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photo of Lightning 64 Custom Boat MS MALAE Is a True Carolina Sportfish

Lightning 64 Custom Boat MS MALAE Is a True Carolina Sportfish

By Rob Bowman | Posted On Jan 25, 2022
Updated On May 11, 2022

Lightning Boatworks are known as one of the "other custom boat builder" at the Jarrett Bay Industrial Park, a 175-acrea facility on the central coast of North Carolina with over 20 marine-related businesses on site. Specializing in composite construction, the team at Lightning can build or re-build just about anything.

"The team at Lightning Boatworks build some of the most incredible performing custom sportfish I've seen," says Greg Graham, a veteran at United Yacht Sales when it comes to selling sportfish. "They build boats that weigh half of what the competition's does and burn half the fuel at the same speeds. The captain can drop her back on a fish in two to three boat lengths.

"MS MALAE" is a 2008 Lightning 64 Convertible that has just come on the brokerage market with Greg Graham at an asking price of $2,495,000. Located in Biloxi, Mississippi, this is a true custom Carolina sportfishing boat with a 12-degree deadrise and piercing hull shape that delivers "straight-as-an-arrow down-sea tracking and a rock-solid ride," as said in a Marlin Magazine review of the boat.

If you have questions about MS MALAE, please contact Greg Graham at 1-305-522-4739 or by email at GregGraham@UnitedYacht.com. Captain Greg has been fishing the waters of Ocean Reef since the early 80's and is one of the top professional yacht brokers in United Yacht Sales and the industry. 

Much is made about the performance prowess of the Lightning 64. Thanks to her light weight and a set of Veem propellers, MS MALAE gets to a plane effortlessly and handles remarkably well. "There are full controls in both the flybridge and the tower," continued Greg. "The CAT C-32's are 1675HP models that can push MS MALAE to 42 knots while cruising at around 34-35 knots. She's fast, nimble, and she looks incredible while performing."

(Seen Below: View from the tower.)

view from the tower on custom sportfishing boat

The cockpit on the Lightning 64 is everything you desire in a tournament-ready sportfish, with some interesting changes with ergonomics in mind. At 238 square feet, there is plenty of room for fighting a fish and for the crew to maneuver around the angler. Some of the main features on the cockpit include:

  • New teak decks installed in 2015
  • Fullsized pompanette rocket launcher and offset SS stanchion with custom sleeve for switching to fighting chair
  • Transom fishbox
  • Tuna door with a pass-through gate
  • Cockpit freezer for bait
  • Separate bins for ice and bait

The bait trays and cockpit freezer have been raised on the cockpit to a more comfortable height. The resulting benefit of doing this is it creates a trough between the models and the mezzanine seating, adding a later of security for those watching the action from the 'bleachers'. Guests on the shaded mezzanine also enjoy air conditioning.

cockpit view from mezzanine seating

United Yacht Sales has a proven track record selling high-end custom sportfishing yachts with Greg Graham and the new Sportfish Trader program. "The Sportfish Trader team has an unbelievably targeted audience and we are proud to be one of their top advertisers," said Greg. "Steve Momot is one of the first people I call when I get a sportfish listing. I have him come down and video the boat, post it to his audience, and I start receiving calls before the boat is ever even on the market. We have a winning formula between our investment in Sportfish Trader and our industry-leading marketing efforts."

"We utilize all of the major sportfishing groups on Facebook to promote our listings," said Rob Bowman, United Yacht Sales Marketing Director. "As a moderator for Sportfish Trader though, I get to see first-hand the level of engagement from owners, captains, and potential buyers. Many members of the group have fished with or against the owner of the boat being featured, so there is a level of comradery among everyone." Below is one of the video walk-through posts that is being advertised through Sportfish Trader and United Yacht Sales social media channels.

(Read: Your Sportfishing Boat Advertised On Sportfish Trader's Marketing Platform)

 

Desiring comfort while on extended fishing trips, boatbuilders Bill Scwabe and Roy Barnes designed the interior living areas and accommodations with their families in mind. Features like a convenient day head, a wine cellar drawer, custom-fitter cabinets with hidden push latches, high-gloss maple wood in the salon, granite countertops in the galley, and cedar-lined closets are just a few of the notable items to list. Even the trim and vent grills are hand-carved by the Lightning Boatworks team for that personal touch. Overall, the 3-cabin, 3-head layout provides a refreshing experience on overnight trips without going overboard. 

salon and galley

View all of the photos for MS MALAE, by following this link: https://www.unitedyacht.com/used-yachts-for-sale/custom-carolina-64-sportfish-2008-ms-malae-2785646 

At United Yacht Sales, our team of over 250 professional yacht brokers creates the largest network of boat buyers and sellers in the industry. We are the best firm to sell your yacht because we focus on selling it - not new boat inventory or trade-ins that we own. Our marketing budget and our efforts are 100% on our clients' listings. We will never hold your boat back from being sent out to all of the affiliate boating websites and even our competitors' websites in order to try and get both sides of the commission. We do everything we can to sell your boat as quickly and easily as possible so you can have an outstanding experience. Call our main office today at 1-772-463-3131 and we will connect you to a yacht broker near you.

 

About Greg Graham:

Captain Greg has been fishing the water surrounding Ocean Reef Club since the early 80’s when he began visiting the Club with Mr. & Mrs. Peter Menten. After attending college at Florida State University, where he received a BS in Economics. Greg returned to the Reef and started working as a deckhand on the Club’s Charter Dock aboard the Sea Elf owned by member Craig Lindner.

Greg was promoted to Captain soon after and the boat was sold to Dr. Jim Davis. Greg captained the “Doc Holliday” through 2003. Greg opened Reef Yacht Sales & Services, LLC in late 2007. Greg is the principle broker of the small yacht brokerage and has consistently won the company's Top Sales award.

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