Tribute Performance Boats and HT HOOK
Overall Winners of the 2002 Custom Shoot-Out

Inaugural Tournament Raises $100,000
for Victims of September 11th Tragedies

The 2002 Custom Shoot-Out was held January 3-5, 2002 in Chub Cay, Bahamas. Twenty-four custom built sportfishing boats entered the inaugural fund-raising tournament. Twelve custom boat builders were represented, led by Merritt (8), Garlington (3), Tribute (2), American (2), Rybovich (2). Others represented were Mark Willis, Jim Smith, Hines-Farley, Davis, Carolina, Glasstech, and Westship. The boats ranged in size from a 36' walk-around all the way to a 103' deluxe mega-sportfisher.

Fishing was red-hot just days prior to the start of the tournament. Most boats had 2-3 shots at blue and white marlin with several boats recording multiple billfish releases and some nice Wahoo catches. Thursday evening a strong cold front brought wind gusts of 50-60 mph, which forced cancellation of Friday's fishing. The impressive tournament fleet headed out Saturday to light winds and 2-3 feet seas. The fishing slowed due to the cold front, but JACK 0' HEARTS released a blue marlin early. ARC STRIKE released a blue marlin and HT HOOK released a white marlin early in the afternoon. Just before "lines out" HT HOOK released another blue marlin to take the title.

At the end of the fishing on Saturday, several boats lined up for the "Race from the Pocket". For a while, HIPKNEETIZED (61' Garlington), HIPKNEETIZED TOO (36' Glasstech) and HT HOOK (64' Tribute), stayed close to FREEDOM (65' American) running around 40 knots. Near the end, Captain Sam Talbert pulled FREEDOM ahead, and American Custom Yachts was crowned "Fastest Boat" in the race.

Despite poor weather one day and slow fishing, everyone attending the tournament events seemed to have a great time. Captain Sam Crutchfield, noted song composer and entertainer, kept everyone entertained at the evening events with his salty humor and songs. Among the events were silent and live auctions of fine merchandise donated by our sponsors. Release Marine, one of our major sponsors, donated a beautiful marlin chair, which generated some hot bidding. Other major sponsors present were Florida Detroit Diesel, Phasor Marine, US Paint Corporation, Marine Exhaust Systems and many others who offered tremendous financial support for the tournament. Among the custom builders that were major sponsors were Tribute Performance Boats, Merritt Boat & Engine Works, American Custom Yachts and Garlington-Landeweer. According to Steve Roy, tournament director, the tournament raised more than $100,000 for the victims of the September 11 tragedies.

At the awards dinner and banquet, each sponsor and boat team were recognized with an award or plaque. Roy Merritt was presented an award as the "Top Fund Raiser". SANDBOB won the "Top Wahoo Boat" and "Largest Wahoo" trophies. ARC STRIKE won "3rd Place Boat" award, and JACK 0' HEARTS accepted the "2nd Place Boat" award. The HT HOOK team accepted the "} sl Place Boat" trophy, and Harry Shuffiebarger won the Murray Products "Top Angler" trophy. Rich Scheffer, of Tribute Performance Boats, was present to receive the "2002 Custom Shoot-Out Trophy", a beautiful custom Carey Chen glass sculpture given to the 1st place custom boat builder for display until next years' tournament. Rich commented, "the Custom Shoot-Out was a tremendous success and I am looking forward to supporting the tournament next year by sponsoring more boats in order to defend the title."

Custom Shoot-Out is a non-profit corporation.