Metal Shark delivers foil-assisted cat

Sea Flight cruises at speeds in excess of 30 knots, and has a top speed of 40+ knots

Jeanerette, La., headquartered shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered a new excursion vessel to Southwest Florida tour and charter boat operator Pure Florida.

Sea Flight is a custom 40’ x 14’ welded aluminum foil-assisted catamaran designed and built to USCG Subchapter “T” standards and configured to carry up to 33 passengers.

Designed by Jutson Marine Design, the vessel features a highly efficient foil-assisted catamaran hull delivering performance, economy, and ride comfort.

Specially engineered forward and aft transverse hydrofoils elevate the hull at planing speeds to substantially reduce drag, resulting in significantly increased performance and fuel economy with modest power requirements.

Powered by twin 440-horsepower Yanmar 6LY440 diesel engines coupled to Hamilton HJ292 water jets via ZF Marine 280-1 transmissions, Sea Flight cruises at speeds in excess of 30 knots, and has a top speed of 40+ knots.

Sea Flight is the second Jutson-designed vessel of its type to be built by Metal Shark. Its layout has been optimized to accommodate a range of Pure Florida’s eco tours, dolphin watching cruises, and offshore fishing trips.

Offering a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable passenger experience, the vessel is equipped with bench seating for up to 33 passengers beneath a large aluminum-skinned canopy with roll-up curtain package for weather protection. It is outfitted well-placed grab rails, rod holders, beverage holders, tackle storage, live wells, fish boxes, and coolers. White/red LED lighting is provided throughout dor night trips, white/red LED lighting has been provided throughout.

The vessel is equipped with an enclosed head with fresh water sink.

A forward-positioned elevated helm station enclosed within a hybrid pilothouse offers full weather protection and a birds-eye view for the captain while still facilitating access to the passenger deck.

“Throughout the course of this project the enthusiasm of the Pure Florida team has been contagious and their desire to deliver the very best experience to their customers has been evident,” said Dean Jones, Metal Shark’s vice president of sales for law enforcement, fire rescue, and specialty projects. “We share in their enthusiasm and we’re proud to deliver this advanced and efficient vessel to such a high profile and well respected operator.”

“We recognize the need to fish further offshore, and our guests are telling us they want to fish deeper, faster,” said Capt. Harry Julian, CEO of Pure Florida. “Sea Flight’s cutting edge technology and capabilities can do just that. Bringing in this new vessel shows how heavily Pure Florida is investing in our customers’ experience. The boat is ideal for half-day fishing excursions for the recreational angler and extreme long range charters for the avid angler. Sea Flight is a great option unlike any other currently available in Southwest Florida.”

With locations in Naples and Fort Myers, Pure Florida offers a wide range of Sightseeing, river and sunset cruises, jet ski and boat rentals, jet boat thrill rides, fishing trips and charters, dolphin watch, eco and shelling tours, marine science educational field trips, and private family and corporate cruises.

The new Metal Shark vessel will be operated out of Pure Florida’s Naples location at the historic Tin City boardwalk.