There’s a new look for timeless classic: the 38-foot Shelter Island Runabout from CH Marine.
The Runabout’s well-documented history as the brainchild of Islander Peter Needham and musician Billy Joel sparked attention when it was first launched in 1996. All these years later, Shelter Island’s famous boat-building operation out of Coecles Harbor is still punching above its weight.
Hiring qualified craftspeople is a significant challenge nowadays, said Peter Needham’s son, Schuyler, who now runs Coecles Harbor Marina with his brother, Connor, as service manager. However, quality is never sacrificed. CH Marine, the boat building division produces about one new boat every year and continues to respond to the needs of buyers who are looking for customized work.
What’s more, refits, refreshes and re-imaginings are all within the scope of these world-class boatbuilders.
Outboard power
This summer, a re-design was completed on Irish Exit, an older member of the Runabout fleet — hull #25, to be specific. The owner decided to replace the standard twin inboard/outboard diesel engines with two 300 hp Mercury Verado outboards, Schuyler explained during a recent interview.
Of course, this required some major surgery to the Irish Exit’s stern. But the result is head-turning. So much so that CH Marine is offering the option of an outboard engine design as a way to expand the brand.
“That should allow us to access a new type of person who may have been discouraged previously,” he said.
To that end, CH Marine is building on spec a new 38′ Shelter Island Runabout with outboards. The hull for Runabout #61 is being laid up in Calverton at Global Marine. Global Marine specializes in what are known as ‘go fast’ boats. When Schuyler learned that all Global Marine boats travel at over 100 miles per hour, he realized he’d found the hull he needs to support the outboard design’s additional speed.
When the new hull is delivered from Calverton, finish work begins. This includes installing bulkheads, decks, pulpit, cabin, brightwork, electronics, etc. When that’s done, the boat will be painted to a mirror finish.
Beyond being the first outboard Runabout, Irish Exit has been outfitted with some serious tech, and is CH Marine’s first vessel to be equipped with a Seakeeper gyro-stabilizer system. It employs a gyro that spins at 9,000 RPM, largely eliminating roll.
The Irish Exit is also equipped with a Humphree intelligent trim tab system to provide additional stability while underway. It’s governed by a computer system that learns the boat’s motions and anticipates them. “So it has a brain,” Schuyler said.
Billy Joel’s latest
Billy Joel’s love of boats, particularly of the downeast style, is well-known. And his relationship with CH Marine has persisted for over 30 years. At the moment, work is underway on the Della Rose.
The new boat, named for the 5-year-old daughter of Joel and his wife, Alexis Roderick, is a traditional downeast cruiser; the yard even fabricated steel supports for the pilot house.
Working with Joel and Roderick, CH Marine has customized the vessel that may be most noticeable for its color. Painted in Kingston Grey, it reflects the style Joel values, Schuyler said.
“Billy is into very utilitarian things,” he said. “You could spray something to a mirror finish, but he wants to see brush strokes.”
Value at a price
It takes about five months to build a Runabout, which weighs in at just under 12,000 pounds, assuming half fuel. They’re typically powered by twin 370 hp Yanmar electronic diesel engines. These are very fuel-efficient because they’re constantly being adjusted by computer, Schuyler said. The electronic diesel also allows for the installation of a joystick. Top speed for the Runabout is 52 MPH, extremely quick for a boat this size and style.
The total cost is about $800,000 to $850,000, Schuyler said, depending on options.
“Historically though, everyone has picked the biggest engine available,” he said. “Sometimes it’s for them, and sometimes it’s for the value of their asset.”
Resale value is strong, too, he said.
“We’ve actually had guys make money on boats, which is really rare, super rare,” he said. A Runabout retains value. “As long as you take care of it, it’s going to be worth the same. And it almost doesn’t matter how long they’ve owned them”.
Concierge service
CH Marine strives to match or exceed the biggest names in the business for beauty, seaworthiness, speed and value, albeit on a smaller scale. Even as a Mom and Pop operation, the company provides some of the concierge services luxury boat owners expect.
“I will fly up to Boston to pick up a boat and bring it back,” Schuyler said. “In the same way, I’ll drop it off.”
Over the winter, owners may have the brightwork sanded and varnished, the engines serviced and any other issues attended to at the marina.
If you’re interested in learning more about the 38-foot Shelter Island Runabout, CH Marine or the Coecles Harbor Marina, follow this link to visit the company’s website or contact Peter Needham at 631-749-0856 or use this online form.
