Jim Smith 85 Custom Sportfish Sold By Chuck Newman

By Rob Bowman | Posted On May 28, 2020

Congratulations to the new owners of "OVATION", a 2005 Jim Smith 85' Custom Sportfish. This gorgeous custom boat was listed for sale in Fort Lauderdale at an asking price of $4,995,000. The buyers were introduced by United Yacht broker Chuck Newman while the sellers were represented by Jamie MacGregor of MacGregor Yachts. We would like to extend our sincere thank you to MacGregor Yachts for their professionalism in the transaction as well as the United Yachts closing team for a job well done. "OVATION" will continue to remain in South Florida where the new owners plan to fish and even compete in local tournaments.

History of Jim Smith Boats

Known as some of the most iconic custom sportfishing boats ever to grace the waters of South Florida, Jim Smith Custom Boats are nothing short of a work of art. James Claude Smith (or Jim as he was known) retired in Florida in 1949 after years of building and racing his own hydroplanes, as well as running a Chris-Craft dealership in the southeast U.S. Inspired by the designs of Rybovich Yachts and Merritt Boatworks, Jim built his own sportfish in 1959. This 35-footer utilized Jim's vast knowledge of hydroplanes and airplane construction to exceed speeds of 40 knots! Now more than 50 years later, Jim Smith Boatworks pride themselves on producing custom-built, tournament-ready sportfish for the most discerning buyer.

"OVATION" 85 Jim Smith

Perhaps the most stunning space on Ovation is the cockpit that is entirely bathed in teak. The space for fishing fish is massive and guests on board will love to watch the action unfold from the comfortable mezzanine area. If you can pull yourself away from the beauty of the hand-crafted cockpit, you will also notice a vast array of fishing features like a large fish box, a big stainless steel freezer, two livewells with four pumps, a pneumatic opening tackle center, and much more!

flybridge on jim smith yacht

The flybridge on this 85 Jim Smith is an amazing control center that any sportfish captain would dream about having. The visibility behind the helm is excellent with good views of the cockpit action. The helm is built with gorgeous teak again along with very simple and easy-to-reach controls. There is ample seating both port and starboard sides to entertain your guests during a cruise. The new owners will love the generous storage spaces for rods, gear, and safety equipment.

The salon on "OVATION" takes full advantage of the boat's 21' 5" beam. Spacious and light, thanks to the big picturesque windows, the salon offers a wonderful place to relax. Since you can't fish all the time, the salon is designed in an open-style layout adjacent to the galley and dining area. The L-shaped couch and two over-sized chairs provide plenty of space for socializing. There is a side table with a full entertainment system and pleasant lighting overhead. The galley is described as a "chef's dream" with 3 refreigerators, 3 freezers, a wine cooler, 3-burner coocktop, and a massive amount of storage space.