southport 30 FE

The 30 FE was first launched in 2019, building on the success of the outgoing Southport 292, an immensely popular model that was characterized as the “SUV of the Seas”. This entirely new launch adds more family-friendly features to an already successful formula in the form of a mezzanine leaning post, a sleek forward lounge and a pair of teak-lined bathing platforms to stern that will be beloved by warm-water swimmers and used as access points by those brave souls who enjoy free-drive spearfishing in crystal-clear Bahamian waters. More deck space, a new transom live-well, a multi-purpose aft-bulkhead and upgraded outboard engines complete what has already become a best-selling package.

Inspired by the best of Maine’s maritime tradition, this rugged 30-foot hull is crafted by a dedicated team of professionals and artisans who vacuum-infuse the vinylester hull, hand-lay the fiberglass and spray on the glossy gelcoat, offering exceptional stability and safety for fishers who want to head offshore in search of fish-rich waters. What’s new about this model, however, is an adaptable style that reflects the demands of the modern boat-owner. This is a center-console vessel with the necessary flexibility to compete for the big catches in a tournament setting, used by solo fishers who want to steer and fish at the same time, yet is also welcoming enough for the entire family to enjoy their experience onboard.

A continuously variable deep-V hull with a 22-degree transom deadrise has been designed by industry legend C. Raymond Hunt, and boasts the sort of nautical pedigree required to keep you stable even in the roughest of swells. Many boats in this class will sacrifice stability for the sake of speed or vice-versa, but this vessel features a hull that strikes the perfect balance between a relatively heavy, dry ride with planing at high-speeds, true offshore capabilities, the sort of agility and acceleration needed to keep pace with a brisk Marlin and a modest draft of 20 inches that will allow you to explore shallow coves.

Heading out to the horizon, the transition from wave to wave is as smooth as they come, even as you pull back the throttles and push the twin outboard engines to top speeds of over 45 knots. Engine options include dual Yamaha, Mercury or Suzuki 300-horsepower outboards that can be customized with decals to complete your look, with upgrades to 350-horsepower motors available should you require that extra thrust of high-octane power that leaves the saline waters foaming in your wake. Fancy taking things a little slower? Then you will appreciate the 400 nautical mile range while cruising at a swift 24 knot speed.

You won’t return home to port soaking wet after an 8-hour voyage on this vessel, thanks to a broad bow that eliminates spray, a transparent acrylic helm screen that shields you from the salty breeze and a hardtop canopy with skylights and aluminum supports that shelters pilots from unannounced drops of oceanic rain. A classic center-console, walk-around helm set-up keeps you within touching distance of your rods at all times, while two leather-lined deluxe helm chairs with fold-up seats allow you to steer your vessel upright or sitting down. A Teleflex Tournament Edition power-assisted steering system fixed to a steel Edson wheel makes marshalling this boat both ultra-responsive and pleasingly tactile, while bow thruster controls amplify maneuverability as you home in on your slippery prey. Additional help from a Ritchie Navigator compass, VHF radio, room for a fish-finder and your choice of multi-function display screens from the likes of Garmin or Raymarine ensure that this helm is fit for the 21st century fisherman.

But all the technical excellence in the world will fall flat if a boat is not user-friendly enough to enhance both the fishing and leisure experience. And although no vessel can guarantee a record haul or a good time (that’s up to you) the 30 FE gifts you the very best chance of achieving both. Extra-wide gunwales out on the bow offer a superb, steady platform for bait fishers with big nets and anglers looking for a bite, while extra space comes in the form of a forward lounge that doubles as a solid casting surface when the cushions are removed. This is a yacht that is exceptionally easy to move around on thanks to its capacious dimensions, non-slip surfaces, functional drains, intuitively placed grab-rails and single-level deck. And should you need to follow a particularly feisty pelagic fish to aft then there is nothing to block your path.

The aft cockpit is where the serious tournament fishers are likely to be found, and this space is kitted out with everything needed to reel in the record catches. A 30-gallon illuminated transom livewell is new to this model and sits alongside a large cooler box, while a pair of insulated and macerated in-deck fishboxes sit to port and starboard, ready to store pounds of chum or your fresh kills. There is a transom gate to aft, while a dive door built into the starboard bulwark will prove useful when it comes to dragging younger yellowfin or hearty billfish aboard. Standard mounted rod holders behind the leaning post, flush rod-holders built into the gunwale, and six optional rocket launchers will keep you well-stocked for active and reserve lines as you battle with the ubiquitous bonito or, perhaps, something a little larger, while the option for a set of outriggers and even a tuna tower complete this vessel’s sportfishing credentials. A versatile mezzanine leaning post represents another innovation aboard this fish-fighting machine, hiding a slide-out tackle drawer and a trash can under seating, with the option also for a solid prep counter, an icebox, a raw-water faucet, a sink and even an electric barbecue perfect for grilling up oily bluefish so fresh they are still slick with Atlantic brine.

The lean-post also highlights this yacht’s double persona as a family-friendly day-cruiser. Padded, leather-lined cushions flanked by varnished teak armrests with cupholders offer the perfect place to sit back and crack open an ice-cold beer while listening to the music piped through the boat’s six integrated speakers. A pop-up transom sofa to the stern will seat a couple of adults or a trio of kids when the aft-cockpit is not in use, while if you are busy fighting a bluefin tuna the party can head to the foredeck, where twin chaise-longue sunpads with backrests and a forward loveseat offer hours of al-fresco comfort. And one feature that is not immediately visible will come as a relief to some: a below-console day-head with a stainless-steel sink, a vanity mirror, solid counter-tops, a toilet, and a horizontal rod drawer.