For the past few years we have heard persistent rumors that the first boat we built, a 31' center console back in 1974, was in the area and still going strong. Well, we can now report that the rumors are true - the original Ocean Master 31', hull number 1, has been found!

What's even more surprising is how we located the owner of the boat, or shall we say, how the owner located us. As many of our customers know, our factory is located in West Palm Beach and there are a number of other boat builders in the immediate vicinity. One day while talking to one of the employees of the boat builder next door to us, we came to learn that the employee was the owner of the first 31'. Imagine our surprise, the owner worked next door to Ocean Master. What are the odds of that?

Photo taken in 1974

Turns out the boat is in excellent condition and still running strong. The owner is in the process of restoring some of the cosmetics - it is, after all, 33 years old. But once that is done, she should be good as new.

Because our boats are built so rugged, it's no surprise they tend to last longer than most regular boats. We can't count the number of times people have contacted us after purchasing 10, 15 or even 20 year old Ocean Masters that were in perfectly good shape - needing only cosmetic restoration and refit with newer engines. One owner's hull had gone through 6 sets of engines - he remarked how he wished his engines were half as rugged as his hull.

As for the first 31', she is out of the water for restoration, earning some well deserved rest. Keep an eye out for updates on this classic boat.

Contact:

Mark Hauptner, President

Ocean Master Sportfishing Boats

1525 53^rd Street

West Palm Beach, FL 33407

561-840-0448,

markhauptner@oceanmasterboats.com

www.oceanmasterboats.com

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