Not your average fishing boat
T HE 865 Butt Cat Sports Fisher, is a first of its kind in Durban and has been creating a stir in local fishing circles.
With a price tag of more than R1 million, the custom specked Sports Fisher is designed for the open seas, and where many may fall back in threatening conditions, this boat can push the boundaries further.
It has fluent response to direction change and picks up speed well.
The carpeted interior is fairly comfortable, making it easy to forget that the craft is actually a fishing boat.
It’s a pretty sight on the waters and has often been mistaken for a luxurious charter boat, but skipper Hank Lombard says it looks its best, with a couple of fishing rods sticking out on either side.
Durban businessman Lombard said his dream was realised when finally taking delivery of his boat.
He has had the boat for only a few weeks and is struggling to keep count of how many times he has taken her and his wife and three children out to sea.
While by no means declaring that I am a fishing boat expert, I have been on several types of small boat and from my observation, this specific model stands out in appeal and technology.
But the true experience was when I was given the chance to steer the boat from the choppy seas into the harbour – and trying to get in a crash course on captaining a fast boat in the process.
For a regular, the novelty would have worn out, but for a first timer – it is a liberating experience – playing with the throttle and holding my breath as a wave elevates the boat into the air before sending it down forcefully.
This particular model is a fun ride and Lombard has admitted that theare have been occasions when he took the boat out just for a spin – leaving the fishing gear at home. The 865 Butt Cat Sports Fisher has loads of deck space and comfort for a long day at sea and has an array of special features not often seen on similar vessels.
There is a removable fighting chair for big game fishing. The chair, which takes up a significant area on the boat can be dismantled in a short space of time for an added advantage against the bigger fish.
Gadgets and controllers are also impressive and this particular model incorporates a radar and 1kw transducer, coupled with a Simrad AP24 autopilot and Garmin GMI 10, which also hosts Suzuki interface and fuel flow management.
And there is also the all important special marine electrical toilet, imported from Italy.
The little things and attention to detail also play their role in making this particular vessel a tempting buy. Such details include full upholstery as well as knee pads for angler comfort. The deck is also lined with lights for visibility and style in the evening.
Lombard set a goal for himself several years ago, and that was to custom make his very own fishing boat – he has since realised that dream, paid a small fortune for it but in return, acquired a top class fishing boat that will leave other fishermen with their tongues hanging out.