Broker’s Best

BY RANDY WOODS

1997 Fleming 55 Pilothouse

This beautiful vessel available from Chucky Hovey Yachts features a well-appointed pilothouse, three separate staterooms, a bright galley, and lots of space for lounging.

PHOTO BY JOEL HIGHET OF BRIGHT PIX MEDIA

The Lady Diane is a beauty to behold and lovingly maintained for its nearly quarter-century lifetime. Best of all, it has been equipped for extended Northwest cruising, with Webasto HBW2020 diesel-fired, hot-water-type heating to keep the vessel dry and warm. The main salon features an L-shaped settee with a teak hi-lo table, custom upholstery and drapes, mini-blinds, halogen lighting, two side chairs on the port side, and an entertainment center to starboard. For refreshments, the salon has an additional custom holding plate freezer cabinet aft. Steps on the starboard side head up to the well-appointed pilothouse, featuring a Stidd helm chair, a matching leather L-shaped settee, and sliding doors to access both side decks and steps leading to the flybridge deck. The electronics package includes a Garmin 3000 GPS, a color chart plotter, Northstar GPS, Icom ICM127 and ICM45 VHF’s Furuno FR7061 radar with a 14” monitor, a Simrad speed/log/depth unit, Robertson wind direction/speed indicator, autopilot, a bow thruster, and Naiad stabilizers. The helm also features a video camera display looking aft and in the engine room, to keep tabs on the twin Caterpillar 435-hp engines that give Lady Diane a top speed of 17 knots. Sleeping accommodations below have room for seven people in three separate staterooms, all of which feature custom mattresses and carpeting with Soundown insulation throughout to keep boat warm and quiet. The forward master stateroom has a queen-size island bed with memory foam, plus a private head and a separate stall shower. The starboard guest stateroom has upper and lower berths, with a foldable top bunk. The port stateroom has twin single berths and an upper pull-out berth. Guests have access to a shared separate head with a stall shower. Accessible via a transom walk-thru, the large aft cockpit holds engine controls and a sink. A Portuguese bridge provides storage and a walkthru to the forward deck. Side opening gate doors provide access to a wide swim step. An Aquapro EDXR1201 center-console RIB, with a 30-hp Mercury outboard, is secured on a stern-mounted Nick Jackson davit. The beautiful, bright galley boasts Corian counters, lots of storage, and deep, double Euro sinks. Cooking can be done with either the Kenyon three-burner electric cooktop or the Sharp carousel convection oven. Other equipment includes a GE full-size refrigerator/freezer/icemaker, a trash compactor, a garbage disposal, and a propane BBQ grill. There’s even a dumbwaiter to convey meals up to the flybridge. That’s cruising in style!

LOA 55’9” Beam 16’ Max Draft 5’

Tankage (Fuel/Fresh/Black)

1,000 gal. / 300 gal. / 100 gal.

Engines

Twin Caterpillar 435-hp engines

Contact

Chuck Hovey Yachts Seattle, WA Martha Comfort 206.624.1908 martha@chuckhoveyyachts.com www.chuckhoveyyachts.com

Specs & Info >>

LOA 60’ Beam 15’6” Draft 4’7”

Tankage (Fuel/Fresh/Black)

600 gal. / 300 gal. / 40 gal.

Engines

Twin Detroit Diesel 6V53TIs

Contact

Boynton Yachts Seattle, WA Dave Boynton 206.949.6866 dave@boyntonyachts.com boyntonyachts.com

1991 Ocean Alexander 52 Pilothouse

This jewel of a find from Boynton Yachts is fit for fall cruising, with a fully enclosed flybridge and spacious upper deck.

This 30-year-old gem has had just three loving owners and is in tip-top condition. Dubbed the Searenity, the Ocean Alexander 52 Pilothouse can sleep six people in three staterooms with two separate heads. The cozy salon, with satin-finished teak interior, is located aft and has wall-to-wall carpeting atop parquet flooring, plus an L-shaped settee on the port side. Guests can gather at the hi-lo teak, glass-top coffee table and relax with an entertainment center, featuring a 40” Samsung TV and a Kenmore stereo connected to speakers and intercom throughout the yacht. For internet capability, the boat also has a Wineguard Wi-Fi booster. A curved staircase connects to the pilothouse, which has a cruising hi-lo dinette table with a raised bench-style settee. The pilothouse doors open to both side decks, which can aid the captain in docking procedures. The helm is equipped with Seastar hydraulic steering and a suite of Garmin navigational electronics, including a Fantom 24” radar dome, an 8612XSV chart plotter with an engine monitoring system, a 215 VHF radio, and an N2K compass. Other controls include bow and stern thrusters, Robertson AP200DL autopilot, an Azimuth digital compass, a Vesper 8000 AIS transponder/GPS antenna and Wi-Fi, and an NMEA 2000 data system. A fully enclosed flybridge is accessible by either the staircase from the pilothouse or via ladder on port side of cockpit. A custom-designed canvas and Strataglass enclosure was installed in 2020, with a sliding glass door and two side windows. Flybridge electronics include windlass controls, bow and stern thrusters, and an Apple 12” iPad for remote-control of the Garmin chart plotter. The U-shaped galley is located down two steps from the pilothouse, with a SeaFreeze 20-cubic-foot refrigerator/freezer, a Princess three-burner electric stove and oven, a GE SpaceSaver microwave, a Broan trash compactor, and a garbage disposal. A spacious upper deck provides plenty of room for entertaining. At the stern, a 12’ AB tender RIB, with a console station and a 40-hp Tohatsu outboard, is secured to a Nick Jackson transom davit system. For added fun on the water, the Searenity also has a wide swim platform and two kayaks. Belowdecks, the forward master stateroom includes an en suite head with a Vacu-flush toilet and a stall shower. Aft to starboard is a similarly appointed guest head that is shared by two guest cabins further aft. One guest cabin has a double berth and the other has two large stacked berths and a Frigidaire LC-120 washer/dryer. All accommodations feature designer fabrics, pillows and shams. The whole Searenity package is driven by Twin Detroit Diesel 6V53TI engines that produce a total of 800 hp. She cruises at 14 knots and does 19 knots flat-out.

LIFE SPEED

The slick 39’ Yachtline model from Life Proof Boats.

IT’S AN ALMOST UNIVERSAL RULE IN THE BOATING WORLD: SPEED SELLS. AND FEW BOAT BUILDERS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST HAVE COMBINED DURABILITY, FLEXIBILITY, AND PURE SPEED QUITE AS WELL AS LIFE PROOF BOATS, BASED IN BREMERTON, WASHINGTON.

All around the Salish Sea, Life Proof’s product lines of aluminum tenders, sportfishing boats, and runabouts, as well as commercial watercraft for police and fire departments, have multiplied rapidly since the company was first established in 2014. Do they ever churn rapidly through those waters, too. “Most of our clients are very comfortable with speeds of about 50 miles per hour,” says Life Proof CEO Micah Bowers, with a chuckle. Top speeds, however, can often be well north of 60 mph, depending on the engine package. In more recent years, the boats themselves have evolved about as fast as their speeds. Starting with a few lines of sturdy, nimble 17’ to 25’ center-console tenders with single or double outboards, Life Proof now offers triple-engine models from 27’ to 41’, complete with closed cabins, galleys with sleek wrap-around benches and dining tables, stand-up heads, and berths for up to three people. Perhaps the corollary to “speed sells” is “size matters.” “We found that customers want bigger boats,” Bowers said. Just last month, the company showcased 35’ and 41’ models at Seattle’s Boats Afloat show. Each of these models—with beams of 11’ and 12’ respectivly—feature a lower cuddy with its own head, plus two bonus sleepers under the settee and in the saloon. Even with increasingly comfortable amenities, Life Proof boats of all sizes have never skimped on performance. The 35s can achieve speeds in excess of 55 mph from their triple 425-hp outboards and can turn on a dime with full control, thanks to custom-designed interceptor strakes and forward performance fins. Nearly all models are also equipped with Shockwave suspension, S5 helm chairs to manage the chop at high speeds. On the 41-footers, a triple set of V12 600-hp Mercury Verados are the newest outboard engines in the West Coast market, Bowers boasted. Still, the latest and largest model at Life Proof is yet to come. Spring 2022 is the expected release date for the new 50’ model, featuring a triple set of the beefy Mercury 600s or a quad set of 425s. With a 14’ beam, the new boat will have room for a bow cockpit, a rear BBQ area, and three separate sleeping locations, plus a large master berth.

Safety First While it’s generally taboo to say a boat can never go under, regardless of size, Life Proof pushes the idea, calling their boats “virtually unsinkable.” A bold claim? Perhaps. But each boat backs it up with what might be their most recognizable feature— a foam-filled collar encircling the gunwales. Though the collar systems may look inflatable, they are made of a rigid, expanded polyethylene foam, covered in tough urethane or PVC material. The closed-cell foam within the rings is impervious to water and provides more than 60 pounds of flotation per cubic foot. Even if the boat is swamped, the self-bailing scuppers can remove all the water in less than a minute. Because of these collars, the all-aluminum boats are often confusingly categorized as RIBs. “They act very similar to a traditional RIB, in terms of the added stability,” Bowers explained. But since they never deflate, he added, the collars provide “all of the best parts” of RIBS “without any of the bad ones.”

Custom Crafted Owned by the marine industry innovation company Inventech Marine Solutions (inventechmarine.com), Life Proof has also become known for its wide array of customized boat options. Much of that variety comes from the company’s reliance on aluminum hulls. With 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space across three facilities

Two professional vessels commissioned for Fish & Wildlife alongside a pair of GT Coupe models in Elliott Bay.

The 27’ Center Console (above) and 33’ Yachtline vessels.

The premium air ride seating, plus a peek at the aft deck, aboard the 39’ Yachtline.

CONSTRUCTED WITH COMMERCIAL-GRADE PREMIUM MATERIALS; METICULOUSLY DESIGNED WITH BEAUTIFUL FORM AND PURPOSEFUL FUNCTION; EVERY HULL, HELM, AND CABIN IS MADE TO HANDLE EVEN THE WORST OF MOTHER NATURE.

in Bremerton, Life Proof does all their own aluminum cutting and welding. The team works exclusively with 5086 H32 grade aluminum, cutting metal sheets with a CNC router to any precise configuration. For the first few years, Life Proof Boats had a general look of rugged, utilitarian tenders, but nearly every one of them looked a little different. “Customers would ask, ‘Can you build this?’ and we almost always could,” Bowers said. One 31’ GT Coupe model, in fact, includes an open-air jacuzzi in the bow section, as requested by the client. The water is kept hot via heat exchangers in the twin 200hp OXE diesel engines. As the company matured, Life Proof began making fewer customizations and focused on developing existing brands. That’s not to say the number of boat lines is shrinking. Currently, there are ten models of pleasure craft—including its best-selling 23’ to 27’ Runabout series— five in the “yacht-class” tender market, and another ten for commercial uses. Due to the speed and maneuverability of the models, as well as the handy folding bow doors and reinforced beaching plates, police and other government entities account for about 40% of Life Proof’s sales. “We first became popular largely through word-of-mouth in the Pacific Northwest,” Bowers said. But over its seven years of business, the company has expanded its reach to Hawaii, California, and Florida, and also has a sales center in Canada. Some of their custom-made boats have even made it all the way to Guam and Saipan. Like virtually all businesses around the country, Life Proof has suffered delays in getting access to materials because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales have been brisk, but delivery times after each order have stretched to two and a half to three years. “The biggest bottleneck is getting computer chips for the Mercury engines to keep up with the demand,” Bowers said. But as the world hopes to emerge from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in the next year, Life Proof aims to prove it can remain a reliable source of practical, durable, and, above all, fun watercraft in the Northwest.

>> For more information on Life Proof Boats visit: lifeproofboats.com.

QUICK SHRIMP “CEVICHE”

The flavors of the shrimp and salsa, both easily snagged at the market, need a little time to meld and marry here. Stash it in the cooler for a bit, then serve in individual cups for a beautiful appetizer or set out with a bowl of tortilla chips for casual feasting.

Ingredients:

1 pound cooked and peeled shrimp 2 pints Metropolitan Market ‘Peach-O-Rama’ salsa or mango salsa Juice from 1-2 limes Salt Optional for serving: Metropolitan Market tortilla chips or other favorite chip

Directions:

1. Remove the tails from shrimp, and cut shrimp into bite-size pieces.

2. In a bowl, mix shrimp with the salsa and season with salt and lime juice to taste. If you like, drizzle with olive oil. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes for the flavors to meld before serving.

CRAB TOSTADITAS

These petite party bites pack a punch, topped with succulent chunks of Dungeness crab, a dollop of Seahawk green guacamole, and a kiss of fiery chipotle powder.

Ingredients:

2 ounces cooked Dungeness crab meat 1 tablespoon butter 12 small (about 1 1/2-inch) round or triangle-shaped corn chips or fried tortilla wedges 1/4 cup Metropolitan Market housemade guacamole Chipotle powder or chili powder Cilantro leaves

Directions:

1. Heat the butter in a small skillet over low heat. Add the crab, cover with a lid and allow to warm very gently for about 3 minutes or until slightly warm. Turn off heat.

2. Arrange the chips on a serving plate. Top each with about 1 teaspoon of guacamole, followed by 1 teaspoon of crab. Sprinkle with chipotle powder and garnish each with a cilantro leaf.

GRILLED AVOCADO & PORTOBELLO SALAD

Here’s a new side to add to your sailgating repertoire— it’s great with grilled steak or game day burgers. The richness of the avocado and portobellos is balanced by a dressing made with blistered Serrano peppers, soy sauce, and lime juice.

Ingredients:

3 large portobello mushrooms 1 avocado, ripe but not really soft 1/3 cup olive oil, divided 1 serrano pepper 2 scallions, white and light green part thinly sliced 1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce) 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon) Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill and prepare the vegetables. Remove stems from portobellos and brush with olive oil on both sides. With skin on, cut avocado into 8 wedges lengthwise. Carefully remove skin and brush with olive oil on both sides.

2. Place mushrooms (stem-side down) and avocado on grill. Flip avocado slices after 3-5 minutes to get grill marks on both sides. Cook mushrooms for 5 minutes; flip and season with salt. Cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, until tender when pierced. (If you don’t have enough room on your grill to evenly space the mushrooms and avocado, grill them separately.) Add serrano pepper and scallions for the last few minutes of grilling, and cook until slightly blistered.

3. After grilling, cut mushrooms into quarters. Cut serrano and scallions into ¼-inch slices. Mix half the serrano pepper (or more to your liking), scallions, tamari, and lemon juice. Place the portobel los and avocado on a platter. Top with serrano dressing and drizzle with the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ALMOND CAKE WITH WHIPPED CREAM & BALSAMIC BERRIES

This dessert is a piece of you-know-what: Start with Metropolitan Market’s pre-made cake and just add fresh berries, enhanced with balsamic, and whipped cream for a beautiful and delicious halftime presentation.

Ingredients:

1 quart fresh strawberries, stemmed and quartered 1 pint fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or a combination 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, more to taste 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, more to taste 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar 1 Metropolitan Market All-Occasion Almond Cake (available in the bakery)

Directions:

1. Combine berries, 1 tablespoon or more granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Toss gently. Set aside for 20 to 30 minutes or until berries release some of their juices. (Berries can be prepared up to a few hours ahead of serving; cover and chill.)

2. Chill mixing bowl and beaters before whipping the cream for best volume. Place cold cream and confectioners’ sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer to form soft peaks.

3. To serve, place cake on a platter. Spoon whipped cream into the center of the cake. Top with berries. Cut into wedges.

Stock up on supplies at your nearby Metropolitan Market and for more fun sailgating recipe ideas, visit: metropolitan-market.com/recipes.

Plus: Find all the details for this bonus grilled Caesar salad recipe at: nwyachting.com.