Nearly 1,500 miles. More than two weeks on the water. One boat, one crew, and a whole lot of open ocean. That’s the trip Yellowfin owner Ross Hart just completed—and he came back with plenty to share. We sat down with Ross to hear how his boat handled the long adventure, what stood out along the way, and why he chose Yellowfin in the first place. When it comes to real performance, don’t take our word for it—ask our owners.
What initially made you choose Yellowfin?
We knew of several owners who raved about Yellowfin’s quality. No gelcoat issues, no hairlines on top of gunwales, solid re-entry in rough seas, top quality wiring/hardware/plumbing, etc. It’s a big investment, and buying the Yellowfin brand assures we will get our money back whenever we want to move up. We go far away with our grandchildren and cannot afford to risk a problem.
What makes the 39 Offshore make it the right boat for you?
It’s funny—we were not sure if we wanted a more cruiser-style so the grandchildren could go under deck in AC, or a pure center console. The loss of deck space, cruise speed and fuel efficiency made it a simple choice. We work and need to get out (and get home) quickly to maximize our enjoyment time. I like keeping an eye on the grandchildren on deck. That said, the versatility of the 39 Offshore is amazing and the whole family is able to stay comfortable, wherever we are.
What makes the 39 a great boat for long trips to The Bahamas?
It’s the perfect length to ride on top of the waves during a 3+ foot chop with 4-8 second peaks. We cruise at 40 mph, on average, with better mileage and comfort than slower speeds. Most importantly, we benefit from a soft, dry ride even when things get choppy.
What's the longest trip you've made in your Yellowfin?
I retired this year and had more time on my hands, so I planned my dream vacation. New Bahamian destinations included Andros, Great Exuma, Long Island, Cat Island, with our halfway point back to Jupiter inlet being Spanish Wells. We never thought to question our confidence in the 39 Offshore to go this distance. It’s a 2015 that looks close to new. We left on June 26 and returned July 13—1,494 nautical miles total. We caught mahi near Great Isaac, trolled for marlin between Chub Cay and Andros, speared grouper and hogfish everywhere on the Exuma bank, loaded up on blackfin tuna near Long Island and Cat Island, and did plenty of deep dropping. Our boat was the perfect rig for every one of those activities.
What features consistently impress your guests?
The most common thing first-time guests notice is how new it looks. After 11 years, the fiberglass is still bright white, and the boat is rust-free. We do our part in upkeep, but the boat’s longevity after long trips is a real testament to the build quality and the commitment to owners.
What would you tell someone considering Yellowfin?
If you are going to travel to The Bahamas, you must limit yourself to a select few boats in the quality class of a Yellowfin. And, when we need a part, depending on urgency, it may get shipped before I even get invoiced. Yellowfin has even manufactured custom products for us! I’ve had boats all my life and I’ve never had a better relationship with a boat brand than I do with Yellowfin.
