With the construction of my new Jarrett Bay 46 now completed for the most part, it’s all in their competent hands coming down to the finish details. I’ve done all my work, all the decisions have been made, and the boys at Jarrett Bay are just left with getting her dialed in for her unveiling at the Miami Boat Show. Bausch American & IMS American finished installation of the tower, top and all of our electronics last week, and her Victory Blue Alexseal paint looks great. All of this amazing work came together as planned, and she left Jarrett Bay on February 7 – Miami Show bound.
My detail decisions, like whether to get a rocket launcher or a fighting chair, were a fun part of this custom process. I wanted a rocket launcher – I didn’t want a chair mainly due to the fact that my 10-year-old would be fishing a lot with me, and we’d be using lighter tackle mostly. Since we won’t even need a chair 90 percent of the time, we decided to build a rocket launcher with an adjustable pedestal. This will allow us to lower the launcher when we get a nice one on, and lets you lean on the pedestal and keep your feet on the floor to fight the fish. This will save us a lot of space and still give my boy a chance to put the heat on a bigger fish when stand-up alone starts to get too hard. The rocket launcher will have a gimbal and can swivel as well. I really appreciate Sam Peters and his Release Marine boys for being so willing to spend some time on this little project for us.
The engines… Now I know everybody wants to go 100 miles an hour these days, but believe it or not, I chose to go with a little less horsepower. Since this was an evolving custom boat, you really don’t know exactly where things fall when she finally hits the water. Her initial sea trial last week posted some pretty impressive fuel burn numbers – 30.5 kt cruise @ 50 GPH, and WOT 35 kts @ 58 GPH. I know some people will think that’s too slow, but
cruising at the same speed as other boats in her class, she’s burning 25 gallons an hour lessAnd, I know she’ll handle great and be a good sea boat on top of the fuel savings.
If you get the chance, come on down to the Miami Boat Show February 17 – 21, and check her out on Collins Avenue, Slip 401. I’m hoping to take a break after our Daytona qualifying run and come down to Miami since she’ll be so close. I can’t believe what started as ideas on a piece of paper a little over a year ago, is ready for me to R&R on after Daytona. Really in awe of everyone’s teamwork here. I’d have them on my pit crew any day.
Related Links for the Jeff Burton 46′ Jarrett Bay Project:
