Some boats are just born beautiful. And that seems to be the case with the Southport 27 FE, the smallest vessel in the current Southport fleet, which bears an impressively sleek form with subtle curves, a wide bow flare and a pleasing tumblehome feel to aft. Yet this boat doesn’t just look stylish for the hell of it – instead, it follows the dictum of celebrated architect Louis Sullivan: form follows function. That is to say, if it looks good, it’s probably because it works. Functional excellence is at the heart of this compact boat, made for the solo fisher who needs to pilot and handle his or her reels at the same time, or the team who are chasing a tournament-sized catch or, increasingly, the family who wishes to fish together.
Everything on this 26-foot boat is there for a reason, with barely an extraneous note out of place, like a Bach concerto, or that classic of mid-century design, the wet-shave Braun razor. That’s why you’ll find the center-console helm positioned more or less within arm’s reach of the gunwales, why the walk-around layout allows for swift access to foredeck and cockpit, and why family-friendly seating can be rapidly repurposed for fishing or storage needs. Both finely-tuned and versatile, this is a boat that is equally adept at morning fights with a top-water tuna, afternoon cruising with the kids or moonlit martinis within eyeshot of the silhouetted coast.
If this yacht’s broad Carolina flare – designed to deflect spray and strike a clean swathe through oncoming waves – reflects the firm’s heritage in North Carolina, then the finish is firmly in the Maine maritime tradition. Artisans and craftsmen from the Pinetree State, where Southport is now based, spend hundreds of hours making these vessels as sea-worthy and user-friendly as possible, while high-tech vinylester composite molding, a resin-infused fiberglass body and a sparkling gel-coat finish guarantee structural integrity.
This is a true offshore vessel designed with the North Atlantic in mind, and some pilots have been known to steer their 27 FE up to 80 miles out to sea in search of the richest fishing waters. A draft of only 20 inches, meanwhile, also makes this boat perfect for sidling up to those shallow coves and clear bays to corner your prey. A continuously variable, outboard-optimized hull design with a 22-degree transom deadrise and a fine entry was crafted by industry legend C. Raymond Hunt to promote both speed and efficiency, to reach planing speeds before you have time to blink, to keep the team as dry as possible, to drift smoothly as you work your lines and to give this vessel a ballerina’s balance on the turn. Quick by anyone’s estimation and certainly swift enough to keep up with most healthy marlin, the 27 FE can reach pulsating speeds of up to 48 knots thanks to a pair of 250-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines, while at cruising speeds of 22 knots you will traverse a thrifty 2 miles per gallon. No surprise then, to discover that Southport was founded by not only a boat-builder but an offshore racer and a fisherman, too.
Standing at the helm you’ll be protected from spray by a transparent windshield, while a lightweight hardtop, supported by thin aluminum frames, keeps you shielded from wet weather and the sizzling sun. The lean-post features a pair of leather-lined adjustable helm seats offering hours of comfort, though if you really need to get to grips with the tilting, power-assisted steering wheel then flip up the cushions and man your vessel from a standing position. There is room on the dashboard for gadgets aplenty, like ICOM VHF radio, a set of Raymarine or Garmin multi-function screens, a fishfinder, a Ritchie Navigator compass and an optional Vetus bow thruster.
After you have steered your way to the pelagic feeding grounds you are likely to find rod and net fishers out on the foredeck, where the Carolina flare gifts users with a broad, on-bow platform from which to cast nets. Clear off the cushions from the foredeck lounge and winch the sturdy pop-up table into place to add an additional casting surface. If you are searching for something a little heavier, then head back into the cockpit, where a non-skid surface and wide dimensions offer ease of movement should your prey decide to shift course. There are flush rod holders built into the gunwale and a rocket launcher set-up fixed to the console roof or behind the lean-post, while your fishing set-up back here can be completed by the addition of outriggers. Behind the piloting seats there is a tiered tackle drawer and chilled storage, while to transom there is an insulated and illuminated fish box large enough for prize kills and a 25-gallon portside livewell, along with a starboard transom door and an optional lift-gate built into the starboard bulwark. At the very rear there is a teak-lined swim platform that will not only prove popular with the kids but be a sure-fire hit with those who enjoy free-dive spearfishing. A pair of in-deck macerated fish boxes prove perfect for chum, bait and recent catches, while additional guttered and gasketed storage is to be found below-deck at the front of the boat.
A subtle but significant shift, however, can change the entire vibe of this vessel. Where moments earlier you may have found a large aft-cockpit you will now discover a 48-inch pop-up transom sofa ideal for lounging with the kids. The casting platform up front? That’s now a forward family lounge with a pair of leather-clad, cross-stitched sofas, a loveseat and an adjustable cocktail table. Head back to the helm and you will remember that there’s a stereo system built-in to the dashboard that connects to four integrated speakers throughout the vessel. You’ll start to see cupholders, mood-enhancing LED lighting and chilled storage for drinks everywhere you look, while that lift-gate to starboard will start to look more like a dive door. For longer trips you will also a make use of the hidden bathroom with a toilet, a mirror and a sink that completes the family-friendly offering on the 27 FE.
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