1986 Jim Smith Custom 60 Sportfish Convertible

Performance Cheetahs of the Sea

ON THE EDGE MAGAZINE

BY JAN VOGT, 2009

Radical in thought and action, Jim Smith was an innovator who could turn corn into brandy, bikes into motorcycles and canoes into hydroplanes. To see his family through financial crisis, at 9, he went to work commercial fishing, moonshining and delivering Western Union messages by bike. At 12 he made a deal to remove and sell the trees near his home for a profit. Two years later he was in the lumber business. At 17, Smith found his escape in speed. A member of the Indian Motorcycle Factory Team, he loved driving on the edge and at 19, he paid the price when he lost a leg. Filled with the need for speed, he turned to barn­storming and by 1927 had found his niche racing hydroplanes and building his own engines and boats. During his 24 year career he won hundreds of races. By 1949 when he retired, he was a successful businessman with a string of enterprises including liquor stores, restaurants and the largest Johnson Outboard/Chris Craft dealership in the South. With a new wife and all the money he thought he'd need, he moved from Atlanta to Miami with plans to start fishing again. Said his sister Peggy, "with loathing I remember he would not quit fishing until he got a boatload."

Dissatisfied by Miami's post war growth spurt, Smith soon moved to sleepy Boca Raton in 1950 where he took notice of the shapely sportfishing boats being built by the Rybovich brothers in West Palm Beach. Smith liked everything he saw in them and so did his friend Mabry Edwards in Jacksonville, FL. A young career officer in the U.S. Air Force, Edwards was not just a fellow boat racer, he was a boat builder like Smith. At first they discussed buying a Rybovich together but even with Jim's help it was too much money for me, said Edwards during an interview I did with him shortly before Smith's death in 1994. They decided instead to build a boat with the amenities of a Rybovich - only faster.

• All work done by premium boatyard American Custom Yachts in Stuart, FL
• New Covering Boards (changed Teak to Non-Skid Fiberglass)
• Entire Boat Re-Wallpapered in White
• Entire Bonding System Wiring was Redone and Verified
• Props Retuned and Prop Speeded along with Running Gear
• New Cutlass Bearings
• New Shaft Seals
• New Rudder Glands
• Fiberglass Showers Redone and Repainted
• Galvanic Isolator Installed

Present Owner has had an open checkbook and had addressed the many things that come up in owning a  Custom Sportfish. The great part about that is it’s new owner isn’t inheriting a project, nor does he have to wait to use his new vessel while boat is tied up in a yard. Below is a quick recap of work done in last 24 months. The list is much longer but I tried to highlight the relative things done.

2/2018 Bayliss Faux Teak Toe Rail, Faux Teak Helm Pod, Modify Glove Box/Radio Rack,  Gas Shocks Replaced throughout boat, Electronic Lids Replaced, 360 of Sheer Clamp Redone with Teak vs Original Fur, MSR Walls and Headliner  Redone,  Salon Galley Panels redone and insulated , Gun Safes Installed, Non Skid Redone on Bow Deck, Freshwater Lines Replaced, Cockpit Freezer Repainted, Replace Glass in Helm Pod, Fwd Bow Hatch Redone, Pump Room Redone, AC Systems Refit with Dometic Package units..

4/2019 Performance Diesel Entire Top End Overhaul of Mains (95K)

4/2019 Bayliss Transom Redone, Cooling Tower Redone, Strip Windshield, Inspect Fuel Tanks, Paint and Redo Entire cockpit, Redo Fighting Cahir and Rocket Launchers, Major Repairs in Cockpit Deck, Refabricate Deck Hatches, Replace Entire Teak Deck and add Glass Border, Replace Gaff locker handles, replaced transom rod holders, Install Electric Auto to Salon Door, Convert Mezzanine into ice Dump for Eskimo, delete 6 through hulls Raw water Manifolds, Eskimo Icemaker, Installed UV 3m Filter, Cockpit Lighting , LED lighting in LAZ, LED Tricolor in Hardtop, Fishbox Hatches new shocks.

6/2020 American Custom Bottom Paint, Prop Speed, Paint Entire Hull, New Bootstripe Flybridge, Redo Entire Cockpit Area/Transom with Faux Wood Paint, R and R Props Replace New Watermaker 1800 gpd.

Entering the spacious salon you will find lavish teak wood that accents the surroundings. There are 2 custom leather sofas, one to port and one to starboard with storage underneath. Also, there are 3 leather wrapped bar stools that feature the granite bar area. Complimenting this area you will find a new 32' ROKU flat screen TV accompanied linked to Fusion sound system.

• Tinted and Tempered fixed windows pulled re-bedded 2020
• Teak Doors
• Teak Cabinetry
• (2020) 32" ROKU flat screen TV tied to Garmin Units.
• KVH /Direct HD TV HD Sat Receiver
• Fusion Stereo Receiver
• (2019) New Padded Panels
• (2019) Salon Doors completely Redone
• (2019) Network Hubs for Stereos, Cameras, KVH Receiver installed behind Salon TV.

The galley is well laid out and very functional and offers access to the pump and utility room.

• Custom Stainless Steel Under Counter Refrigerator & Freezer (Serviced 2020)
• Stainless Steel Sink
• Magic Chef Ceramic 4-Burner Ceramic Flush Mounted Cooktop
• Panasonic Stainless Microwave / Convection Oven
• Custom Matched Marble Counter Tops
• Teak & Holly Flooring
• Plenty of Drawer & Cabinet Storage
• (2018) All Shelving was redone in Brow storage area.

The Master Stateroom has a queen berth that sleeps 2 and is centerline with drawer storage beneath. To port is a full-size hanging locker. It also features an ensuite head and shower with teak and holly flooring, brass shower handles and hand sprayer, brass sink and sink fixtures, teak toilet seat and teak shower floor, vanity, new bedding and pillows, carpeting and wallpaper, lighting with dimmer.

• Queen Sized Bed
• Custom Bed Lift Storage
• Samsung 19" LCD TV
• (2019) New Headliner
• (2018) New Soft goods,
• LED lighting throughout
• (2018) Hinged Mattress
• (2018) Storage under bed installed with ratcheting shocks. 

• Galley Maid Electric Head
• Teak and Holly sole
• Custom Granite countertop
• Polished sink
• LED lighting throughout
• Large custom shower stall with molded in seat
• (2019) Air Conditioning Vent added

Located forward and featuring a custom king size bed it has ample drawer storage, a hanging cedar closet and new mattress, pillows and bedding. Guest head and shower is starboard and features teak and holly flooring, wallpaper, teak toilet seat and a brass towel bar.

• Cedar lined hanging locker
• Samsung 19" LCD TV
• LED lighting throughout
• (2019) Storage under bed installed with ratcheting shocks
• (2018) All new soft goods

• Galley Maid Electric Head
• Teak and Holly Sole
• Custom Granite countertop
• White Porcelain Sink
• LED lighting throughout

Crew quarters are located to port in the companionway and are very spacious. Featuring over/under berths with new mattresses and a large rod and tackle storage area underneath. The day head is lavish and to port with marble counter tops and extensive teak cabinetry and trim, a new teak toilet seat, brass towel bars and fixtures. The companionway has features new carpet, wall coverings and new track, low voltage lighting, led reading lamps.

• Cedar lined hanging locker
• LED reading lamps
• LED lighting throughout
• (2018) Gas shocks with Custom Storage Underneath

• Galley Maid Electric Head
• Teak and Holly sole
• Custom Granite countertops
• Matching Granite sink LED lighting throughout

• (2020) Hull Painted American Custom w/Awlcraft 2000
• (2020) Bridge Repainted and Non Skid
• (2019) Entire Cockpit Painted
• (2020) Transom Completely torn down and redone with Faux Paint.
• Television and cable TV Hook up
• (2018) Custom Cockpit cover with Stainless Supports
• 5-sided EZ2CY enclosure
• Fortress anchor with 30' chain, 300' in custom anchor locker
• (2) Murray Brothers helm seats with large bases
• Freshwater and saltwater wash down systems
• (2020) New Custom Trim Tabs reworked and Redone
• Custom mezzanine with Ice Dump  
• Mezzanine Cushions (Recovered 2018)
• Tower and bridge freshwater wash downs
• Anchor Locker Washdown

• 41' Rupp Triple Spreader Big Rig outriggers (Serviced and Ceramic Coated 2019)
• Aft flybridge rail with 5 Rod Rocket Launcher
• (2019) Cockpit Freezer
• Insulated drink box in Mezzanine
• (2019) Ice Dump 600 lb/day Eskimo ice machine, empties into new top Mez Box.
• Palm Beach Towers Custom 37' tower with fiberglass hardtop (2019 Ceramic Coated )
• Stainless Steel Rod holders
• Miya Epoch US #9 Teaser reels
• Custom Cockpit Freezer/drink box
• (2020) Sea Recovery 1800 GPD Watermaker

• 50 amp dockside electrical cable
• 110 volt AC/12 volt DC electrical systems
• All bonding Wires Replaced
• Sentry Battery Charger 24 volt
• (2019) Dolphin 12V
• Underwater Lights (White)
• 21KW Phasor generator (1900 Hours)
• (2019) All new AGM batteries throughout, March 2019

• Garmin 7215 plotter with weather,
• Garmin 8624 HD Radar 12 KW
• Simrad AP28 autopilot
• Garmin 740S color plotter (Backup Helm)
• Furuno RD-30 Depth Repeater
•  Standard Horizon GX2150
• VHF radio Standard Horzion GX 1500S VHF radio
• 4 JL audio 7.7" coax speakers in flybridge
• 2 JL audio 10" subs in flybridge
• 2 JL audio 7.7" coax speakers in cockpit
• 2 JL audio 6.5" coax speakers in cockpit overhead
• 2 JL audio 10" subs in cockpit
• Fusion Head Unit tied into Garmin Screens.
• 3 Fusion Remotes

• Palm Beach Towers 8-step tower
• Garmin 4210 GPS plotter
• Furuno RD-30 depth repeater
• Standard Horizon Quest VHF radio
• Fresh water wash down
• Entire tower ceramic coated in August 2019 including riggers

• Twin MAN D2840LXE, 820hp engines,  (TE Overhaul Performance Diesel 2018)
• (2018) New Block Heaters Installed
• ZF Friedrichshafen BW-165 Transmissions
• 4 Racor 75/1000 FG
• Phasor 21kw generator
• (2018) Tides dripless shaft seals,
• Blue Silicon Hoses throughout
• All Aeroquip fuel and oil lines
• Turbos blue printed by DMS Marine
• Newer custom polished stainless exhaust risers
• Hynautic power steering Glendenning smart 2 controls
• Aquamet 22 shafts, starboard new in 2015
• Sentry FR 24 Volt /40 amp Charger
• (2018) On Demand Tankless Water Heater
• (2018) All Freshwater Lines Replaced
• Waterpump Mach-5 Headhunter 230 volt AC
• Eskimo ice chipper 600lb per day
• Marine Air chilled water system

Rare find after spending two 6-month refit periods at Bayliss and one 6-month refit period at American Custom with over 700K spent on her. Engines are strong after rebuild. She is a rare find due to the fact she has had everything done to her and the records and documentation and pictures to prove it.

Engine hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.