H I S T O R Y
Built in 1988 by Jim Smith, originally
a raceboat designer famous for building
boats that were narrow, light and fast,
the twist is this one was also built for
distance.
“She’s a sports car of the sportfishing
world. Back in that day, no one traveled
for long distances in these kinds of boats,”
Hales explains. “But this boat has two of
everything — dual systems, two engines,
two air conditioners, two water pumps.
She was made to travel.
It’s very unusual for her age.”
The 61-foot sportfisherman has been
around long enough to earn her salt —
fishing in Panama, Central America, the
southern Caribbean, and Florida.
“She was reaching out and traveling
port to port before boats like this were
really doing it,” Hales says.
The Leslie Anne traveled this way for
about 15 years, being well cared for the
whole while, before coming to rest for a bit
in San Juan until the trade-for-land
deal docked her in Miami. All this travel
made her many friends, and she is
recognized in numerous southern ports.
That recognition makes Hales proud.
He tells stories of the Leslie Anne being
remembered and welcomed in fishing
ports in the Bahamas and Cuba; of Coast
Guard officers noticing and knowing her
out on the sea; and of the overwhelming
the
Leslie Anne
LOA: 61’
Beam: 16’7”
Draft: 5’6”
Displacement: 54,000 #’s
Bridge Clearance: 50’
Water Tank Capacity: 300 gallons
Fuel Capacity: 1000 gallons
Engines: 2xMAN/Diesel 1000 HP each
Cruise Speed: 33 knots
Max Speed: 40 knots
Hull Material: Fiberglass/Composite
Above: A view looking up the 48-foot tuna tower with classic wood teak accents on the
flybridge helm seats and steering console. Opposite, from top: The sleek body of the Jim Smith
design as seen from the bow of the Leslie Anne. Control panel details trimmed in teak. The aft
deck fighting chair as seen from the 48-foot tuna tower.
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WBM october 2013