In early 2017, the Marlin team visited the F&S Boatworks facility in Bear, Delaware. F&S builds some of the most amazing custom sport-fishing yachts in the world, and we were given an insider’s look behind the scenes by boatbuilder John Floyd and Marketing Manager Chris Michael. Jimmy Floyd, F&S’ founder, also joined the team and pointed out the critical stages in a vessel’s development during our tour.
F&S had three boats under construction at the time of our visit, and the jig was recently completed on the first — an unnamed 75-footer. Soon, the team at F&S would soon begin installing bulkheads and exterior planking. In another building, they had recently flipped the 61-foot Esme and begun working on the interior . While our team was there, we watched craftsman cut the tunnel for the bow thruster, allowing us to see the thickness of the hull — part of the secret to the boat’s incredible strength.
The 78-footer called Special Situation was located in another building and was nearing completion. The team was underway on the finish carpentry work on her spacious interior, and they had the hull faired and nearly ready for paint. In fact, F&S had applied two different color swatches to her bow area to help her new owners make a final determination on hull color. Special Situation is expected to splash in April, 2017.
Every F&S is the result of an incredible blend of old-world craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. The hulls feature a unique stepped design that provides an outstanding ride and excellent efficiency that is combined with excellent seakeeping abilities.
