I’ve never been a person who enjoys an out-of-the-box powerboat. I typically pick up junkers, rip them apart and turn them into what I want. After years of fixing up everything from small center consoles to a Jersey 40, I bought my Jarrett Bay 53, Reel Flare. She’s hull No. 6 from Jarrett Bay Boatworks in Beaufort, North Carolina.
What I like about Carolina boats is their “bow-high” orientation, deep forefoot and pronounced rocker, which give them flattering following-sea characteristics. I learned from my Jersey 40 that some New Jersey-built boats tend to roll and ride on their chines in a heavy following sea, which can lead to a broach and lying beam-to. Not good when you’re running an angry inlet.
Reel Flare, Bandy’s Jarrett Bay Boatworks Hull No. 6Courtesy of Reid BandyI was making trips to Wanchese and Oregon Inlet to look for a North Carolina boat when I stumbled upon my Jarrett Bay 53. It was a “That’s it!” moment. The boat had been used hard and chartered heavily, but she was exactly what I wanted. I’ve made all sorts of modifications to the interior and done extensive work to the exterior, including a complete paint job. She’s had three power plants: her original 735-hp Detroit Diesel 8v92, a 1,200-hp MAN LZ and the 1,015-hp Caterpillar C18 she has now. She cruises at 25 knots, and she’ll do 30 knots in the corner.
What I love is her ability to trudge where I need her to go and get me back safely — without feeling as if I am going to get my ass handed to me if the weather turns. It’s a three-hour trip out to the canyons from Ocean City, Maryland, where I fish for white marlin, tuna and mahi-mahi.
And it doesn’t hurt that she’s great at raising fish. I enjoy every second I use her.
Reid Bandy is the owner of Bandy Boats and Elite Auto Body in Annapolis, Maryland. In addition to his Jarrett Bay 53, Bandy fishes a 35-foot express that he built. He’s also restoring a 1955 Rybovich 36 (hull No. 18).
