The Cockpit
This is where 'business' gets done...don't accept less than
the best & this is the largest cockpit in the fleet!
One of the first things you'll notice when you board her is the huge, 170
square foot cockpit. In it, you'll find two built in 120 gallon insulated
fish boxes, a walk through transom door, tackle center & rigging staion on
port & rigging station with sink & tackle storage to starboard. A 80lb class Lee Fighting Chair provides you with an option should that large Marlin, Shark or Tuna start to invite you for a swim!
As a matter of reference, I've had eight 100 lb class Yellowfin Tunas in
one of the fish boxes! The cockpit also features 8 rod-holders, along with 8 on the chair, fresh & saltwater wash-downs and plenty of gaff storage.
We do not bother with exacto boxes, fish bags, etc. on this boat....it was made
to carry fish & the cockpit is clear at all times...except for your beer
coolers, gentlemen!
Installed in 2005: Rupp Outriggers & 20' Center Rigger, all
professionally installed and rigged by Professional Sportfish Services, Brielle.
Also new in 2005 in the pit is electronics.  Complete
stand-alone Furuno NavNet System, including Radar, GPS & Fish Finder, all
programmable from the pit with it's own data input. BTW, yep that's a remote
that's hanging on that string...whew, what will they think of next? Killer for
the mates & 'on the chunk'...man, we're gonna kill em! Imagine 'plotting'
the fish below the boat, letting the Furuno 'track' them, all the while relaying
their depth & course to us.
And, to make life easy (& to keep my radio time down at night) a separate
radio mike. Now the boys can talk all they want.
The Flybridge
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 Old
shot of the flybridge, just to get an idea of space
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The 44's flying bridge is gigantic. There's lots of seating, with captain's and companion's chairs and a large
bench seat forward of the helm...plenty of leg room. Behind the chairs there's
space for folks to stand & admire the spread & wait for the
strike!
A large, recently redesigned console, featured below, includes
the absolute latest marine technology from Furuno. I'm talking 'next gen' here!
Click here to get to the guy
who did this for me.
'Black Box-Ethernet' technology allows the all new Furuno 48mile
Radar, GPS, Fishfinder & any video/data input to be displayed on the highest
quality 12" screen available on the market. Yep, picture in picture &
yes, we can watch the 'Girls Gone Wild' DVD's while the radar & gps is
running on those midnight departures!
Overhead electronics boxes completely updated with the latest
Furuno Controller, Furuno Autopilot, Furuno digital
multi-function display & VHF Radio on the starboard
On the port side, Single Side Band radio & good ole LORAN,
with switches for wipers & electronics shutoffs moved from console to
overhead box.
From the flybridge, we have access to
seven "rocket-launchers" for holding staged or trolled rods & two triple-spreader outriggers. There are
enough spotlights to illuminate the cockpit during
overnight chunking trips & we've recently install two more on the port &
starboard sides of the hardtop.
Oh, one other thing: she's got solid
Plexiglas windshield and sides...with wipers! Dry as a bone during snotty seas, rain, fog or mist. Yet with an opening skylight and retractable plastic on the rear third of the sides and back of the flybridge, we get plenty of what we want (air) and none of what we don't (salt water spray or rain!)
Bench seating forward of my helm is show below & you're welcome up on the
flybridge with me.
The Salon
Let's talk about the interior. You enter a very traditional,
teak-covered cabin into the salon area, which includes wrap-around seating,
chair & game table.
Yup, that's the Penn 50 two-speeds on the bulkhead! The Penn
80lb two speeds are hanging right in the hallway, built into the wall, you can
barely see them sticking out on the right next to the stairs.
Entertainment center featuring:
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Flat screen
TV, that gets data feed from fore/aft cameras, radar,
GPS and/or Fishfinder
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DVD/VHS player
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Surround-sound stereo featuring Satellite Radio
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Wireless Internet Access for your workaholics!
Galley includes under counter fridges, microwave and plenty of
storage and counter space to prepare your meals...or rig your lures!
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Nice refit-update but keeping the traditional teak look.
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Forward Cabin
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 Room for 4...for
sure!
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The Forward Cabin is next. It sleeps four; 2 bunks or
v-berth below & 2 bunks overhead, with it's own AC/Heating system. When shopping for my
first Henriques, I looked for exactly this cabin configuration...well, I found
it again! It allows maximum efficiency of sleeping space for those long rides to the Canyons,
especially those overnight chunking trips. You're going to have to sleep sometime...well, at least on the way home!
None of that BS where the forward cabin is a 'double-heart-shaped bed' &
someone's wife sleeps in the thing & left her underwear so you can't use
it...this boat is for charter fishing. You are invited to bring favorite
pillows, sleeping bags, etc. but feel welcome to use ours if you forget.
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