Marine
Hatteras Reclaims Shootout Dominance
North Carolina Builder Comes From Behind to Take Overall, Individual Categories
NEW BERN, N.C., May 30, 2007 – Hatteras Yachts reclaimed its position as top manufacturer in the 2007 Hatteras/Bertram Shootout by staging a dramatic come-from-behind victory on the final day of fishing. Trailing Team Bertram by 400 points going into Day 3, the fleet of 21 Hatteras sportfishing boats amassed a staggering 4,300 points by catching six blue marlin, six white marlin and one sailfish on the final day. Team Bertram, also with 21 boats fishing, managed 1,200 points on Day 3 thanks to two blues and a white. The final margin of victory for Hatteras was a dominating 2,700 points.
The top individual boat category featured an even more dramatic finish. Capt. Dave Fields and the crew of the new 60GT Hatterascal took an early lead in the event by catching two blue marlin on Day 1, including the tournament's first fish caught by Hatteras president, Mark Harakal. After a fishless Day 2, the Hatterascal padded its slim lead with two white marlin releases on Day 3. That lead held until less than an hour to go in the tournament, when the Hatteras 60 Fish Tales went on a rampage with three blue marlin releases in less than an hour, including one double-header of blues in the last 30 minutes. That rally gave the Fish Tales 1,700 points and the Top Boat trophy. Hatterascal finished second with 1,400 points, while the Bertram Matrix closed out the top three with 1,200 points.
"After the ‘fluke' of losing to Bertram last year, we felt really good about returning things into their proper order with a great victory,” said Harakal, with a laugh. “But the truth of the matter is that the competition between manufacturers at this tournament is really secondary. Like our friends at Bertram, we just enjoy the opportunity to get engaged with our customers and fish right alongside them at this world-class event, while demonstrating the best new products we have to offer. This year for Hatteras, that boat was the 60GT Tournament Edition, which did a great job of beating the fleet to the inlet while also showing off its fishability. ”
The Hatteras/Bertram Shootout has developed into one of the sport's most competitive and celebrated events, pitting the best crews aboard the best boats against one another for 28 years running. It has also developed into a renowned social event where Hatteras and Bertram, along with their South Florida dealers MarineMax and Allied Richard Bertram, respectively, stage a series of parties and events for the benefit of their customers.
“This year we really elevated our participation in all social aspects of the Shootout,” said Steve Gale, vice president of MarineMax. “We brought over our largest crew ever, invested in a comfortable VIP lounge for our Hatteras owners, and offered several great events to complement the Shootout program.”
The 42 boats that participated in the 2007 Shootout released 25 blue marlin, 19 white marlin and four sailfish during three days of fishing May 9-12. 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
