Blackfin refit repowers with QSB engines

Trophy fish are measured by weight and length at the dock. They almost always exceed the size of the angler reeling them in. The exception would be M/V Chelsea Rae, whose fish tale about five-year-old angler prodigy, Wyatt Goodwin, catching the big ones, is true. Wyatt’s ride is a new 37-foot APB Custom Blackfin, recertified by the Coast Guard as a new build in 2022. Wyatt’s father, Nate Goodwin, president of All Points Boats (APB), personally refit this hurricane-salvaged vessel, a 32-foot 1982 vintage Blackfin.

“Adding four feet to the cockpit made Chelsea Rae the perfect vessel to train Wyatt in all aspects of sport-fishing,” said Nate Goodwin. “We work diligently with a professional crew to engage participation, targeting sailfish in coastal Florida and billfish in Bahamian waters. Wyatt routinely catches and releases snapper, swordfish, and mahi weighing 30 - 50 pounds.”

DLBA, a division of Gibbs & Cox, designed and engineered the hull tunnel extension and machinery arrangements while APB composite boat builders extended the boat by five feet, enabling a bigger cockpit with a Seakeeper and Humphree trim system. Goodwin’s team also built a custom aluminum billfish tower and fabricated a 285-gallon FRP integrated tank, extending the vessel range to 275 nautical miles cruising 25 - 27 knots. Goodwin was replaced with twin Cummins QSB 5.9 diesel engines for the refit. A new Cummins Onan 9kW generator supports modern amenities and electronics.

“The weight-to-horsepower ratio was a perfect fit for our application,” said Goodwin. “It was the best package and price, and I am familiar with the engine. I stick with what I know works. We accomplished a lot with a small platform, integrating 50 feet of boat into a 37-foot hull. We fully modernized a classic 32 Blackfin and are beyond happy with the results.”

Built on one of the world's most successful engine block designs, this inline, 6-cylinder electronic QSB engine’s major enhancements make every piece of equipment work harder, smarter, quieter, and longer. With Tier 3/Stage IIIA compliance, in-cylinder technology is based on highly successful B Series engines featuring power ratings from 110-275 hp (82-205 kW). These engines combine proven, full-authority electronic controls with reliable performance driven through a perfectly matched turbocharger and a 24-valve cylinder head delivering industry-leading power density.

Quiet operation with an 80-percent reduction in noise at idle is one of many benefits of the common-rail fuel system. Enhanced sociability virtually eliminates smoke and improves the whole boating experience.