2003 Gillikin Custom express sportfish Express in Beaufort, NC

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SELLER DESCRIPTION

For years, East Bay Boat Works has long been known for being a premier builder of quality custom "Carolina" style boats. This time honored tradition continues to be marveled while producing the fine sportfishing yachts which bears its name. Whether you desire the comforts of an enclosed cabin or the openness of our Express, you'll feel right at home out at sea. Gillikin has merged traditional boat building with modern techniques. "We combine the best of both worlds by using wood and fiberglass." When a customer orders a boat, Gillikin draws the design on paper. Then he makes a one-of-a-kind mold from triple layers of laminated wood and fiberglass with high-tech fabrics. "The hull is built upside down," he says. "Then we pull the boat out and flip her over.Since the vessels are so large and custom-made, it takes from 12 to 18 months to build one. "So much thinking and planning goes into a boat," says Gillikin. "Sometimes, we put 15,000 man-hours on a boat. Now we can work on up to four boats at one time."Because of the labor required, the boats are quite expensive. "These boats are a rich man"s toy," he says. "Our boats can go for up to a $1 million. We sell to people who want a fast boat that will help them raise big fish and come in fast from shore."East Bay Boat Works was started in 1971 by Ricky Gillikin"s father, Vance, and his partner Mervin Rose. Later, Ricky Gillikin and his brother bought the business. They started out making river and head boats from juniper. In 1986, the Gillikins expanded into sportfishing boats and luxury yachts."The boat building business was dying out in the 1980s," says Gillikin. "It was more feasible to build sportfishing boats and small yachts. So we diversified. Traditional wooden boats are not as strong and are slower than our boats." Like the other boat builders on Harkers Island, Gillikin sells his boats by word of mouth instead of advertising. "We strive to put out a good product. Our boats are faster than a lot of boats built by major manufacturers and burn less fuel because they are lighter boats. Every boat is one of a kind."For assistance please contact Lisa Alley at (252)342-4923 or Jay Boone at (252)241-6905.

Accomodations:
Vee BerthVacuflush HeadEnclosed Shower

Galley:
Freshwater SinkRefrigerator/FreezerMicrowave

Electonics and Navigational Gear:
Bridge Deck: Garmin 2010 full color sounder and chartplotter. Simrad 8KW Radar with open array. Simrad Autopilot. Ditech temperature guage. Icom radio. Tower: Garmin 2006 Sounder and chartplotter. Icom radio.

Electrical System:
30 amp shore power. 3 batter banks - one house bank dedicated to each motor and an additional which runs independent of house banks and allows for 12-16 hrs. running spreader lights and electronics with no engine power.

Deck and Hull Equipment:
Rupp Riggers. 2 live wells (30 gal. and 50 gal.). Transom door. Center deck livewell / leaning post / rocket launcher. Teak toerail and accents.