Pacemaker Yachts

Hi... You might want to share some specifics. Not sure if you're talking about fiberglass boats from the 1970's or wood boats from the 1960's... they even built a couple of smaller models including a 37' sportfish into the 1990's. I would stay away from the wood boats. The fiberglass 48' sportfish from the 1970's was built like a tank. Pacemakers on the brokerage market, with the exception of the later model 37, tend to be fixer-uppers... and I'm being polite.

I believe Bruce Kessler of Zopolite fame owned a 48 Pacemaker in the 70s to early 80s. He added a 2 foot cockpit extension and even ran it from LA to Hawaii on its' own bottom with him and his crew (and extra fuel barrels)! A true adventurer and boating pioneer.

I know they had a refueling stop (or two) in the mid Pacific, but any production sportfisher that can safely get you from LA to Hawaii is impressive in my mind.

I always liked the lines and the look of the 48, and the David Martin design (older Egg Harbors, Ocean Yachts) should be easy on fuel. Most were equipped with 435hp 8V-71TI's, the workhorse for its time and a few later ones had 650 hp 8V-92TA's. definitely not up to the speed demons of today, but what is so bad about a 21 knot cruise?

Rybovich built only one fiberglass boat, the "Private I", which used the 48 Pacemaker hull, and they added the could molded house/bridge along with the rest of the outfitting. Interestingly, this boat has always commanded a premium on the used market.

Another 48' Pacemaker Sportfish owner here.

Recently purchased a 1973 model that the previous owner had rebuilt the engines, transmissions and generator on, replaced the fuel and water tanks, then lost interest in the project. Mine is in need of cosmetic work but appears to be in very good mechanical condition.

I'm a bit puzzled as to why these boats don't seem to hold their value compared to a Bertram, Egg Harbor, Hatt, etc, of similar vintage. I paid less than half of what the PO had invested in the recent upgrades.

Cheers, Mark

p.s. Hi Bill

What would you like to know? My parents owned the old Pacemaker Wooden boats. My parents graduated to the 36’ 1976 hand laid fiberglass hull. That boat was a TANK! This was before the revolution of speed. In 1977 is when John “Jack” Leek left Pacemaker forever and opened the doors to Ocean Yachts! Jack always wanted my father to sell his Pacemaker and purchase an Ocean but my father never did. We loved Jack but we were loyal to the old Pacemaker name.
After the Fuqua Co of NC bought Pacemaker and went belly up… For years the was a ghost town. Then one night it all burned down. Now Dr Ira Trocki owns the Pacemaker and Egg Harbor Yacht Names but in my opinion his boats are nothing like the good old Leek Stamp of Approval! That generation of boat builders is gone. And boat building now is a whole new science. Bigger engines, more fuel, and move at 90 mph for an 80’ sport fishing boat. To me that’s just plain nuts. You’re playing with fire and eventually someone is going to get seriously injured or killed. To get to the canyon in 3 is no big deal. Be safe than sorry… Sometimes speed can get you into a lot of trouble! I’ll take any 36’, 40’, or 48’ Pacemaker or Egg Harbor made between 1974-1978 over any of these popcorn core filled boats of today. The boats of today maybe lighter but the core and fiberglass are known over time to separate. Good luck fixing it. I don’t care how good you think you are… good luck! Hand laid fiberglass tanks (boats) are the way to go. BUT LEAVE OUT THE TEAK COCKPITS! Separation there is too expensive to fix!

Opinions are like butt holes… everyone has one! But here’s my opinion. My family has owned no other brand of boat but Pacemaker. We are from NJ. We know the Leek family personally. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Our first Pacemaker was a 1962 32’ old woody. She served us well up in the Hudson River area. She was pulled every winter and had open checkbook maintenance done. She was in our family for 10 years.
We then moved into our next Pacemaker. My parents purchased a 36’ Sport Fish/Convertible. She was absolutely a delight. We purchased her in late June of 1976. Then we took her right up the Hudson, Lake Champlain, through the locks, and right into Montreal for the 1976 Olympics. You want to know how she ran… she ran better than any Rolex watch available. When we returned from our vacation we used her what she was built for… a FISHING MACHINE!!!
In 1976 we entered our first 2 tournaments ever. We were in a Tuna a Marlin Tournaments. The Tuna Tournament we finished overall in third place.
1977 we got invited to the Cape Hatteras Invitational Tournament with Jack Leek endorsing us. What a great time we had thanks to Mr. Leek. Don Leek had his Egg Harbor the Wild Duck, Jack Leek had one of his new Ocean Yachts, and we had the Leek family Pacemaker.
Mind you the Egg Harbor and Pacemaker Yachts boats were hand laid fiberglass boats. These boats were not known for speed but these boats were definitely TANKS! In 1977 the industry started to move more towards lighter boats and speed. That’s when balsa core boats started popping up. Would I purchase a core made boat? No way! Once they start to separate it is very difficult to get them really repaired correctly. I don’t care how good you say you are… things are never the same.
We had a house in the town down the street from the Pacemaker factory. It was great watching history being made. It was great knowing the family that created this history. Currently I’m looking to purchase a Pacemaker Yacht. I’m looking to purchase my all time dream boat. She is the revived 1977 Pacemaker Yachts 26’ Wahoo. I used to watch them being built and fell in love with them from day one. The Wahoo is a MINI TANK! In NC the canyon isn’t 90 miles offshore. In NC 30-35 offshore during the summer is Marlin country. The Wahoo can handle this trip without a problem.
If I was purchasing a 36’, 40’, or 48’ Sport Fish Pacemaker or Egg Harbor I would only purchase one built by the Leek family. I would probably buy one dated 1973-1977. I would stay away from anything else. After that you have the Fuqua Corp which went belly up. A few other companies that couldn’t keep the company alive. Now you Dr. Ira Trocki who owns the name. Trocki owns several other names but in my opinion not anything like the original Leek quality. That’s just my opinion. The head wood carpenter for Pacemaker Wilbur Cramer was that… a Master Woodworker!
Hull Number 001! I would love to find her again…