South Florida’s proximity to the Gulf Stream offers residents the opportunity to experience one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems an angler could hope for. From the northbound blue water all the way inside to the most serene backwater creeks, the prospects are limitless.
It is perhaps this phenomenon that has made the hybrid-style boat such a popular choice among anglers with eclectic tastes, like Steve and Jill Mote of Jupiter. Steve is an experienced angler who enjoys a broad array of fishing styles that cover everything from the backwater to the blue water. A fishing day for Steve might begin kite fishing for sailfish offshore and wrap up releasing a few snook in the Jupiter inlet. By contrast, Jill’s interest leans more toward trips to the local sandbar with friends and family. Their beautiful SeaHunter 28 Floridian covers all the bases.
A single vessel that is seaworthy enough to run to the blue water while also capable of prowling along quietly in two feet of water or deploying the twin stake anchors at the sandbar, the Floridian is the ideal choice for the Motes. Since the family aspect of boating features very prominently in their lifestyle, the decision to choose this model relied a lot on the versatility of the hybrid design. Whether loading fishing gear, their dog, Guinness (this boat is Lab-tested and approved), or a cooler full of food and drinks, the do-all nature of this boat is up to the task.
The layout of the Floridian is well thought out and comfortable to move around freely while fishing or cruising, and SeaHunter was willing to add some custom touches to this model to further suit Steve’s needs. Changing the helm face configuration from a recessed electronics box to a pair of flush-mounted MFD units, along with fabricating a dry storage compartment on the dash and adding a tackle station to the rear of the helm seating, were special requests that the manufacturer was happy to accommodate.
A Key West–style hardtop with second station controls allows for storage of multiple rods inside the gunwale to free up space when needed. The entire gunwale is lined with rod holders for when the work begins. Three live wells, including a pair of 36-gallon tanks on the transom, along with four insulated storage compartments in the deck, join other dry boxes and drink coolers under seating. Twin Power- Poles and a Minn Kota trolling motor are handy for fishing as well as at the sandbar. In this class of vessel, the SeaHunter 28 Floridian leaves boaters wanting for nothing.
Power File
Length: 28 feet, 2 inches
Beam: 9 feet, 10 inches
Draft: 17 inches
Weight: 12,500 pounds (fish-ready)
Fuel: 166 gallons
Max HP: 800
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