ARRIVALS

from NWY March 2023

BON VOYAGE

BY RANDY WOODS / SISTERSHIP PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAKAIRA BOATS

Makaira Gen3 800 Sportfish

Fresh off the line from the revered New Zealand Makaira brand, this Gen3 800 Sportfish is making her splashy North American debut at Mount Vernon’s Tom-N-Jerry’s.

The name Makaira may not sound familiar to Northwest anglers, but that’s because it’s a New Zealand company whose boats were not carried before by dealers in North America. But that will all change this year with the introduction of the Makaira Gen3 800 Sportfish, dealt exclusively by Mount Vernon-based Tom-N-Jerry’s, which has specialized in all-aluminum boats since 2008.

Makaira literally has fish in its name (makaira is the genus for blue marlin, derived from the Greek word for “sword”), so it’s only natural that sport fishing vessels are right in the Kiwi company’s wheelhouse. The Gen3 800 Sportfish features Makaira’s signature flared hull, which is made from 8mm-thick 5083 marine grade aluminum plates to provide a smoother ride. The company claims that their flared hull designs, created by naval architects, are the first to be used for aluminum trailer boats. (The hull of the Tom-N-Jerry’s model also boasts a sporty teal hue.)

At the helm, protected by a curved, toughened-glass windshield, are a 16” Garmin 8416 screen, a TM275LHW transducer, and Garmin VHF. Other helm controls include Zipwake trim tabs and electronic hydraulic steering. Engine choices are customizable, from a single Mercury Verado outboard, ranging between 300 and 425 hp, to twin Mercury FourStroke outboards, ranging between 150 and 225 hp.

The sleek, minimalist look of the Sportfish provides loads of room for equipment specialized for fishing. In the “Ready to Fish” package, amenities include a fish cooler, a 26-gallon live bait tank and tuna tubes, electric reel plugs in the gunwales, six fully welded rod holders, nine rocket-launcher-style rod holders, a deck wash system, gaff and side storage, and an aft bait station. Non-skid decking material is also applied to the cockpit deck and gunwales.

But once the fishing is done and the decks are hosed down, the Gen3 800 includes some comfortable amenities to also enjoy. Soft vinyl lining is present throughout the cabin, from the inside of the roof to the dash. The starboard helm features a deluxe flip-up bolster seat on a sliding base and fixed pedestal. To port, two cushioned, upholstered chairs sit opposite a table, where guests can relax with a Fusion stereo system and drinks from the on-deck Dometic 12v refrigerator. In the forward and cuddy cabins, full-length bunks and marine carpeting provide some added warmth to any fishing excursion.