Blackwell Custom Carolina

Big Eye is a fully customized and upgraded  54-foot cold molded sportfish yacht designed and built by Blackwell Boatworks in 1992. Outfitted with a rebuilt engine, newer generator and Omni Sonar. 

She is powered by a recently rebuilt Caterpillar 3412C ,1350 hp (rebuilt in 2019) marine diesel engine and 9kw Northern Lights generator (new 2019). Big Eye  has undergone  a multiyear refit, receiving top notch maintenance, and has been consistently upgraded by her current and past owner. Full and very detailed maintenance records are available including recent oil samples.

“Fully updated fishing machine” is the key descriptor for this vessel. The vessel is equipped with Furuno CHSK 8 Omni directional Sonar.  This boat is a very affordable owner operator vessel or a very profitable charter boat. Take this boat anywhere in the world and she fits the bill! 

Name : Big Eye

Current Price:$599,000

Year: 1992

Engine Model: Cat 3412 

Length: 54 ft

Hull Material: Wood/ Fiberglass Cold molded 

Draft: 4.0 ft 

Fuel Capacity: 600 Gallons

Fuel Type: Diesel

Engine Manufacturer: Caterpillar

Beam:17 ‘ 5’’ 

Cruise Speed: 26 Knots 

Max Speed:32knots 

City: Morehead City, NC

PRINCIPAL SPECIFICATIONS

Year Built: 1992 

Build: Blackwell Boatworks , Wanchese, NC 

Length: 54’ 

Beam: 17’ 5” 

Draft: 4’ 0” 

Power: (1) 1350hp CAT 3412C (Major Overhaul 2019)  Approx 2200 hours SMOH

Gensets: (1) 9 kw Northern Lights (New 2019) 2150 hours since new. 

Fuel capacity: 600 gallons 

Water capacity: 80 gallons 

Interior Layout: 1 Stateroom / 2 Crew Bunks/ 1 Head

ACCOMMODATIONS

MASTER STATEROOM 

•    Master stateroom with queen bunk 

•    Large owner closet with storage for LP reels, harpoon and tackle.  

•    16,000 Btu Heat/ AC Dometic Turbo Unit with digital thermostat (New 2020)

•    All plumbing to AC unit (New 2020)

•    All Plumbing in forward Bilge (New 2020)

•    Rule 800 bilge pump in forward bilge (New 2020)

•    Master cabinets to Starboard with counter top. 

•    Hatch to bow deck. 

•    Memory foam Mattress ( New 2020) 

•    14 Rod holders across ceiling 

Hallway

•    Rod Storage for10 rods overhead 

•    Under lower bunk is storage locker. 

•    Aft of Bunk beds large bait freezer. ( New 2019)

 

 HEAD

•    Starboard side at the bottom of steps to salon. 

•    12v Head.

•    All redone in 2024

•    All new plumbing Sink/head/ drain (New 2024) 

•    Pump box under floor (New 2020) 

SALON

As you enter the salon you first notice the size and ample lighting, to port and starboard you have ultra-leather couches. Both couches double as tackle storage and flip up on pneumatic rams.  A long counter area leaves ample room for cooking and entertaining, and a well-positioned sink to port. Cabinets line the bow section of the salon. A Microwave is recessed into cabinetry. A 16,000 BTU Dometic Turbo Ac/Heat unit is positioned under counter to keep the area cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A flip out trash can is recessed into counter. 

SALON FEATURES: 

•    Twin ultra-leather storage couches.

•    New carpet 2024

•    Blackwell Electric Panel to Starboard. 

•    Custom tackle storage bench located aft of Starboard couch. ( New 2020)

•    9- DC LED color changing lights provide amble lighting ( New 2020) ( Blue, red, dimming white) 

•    Recessed stereo speakers 

•    Asses to top of engine for easy servicing of after cooler, heat exchanger. 

•    Marlin White padded head liner ( New 2020) 

•    Teak trim throughout ( Re Varnished 2020)

•    Cabinetry is satin finished, wood solids. 

•    Remote start/stop and gauges for Generator located on Electric panel.

•    Dometic Turbo 16,0000 Btu Heat/ Ac unit ( New 2020) 

•    Three drawer tackle storage located in rear counter. 

 

GALLEY- 

Galley features: 

•    (1) Dometic Sub Zero refrigerator/ Freezer

•    (1) Microwave 

•    Sink and facet 

•    Ample Cabinet storage 

COCKPIT

COCKPIT FEATURES: 

•    SEM Grip tide nonskid in whisper Grey ( New 2021)

•    Seating area with storage for rod belts, equipped with drains to common drain for bait tray or drink cooler use. 

•    Access to power steering lines and pump from starboard panel in bulkhead. 

•    50 Amp shore line connection to Port in bulkhead (port)

•    Under gunnel storage for gaffs port and Starboard. 

•    Fusion 8 inch stereo speakers beneath the gunnels ( New 2021)

•    (2) LP 12v electric Reel ports under gunnels. Port/ Starboard 

•    Hatch to the engine room/ Lazarett.

•    1 inch Coosa glassed in, new rod holders and haus pipes( New 2021) 

•    Large fish box in stern, (New 2020). 

•    Stainless steel corner hawse pipes and cleats.

•    40 Gallon Livewell or cooler (New 2021 $21,000 upgrade) 

•    Scupper drains 

•    Tuna Door 

FLYBRIDGE

FLYBRIDGE FEATURES

•    Fully instrumented helm and teak helm pod. Re-varnished (2023) 

•    Locker doors, port and starboard 

•    Aluminum rod holder/ ladders port and starboard allow access to bridge ( New 2019)

•    Built-in bench seating with cushions on from of helm 

•    Three-quarter acrylic enclosure with zip-out vents and panels ( New 2019)

•    All Safety gear stored in brow for quick deployment. 

 

ON THE FLYBRIDGE HARDTOP: 

•    Omnisense Thermal camera ( New 2023)

•    6-foot Garmin radar array ( New 2021) 

•     LED Remote spot light on hardtop, remote control mounted Port side of Teak Helm.

•    New recored hardtop in 2022 painted to match boat in Snow White. 

 

WITHIN THE BROW AREA: 

•    Acces to both Navigation lights. 

•    10 Adult, 6 Children Lift vests.  

•    Emergency Ditch Bag.

•    Newmar Compass. 

 

ON THE FLYBRIDGE STATION: 

•    ICOM Marine VHF (2)

•    Polished stainless steel steering wheel 

•    Palm beach style single lever control 

•    Bow thruster push buttons located on Teak Helm pod 

•    (3) Garmin 8616vsx  

•    (2) Garmin Instrument displays 

•    Furuno CSH8MK2 Omnidirectional sonar (New 2023 $125,000)

•    Display to 4 engine room cameras ( New 2019) 

•    (1) Caterpillar Control Panel with High/low idle switch 

•    (1) Generator control panel with remote Start/Stop 

•    Fusion Marine sound system with 3 zones. ( New 2021)

•    Garmin Auto Pilot 

•    Garmin Temp sensor and instrument 

  

HELM SEATING: 

•    (1) Release Marine Trillion Series varnished teak helm chair ( New 2020) 

ENGINE ROOM

The engine room is accessed via a door on forward engine room bulkhead.  Engine may also be accessed via cockpit hatch at bulkhead. Below the stairs (Salon) forward of engine room bulkhead, under the stairs is the Furuno Omnidirectional retractable sonar. 

MAJOR EQUIPMENT: 

ENGINES: (1) Caterpillar model 3412C turbo charged marine diesel engine rated at 1350-hp. Coupled main engine is a ZF model #195A marine gear with an output of 2:1 Main engine has been completely overhauled. (2019)- All documentation available. Fully Maintained all records available. 

Main 

Serial #: 3JK01294

Hours since rebuild: Approx 2200 

Transmission 

Transmission serial #: 3595

GENSET: (1) Northern Lights marine diesel generator each rated at 9-kW, 1800 RPM, single phase, 60-hz, 240/120-volts AC, 125/250 amps. New 2019 

 

PUMPS AND OTHER ENGINE ROOM EQUIPMENT 

EQUIPMENT: 

•    (1) AC pump located Starboard 

•     (2) 40 Gallon Poly water tanks. 

•    (4) Engine room cameras 

•    (1) Reverso Oil Change pump coupled to Main Engine and Transmission.

•    (2) 24 V battery bank for main engine located to port. 

•    (2) 12V Battery Bank located to Starboard. 

•    (1) Triple Racor located on rear bulkhead for Main Engine. 

•    (1) Single Racor located on forward bulk head for Generator. 

•    All new fuel lines from Tanks to main, to generator (New 2019)

•    Potable water plumbing- Every hose, pipe and fitting replaced in 2020 

•    (1) 12v Fresh water pump on forward bulkhead (New 2020)

•    (1) 12v Raw water pump for head located on forward bulk head. 

LAZARETTE

The lazarette is accessed via a hatch at the cockpit bulk head or engine room.  

EQUIPMENT: 

•    Steering gear 

•    (3) Sea Blaze underwater light wires. New 2020

•    High volume bilge pump, discharged through standalone thru hull to starboard. 

•    Rudder Table new 2024

•    Steering ram new 2024

•    Fish box drains

•    Common drain access. 

•     (2) 300 Gallon Diesel tanks port and Starboard. 

•    115V Live well pump piped to both port and starboard sides of cockpit. 

•    12v Raw water wash down pump ( New 2020) 

Upgrades/ Improvements 2019-2021

•    New 9kw Generator (Edwards Marine) (2019) 

•    New Fuel lines and racor system for new gen. (2019)

•    New Shaft Seal and dripless housing (2019)

•    Major Overhaul of Main Engine (2019)

•    Injection pump rebuilt (2019) 

•    New Throttle position sensor (2019)

•    New Bridge enclosure (2019)

•    Salon Window Tint (2019)

•    New Temp sensing transducer  HT200bv-N2 (2019)

•    Garmin Auto Pilot system ( 2019)

•    ProNautic 2430p 24volt battery Charger for main (2019)

•    12v Electric LP reel ports (2019) 

•    New LED Navigation lights (2019)

•    Four engine room cameras Garmin integration (new 2019) 

•    All New bilge Pumps – 8 Pumps All new Plumbing as well (2020) 

•    New high pressure oil lines on Main Engine (2020)

•    All hoses on main engine replaced (2020)

•    New steering arm knuckle, and new ram (2024)

•    Gear Oil cooler replaced (precautionary ) (2020)

•    New Engine Room and Lazertte LED lighting (2020)

•    New Salon LED lighting (2020) 

•    Bottom Blasted to fiberglass, surveyed and inspected (2020) No repairs Needed, noted to be dry and problem free, see gail force invoice. 

•    Full bottom job (2021)- Blasted, faired, 4 coats Barrier Coat, 4 Coats Micron CSC. 

•    New 3 inch Stainless Shaft. (2021)

•    New Exhaust Risers on main  (2021)

•    New Walker Air steps on Main (2021) 

•    Installed Block Heaters on Main (2021) 

•    Garmin 6ft Array radar (2021)

•    New Fusion Marine Sound system (2021) 

•    New gunnels, and lip constructed of composite material (coosa with 1708). (2021)

•    New Lower Guard rails constructed of teak (2021)

•    New 416 stainless Rub Rail  around entire boat (2021)

•    Omnisense Thermal camera on hardtap, garmin Integration ( New 2021) 

•    Awlgrip Hull Paint Snow White with Black boot stripe (2021) 

•    Zip wake 800E trim tab system install (New 2022) ($12,000)

•    ProNautic 12 volt battery Charger for House Batts (2023)

•    Awlgrip snow white nonskid on gunnel tops (2023)

•    Outriggers gone through, rebuilt and sealed (2023)

•    Furuno CSH8LMK2 Omni directional sonar (2023)- Duffie Boat Works/ Steves Marine

More Recent updates 

 -Added 3rd Garmin 8616  (2024)

-2 new Icom IC - M424G VHF Radios with expanded channels (2025)

-2 Shakespeare 5018 VHF antennas (2025)

-Diawa Sea Power 1200 teaser reels (2024)

-Renew exhaust surge tube by Blackwell (2024)

-Buddy Cannady Oregon Inlet Twin Rudder Setup by Blackwell Boatworks  (2024) new rudder table ,new rudder ports,  new top bearings  2024,new rudders with top hats 2024,new tiller arms 2024, new collars 2024,new tie bar and heim joins, new steering cylinder , 

-New Battery shelf each side in engine room by Blackwell ( 2024)

-Carpet throughout (2025) 

-Head layout reconfigure (2025)

-New Raritan Atlantes Fresh Water Toilet  (2025)

-New Prime time Ac pump (2024)

-Enlarged Shower Area - prepped for shower drain 2025

-New Airmar B275LHW Transducer (2025)

-New Rupp Outrigger Bases (2025)

-New Batteries ( 2024)

-New bow thruster props (2024)

-Bow thruster batteries (2025)

-New Fresh Water washdown Pump (2026)

This boat is turnkey and as you can see from the above very well upgraded and taken care of !