Art of Marlin Trolling Techniques & Patterns - Advanced Training - Canyon Runner Crew
4) Tilefishing - Captain Jeff Gutman - Voyager - World Record Tilefish Holder & Canyon Runner Crew
5) Anchoring in the Deep - Captain Jeff Gutman - Voyager - World Record Tilefish Holder & Canyon Runner Crew
6) Water Temp & Turbidity - Advanced for Prior Attendees Only - Capt. Len Belcaro
7) Electronics Troubleshooting & Maintenance - Northstar/Simrad Techs
8) Knot Tying & Testing with State of the Art Digital Line Tester - Team Berkley

ADDITIONAL BREAKOUT TOPICS
9) Bluefin on the Troll - Advanced Training - Mediums and Giants! - Canyon Runner Crew
10) The End Game - Advanced Leadering, Gaffing & Harpoon Techniques - Canyon Runner Crew
11) Offshore Sharking Techniques - Capt. Kevin Glynn - Offshore Innovations Team
12) Effective Use of Your Electronics to Find Fish - Canyon Runner Team Northstar
13) Water Temp Analysis - Basic Courses for First Time Attendees - Capt. Len Belcaro
14) Learn How to Rig Ballyhoo for Tuna
15) Learn How to Rig all your Chunking Gear like a Professional Mate - Canyon Runner Crew
16) Learn Everything You'll Ever Need to Know about Swordfishing - Canyon Runner Crew
17) Learn Advanced Jigging Techniques for Tuna - Kil Song
18) Reel Maintenance and Repair - Penn Reel Technicians
19) Spectra/Top-Shot Techniques - Basil Pappas - BHP Tackle

Canyon Runner Offshore Seminar Series continues the standard it has long established as the most unique, in-depth, hands-on, detailed and informative Seminar on the East Coast.

We will conduct 19 breakout topics (three times the amount from earlier years) including for 2010 - EIGHT (8) never before seen detailed, hands-on, breakout sessions including: 1) Advanced Bluefin Chunking & Light Tackle; 2) Advanced Tuna Trolling Techniques & Patterns; 3) Tilefishing; 4) Advanced Marlin Trolling Techniques & Patterns; 5) Anchoring in the Deep; 6) Advanced Water Temp & Turbidity Analysis  Advanced Courses for prior Attendees Only; 7) Electronics Troubleshooting & Maintenance; and, 8) Knot Tying & Testing with a State of the Art Digital Line Tester for all to use to test your skills at know tying.

In addition, our most popular breakout sessions will return. You'll get your hands dirty rigging ballyhoo and you'll learn the ins and outs of trolling for medium to giant bluefin tuna. You'll get grease on your hands breaking down and maintaining offshore reels and you'll learn how to use your electronics effectively to find fish. You'll learn to set up for chunking as if you were in our cockpit and you'll learn everything you'll need to know about jigging for tuna. Finally you learn all about the end game - leadering, gaffing and harpooning big fish - and how to find, hook and land the elusive swordfish that patrol the canyon depths.

We'll have over $10,000+ in door prizes at each Seminar including two grand prizes - a $2,000 gift certificate towards Canyon Runner Outfitters tackle and 1 day of giant tuna fishing on the Canyon Runner. Additional door prizes include Penn rods and reels, Berkley line, Pelagic Gear, Sevenstrand tackle, Iridium SAT Phones, Hydro Glow Lights, equipment donated by the RFA, Offshore Innovations, BHP Tackle, J&B Tackle, Fisherman Supply, Deep Sea Outfitters, The Big Game Fishing Journal/Offshore Satellite Services, Northstar and more.

FREE continental breakfast - FREE snacks & coffee - and FREE BEER!!!

The 2010 Seminar will be held at the Huntington Hilton in Long Island, NY - February 27 ($120/person).

You can pay with AMEX, Visa, or Mastercard or arrange payment by check. For additional information and Tickets - Call 732-842-6825 or Email: info@canyonrunner.com

Well, we weren't buried in snow at the Miami Boat Show last week, but it was a week full of big wind, some heavy rain, and unseasonably cool weather. But the challenging conditions didn't dampen the spirit of attendees and manufacturers who were displaying the latest and greatest their companies have to offer. Here are just a few pictorial highlghts from the show.

Here is Spencer's new IPS-powered 49 Express dubbed Svengali. She went from directly from the show to a Bahamas wahoo tournament.

Next is Scout's new 345XFS CC sportfish with twin 350-hp Four strokes.

 It wouldn't be a boat show without some fun, so here's little Sebastian battling a virtual sailfish at the American Custom Yachts display in The Big Game Room.It was a clean tag and release.

 And for you Cabo Yachts' fans, here's the new Cabo 52 Flybridge.

Pack the sunblock, the Miami Boat Show is just a week away and we've been getting a lot of news from builders and gear manufacturers who will have new product for all of you at the show. One of thos the introductions is Tiara's latest Open Series yacht, the 4300. This boat will be found in the convention center and can be laid out for the cruising enthuiast for hardcore angler. In addition,Scout is launching its newest center console, the 345XFS, which can also be found in the convention center.

If you're looking for the latest thing in onpoard power generation, Northern Lights will be offering two new new diesel gensets, a 5-kW and a 6-kW model. Viking's Flagship sportisherman, the 76 Convertible, which will be gracing PMY's March cover, can be found on display at the Viking booth on Collins Avenue. Sunreef Yachts is showing its 70-foot powercat on Collins Ave., too. With so much to see in sunny South Beach next week, we'll be busy. Stay tuned for more updates when we get back. And if you'll be at the show, happy boat hunting.

 Scout Boats will be introducing its latest launch, a 34-foot (34'11" LOA x10'9" beam), stepped-hull-design 345XFS center console at the Miami International Boat Show, February 10-14. In addition to the vessel's contoured and sleek lines, she's built rugged with hand-laid fiberglass. The 345XSF also sports reverse-shoebox construction, which ensures a solid hull-to-deck joint. Composite stringers help add bbackbone, while twin 350-hp, four-stroke Yamahas should give her rocket ship-like speed.

This CC features an under-deck area with a berth for two, and there's even space for a small galley with a refrigerator and a microwave. A head with shower can also be found in the console. The cabin area will have cherryword-veneer cabinetry and a teak-and-holly sole. For drink stowage on-deck, there's a 110-quart Yeti slide-out cooler positioned under the aft gunwale.

With her speed, fuel capacity (360 gal.), and optional 4-kW Fischer Panda diesel genset, this 34-footer should make a great daytripper or Bahamas runner.

Sea Force IX's latest launch into the megayacht-sportfisherman market is this 91.5 model (note that wicked broken sheerline). She's built for long-range fishing and cruising. And should you not be able to find enough space onboard this one, the builder's Global Series goes up to 111 feet LOA.

Here are some quick specs on this yacht:Length Overall    91’-8”
Beam    22’-11”
Engines    2 x 2,400 hp (MTU-v2000-m93)
Draft    5’-0”
Fuel Capacity    4,500 gallons
Range    3000 nautical miles @ 10 knots
Estimated Cruise Speed @ 2250 RPM    32 knots
Estimated Top Speed    35 knots 

It seems sunglasses technology has grown in leaps and bounds with specific ones geared for specific on-the-water situations. Well, for all of you flats-fishing enthusiasts, Costa Del Mar has its new Bomba model.

Named for the Ambergris Cay district of Belize, the Bomba is Costa's first new style for 2010. The glasses sport a large nylon frame, are built using co-molded injection technology, and with integral hinges. Costa says these glasses have "nearly indestructible construction." To make sure you spot that bonefish tailing out of the corner of your eye, the manufacturer has incorporated built-in temple lenses to enhance peripheral vision.   

According to Costa Del Mar, Bomba is available in either tortoise or black frame colors, with its patented 580™ glass lens technology. Other lens colors such as gray or copper, and blue, green and silver mirrors, are available. They can be outfitted with a prescription and customized with lightweight, scratch-resistant gray, copper, or amber polycarbonate lenses, featuring a backside anti-reflective coating that shields eyes from the sun’s UV rays.  

The Bomba will be available at your local Costa retailer in early February, and should run you from $149 to $249.

Volvo Penta launched its highly successful Inboard Performance System (IPS), which utlitzes azimuth-type pod drives and forward-facing propsets to move boats acoss the water, about five years ago with its four- and six-liter diesels. It has steadily increased the horsepower ratings for this system, which also offers great close-quarters maneuverability, and it's now set to produce its largest IPS drives to date, the IPS1050 and IPS1200. These 800-hp and 900-hp diesels, respectively, are said to produce the equivalent of 1,050 hp and 1,200 hp, hence the model designations. Both motors will feature larger drives than previous IPS motors that are said to be as agile as their smaller siblings. Both the IPS1050 and IPS1200 will be in production by the fall.

With these new offerings, Volvo Penta says it can now apply its IPS technology in boats from 35 feet to 100-plus feet LOA.

The snow was coming down hard for most of New Year's Eve morning over my house on Long Island, but I'd made a promise to my son Kevin that we'd take the boat out and go seal watching. The snow let up by mid-mornng and there wasn't a stitch of wind around. This was our chance. We headed to Expeditor, my 35 Contender, and quickly cleaned off the snow and ice, got the motors warmed up, turned on the genset (and the heat), and went in search of seals. Our last boat ride of 2009 turned out to be a great one. Within 15 minutes of leaving the dock, a six-pack of long-whiskered seals swam around the boat. A few, as you'll see below, were not camera shy at all. A great end to 2009 and a great beginning to 2010. Next week, snow or not, we're back to fishing.

Taiwan-based Horizon Yacht will debut not one, not two, but four new motoryachts at January's Dusseldorf Boat Show. The first is the Horizon Bandido 66 Long Range, then the Elegance 70, Elegance 84, and the semi-custom Elegance 120 Raised PIlothouse dubbed Espresso. The 120 was designed by J.C. Espinosa, sports a dark blue hull, and with 3,650-hp MTU, should offer a top speed of 26 knots (30 mph).

The Elegance 70 and 84 are the latest in this successful line, which has been in production for more than a decade. The smaller 66 Bandido is a full-displacement, expedition-type yacht that also features a wave-splitting bulbous bow. Powered with 560-hp MAN diesels, Horizon says this wide-body explorer is geared towards the long-range-cruising crowd. The 66 offers a top speed of 12 knots (13.8 mph).

You can see all of these new models at the Dusseldorf Boat Show between January 23-31.

  The 120 Raised Pilothouse

 The 66 Bandido

 The Elegance 70

  The Elegance 84

Last week I had the oportunity to sea trial Viking's new 76 Convertible. Equipped with optional 2,400-hp MTUs (2,600-hp MTUs are also avilable), I can say she was a rocket ship. Look for our March issue to read the full test. I did want to mention something about the boat that I thought was quite impressive: her steering. This battlewagon is equipped with the builder's Vikng Independent Programmable Electro-hydraulic Rudder (VIPER) steering. In short, there is no tie bar between the rudders and each one is controlled via a fly-by-wire system. This provided the 76 with some serious agility in close-quarters, while backing down, and when turning hardover at speed. The system's color LCD readout (see pic below) at the helm also gives you vital data such as tab percentages, heel, and trim angle. This is a system worth investing in if you're in the market for a Viking. One other cool thing is that when you put either of the single-lever controls in reverse, the trim tabs retract automatically, which can save you from tearing them off when, in the heat of battle, you start chasing down a fish. That's some smart thinking.