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Also courtesy of that
prodigious beam is a 156-square-foot cockpit with all the features necessary
to make her ready for bluewater battling as standard equipment. This includes
a tackle center on the forward bulkhead comprised of a bait center, freezer,
bait-prep compartment, cabinets and drawers, and cutting board, plus fresh-
and seawater washdowns and an in-transom livewell, a pair of large lockers
under the gunwales to either side, and two in-sole fishboxes. A set of
optional 41-foot Rupp riggers and a Pompanette fighting chair rounded
out the arsenal aboard hull #1.
The first time I saw
the completed 70 was several months after my factory visit, at the Miami
Beach Marina, where we were preparing to head down to the Keys for a day
of fishing. The ride down was in four- to six-foot beam seas, which the
70 easily shouldered through, thanks to a pair of 1,400-hp Caterpillar
3412Es. We ran at 20 knots all the way to Hawk Channel. Once inside Alligator
Reef in flatter water, I was able to assess the 70’s performance
capabilities.
Martin’s hull,
with its sharp entry, fine forefoot, and 14-degree aft deadrise, easily
met Ocean’s goal for all its boats: 30 knots with base power. During
four acceleration runs, our 124,591-pound test boat topped out at almost
41 mph (34.5 knots), planed in about 16 seconds, and spooled up to WOT
in less than a minute. And then there was the exhilaration after spinning
the wheel and ordering the big boat to port and then starboard and feeling
her quick response to the helm.
We docked at the Ocean
Reef Club for the night and awoke to a windless, cloudless day. With our
livewell full we were soon trolling offshore. The 70’s enclosed and
air conditioned pilothouse, with starboard seating area and port entertainment
center, proved to be a perfect spot to watch the baits and the action
in the cockpit. We raised fish–probably wahoo or dolphin from the
way they took the baits–almost immediately, but unfortunately none
ever saw our deck.
My two days aboard allowed
me to experience the 70 in a variety of sea conditions and become familiar
with her comfortable accommodations. Her saloon, which at first seemed
a little small due to space taken up by the port bridge staircase (this
instead of the more difficult to negotiate spiral stairs), can easily
accommodate eight people. The galley, with stainless steel appliances,
had plenty of counter space and enough cabinets and drawers for an outing
of several days. And a restful night’s sleep is guaranteed for all,
as VIP and master have a firm innerspring mattress, along with plenty
of closet and stowage space.
Any 70-footer makes
a statement, but when it’s a 70-foot sportfisherman, the assertion
is even more pronounced. With Ocean’s 70 Super Sport, the company’s
commitment to marry good performance and ride with comfortable accommodations
and ample bridge and cockpit sizes has produced a boat that is as at home
entertaining and traveling as she is on the tournament fishing circuit.
And that is just what Ocean wanted.
Ocean Yachts Phone:
(609) 965-4616. Fax: (609) 965-4914. www.oceanyachtsinc.com.
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