TROLLING - I ordered Mako's custom deluxe hard-top (versus the standard fabric top), and had it outfitted with Lee Sidewinder outriggers, and a Lee center rigger. The 16-foot, Lee Sidewinder Extra Strong poles (model AP3916XS) are deployed and retrieved by turning their handles, which are located beneath the top; the poles swing out and lock in at an 80-degree trolling position. The attitude of poles can also be raised or lowered (0, 30 or 60 degrees) by simply pushing down on the collar at the base of their poles. These features enable me to quickly deploy and retract the outriggers, raise them for more height, or lay them flat and parallel with the top for clearing low bridges and when trailering. The 16-foot center rigger is fixed in its position; I remove that pole for trailering.

Each of the three Lee poles are rigged with two independent cords and AFTCO release clips. In all, I can troll six baits from the poles on my T-top.

We placed six, 30-degree angle, Lee Rod Holders in the cockpit gunwales. Of the three units per side, the ones farthest aft (aimed directly seaward) are Lee Flush Mounted Rod Holders. The ones right behind them are Lee Swivel Rod Holders, and the ones right behind those (angled outward 10-degrees) are Lee Flush Mounted Rod Holders. Add in the four rod holders behind the console seat, and the MARC VI can easily troll up to ten rods. The reason for the Swivel Rod Holders, incidentally, is for heavy duty fishing with bent butt rods - such as wire line trolling for grouper and wahoo. 

Since we do a lot of run-and-gun fishing for dolphin, and for when we encounter a school of fish, our light tackle outfits must be readily accessible. Most of this tackle rides in the six aft T-top rod holders. Two additional T-top rod holders were added to the forward T-top (one on each side), so that an angler up front won't have to scramble back behind the console to grab a rod. A total of eight rods can be racked along the T-top, all rigged to cover a variety of fishing opportunities.

To compliment the outriggers and my trolling, I installed a pair of SportTeaser (www.sportteaser.com) Hardtop teaser reels.  These electro-polished reels are affixed to the underside of my T-top, with the line from the port-side reel running up the port outrigger, and the line from the starboard reel running up my starboard outrigger.  From the dual teaser reels, I position a large, 18 – 21-inch long, hookless marlin teaser between 10- and 20-feet behind the boat  On the opposite side, and roughly the same distance back, I run a MoldCraft squid spreader bar.  From there, I position my close baits within five feet or so of the teasers, and stagger the remaining baits back from there.  To enhance my teaser set-up, I also pull a six-arm, 69-fish StripTeaser Dredge.  It rides roughly 15 feet back and four-to-six feet beneath the surface.  Is such an elaborate teaser set-up worth it on a small boat?  The first trip out on the new boat – and on the troll with the teasers systems in place - we hooked, fought and lost a blue marlin, and landed several dolphin.  The next trip produced a sailfish and several dolphin, whereas the third trip yielded a sailfish, wahoo and several large dolphin.  It makes a difference!

LIVE BAITING - Since we also do a lot of live-baiting for sails and kings, we had eight additional Lee Flush Mounted Rod Holders positioned in the mid-ship and forward gunwales (four per side). These holders are aimed directly seaward, since we primarily drift. In addition, these 15-degree angle holders keep their rods nearly vertical and off the bow rail. When we slow troll live baits, we'll use the cockpit rod holders. Between the cockpit-based rod holders, and those in the mid-ship and bow, the MARC VI has 14 gunwale-based rod holders.

Kite fishing is a specialty of ours, and we often deploy a kite from both the cockpit and bow. To power the electric kite reel in the cockpit, a power outlet is recessed under the aft starboard gunwale. The outlet for the bow-based kite reel is mounted within the anchor locker and to the underside of the bow platform. To use this outlet without having to remove the anchor locker cover, a "channel" was carved into the upper port side of the hatch cover. The diameter of this "channel" is also large enough for anchor line to pass.

The standard 50 gallon live well is located within the console seating/bait-prep module. It is very easy to get at. To increase its function-ability and dependability, we added two 1,600 gallon-per-hour pumps. We'll use just one pump most of the time, unless the well is overloaded with large baits - such as goggle eyes, blue runners, or speedos.

To prevent overflowing from the influx of additional water, a second, larger-diameter drain was added to the well. The drains are sufficient enough to keep up with the influx of fresh seawater. And to keep the live well operating overnight at a marina without taxing the batteries, there's a 110 Volt battery charger mounted inside the console.

BOTTOM FISHING - As mentioned earlier, the Lee Swivel Rod Holders accommodate our wire line outfits for grouper trolling, whereas the rod holders spread about the gunwales take care of any additional rods we set into action. We keep terminal gear items such as hooks, swivels, spools of fluorocarbon and stainless wire in the tackle station module, where they're easy to get to. When it's time to hunker up against the gunwales and lean into a big grouper or snapper, the full 360-degree coaming bolster - a Mako standard on the 284, is easy on the thighs. Blocks of chum can be kept inside one of the large, insulated fish boxes for a day of fishing, while plenty of ice and fish can be kept in the other box.

The MARC VI has a very impressive and highly functional Lowrance package. Two Lowrance HDS-10 (High Definition System) units and one Lowrance HDS-8 unit are flush-mounted in the big Mako console. Each HDS-10 unit is a high definition, color fish finder/GPS Chart Plotter and radar. Although each function above can be independently displayed on the 10.4-inch screen - or in split screen mode, I prefer keeping the fish finder fully displayed on one unit and the mapping system or radar up on the other unit.

The Lowrance HDS-8 is a totally independent unit, complete with a dual frequency Skimmer transom-mount transducer. This unit pretty much serves as a back up system, although it will show everything the HDS-10 units will, minus radar.

To get clear and concise bottom readings to 3,000 feet from the HDS-10 units, we opted for a special-order, AIRMAR bronze, through hull, 1,000 kilowatts rms, 50/200 kHz transducer (model B260), and flush-mounted it into the hull. 

As mentioned, the HDS-10 units have 4 kw radar capabilities, and I've paired mine with the LRA 5000 - a five-foot, open array antennae. The power of the radar in conjunction with the open array antennae has proven helpful in picking up bird activity and, of course, navigating through thunderstorms and heavy rains. 

All three Lowrance units display SIRIUS Satellite Weather, a huge advantage for seeing exactly what weather lays in store. In addition, the units have Lowrance’s new StructureScan option. This enables me to not only read the bottom straight beneath my boat, but to also scan out to the sides. This has proven extremely helpful in finding bait and game fish along wrecks, inlets and bridges.

LIT UP AND READY TO RUN - A pair of halogen lights, integrated into the aft T-top, brighten up the entire cockpit, while a single halogen light on the forward T-top takes care of the bow area. In lieu of a fluorescent T-top light, the MARC VI has five LED courtesy lights recessed into the top by the electronics box; Three lights are white and two are red - with independent switches. The boat also has the standard cockpit lighting.

We removed the standard acrylic windshield from the console, and replaced it with a custom weather enclosure made by Action Canvas in Marathon, Florida. This full enclosure is made of Strataglass and features a large "horseshoe" zipper in the front, which we roll up for maximum air flow on those sultry summer days, or zip down to keep out the elements on those nasty days! The side enclosures affix to the aft T-top stanchions, protecting the electronics and business side of the console from the elements. In addition, a pair of Strataglass wings can be rolled down and zippered to the side enclosure. This feature extends the weather enclosure to nearly even with the console seat and out to the gunwales, where each wing latches to. This insures all will stay dry in heavy rains or rough seas.

POWER TO SPARE
The MARC VI is powered by a pair of Mercury Verado 300 horsepower outboards. These supercharged, 158.5 Cubic Inch Displacement, in-line six-cylinder outboards provide sensational power and torque to jump the MARC VI up on plane within seconds, and deliver a top end speed of 54 miles-per-hour at 6,200 rpms. The big Verados are very fuel efficient. For example, when I make the 52 mile run to Bimini from Miami’s Haulover Inlet, and with a fully loaded boat and live well, I’ll run between 4,000 and 4,200 rpms, and in the upper 30 miles-per-hour zone. From the Haulover Park Boat Ramp to the dock at Bimini Sands, I’ll burn between 40- and 44-gallons of fuel. The Verados are matched with 19-pitch Mercury Mirage props.

ON THE HIGHWAY
To haul the MARC VI to the local ramp, as well as to various coastal cities along the U.S. when shooting for our ESPN2 show, we rely on a custom-built trailer from the FLOAT-ON Corporation in Vero Beach, Florida. The aluminum, immersible, dual-axle trailer is rated for 12,700-pounds and features 16-inch radial tires and a heavy duty braking system.  FLOAT-ON is an industry leader in the boat trailer business.

From T-top to trailer, this is the sweetest and most functional MARC VI to date! I love it - and game fish should fear it!

SPECIFICATIONS

LENGTH...................................................... 28' 4"
BEAM.......................................................... 9' 10"
TRANSOM HEIGHT.................................... 30"
MAX. RECOMMENDED HP........................ 600
HULL WEIGHT (approx.).............................. 4,250 LBS.
TOTAL WEIGHT (approx. with power, fuel & loaded)............ 8,500 LBS.
FUEL CAPACITY............................................ 235 Gallons
DEADRISE...................................................... 21 Degrees
DRAFT............................................................. 21"

VALUE OF BOAT (as rigged) : $ 145,000.00

THE SHALLOW-WATER MARC

When fishing bays and estuaries, Poveromo is behind the wheel of his new Mako 2201 Inshore skiff – SHALLOW-WATER MARC. This 2008, bay-style boat is powered by a Mercury 4-cylinder, 200-horsepower Verado 4-stroke outboard and is fully tricked-out with the latest fish-catching equipment.

With an overall length of 21’ 5”, a 93” beam, and an approximate loaded weight of 3,400-pounds, this new Inshore Mako features plenty of fishing space and a soft and stable ride. Matched with a 19-pitch Mercury Mirage prop and a CMC hydraulic jack plate, the SHALLOW-WATER MARC reaches a top speed of 52-miles per hour at 6,100 rpms. Factor in trim tabs, Mercury’s DTS (Digital Throttle & Shift) and power steering systems, and a 60-gallon fuel cell, and traveling long distances aboard the boat is an easy and enjoyable proposition!

THE CONTROL CENTER – The console features a tall windshield and plenty of dash space to accommodate a Lowrance HDS-10 Fishfinder/GPS Chart Plotter, Lowrance VHF, and compass. The HDS-10 unit, incidentally, features SIRIUS Satellite weather and also Lowrance’s new StructureScan option. An am/fm/cd player with SIRIUS Satellite Radio is flush mounted in the console. Within the console, incidentally, are two cranking batteries and battery charging systems for both the cranking batteries and the three trolling motor batteries. In addition, assorted safety gear is stored in the console, including a fire-extinguisher, flares and first aid kit. The windshield rail is perfect to hang on to at speed.

LIVE BAITS FOREVER - There are two live wells on the SHALLOW-WATER MARC. Lift up the console’s front seat and you’ll discover a 23-gallon, fully-plumbed live well, whereas a second fully-plumbed live well can be found in the center of the rear casting deck.

A Minn Kota RIPTIDE PRO 101-pound thrust, bow-mount trolling motor provides plenty of power and speed to manipulate strong currents. And when Poveromo locates a school of fish over the flats, he holds the boat in place by simply activating the POWER-POLE Shallow Water Anchor. This can be accomplished via the console switch, or a remote that can be kept in a shirt or pants pocket. When it’s time to move on, he simply hits the retrieval button and the POWER-POLE retracts.

The new SHALLOW-WATER MARC is equally at ease drifting in 10-inches of water as it is running through three foot seas. Poveromo has taken everything from snook to sailfish on this boat. It’s the ideal bay boat, blending in skinny water performance with a big boat ride – an important combination when the seas kick up and there’s a lot of open water to cover.

To get the SHALLOW-WATER MARC to and from the boat ramps, Poveromo relies on a custom-built FLOAT-ON trailer. The dual axle trailer is equipped with brakes, radial tires on 13” aluminum Star mag wheels, and a spare tire, hub and spindle assembly. It has a gross vehicle weight rating of 5,100-pounds.




SHALLOW-WATER MARC SPECIFICATIONS

LENGTH……………………………………………………….. 21’ 5”
BEAM………………………………………………………….. 93”
TRANSOM HEIGHT………………….………………………. 25”
MAX. HORSEPOWER………….………………………..…… 225 hp
MAX. PERSON CAPACITY………………………...…………8 Persons
DRY WEIGHT……………………………………….………….1890 lbs
FUEL CAPACITY………………………………..……………..60 Gallons
VALUE OF BOAT (as rigged, with trailer)……………………$ 45,000.00

• The Mercury outboards on both the MARC VI and SHALLOW-WATER MARC are maintained by Guy Radiano at TNT Custom Marine on Biscayne Boulevard and NE 135th Street in North Miami, Florida, (305) 931-3157, (http://www.tntcustommarine.com)

• Special thanks to Carl Grassi at Carl's Sunoco. (954) 755-8799; 7801 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs, where Poveromo fuels up his boats and vehicles.
  
  
  
  

• 
  The trailers for both the MARC VI and SHALLOW-WATER MARC were built by FLOAT-ON Corporation, 1925 98th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida; PHONE: (772) 569-8934; WEB SITE: http:www.floaton.com

• The canvas work and weather enclosures on the MARC VI  and SHALLOW-WATER MARC were done by Drew Caterson at ACTION CANVAS, (305) 481-7606, (305) 743-0665; E-mail: actioncanvas@aol.com.
  

When at rest, Poveromo's MARC VI and SHALLOW-WATER MARC are kept at Garnett Storage in Coral Springs, Florida - 12101 NW 42nd Street, Coral Springs, Florida, 33065; 954-753-1930; garnettstorage@aol.com
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