Kingfish Connection: What sets Spectre a part from the other boat manufacturers in the kingfish industry?

Jay Pilini: Quality, performance, fit and finish, and value. Spectre has a long history of building strong lightweight offshore race boats. Our boats have won numerous National and World Championships, along with Kilo Speed records. We have applied the same technology to our center console and fishing product line up. All boats are built on a semi-custom basis and are not production driven products.

When did you make the decision to enter the arena of king mackerel tournaments?

The kingfish anglers demand the best from their boats and we felt that we could deliver a superior product to the current offerings. We enjoy the people involved, as well as the competition.

What are the advantages of a diesel powered center console, as opposed to outboard? Is the advantage in fuel efficiency?

First of all, we do offer both. The diesel is an alternative to the traditional outboard and does have some significant advantages. Safety is a real advantage, there is no highly volatile gasoline on the boat. Diesel power is proven to be extremely reliable and will last for many hours longer than a gasoline powered engine. The standard warranty is 5 years (or 3,000 hours). The boat is more functional as well. The transom has 2 walk through doors and a full width platform for diving, fishing or pleasure boating.

Range and Fuel economy rounds out the package. We have over a 700 mile range at 40mph on less than the 257 gallon standard fuel tank. At 45 miles per hour, the pair of Yanmar 315's use a combined 15 gallons per hour. At 52 mph they use 25 gallons per hour and at full throttle the boat can run 60+ mph and burn only 32 gallons per hour. During a crowded fishing tournament with 100 boats (or more), if you can eliminate the need to re-fuel, or at the least only go to the diesel pump where there will be no line, it leaves more time for preparation or rest! Based on 10 tournaments fished per year the Yanmar diesel powered Spectre can save a team as much as $15,000 a year in fuel costs!

Some may be concerned with how a diesel boat will run in rough conditions due to the weight in the back, how does the 37 run in rough conditions?

The combined weight of the diesel power is within 100 pounds of a triple Verado set up. The engines are placed forward of the transom, rather than hanging aft of it, improving the CG. Further with stern drive power, the torque, propeller diameter and set up of the boat will outperform a similar sized outboard powered boat every time in rough water. We have proven that in offshore racing many times over the years.

Why do you think that other center console manufacturers have shyed away from using diesel power?

Maybe a lack of desire or foresight to move in a direction that is different from the norm. With fuel costs, you will see more and more efficient and powerful diesel powered vehicles in the future.

Do you have any plans to introduce a 37, which is powered by outboards?

Currently we offer the 34TE for twin or triple outboard power and the 37SF for diesel. Next, we will be offering a new 43SF with diesel power. It will be powered by twin or triple Yanmar diesels.

Having a background in boat racing your boat must fly, how fast does that 37 go?

With the current conservative set-up, the boat will run 60 miles per hour, or more. Additional performance is available through optional set-up and equipment changes.

Would you like to see center console boats continue to grow? Or do you feel it is impractical to get any larger?

As they say there is no substitute for size. I feel that the sport will continue to grow and as it does the equipment will change. I have seen it happen in racing and I think that king mackerel tournaments will be no different.

As a new sponsor of the SKA, what are your thoughts on the rumors that there may be an ownership change with the organization?

SKA is a fine organization and I am proud to be involved. I am sure if there are changes Jack will make sure it is for the better.

How many sport fish boats do you make a year and how many would you like to get up to?

Our manufacturing process and attention to detail limits our capacity. We are capable of manufacturing approximately 50 custom Spectre boats per year.

Are you offering any promotions to king mackerel teams?

Yes we are. There are special boat programs for qualified teams. We have a $25,000 top prize available to Team Spectre owners in the pro tour this season. We also pay through fifth at these same events. We will also be targeting a number of local events throughout the Southeast. Finally, Spectre will be there to support our teams in a variety of ways, including paid entry fees, team apparel, factory support and more!