Boat Seat Block

Instead they lightened the hull weight with upgraded hull construction material, rigged all the wiring for easy use, and even made available a center console. The original 1,300-pound hull was reduced to 900 pounds by integrating biaxial cloth into the laminate. Plus, original wood-stringer construction was updated to a fiberglass grid that’s bonded to the hull and then foam-injected. The wood transom is replaced with composite Nilaboard, and finished dry storage and livewells are new.

Additionally, a sealed battery compartment is integrated into the bow to keep batteries out of the bilge and to offset heavier accessories at the stern. Each boat is wired with labeled fuse panels, tinned wiring and all devices run to terminal blocks. Each switch panel on the hand-laid Shipoke 18 is custom built with sealed Cole Hersee switches rather than prefab panels.

Chris and Eugene brought the boat over to Jensen Beach for a morning test on the Intracoastal Waterway. That Cadillac-smooth ride is still there, along with an exciting number of boater-friendly upgrades.

Shipoke Custom Boatworks

Soft cushioned bench seat is removed (not pictured) so that Eugene Son can open a portside hatch. The way this boat is rigged, there is no center console, so wiring and other hardware may be in different areas than one might expect. But because there is no center console, there is an abundance of foot space. Eugene recognizes the benefit of a wide-open cockpit to fishermen who must maneuver around the boat constantly, especially when hooked to a massive fish.