Marine
Hatteras Claims Victory at Inaugural Big Four Invitational
High Winds and Big Seas Hamper Fishing, Participation
NEW BERN, N.C., May 30, 2007 – Hatteras Yachts took a close victory at the inaugural edition of the new Big Four Billfish Invitational, held in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas. Much like the Hatteras/Bertram Shootout held two weeks prior, the Big Four pits four leading yacht manufacturers and their South Florida dealers against one another in a festive, good-natured team competition. Select owners of Hatteras, Bertram, Viking and custom vessels were invited to participate.
Twenty-knot winds and 6-foot seas greeted the fleet on Day 1, and conditions only worsened as the day went on. By the end of Day 1, seas were 12-foot plus and building, which led tournament organizers to call for two consecutive lay days before fishing a final Day 2, when seas had dropped back down to fishable 6-foot swells. The conditions, along with overlapping dates with the second leg of the Bahamas Billfish Championship in nearby Treasure Cay, reduced the fleet size to 16 boats.
Despite the limited participation, those who endured experienced good fishing, great camaraderie and a nail-biting finish. Team Hatteras, with five boats participating, took a close win with 3,100 points for the release of five blue marlin, and three white marlin. The five boats representing the custom builders combined for 3,000 points and second place, while Viking's five boats took third with 2,200 points. Bertram's sole participant tallied 1,300 points, which included a grand slam on Day 2.
”We're excited to be here on the ground floor for what is clearly going to become a world-class event,” said Steve Gale, vice-president of MarineMax, after accepting the top manufacturer award on behalf of the Hatteras and MarineMax team. “We look forward to an even more spirited contest in 2008, now that the builders new to this format have experienced it for themselves.”
The Showpiece, a Hatteras 68 Convertible owned by Kaye Pearson, also the tournament organizer, placed third in the individual category with two blue marlin and two white marlin. The custom boat Business Stinks and Team Galati took second and first, respectively.
The 16 boats that participated in the 2007 Big Four released 16 blue marlin, seven white marlin and two sailfish during two days of fishing May 23-26. All catches were verified with digital photos.
About the Hatteras Collection
The Hatteras Collection, a unit of Brunswick Corporation, is recognized as a world leader in the construction of quality offshore fishing boats, sportfishing convertibles and luxury motoryachts through the Albemarle Boats, Cabo Yachts and Hatteras Yachts brands. The Collection includes sportfishing boats ranging from 24 to 90 feet and luxury motoryachts from 64 to 100 feet. For more information, please visit www.albemarleboats.com, www.caboyachts.com and www.hatterasyachts.com.
About Brunswick
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill “Genuine Ingenuity” in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Teignbridge propellers; MotoTron electronic controls; Albemarle, Arvor, Baja, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Harris, Hatteras, Kayot, Laguna, Lowe, Lund, Maxum, Meridian, Örnvik, Palmetto, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Savage, Sea Boss, Sea Pro, Sea Ray, Sealine, Triton, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land ‘N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine and Benrock parts and accessories distributors; IDS dealer management systems; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength and ParaBody fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables; and Dynamo, Tornado and Valley pool tables, Air Hockey and foosball tables. For more information, visit www.brunswick.com.
Contact: David Ritchie, Marketing
252.634.4820 www.hatterasyachts.com
