Boat Tales: Swiss Navy Boat

If you need a boat that can do everything - hang the cost - the Swiss have the answer to your prayers.

by Alan Jones

There are plenty of one-trick seahorse boats on the market that are designed for just one task, but unless you’re a professional on tour trying to catch a redfish that sneaks under the maximum allowable size by 1/4 of an inch, chances are good that you’re a fisherman who’s happy (and surprised) to catch any fish, regardless of species or size. You just want action … any action. Some blame it on TV or video games, but it seems that many fishermen have become stricken with AADD (Angler Attention Deficit Disorder). Today's angler wants the same action on the water as they see on their favorite Saturday morning fishing show’s "best of" episode. Fortunately, the same Swiss Misters who brought us that little red pocketknife with 1,001 uses are dipping their toes into the boat-building business with a model called the Swiss Navy Boat.

Successful fishing is all about maximizing your opportunities, so despite being only 18 feet long, the SNB is equipped with every fishfinding, attracting, presenting and catching device known to angler-kind. While the hull itself is a reasonable $26,000, the add-ons bring the price up to $210,071. On the plus side, it only costs about the same as a Patek Philippe Grand Complications Celestial wristwatch, another Swiss import.

Here’s a list of the piscatorial amenities featured on the SNB:

1) You have to be able to spot fish, and height is important, so the SNB is equipped with a full custom-made tuna tower to give you a Shaq-eye view ($19,500).

2) The tower can make the boat a little top-heavy in seas greater than 6 inches, so to counteract this, you need Mitsubishi’s ARG (Anti-Roll Gyroscope) system ($97,000).

3) Despite the fact you live in a fog-free area, you can spot diving birds using radar units like Furuno’s 1944C/NT ($5,649), which has a 64-mile range.

4) Raymarine’s E120 chartplotter ($4,600) provides the ultimate 12.4-inch color monitor in order to display the Navionics Platinum chip ($299), and is also great for playing video games.

5) To haul in that trophy kingfish, Release Marine’s top o’ the line fighting throne ($13,000) seems appropriate.

6) Taco’s Grand Slam 350 outriggers ($2,200) will help you tow such a wide array of lures that you’ll look like you’re leading the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

7) Get down on it with a pair of Cannon’s Mag 20 downriggers ($1,998) — Kool & The Gang CD optional.

8) If you need to call in sick to work while offshore, you’ll need a TracFone satellite phone ($5,500).

9) If you’re shorthanded — or just don’t have many friends — Furuno’s Navpilot 500B will drive for you ($3,530 with steering pump).

10) If you fish at night or want to provide your fish with a disco ambiance, you need a SEA LED underwater light ($2,250).

11) You’ll need a Minn Kota Riptide 101-pound thrust trolling motor ($1,620), in case you want to water-ski quietly.

12) A Yamaha F350 outboard ($26,925) will have no problems pushing this rig … or a river barge, for that matter.

13) Don’t forget the rods and reels, like the Black Accurate reel ($2,050), paired with Cape Fear’s IGFA rod ($1,200) … better just take a half dozen.