Sport Fishing Magazine
August 2002

Shearline 23
What offshore angler can deny admiring the dramatic, flared bow and sensuous, curving tumblehome of a classic Carolina hull? Unfortunately, those aesthetics could be found only in a package over 35 feet long. Until now.

In his new shop, Mason Cox is building one of the most exquisite, cold molded Carolina-style boats we've seen. We recently ran the 23 in atrociuos conditions and marveled at its smooth, dry ride. This supersolid center console carries virtually no bilge, thanks to it's totally foam-filled belowdecks space. However, ample storage can be found in the bow and console and in an insulated box on the console front.

Those familiar with classic sport-fisherman styling will instantly recognize features carried down from larger boats. A hidden instrument panel raises on electric rams. The classic, varnished-teak helm pod boast an Edson cast-aluminum destroyer wheel. Even the ignition has been treated as if on a classic convertible. Starter buttons are hidden under the pod, and keys are locked away inside the console, just like the boats bigger sister - despite this being an outboard powered boat.

As you'd expect from a custom builder, you can customize your Shearline pretty much any way you wish. The hull we ran included Lenco trim tabs, E-Tec out riggers, a beutiful T-top and twin Mercury OptiMa 150's. The 23 topped out at about 55mph.

About the only drawback to the Shearline 23 (or the 18-, 30- or 36-foot Shearlines, for that matter), has to be how much the boat will cut into your fishing time. I promise you'll have so many people on the dock admiring it and asking questions that you'll have a tough time leaving.