The midsize inboard convertible has a new contender. SeaHunter Boats of Pompano Beach, Florida, has unveiled the Tournament 45, a heavy-duty center-console designed for serious offshore work and long-range cruising. With fuel capacity and efficiency that can allow runs of more than 600 miles on a single tank, the Tournament 45 targets anglers and boaters who need a rugged, long-legged platform without sacrificing on-deck usability.
“You don’t notice the sheer size of this boat until you see it next to other boats,” says SeaHunter sales manager Eddie Leon. From stern to bow, the boat carries a broad beam and a pronounced flare forward, yielding a tall, deep profile and a large usable footprint on deck. That volume gives the Tournament 45 a commanding presence and ample room for sportfishing, diving, or multi-day trips.
Naval architect Mark Biddison of Marine Concepts in Cape Coral, Florida, is credited with the design; he also designed SeaHunter’s Tournament 37 and Tournament 32. The hull is a deep-vee form with a 60-degree deadrise at the entry that eases back to 24.5 degrees at the transom. Paired with a quad Yamaha F350 outboard setup, that hull shape is intended to deliver a smooth ride in big water while maintaining competitive speed and handling.
SeaHunter engineered the 45 around a quad-outboard layout but notes that it performs well even when one engine is trimmed out of the water, suggesting the model could also be offered with triple engines. Early indications point toward strong fuel efficiency—SeaHunter expects mileage close to 1 mile per gallon—making extended trips more practical for owners who want to push offshore without frequent refueling stops.
On deck, the Tournament 45 maintains an open, utilitarian layout favored by serious anglers. The helm is sizable, capable of accommodating three 19-inch multi-function displays, while space and ergonomics are laid out for tournament fishing, live-bait operations, and dive support. Rod storage, wide side decks, and an uncluttered cockpit combine to make the deck user-friendly for both hands-on fishing and relaxed cruising.
Under the console, the boat includes a comfortable cabin with amenities that make overnighting realistic. The console/cabin contains a queen-size berth, a private head, a sink and a microwave—basic creature comforts that let crews rest comfortably between fishing grounds or enjoy a weekend away without sacrificing the open-deck character of a center console.
Practical systems match the boat’s long-range intent: an 800-gallon fuel tank supports extended runs, while a 60-gallon freshwater tank and a 30-gallon waste tank cover basic liveaboard needs and extended-days afloat. The Tournament 45’s displacement and hull geometry are tailored for stability underway and when at rest, providing a steady platform for fishing, diving and other offshore activities.
With a top speed in the 60–65 mph range and an efficient cruise near 38 mph, the Tournament 45 balances performance with range. The model’s draft of just under 3 feet makes it versatile for coastal work, while the 12-foot beam delivers generous deck space and stability. SeaHunter positions pricing for a quad-F350 configuration between $600,000 and $850,000, depending on options and outfitting.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 45 feet, 4 inches
BEAM: 12 feet
DRAFT: 2 feet, 11 inches
DISPLACEMENT: 21,000 pounds
HULL TYPE: deep-vee
TRANSOM DEADRISE: 24.5 degrees
SPEED: 60–65 mph top speed, 38 mph cruise
TANKAGE: 800 gallons fuel, 60 gallons water, 30 gallons waste
POWER: quadruple Yamaha F350 outboards (quad setup shown)
PRICE: $600,000 to $850,000 with quad F350s, depending on options
CONTACT: SeaHunter Boats Factory Direct, Plantation Boat Mart, Tavernier, Fla.
PHONE: (800) KEY-BOAT
WEBSITE: www.seahunterboats.com, www.plantationboat.com
Brokerage listings powered by BoatQuest.com
Click here to find more SeaHunter boats.
August 2013 issue