Ocean Master Blog

336 Featured in Southern Boating Magazine

Pair of Pilothouses

Pair of Ocean Master Ocean Skiff 27's in Europe. Both are powered by single diesels and feature pilothouse with full 360-degree protection. As you can tell from the photos, both are engaged in commercial operations. Click here for more info on the 27 Ocean Skiff Diesel with Pilothouse.
www.oceanmasterboats.com/news/pilothouse.htm

336 Sport Cabin - With Single 600-hp Diesel

We recently had the 336 Sport Cabin undergoing certification for European use - here are a couple of photos. The new Sport Cabin features full 360 degree enclosed cabin. As an option it can be ordered as a Day Boat (ie, open bulkhead). This first boat had an open transom as it is destined for commercial search and rescue work, though it would also be perfect for use as a dive boat (commercial or just for the diehard recreational diver).

More pictures here:

http://www.oceanmasterboats.com/gal-336-sport-cabin/336-sport-cabin-1.htm

New 336 Express - First Day Fishing

Must be good karma - the very first day the new 336 Express went fishing she came back with a nice assortment of keepers. This boat is based in Wrightsville Beach, NC and is the demo for our new dealer there, Cape Customs (www.capecustoms.com).

From the archives

Marine photography - it's not all bikini models and sunny days...

fyi, Ocean Master 34 and yeah, it was pretty snotty on this particular day.

Ocean Master 31 Survives the Storm

somewhere in this mess is an Ocean Master 31

True story.

One of our 31's spent 3 days getting beat up in a nasty storm in Italy - note the waves washing over the seawall. The vessel, named the Cormorano, was literally pushed under water by larger boats nearby that landed on top of it. You can't see the Cormorano in the photo because it was underneath a couple of boats that broke loose. The Cormorano took three days of relentless beating by the storm and other boats being thrown on top of it...repeatedly.

Now we're not gonna tell you it came out of the storm looking pristine. It didn't. But when the owner had it re-floated her goal was just to salvage something from the boat as a keepsake. No one thought there would be anything more than bits and pieces of the boat left - many vessels nearby were complete losses.

But amazingly, when the Cormorano was rescued she was repairable. And below are the pics to prove it. Obviously the Cormorano has a great owner!

The Cormorano Now - Looking Good

Pesca Panama - Ocean Master 27's

Some shots from Pesca Panama (http://www.pescapanama.com/fishing_reports/index.html). They run a fleet of Ocean Master 27's. When you get to the site, check out the link titled Fishing Reports - be prepared to see some awesome fish pics.

27-H Diesel

We were recently at one our dealers and snapped a few pics of one of our 27-H Diesel boats for sale. This one was matched to a Mercruiser I/O.

Catch Us On TV - Tonight!

In City Limits Fishing, professional angler Mike Iaconelli is challenged to catch a limit of fish entirely within the boundaries of some of the USA’s greatest cities - and Captain Joe Mattioli (On the Bite Charters) and his Ocean Master 31 are there to provide the fishing platform.

Feb 15th - Schedule and Channel Info

(when you get to Versus site, enter your zipcode in upper left to find your local channel number. The show is titled City Limits and is scheduled for Feb. 15th on Versus)

Cap't Joe Mattioli - On The Bite Charters

336 Express

The NEW 336 Express just launched - photos taken off Fort Pierce inlet. The boat is headed to our newest dealer, Cape Custom, in North Caroline.

31 Express Side Console

Recent photos of the 31 Express Side Console taken in Marathon, Florida Keys. More photos and info coming soon.

Highborne Cay, Bahamas

Just delivered to Highborne Cay in the Bahamas. This is the owner's third Ocean Master! More pics to come shortly. FYI, while there, Southern Boating Magazine was shooting its annual swimsuit issue - there are wose things that can happen when delivering a new boat to the Bahamas... This particular Ocean Master was sold and rigged by Keys Custom Marine in South Florida. More pictures here: http://www.oceanmasterdealer.com/thisArticle.cfm?x=10

How About In Red?

The Murry Bros. fishing boat from the old files. This photo was taken quite a few years ago but it struck us how nice the red hull color was. Not a typical color for sportfishing boats but it works well, especially with the ivory deck.

Just planting a seed for those of you shopping for a new Ocean Master...

Semi-Custom and Rigged to YOUR Specs

Every Ocean Master is semi-custom and built for a particular owner. This means your Ocean Master will be set-up and rigged to YOUR specs. As an example, note the custom woodwork and controls on this Ocean Master 31 (work done by Keys Custom Marine, our south Florida dealer).

Over the 3 decades we've been in business we've pretty much done everything you can imagine. Call and let us build your ultimate boat.

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Oops! Forgot about the tide...

Came across this old shot - one of our owners in Louisiana. He misjudged the tide a little and had a spend a few hours waiting for the next one. He joked at the time that he was just testing his 31 out to see how it would do as a flats boat. Not so good, apparently.

No harm, no foul. Tide came back things were fine. No damage to the boat.

Remember. Tide Tables...

12,000 Miles Through the Bahamas

Dear Ocean Master

This was the fifth year that we’ve been able to take Brass Ring on a six to eight week tour of the Bahamas, from one end to the other. After the trip, the ship’s log revealed that during the past five years we were in Bahamian waters for 206 days during which our traveling and trolling added up to about 12,000 miles.

We spend more time in the southeastern Bahamian Archipelago where Cat Island, Long Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay are located. It’s “fishy” down there and it’s far from Florida. It’s only a small, serious group of fishing people that travel there…no big crowds. That’s fine by us.

The return trip to The States from the Bahamas this year was a real adventure due to the weather. On departure the weather was terrible!...20 foot seas and 40 knot winds. It took five days for the seas to subside from unsafe to uncomfortable and I finally made the two day, 350 mile, return trip pounding through 8 foot seas

John S.
Brass Ring
Ocean Master 31’

New 33 Sea Trialed - Runs Great!

More Photos - Click Here

Today we sea-trialed the new 33 Center Console.

Expectations were high for the new model and everyone was pleased. The new owner's captain, Matt Braisted, was there along with Ocean Master president Mark Hauptner and Dean Stuhlmann, our south Florida Ocean Master dealer. Conditions were a little lumpy but that's what we build em for, so no problem there!

The new owner will use her as a tender to his 110 foot yacht. It's his second Ocean Master tender and according to the captain, Ocean Master is the only boat made that can stand up to the hard use of year round chartering. Of course the owner is keeping his other Ocean Master as a personal boat now that the new 33 has been delivered.

The boat has not been completely rigged - the tower is still under construction. So expect more photos when she is fully rigged.

Sea Trial - Ocean Master 31 Center Console

Here are some photos of a recently launched 31 Center Console. The boat was headed to Texas for some hardcore fishing. She sports a custom hull color, an option now available on our boats (we're waiting for someone to order one in Fighting Lady Yellow like the old sportfish boats from the 60's). Conditions were a little lumpy for the boat's first day.

She was equipped with bracket transom and twin 250-hp outboards. And of course the custom hull color. Click on the link below for more photos.

Click here for more photos

Video - 27 Ocean Master

Ocean Master 27

Video of the Ocean Master 27 taken during filming of ShipShapeTV.
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A 30 Year Track Record

1976, give or take...

We were going through some old files at the office and came across this photo of one of the first 31's we built. Best we can recollect, the photo was taken in 1976. If the lines look familiar, it's no surprise. The 31' center console has been in continuous production since 1975.

Here is a little more on the history of Ocean Master

The US Navy Fishes Ocean Masters

Four Ocean Master 31' boats used by the Navy as charter boats, may very well be world record holders.

Operating in the treacherous waters of the Indian Ocean, much of the time in 8' to 10' close coupled waves, the Ocean Masters used by the US Navy at Diego Garcia have just surpassed 300,000 miles of use. This means that each boat has traveled the equivalent of 12 times around the world.

Master Chief Petty Officer Brian Limer, a serviceman in the Navy stationed at Diego Garcia, chartered one of the 31's up to three times a week for the year he was based at Diego Garcia. Said Brian "Until just recently, the Navy did not adhere to changing stages in weather. The captains were ordered to run the charters in all weather conditions."

The captain of the 31' Ocean Master that Brian fished from has been the captain of same boat for the last 9 years. The Navy has no plans to retire the Ocean Masters.

Below is a video from YouTube of fishing on Diego Garcia. You can see the Ocean Master 31 in the background on some of the shots.

Got Swordfish?

These photos just arrived from one of our customers here in South Florida. Looks like a successful night of fishing by any measure.

Congrats!

Pesca Panama Fishing Video - Ocean Master 27's

"Say Joe, ya think this one's over the minimum?"

The world famous Pesca Panama lodge in Costa Rica employs a fleet of Ocean Master 27's with twin outboards. These boats are run day in and day out, year round. This is fishing at it's finest, enough to make us want to hop on plane and fly down asap. Their website has some great fishing photos (go to the section called Fishing Reports) along with a video of the lodge and the Ocean Master boats they use. Check it out.

Video on Pesca Panama Site

27' Rescue Boat Launched

9.7 mpg during an average day's use!

The latest Ocean Master goes into commercial service. This customer just took delivery of a new Ocean Master 27 Diesel Pilothouse boat for rescue work in Europe. The agency is very pleased with the vessel and reports incredible fuel economy - 9.7 mpg with the 250hp diesel during an average day's use!

116 Miles Offshore, Seas 12 - 15 Feet and Beer Running Low!

Oooh, NOT a good time to be running low on the brews...

Dear Ocean Master-

We were 116 nautical miles offshore, the weather that morning was clear, water was slick calm. You could have ran buoys with a tournament ski boat it was that calm.

About 4 hours after sunrise a few clouds appeared. About an hour later all hell was breaking loose. A tropical depression had formed in the Gulf of Mexico. Seas went to 12 - 15 feet, winds exceeded 80 knots according to the people who were on the rig we pulled in behind. We kept the nose into the seas for 5 to 6 hours, till it was safe to head back into Galveston. The storm had moved a little giving us a beam sea to ride back in. We went straight in at 24 knots.

Other than getting wet from the driving rain there were no other incidents to report. Well I guess I lied, we WERE running low on Red Dog beer.

I am often asked when am I going to get another boat and I just grin at them and ask WHY?

The saying around the dock is, “I am getting a boat and it rides as good as an Ocean Master.” I just smile and say OK.

The boat is coming up on 20 years age, 10 years of that were very hard fishing years and I can tell you, looking at the boat you would never guess its age. Almost all of our trips were 100 or more nautical miles. We run at night to the fishing grounds and never fear sinking the boat or any other surprises.

Even at age 56 when everyone is getting more "COMFORTABLE" boats the only thing I would trade the 31 for is a 34 Ocean Master, maybe, and I have fished a lot of boats.

Sincerely,
Sonny M.

1989 Ocean Master 31 Walkaround with twin 200hp Yamahas, fishing out of Galveston Texas

test track

Ocean Master 27 in Rough Seas

Some video shot of the 27 diesel taken by our dealer in Italy. At the time of the shoot, winds were howling at 40 knots!

New Seating Layout on the 31

This is a new layout that was developed by one of our dealers in conjunction with the owners. Everyone was quite pleased with the results and we expect this to be an option moving forward. Let us know what you think!

Yeah, We Build 'Em Tough

21 Years of service!

Dear Ocean Master

Our boat is 1986 Ocean Master 31. As I understand it, she started out her life on the other side of the law being used to transport "goods" between the Bahamas and the Mainland. [ed. note - here in South Florida this is known as the pharmaceutical import/export business and persons involved in said business are known as international investors...]

Seized by customs in the late eighties, they used her as a patrol boat for several years around the Caribbean. They had a fourth fuel tank added to extend the range (the vessel holds just shy of one thousand gallons) and also mounted a first generation Thermal imager (seen under the radar).

After Customs the boat was transferred over to the U.S. Navy and stationed in Cape Canaveral as a missile recovery vessel. The Navy re-powered her with Honda 225s' which is the current government contract engine.

After about five years with the Navy I was able to get her and with a government grant, and a lot of horsetrading, get her re-powered with Yamaha 300 HPDIs. I replaced the electronics with a Garmin suite, and am in the process of putting on a new 5000M thermal imager. She serves in the fleet of a Port security task force in Charleston called SeaHawk under the U.S. Justice department and even though she is the oldest vessel in the fleet she is still considered the "Flagship".

The immense deck area makes her the optimum vessel for Dive operations, Sonar towing Ops and Flying our ROV.

Thanks,

Joe

Cpl. Joe M.
North Charleston Police Department
Marine Patrol Unit.

Customer Testimonials

"We routinely faced 18 - 20 foot seas in our Ocean Master 31' off the coast of Africa – we had other boats but we sold them all and kept the Ocean Master."

"We managed to land a blue marlin in 12 foot seas. During these conditions it is very comforting to know this boat is so strongly built and well engineered."

"It is, as we say down here in Lousiana, it's HELL FOR STOUT!"

"I have been around boats my entire life and have pretty much fished them all – but nothing comes close to my 31'."

"During the 96 hurricane the boat went onto the rocks in Essex. The hull did not fail. When I offered to purchase a new boat both my sons said no. We re-powered to keep peace in the family."

"After running million-dollar-plus beauties, it’s my 1990 31-foot Ocean Master Walkaround Sportfisherman, that gives me the greatest thrill"

"I own a 1977 31 Ocean Master. I have been giving it a facelift for the last few years and wanted to let you know that during our restoration project we found that the structure was in better shape than many other boats 20 years newer than mine built by other supposedly top names in the business. I hope I get another 25 years out of her. Thanks for not taking shortcuts!"

"The ULTIMATE fishing machine!"

"Keep up the great work, Ocean Master is the only boat I will ever own. Thanks again."

"I was in the Indian Ocean last week visiting Diego Garcia where the Navy has two 31-foot beauties sporting twin Merc 250s. I had never seen or heard of Ocean Master before this time as the name isn't plastered down the side as on most boats. I made it my business to find out what this masterpiece was, as it performed as I would have wanted it to. This ride was a great experience"

"We run our Ocean Masters day in and day out year round - their reliability has been excellent! Our business depends on them and we couldn't be happier."

"Just made the trip from Old Saybrook to Falmouth. We ran an easy 28mph cruise and burned an economical 20.7gph. This was with a full belly of fuel and 3 adults and 1 child onboard. Needless to say I am a happy owner."

"On Saturday we knew that a large big-eye tuna had already been landed so we had our work cut out for us. We decided to run to the Hudson canyon – 70 miles from Fire Island inlet."

"It was give and take for over an hour but we finally sunk the gaff in what turned out to be the first place fish – a 178 lb big-eye tuna!"

"In the end our tuna held on to first place. Amazingly enough, second place in the tournament went to another Ocean Master 31! We might be on to something here. I sure hope so."

"THE RIDE! My answer when asked why we got the Ocean Master 18 over all the others. We wanted a skiff that could not only perform, but that would be smooth and dry in really nasty conditions. We certainly found it! It has been a year now and the boat still amazes me."

"These are just a few of the wonderful memories I have from my years with Fin-Tastic. Some of the other memories are not so blissful, including dodging lightning storms out of Jupiter and fighting heavy seas between Florida and the Bahamas. But whether in calm seas or rough, I’m completely comfortable with my boat and confident of its ability to withstand anything I get into."

"It's one of the few things I've bought in life that I've appreciated more and more as time went on. I bought this boat 3 years ago and for me, I appreciate it more and more every day and the cycle of wanting bigger and better has gone."

"During the past five years we were in Bahamian waters for 206 days during which our traveling and trolling added up to about 12,000 miles."

"The return trip to The States from the Bahamas this year was a real adventure due to the weather. On departure the weather was terrible!...20 foot seas and 40 knot winds. It took five days for the seas to subside from unsafe to uncomfortable and I finally made the two day, 350 mile, return trip pounding through 8 foot seas."

"We’re proud of our boat and the times spent with my sons are priceless."

"The boat is coming up on 20 years age, 10 years of that were very hard fishing years and I can tell you, looking at the boat you would never guess its age. Almost all of our trips were 100 or more nautical miles. We run at night to the fishing grounds and never fear sinking the boat or any other surprises."

"We had to travel over 100 miles during a tropical depression – on the entire trip we saw only 3 other boats, all were much larger commercial fisherman."

"While fishing in the islands we ran into a bad tropical storm. The waves got so big that one broke over the tower and shorted out the VHF. Somehow the boat managed to get us through safe and sound – I don’t think any other 27' boat would have survived what we did."

“I am real impressed with your companies of doing business, and your kind offer to contact Mr. Hauptner direct. This shows me that Mr. Hauptner, and his staff are top notch professionals. It gives me great pleasure to find another owner that doesn’t forget we are all in the service business, and that he would take the time to talk with me direct.

“FYI I took this 31 out yesterday on a sea trial, even though this boat is not new by any means I was very impressed with your companies detail to many things, that you state on your web page, the wiring, and rigging, was top notch the boat felt solid in 3 to 4 ft chop and for the age on the boat felt tight, in other words it is a well built boat.”

“The boat performs well for offshore fishing, whether it’s 25 miles out at Monster Ledge or 80 miles at the Hudson Canyon. It’s also used for fishing the shallow bays from the Manasquan Inlet to the Barnegat Light Inlet.”

“Awesome ride! It impressed a lot of fishing buddies on some pretty nasty trips. Even launching off big seas it still lands soft and solid. Plus I get plenty of looks and compliments from passersby about the boat.”

“I am sending you some pics of my 2002 with t-top tower. Very happy with this boat I bought used in January of 2007. You and I have spoken many times on the phone, your advice and help are greatly appreciated.”

“I just have to tell you that I am so excited about the boat. I already said that this is a lot of money for me and that I am not one of those guys that comes and drops the cash down without thinking anything of it. I have worked so hard over the years and this will be the first boat in my life that I have bought “NEW”! I have owned maybe 30 boats since I was a kid. After waiting 45 years to choose a new boat, Ocean Master has been my Dream boat for about 20 of those years. “

“Thanks for helping one of my dreams come true.”

“I have just purchased my second 31. It is a 1994 w/twin 250 Yamahas. I bought the boat from its original owner who kept it on Nantucket. I will use her at the Cape also. I have owned 25 boats in 30 years and “Nothing” compares.”

“Thanks for all the help refitting our 31’! The information and guidance you have offered in regard to the restoration of our 20 year old boat has been outstanding.”

“It shows your dedication to not only new projects, but to the continued satisfaction of all previous owners of Ocean Masters. In a time when the main focus of most manufactures is to push as many vessels out of the factory as quickly as possible, it is a pleasure to be in contact with someone who believes in the product her produces even more the happiness of his customers.”

“I have owned two 31’ Ocean Master vessels and though the current vessel is in need of some cosmetic repairs, the hull is as dependable today as the day it was pulled from the mold. I am sure this will be the last center console vessel I purchase and I am certain that my 11 year old son with enjoy using it with his children.”

“Not until after running my new 34’ Ocean Master “Reel Screamer Too” around to Bradenton did I realize just how happy I’m going to be with her.”

“The construction is definitely overbuilt resulting in the softest, most comfortable, dry ride I’ve ever felt on a vessel of her size. I know I’m going to have years of joy out with her fishing the loop in the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you for taking the time to construct such a marvelous vessel.”

“I just wanted to tell you how awesome the boat is!! Everything turned out so well. From the shell that I originally saw it was hard to imagine how great it would look!”

“Your hard work paid off. Thank you so much, we will have many family memories on there that we will cherish! We appreciated all that you did to make it happen.”