Used to be that no matter where you happened to be fishing, the Hatteras 65 enclosed flybridge convertible stood a pretty good chance of being the largest sport-fisher in the fleet. No more. Anglers looking for long-range ability and fine cruising appointments are rapidly extending what used to be the parameters of a realistic sport-fishing boat.
At May’s Bertram/Hatteras Shootout in Boat Harbour, Bahamas, the Hatteras 65 was dwarfed by its new big sister, a 90-footer aptly named Bodacious. The second hull in this new custom series, the Bodacious is an awesome sight – a triple-deck monster that somehow still maintains the classic lines of a true sport-fisherman. Indeed, unlike the “yacht fisher” that you typically find in this size range, the Bodacious was built for one sole purpose: to fish. Her owner, Pat Thomas, who recently sold his stake in First Financial Management Corporation to the tune of $7.2 billion, simply prefers doing things in a more dramatic fashion than the typical guy.
A previous owner of a Hatteras 65 himself, Thomas appreciated the classic lines of this trend-setting boat and simply applied those lines to the already proven Hatteras 82. The additional 8 feet did more, though, than simply stretch the cockpit. The extra footage enlarges the master stateroom and the pilothouse, and allows for the addition of a large observation deck between the salon and cockpit – a nice feature for guests who want to watch the fishing action without getting in the way.
Though the average Joe Boater certainly couldn’t handle the $4.9 million price tag of this beast, anyone who loves fishing boats would appreciate the many fine touches Hatteras included in the project. Down below, she features a full-beam, midship master stateroom. Granite countertops and marble flooring are utilized throughout the galley. With plenty of room thanks to a beam of 21 feet 5 inches, the mahogany and leather interior offers grand luxury, including a spiral staircase leading to the enclosed flybridge. A beautifully decorated compartment, the flybridge includes frameless windows, a day head, two commanding adjustable helm chairs, and an electronics suite worthy of such a transoceanic yacht.
With a fuel capacity of just a sip under 5,000 gallons, the Bodacious is exactly that when run at 12-knot displacement speeds. Even at a cruise speed of 24 knots, she offers a range of 700 nautical miles. Bump her up to 1,925 rpm and the big Cats will push her 243,000 pounds to a top speed of 27 knots, at which point she drinks 211 gallons per hour.
Her 200-square-foot cockpit features one of the largest tackle cabinets and preparation areas ever offered, and the equipment list leaves nothing to be desired. Her skipper, John Jamison, claims he can maneuver as effectively on billfish as he could on Thomas’ previous 65-footer.
The Bodacious certainly lives up to her name – an amalgam of bold and audacious. But her size and style aside, she’s still a sport-fisherman at heart.
