Boat Design Requirements
The boats that we refer to here as the "Jersey Design", were created to meet the specific needs of boaters in the New Jersey coastal area. Even casual boaters can see that they differ significantly from the downeasters of New England or the various designs from the Chesapeake Bay area, or even the designs of coastal Carolina. We'll look a little closer at how they differ and why.
The primary purpose for the New Jersey design boat was offshore fishing. Of course they have been used more widely than that - for coastal fishing, cruising, entertaining and even living aboard. But the factors that influenced this design were the requirements of offshore, deep-sea fishing. More specifically, for fishing off the New Jersey coast.
So, what were these requirements? First, of course, a boat that could handle the waters of the Atlantic Ocean - out to about 100 miles. It had to do this reliably. At 100 miles offshore your boat can't leak, it can't go dead in the water, and it can't run out of fuel. If the ocean turns ugly, the boat may have to take a beating and keep going. That's just the beginning.
When running 50 to 100 miles out, fisherman want a boat that can make some speed even in poor conditions - especially when trying to beat some bad weather back to shore. Again a solid boat, but more. A boat with a sharp bow to cut into the waves, yet one that will not dig into them.
Next a stable platform for fishing. The less rocking the better. Lots of time will be spent drifting or trolling at minimum speed. It's no fun being rolled from side to side - and the results can be tiring and unpleasant. Canyon trips can be overnight, so a few short naps can help, especially in a stable boat.
The design must be optimized for fishing. Plenty of room for a group of friends to fish. Easy to work the fishlines and to land the fish - especially those large species. And plenty of specialized storage to bring the catch home as fresh as when it was caught.
For the fishing itself, a large cockpit without obstructions. Storage for fishing equipment and a sink or bait prep station. Lights for night fishing. And outriggers with additional rod holders. Often a fighting chair to complete the package.