Shipbuilder Metal Shark said it has delivered a new excursion vessel to Southwest Florida tour and charter boat operator Pure Florida.
Sea Flight is a custom 40’ x 14’ welded aluminum foil-assisted catamaran designed and built to USCG Subchapter “T” standards and configured to carry up to 33 passengers.
Designed by Jutson Marine Design, the vessel features a foil-assisted catamaran hull delivering unsurpassed performance, economy, and ride comfort, the builder said. Specially engineered forward and aft transverse hydrofoils elevate the hull at planing speeds to substantially reduce drag, resulting in significantly increased performance and fuel economy with modest power requirements.
Powered by twin 440-horsepower Yanmar 6LY440 diesel engines coupled to Hamilton HJ292 water jets via ZF Marine 280-1 transmissions, Sea Flight cruises at speeds in excess of 30 knots, and boasts a top speed of 40+ knots.
The second Jutson-designed vessel of its type to be built by Metal Shark, Sea Flight’s layout has been optimized to accommodate a range of Pure Florida’s eco tours, dolphin watching cruises and offshore fishing trips..
The vessel has been equipped with bench seating for up to 33 passengers beneath a large aluminum-skinned canopy with roll-up curtain package for weather protection, along with well-placed grab rails, rod holders, beverage holders, tackle storage, live wells, fish boxes and coolers. For night trips, white/red LED lighting has been provided throughout. The vessel has also been equipped with an enclosed head with fresh water sink.
A forward-positioned elevated helm station enclosed within a hybrid pilothouse offers full weather protection and a birds-eye view for the captain while still facilitating access to the passenger deck.