51 The International Game and Fish Association recognized Tillett as one of the top anglers inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame. “He’s a great boat builder,” Conoley says, “but he only built about six or seven boats.” Tillett was better known as a fisherman than a boat builder, Conoley adds. “He’d been fishing at Oregon Inlet since the late ’40s. He fished up until he was in his 70s.” Bridging the gap between the functional Carolina-style boats of Warren O’Neal and the sleek sportfishing yachts of today were dozens of builders who tweaked the Carolina design in their own unique ways. “Builders like Warren O’Neal, Omie Tillett and Ricky Scarborough did a lot to establish North Carolina as one of the boatbuilding centers of the United States,” John Bayliss says. “Their boats drew much attention to our area because they were not only beautiful, but also extremely seaworthy and efficient.” But, Bayliss adds, there was some work to be done to bring the boats to a larger market. “Honestly we as craftsmen had some homework to do with some of our fit/finish and systems, but the foundation was there from the beginning because of those guys,” he says. “As the years progressed and our customers became more and more discerning and sophisticated, the boatbuilding community of North Carolina was able to adapt, improve and satisfy the needs of those people. I guess the customers themselves deserve a lot of credit for pushing all of us to be better, and that’s still very true today.” By perfecting finish and adding state-of-the-art technologies, Outer Banks’ boat builders have raised the bar on sportfishing boats, taking them to new levels of poten-tial 72 Pelican Drive Wrightsville Beach This desirable waterfront home is on an exceptional 70-foot-wide lot facing Lees Cut at Wrightsville Beach. Panoramic views encompass miles of marsh, sound and Intracoastal Waterway. The large private pier and floating dock with boat lift can accommodate up to four boats. Asking price: $2,100,000 TEE WOODBURY Broker/REALTOR®, GRI 910-617-5561 800-533-1840 www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM that can compete in the world market. 115 N. Channel Drive Wrightsville Beach Enjoy the coastal lifestyle in Wrightsville Beach! Home features include water and marsh views, 4,607 square feet, six bedrooms, six full baths and home gym. Impeccably maintained and move-in ready! $1,375,000 Sam R. CRittenden Broker Associate 910-228-1885 samc@intracoastalrealty.com app.intracoastalrealty.com/samc twoodbury@intracoastalrealty.com Scarborough Boatworks’ 57-foot Sally Girl with her freshly painted hull. PHOTO COURTESY OF SCARBOROUGH BOATWORKS
Wrightsville Beach Magazine May 2015
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