Egg Harbor Classic Models
The Classic Era was the big time for Egg Harbor Yachts. We'll skip the details here on their long and successful run of wooden boats from 1946 to 1970, although Egg Harbor certainly built their business during this period. The 37 and 43 foot models were particularly popular, as were the motor yachts. More important, Egg Harbor defined their market and their product with wooden boats. These would continue through the Classic and Modern eras. While some boat builders definitely targeted fishermen, and other builders tried to capture a broad market, Egg Harbor was targeting a more affluent, cruiser or fisherman who appreciates and is able to afford more luxury. Egg Harbor wood models were as often called "Motor Yachts" as "Sport Fisher", with some "Double Cabins" thrown in. All models included fine interior woods - teak and mahogany - that Egg Harbor Yachts were known for. They included more cabinets, comfortable sofas and beds, and other fine touches not found on other boats. These features would attract a customer base that would remain loyal to the brand going forward.
The sudden shift to fiberglass construction for the entire line in 1971 and 1972 was in part due to the ownership at that time by Fuqua Industries. It is amazing that such a large product line could be converted so quickly. Early models had fiberglass hulls and wood cabins as before. Many boats had teak cockpit soles. This transition period would be brief, followed by full fiberglass fabrication. But the use of teak and other woods for interior and even exterior features would remain an Egg Harbor trademark. It should also be noted that almost all models produced in fiberglass had the model name "Sport Fisher", which was probably a Fuqua marketing effort to target these new models to the sportfishing market. Other comfort features remained traditional Egg Harbor. Later, in 1979 with Fuqua gone and under new owners, but before the bankruptcy that would end 1979, the Egg Harbor models were broadly renamed "Tournament Fisherman / Sedan Cruiser". This would be continued throughout the 1980s in an effort to capture the sportfishing market and also serve their cruising customers.
Flybridge Models
31 Sport Fisher
1973-1976. The 30 or 31 Sport Fisher (it is known both ways with an LOA of 30'6") was an early fiberglass model, and smaller than any boat made since. The hull was solid fiberglass but the cabin and flybridge were traditional wood construction, as was the cockpit sole. It was not a typical Jersey Design, with a small foredeck and a bow not much higher than the stern, but a large cockpit, well suited to fishing. With the small deckhouse located slightly forward, the twin straight inboards are located under the cockpit and accessed from outside, making maintenance or repowers an easy task. Inside, with nothing below, the cabin floor is lowered providing good headroom in a low profile boat. Even this small, sportfishing model had fine teak cabinetry inside. The hull, though one of the first designs, has hard chines and a mild "V" at the transom. Original power was twin Chrysler 225 HP gas engines or Volvo diesels.
33 Sport Fisher
1971-1981. The 33 Sport Fisher was Egg Harbor's first fiberglass model. Egg Harbor was being cautious by releasing a new model smaller than their smallest 37 hull models. But the 33 would become one of their most successful and long-running models, lasting 20 years including the redesigned hull in 1982. Except for a short production of the 31, this would be Egg Harbor's smallest model. Design followed what builders knew about wooden boat design. This first model had rounded chines and a quite flat bottom at the rear and likely was cast from a wooden hull. The hull includes a stabilizing groove cut into the rounded chines which would only be possible in fiberglass construction. This model was offered with twin gas Crusader 250 HP engines or optional Volvo diesels.
33 Tournament Fisherman
1982-1991. The 33 Tournament Fisherman/Sedan Cruiser is an entirely new hull for this successful model. Designers learned much in the first 10 years of fiberglass boats and this new hull had hard chines and a deeper V carried back to the transom to provide a better ride and more speed. Hull construction of this model remained solid fiberglass, like the original. The new model's profile, deckhouse and flybridge were also redesigned. About this time Egg Harbor began naming their models Tournament Fisherman / Sedan Cruisers. The biggest difference is the flybridge helm station location, which is fully forward on the Sedan and moved toward the rear of the bridge on the Fisherman for a better view of the cockpit. Both lines had forward windows, with an optional lower station. Inside, teak decor continued. A complete galley is standard with a dinette or optional second stateroom. Engines are gas Crusaders of 270 - 330 HP or optional diesels, with speeds to about 28 knots.
35 Sport Fisherman
1986-1990. The 35 was produced with a return to the "Sport Fisherman" model name. The "Tournament Sportfisherman" model line had ended after 1984. This is one of a series of new models released in the late 1980s. This model replaced the aging 36 Tournament Fisherman which was only an inch wider. The 35 has a large cockpit for its size and an updated interior as well. Most are seen with a second stateroom on the port side with bunks, in addition to the v-berth in the bow. A galley on the starboard side is well equipped. Most of this model are seen with twin 350 gas engines from either Crusader or Mercury, but diesels were probably a listed option.
36 Tournament Fisherman
1975-1986. The 36 Tournament Fisherman/Sedan Cruiser was created in 1975 as the Sport Fisherman, but by at least 1979 joined the program. It was introduced to shorten the size spread from the successful 33. This was done while enlarging the 3 year old 38 to become a 40 footer this same year. This gave Egg Harbor a product line of 33, 36 and 40 feet on the small end. All these yachts shared a common new look in the new fiberglass. Inside all were comfortable cruising boats. Of course, it was still the early years of fiberglass production with many advances ahead.
37 Convertible
1985-1991. The 37 Convertible was designed to replace the aging 36 Tournament Fisherman. This would lead to the 33-35-37 product lineup at the base for Egg Harbor. The 37 Convertible is a newer design based on an earlier Pacemaker hull, said to be the 41 Egg mold blocked off at the stern, and constructed with balsa core techniques. The hull was slightly flatter at the transom than some other models which may improve smooth water speed and efficiency, but may be jarring or even hard to handle in rougher waters. The cabin and interior fittings were the usual Egg Harbor wood and quality. The master stateroom forward includes a centerline berth, while a second stateroom on the starboard side has bunks. A mid-level galley provides ample food preparation. There is no dedicated dinette area, although a dual-purpose table is included in the saloon. Power is provided by twin gas Mercury 340 HP inboards producing speeds to about 28 knots.
38 Sport Fisher
1972-1974. The 38 Sport Fisher was Egg Harbor's second fiberglass boat model, released in 1972. It marked the end of the models built on the wood 37 hull. This was the first model to replace a wood model. Egg Harbor had seen the results of the original 33 fiberglass model a year earlier, which was designed not to compete directly with any existing wood model. Now the 38 would do just that and the 37, which had been offered in Sport Fisher, Motor Yacht and Double Cable configurations would be ended. The 38 was offered as a model for only 3 years. In 1975 it would be replaced by the new 36 and itself stretched out to become the new 40.
40 Sport Fisher
1975-1986. The 40 Sport Fisher was created by extending the length of the 38 Sport Fisher. This was done at the same time as the 36 Sport Fisher was released to create a smooth model size lineup with the 33, 36 and 40. This model was also marketed in the "Tournament Fisherman / Sedan" program in its later years. The 40 Sport Fisher includes forward windows and a lower station, probably optional, on the port side. A large wood column leading to the flybridge is located just forward and amidships of the lower station and partially blocks vision forward. The deckhouse of this model is large, resulting in a smaller but ample cockpit for a 40 foot boat. Inside the master stateroom forward, includes V-berths, while a second stateroom offers bunks. The galley facilities are set up along the starboard side of the saloon, as was typical of the day. Engines included both gas and diesel of 340-450 HP producing up to 28 knots, from this quite flat hull, which includes a small keel ending well forward of the props.
41 Tournament Fisherman
1983-1989. The 41 "Tournament Fisherman / Sedan Cruiser" is a new model on a new hull with many improvements over the 40 Sport Fisher. Still, it was sold alongside the popular 40 footer until 1986. The 41 Tournament Fisherman is almost a foot longer and 6 inches wider than the 40. The cockpit is strikingly larger than the 40 cockpit. And the flybridge comes in helm-forward or helm-back layouts depending on model choice. Forward windows are still included on the 41, with a lower station available and moved to starboard, but rarely seen. Two staterooms are included with an offset queen berth in the forward stateroom and bunks in the guest stateroom to starboard. An improved and modernized galley is to port on the lower level, opposite the guest stateroom, and not visible from the salooon. The main saloon is larger and includes a convertible sofa. The 41 is offered with both gas and diesel inboards in larger set of choices up to 485 HP Detroits in later years, reaching 28 knots.
43 Sport Fisherman
1987-1989. The 43 Sport Fisherman was introduced in 1987 after the Tournament Fisherman program ended in 1985. It was the last model designed and introduced before Egg Harblor halted production for the Luxury Tax fiasco. I was also the most updated model introduced by Egg Harbor in this era. This is a two stateroom model with the master stateroom forward with a large berth, and bunk beds in the guest stateroom to starboard. A U-shaped galley to port in the lower forward section includes a full-size refridgerator and is well equipped. A corner dinette in the forward, starboard corner of the saloon provides designed dining. The 43 was marketed alongside the 41 for its entire production. Engines were Detroit Diesels of 450-525 HP producing up to 30 knots.
48 Golden Egg
1977-1985. The original "Golden Egg". This was the largest model in the lineup when introduced. It was successful and the "Golden Egg" name would later be used on other models. When introduced, this was promoted as a "strong Tournament Fisherman" capable of "well over 30 knots". The hull is quite flat and shallow at the transom with no deadrise. There is a deep, sharp entry at the forefoot and a small keel midship for directional stability. Inside 2 staterooms and 2 heads provide sleeping for 4. A separate galley is also in the lower forward section to port. A counter and bar stools along the starboard side of the saloon provide the only designed eating space. The entire interior is nicely completed with fine Egg Harbor-quality teak cabinetry. Engines include Detroit 6-71s and 8v92TIs of 485-550 HP for up to 28 knots, possibly 30.
60 Sport Fisherman
1986-1989. The 60 foot Sport Fisherman is Egg Harbor's largest yacht ever produced. This is a nice, yacht with forward windows and portholes, teak interior and many nice features, but was cut short by the luxury tax, with limited boats actually produced. The 60 Sport Fisherman includes three staterooms on the lower level forward. The master stateroom, in the bow, has a queen berth, as does the primary guest stateroom. The third stateroom has bunk beds. There are also three separate heads with showers, and a jetted bathing tub in the master suite. A traditional table style dinette and a well equipped galley are on the main level, nicely separated from the saloon, just under the forward windows. Unusual was the set of 3 steps from the cockpit up to the main cabin. Power is provided by twin diesels of 675-750 HP producing up to 30 knots.
Motoryacht Models
38 Motor Yacht
1987-1991. The 38 Egg Harbor Motoryacht was introduced in 1987 and may be built on a sportfishing hull, possibly the 37 introduced 2 years earlier. The 38 appears more modern and updated than some earlier models. The flybridge is located atop the main cabin, apparently unchanged from the sportfish model. A second station is located in the main cabin starboard side. An aftcabin is added and the cockpit raised and enclosed with soft sides. The master stateroom aft contains a centerline queen berth, while the guest stateroom in the bow offers a V-berth with filler. A roomy, well-equipped galley in the forward lower deck includes ample storage. Power is provided by Mercury 340 HP engines or with diesel options. Speeds with gas are just 12-16 knots.
40 Motor Yacht
1982-1986. The 40 Motor Yacht is an aft-cabin design with an enclosed aftdeck above and a third-level flybridge fully aft, providing excellent visibility for docking. Dual controls are provided in the main saloon. The flush deck design provides a level walkway from the enclosed deck aft to the foredeck, protected by a high stainless railing. Built-in seating on the foredeck is available at the front of the deckhouse. Inside the master stateroom, aft, includes a centerline, walk-around queen berth, and head with shower. The guest stateroom at the bow includes a V-berth and filler. A second head is located in the forward area for guest and day use. A large and well-equipped galley, of the size seen only on boats twice as large today, is on the lower level just forward of the saloon. It includes a 3-burner stove with oven full-size refridgerator/freezer, and plenty of cabinet storage. Engines are Detroit Diesels of 350-450 HP producing speeds to 28 knots.
41 Motor Yacht
1973-1978. This Egg Harbor Motoryacht was offered at 41 feet. Egg Harbor had popular motoryachts in their wooden hull boats of the 1960s. This style was often referred to as "Aft Cabin" or "Double Cabin" because of the master stateroom at the rear.