FISH O N B y Mo l l y H a r r i s o n In Wanchese on the southern tip of Roanoke Island, From the state’s flagship — the first simple shad fishing boat — to the sleek, polished sportfishing yachts of today, northern Outer Banks boat builders are known worldwide. Bayliss Boatworks is a hive of activity. Men in white protective suits and masks shout at each other over the high-pitched whir of sanders. The intoxicating smells of wood dust and harbor water blend as the 75 people who work here collectively create sportfishing yachts. In various stages of production are the 64-foot Parranda, the 77-foot Wave Paver and the 90-foot Singularis. At the center of it all is John Bayliss, a lifelong fisherman who opened his own boat shop in 2002. Spending nearly 200 days a year on the water for 25 years — including a stint with Hatteras Yachts –— inspired Bayliss to create boats that work well on the water. The 19th hull out of 21, Singularis, is the company’s largest and most outfitted boat to date, complete with five staterooms, six heads, a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer and a Brownie’s NitroxMaker system for diving. At Scarborough Boatworks in Wanchese, North Carolina, the 57-foot Sally Girl is pulled out of the shed in October 2014. Opposite: Bayliss Boatworks recently began construction on its latest build, Hull No. 21, the 77-foot Wave Paver. 48 WBM may 2015 PHOTO COURTESY OF SCARBOROUGH BOATWORKS
Wrightsville Beach Magazine May 2015
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