When a professional captain turns to building boats, first for themselves and then for others, it seems they always incorporate seemingly insignificant custom touches that make ownership easier. For example, frequently maintained systems are easier to access and systems, which might need to be replaced one day, are designed with future replacement in mind. There is a higher level of thought and execution, and to the experienced eye, it shows.
That was definitely the case when Capt. Jon Duffie built his first boat for himself and his family. The 64-foot Billfisher, splashed in spring 2021, immediately started turning heads—and cashing checks. In August of the same year, Duffie and his team landed a 1,135-pound blue marlin during The MidAtlantic tournament, setting a new Maryland state record and winning more than $1.1 million. It was just the third confirmed blue marlin weighing more than 1,000 pounds ever landed off the coast of Maryland. Duffie’s boats checked all the boxes for a top-shelf custom builder: fast, efficient, beautiful lines, easy to own and easy to maintain. One of his newest hulls is the 70-footer Dem Boys.
While custom sport-fishers might all start to look similar to some folks, Duffie’s boats stand out thanks to its engine-vent design, which mimics the curvature of the forward brow and side glass. Several recent builds have also eschewed the standard tuna tower; while opinions vary widely in the sport-fishing community, many feel that the additional weight, maintenance and expense of a tower outstrips the benefits, especially in fisheries such as the East Coast where there’s little need for the added height. At any rate, Dem Boys doesn’t have a tower, nor does it need one to compliment its classic lines.
Entering the salon from the cockpit, there is a gray U-shaped sofa on the port side, with a substantial cabinet and wine cooler to starboard. A generous L-shaped dinette is also to starboard. The galley is to port and equipped with four slide-out Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer drawers, a convection cooktop and all the amenities needed to keep a team of hungry fishermen happily fed for days.
The Duffie 70 has a four-stateroom, three-head configuration with the master stateroom on the port side at the bottom of the steps. It has a king berth and abundant stowage, including multiple hanging lockers.
Forward, just above a small step, is a dedicated tackle area with vertical storage for more than a dozen rods and reels. Beneath this step is entry to the fully finished forward bilge—complete with LED lighting—with access to all forward pumps, fittings and machinery. This area also doubles as a stowage for overflow provisions or tackle.
The forepeak VIP has a raised queen berth. A stand-alone Garmin display is flush-mounted with the teak cabinetry, allowing the captain to keep an eye on systems and positioning during those overnight trips. Two additional guest bunk rooms are to starboard, with an additional shared head.
Outside, the flybridge has a pair of Release Marine helm chairs just abaft a peninsula helm laid out to port. The helm console has three 24-inch Garmin multifunction displays, along with omnidirectional sonar. Seating abounds on the bridge, with additional stowage for dry goods beneath nearly every seat..
The teak cockpit has a Release Marine Trillion, unlimited-class fighting chair in the center, but perhaps even more noticeable is the absence of a traditional scupper system for drainage. Duffie uses a French drain system running along the full length of the transom to remove water quickly, an advantage when backing the boat down hard on a potential tournament winner. The air-conditioned mezzanine has comfortable seating atop a configuration of freezer and refrigerated stowage, while an ice box beneath the step is fed by a Dometic ice chipper, ensuring that the fresh catch stays that way.
A pair of 2,400 hp Caterpillar C32B engines and two 30 kW Phasor generators reside in the engine room, which is well lit with room to move outboard of each engine. Duffie uses a proprietary closed-loop freshwater cooling system, virtually eliminating fouling when compared to conventional seawater-cooled pumps and accessories.
Dem Boys is a strong performer, thanks to those Cat diesels. Turning 1,850 rpm,the boat cruises easily at 32 knots while the engines burn a touch over 160 gallons per hour. At 2,000 rpm, fast cruise is 36.5 knots, enough speed to make those long canyon runs considerably shorter. Fuel burn at this speed is less than 200 gph. At top hop, Dem Boys sped to 43.5 knots.
For those with a need for speed as well as a desire for luxe touches, first-rate amenities and superb fishability, the Duffie Boatworks 70 checks the boxes.
Take the next step: duffieboatworks.com
