Boat Review: Ocean Yachts 37 Billfish

Presentation

Ocean Yachts 37 Billfish, is a stunning looking boat, presented by this 31 year old builder, last February during the Miami boat show. The new small Ocean revives the sixties when day sport fishers where common sight in any marina around the globe, coming from now famous legendary boat builders who created a myth in that era, which lives as at today. The 37 Billfish is revolved to those enthusiasts who want a classic looking sport fisher with amenities of the new millennium, such as modern diesel engines, luxury interiors, and the improving ride of modern hull shapes. The thinking is also that the new small Ocean Yacht is also an interesting sportfish cruiser for those owners wanting a classic, but have no time in refitting an old boat to there liking.

Accommodation

As rugged and minimal as it may look the 37 Bill Fish has a luxurious finished satin cherry wood lower deck, offering a comfortably spacious three berth two plus one forward cabin, a nice l-shaped galley and a head with enclosing shower stall. Ocean Yachts also offer an option B layout here, with the change in the forward cabin, in this case featuring a more luxurious double island berth.

The main deck of the 37 Bill Fish is what would you expect from a sport fisher with a free roomy aft cockpit for the fisherman, but also easy to organise a set of chairs and table to make this a nice entertaining area. Move more to fore, and you have to port a 6 person c-shaped dinette, a settee opposite, and to starboard we have the lower helm station. The fly for an 11 metre sport fisher also offers more then the usual comfort with a central single seated helm station, and 2 person settees on each side.

Performance 

As most US built Sport fishers, the 37 Billfish has it all, good top end speed of 35 knots, and comfortable cruising of 30 knots with the smaller engine option of twin 480hp highly efficient Yanmar engines, propelled with stable shaft drives in propeller pockets. For that extra knot Ocean also offers a more powerful twin Cat C9 510hp option. Hull shape is a geometrical vee, with a deep forward entry of 32 degrees going to a moderate 12 degrees aft, for more stable low speed trawling. Last minute news also says the 37 Billfish to be also available with a Pod drive propulsion in the near future. We wait for more information about this.

Positive

Spacious Main Deck

2 layout option

Negative

Side Decks fore to aft movement

Competition

Ocean Yachts 37 Billfish is a unique affair and real competition is hard to come by. If you are looking for a Sport Fisher with classic looks and dual helm station, but an open cockpit no patio door main deck, it is your only relevant choice. Similar in concept but slightly bigger in size is the San Juan 40 FB, but in this case more of a traditional cruiser lobster design.

San Juan 40 FB - slightly bigger, lobster tradition design, similar layout

WILD CARD: Bertram 360 - entry level legend, no fly but tuna tower option gives 2nd helm

Conclusion

Ocean Yachts have been clever when they embarked in the project of the 37 Billfish, finding a niche in the market for a classic looking boat, with a unique flair. You can buy the 37 Billfish definitely to go fishing, which is its main job, but you can also purchase it as a classic looking boat with plenty of thoughtful features in its design, performance, great sea keeping and none the less the outstanding rugged good looks.

Technical Data

LOA. 11.48 metres (37.8 ft)

Beam. 4.22 metres

Draft. 0.76 metres

Displacement. 10.660 kg dry

Fuel Capacity. 1578 litres

Water Capacity. 283 litres

Accommodation. 1 cabin with 3 berths 1 head, option B 1 cabin with 2 berths

Engines. 2 x Yanmar 6LY3-ETP 480hp, Cummins QSB5.9 480hp, Cat C9A 510hp

Propulsion. Shaft Drive with propeller pockets

Speed. max 35 knots, cruising 30 knots with Yanmar

Hull Shape. vee shape with 32.5 deg entry forward, 12.8 deg aft

Project. Ocean Yachts

www.oceanyachtsinc.com

Picture Copyright Ocean Yachts. Data Ocean Yachts.