Jarrett Bay 43 Hardtop Express

Power & Motoryacht's first look at the Jarrett Bay 43 Hardtop Express

By Dennis Caprio

October 27, 2014

Caprio’s First impression: Function trumps all else in the design and construction of a hard-core sportfishing yacht, and this custom Jarrett Bay 43 reflects the owner’s knowledge and preferences with Carolina flare.

Jarrett Bay Boatworks latest custom launch, a 43-foot Hardtop Express aptly named Gregarious, challenged the yard’s designers and craftsmen with an extensive wish list of custom features.

Always up for a unique challenge, Jarrett Bay accommodated the owner’s towering height by raising the roof—coach roof, that is—to give him comfortable headroom at the inside helm station. Elongated elements have added comfort to the spaces belowdecks.

On the business end of this Jarrett Bay, access to the engines and C-9 Zeus pods via a hydraulic deck hatch doesn’t encroach on the cockpit’s area. Making the most out of all spaces, the mezzanine not only houses a “comfort station,” with an ice maker and drink coolers, but also has bait stowage, and functions as a helm station as well, thanks to pod joystick controls that live in a recessed compartment. The fishbox at the stern doubles as a livewell.

Keeping the afterdeck space clear of clutter from head to toe, the electric teaser reels are flush-mounted into the hardtop overhang, and a low-footprint Release Marine Battle Saddle complements Jarrett Bay’s finely crafted teak cockpit accents and the custom metal, CNC-cut Jarrett Bay logo drain covers.

Alexseal premium yacht finish adorns one of the most accessible engine-room spaces for a boat of this size. In addition to the power package and pod drives, an ISO-Boost unit, watermaker, and Cummins Onan Generator are easy to access for inspection and maintenance.

Built with Canyon overnighting and extended Caribbean cruising in mind, the 43 HTX comfortably sleeps four in a forward queen-berth stateroom and a side-by-side bunk cabin beneath the saloon. There’s no doubt Gregarious is ready for the hunt, wherever she may roam.