Hunt 72 wins best new powerboat; shipyard honored; Schaffer joins N.E. Boat works

By Bruce Burdett
Posted 9/29/16

The Hunt 72 powerboat was a double winner at the recent Newport International Boat Show.

Built by Portsmouth-based Hunt Yachts, the 72-footer was named Best New Powerboat Over 35 Feet, and Best …

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Hunt 72 wins best new powerboat; shipyard honored; Schaffer joins N.E. Boat works

Posted

The Hunt 72 powerboat was a double winner at the recent Newport International Boat Show.

Built by Portsmouth-based Hunt Yachts, the 72-footer was named Best New Powerboat Over 35 Feet, and Best Powerboat in Show.

New product winners were chosen by a team of industry experts on the basis of innovation, value to the consumer, safety and aesthetics.

“It is impressive to see a boat this size that can be operated by the owner,” one of the judges wrote. “This boat has over 80,000 man hours built into it and every hour was well spent. There is not one detail that hasn’t been addressed. Fit and finish are immaculate. The builder and owner were able to work together to built a spectacular boat. I’m not trying to sound cliché but this is a timeless design.”

Several other boats were among the best new boat nominees:

• Surfhunter 32, also from Hunt Yachts

• North Rip 21 from USWatercraft, Warren

• Cuddy 21 — Bristol Harbor Series, Newport.

More than a shipyard

Also honored at the boat show was Newport Shipyard, picked by the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association for its Anchor Award “to recognize the role this company has played in transforming a part of Newport’s waterfront into a world-renowned shipyard and creating a significant impact on the state’s marine trades.”

“Charlie Dana and his family had the vision to transform a piece of Newport’s waterfront into a yard that is not only a mecca for competitive sailors and superyachts from around the world, but also a destination for boaters and a magnet for marine-related businesses,” said Wendy Mackie, CEO of RIMTA.

“The shipyard is the very best example of how a small group of individuals built on the history and heritage of boating in our state to become a major economic engine for our region.” 

For those who haven’t seen it lately, this place is worth a visit.

Still very much a working shipyard always full of great boats from around the world, it has also become one of Newport’s best places to visit, with music, food and events throughout the boating season.

Schaffer joins N.E. Boatworks

New England Boatworks of Portsmouth, has added Barrington’s Philip (PJ) Schaffer to its management team. He will serve as a project manager “with a focus on increasing efficiency and productivity through process improvement.”

Mr. Schaffer worked most recently at Focal Upright Furniture where he was brought on to optimize the operations department. Prior to that he held engineering and management positions at Hall Spars and Harken.

An avid sailor with experience on the US Sailing Team in the Tornado Class in addition to top-three finishes at national and world championship events in various classes. He also enjoys day sailing on his Dragon Class sailboat as well as summer cruising with his wife and daughter.

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.