Florida Sport Fishing - Jupiter 31 Fwd Seating

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Jupiter 31 Fwd Seating

Written by FSF Crew

AS SEEN IN THE JULY/AUG 2006 ISSUE

Jupiter 31 Fwd Seating – Worlds apart.

With over 35 years of boat building experience, there is no question the Jupiter manufacturing team is fully committed to building some of the finest, most technologically advanced offshore sportfishing boats available today. Every Jupiter is individually built to the exacting specifications of the sportsman who demands the very best in offshore performance, styling, and reliability.

Jupiter boats are built under the stern direction of Carl Herndon, Jupiter's president. Herndon is best known as the founder and CEO of Blackfin Yacht Corporation and former president of Bertram Yachts where he earned the reputation for building some of the world's best and most respected sportfishing yachts. The Jupiter team includes many of the same experienced managers and skilled craftsmen who have worked with Carl over the years in a proven tradition of providing maximum offshore performance, superior quality, and meticulous craftsmanship in the boats they build.

The Jupiter 31 Forward Seating is no different. This craft was developed for the boater who requires a rugged fishing platform one day and a comfortable family cruiser the next. In the bow of the boat, thick cushions provide a comfortable area for sitting, sunbathing, or for the kids to simply call their own. An available optional stern seat provides additional seating, making this a perfect weekend cruiser for restaurant hopping and entertaining guests, or just heading out to a private picnic with family and friends.

Going fishing? Leave the forward cushions at home, remove the stern seat, and the 31 is a hardcore offshore platform with ample room for a half-dozen anglers, a full arsenal of fishing gear, and plenty of big fish. A spacious livewell, fresh water sink, enormous fish boxes, and lockable rod storage are all part of the overall package.

Jupiter is well known in the industry for the high quality and performance of their designs. Happy owners attest to Jupiter’s no-compromises attitude in building tough, strong, elegant boats. Jupiter reinforces that attitude with a transferable hull warranty, something most boat manufacturers do not offer. Manufactured by some of the most experienced builders in the business, Jupiter Boats are the epitome of quality center consoles. Their select customer base includes boaters moving up, former owners of large sportfishermen and motor yachts who have downsized, and current yacht owners who insist on the finest tenders. Limited production allows time for careful attention to detail that volume manufacturers can’t expend. Plus, each Jupiter 31 is built to exacting specifications and is NMMA certified.

Aft of the top-loading anchor locker is the aforementioned forward seating area. Beneath those cushions are port and starboard 72 gallon lockers. A storage area is located in the sole just in front of the forward console seating. There is also a built-in 96 gallon cooler under the forward console cushion. The port side door opens to an easily accessible, fully lined head compartment with standard rod racks, fresh water sink, shower, vanity mirror, and room for an optional electric head. The storage compartment for the three standard batteries is also inside the console and is easy to access. On the dash there is ample space for electronics installations with a removable, lockable plexiglass panel which stows neatly inside. The console also features a glove box with 12-volt power outlet, an adjustable hydraulic helm, a molded foot rest, and a protective plexiglass windscreen.

There is room aft of the console for a rocket launcher or bait prep center. A centerline fish box is located in the deck, with bilge access to pumps aft of that. Three compartments across the aft deck contain a baitbox, a 35 gallon livewell, and a fresh water sink with shower. Indirect lighting in the cockpit is accomplished by installing rope lighting under the coaming, eliminating the hot, bright spots caused by individual lights. Fresh and salt water washdown systems are standard.

The Jupiter 31 has a full transom with an Armstrong aluminum bracket for the motors. Models are available powered by twin two-stroke or four-stroke outboards factory installed. With twin 250s, the 31 cruises at approximately 39 mph and tops out at a little over 53 mph. With a pair of 300s, she’ll put tears in your ears at over 62 mph at full open throttle. The unique posi-stern pad bottom deep-vee hull design allows the boat to achieve a dynamic balance, which in turn, provides a level, stable, soft, and dry ride. An additional bonus of this design is its ability to lift the boat onto plane with little loss of visibility from the helm – an important benefit when you have to navigate a crowded inlet on your way offshore.

Jupiter 31s are hand laid with multidirectional biaxial and triaxial fiberglass– there isn’t a chopper gun in the place! – top-quality vinylester resin and Armorcote gelcoat are used. All hatches are two sided – no unfinished raw undersides. The stringer system is a fiberglass grid. There is no wood in a Jupiter – thus, no chance for rot. Fuel tanks are heavy duty marine aluminum. The rubrail is vinyl with a clean stainless steel cap. All fasteners, hinges, and hardware are stainless steel.

Electronically, the Jupiter 31 shows its big boat heritage. Continuous wire runs (no splices) of tin coated copper assure trouble-free operation. Wiring is color coded and numbered. The TABS automatic battery management system precludes engines not starting because of battery drain. The system is fully bonded and has circuit protection throughout.
Like the rest of the Jupiter line-up, the 31 is specifically designed to run at high speeds in the offshore arena while, at the same time, providing passengers with a smooth, comfortable, and amazingly dry ride under adverse conditions. Touring Jupiter’s Ft. Lauderdale manufacturing facility leaves you with no doubt that this company is on the cutting edge of boat design and development.
Overall, the Jupiter 31 Forward Seating is a well designed, well built craft and has already earned its reputation as one of the finest, most dependable outboard center consoles on the market. Jupiter builds a limited number of 31s each year, and you can clearly see that each is carefully crafted. So, if you are looking for one of the finest sportfishing boats this planet has to offer- one with great looks, fantastic seaworthiness, speed, quality construction, and a resale value that’s hard to beat- sea trial a Jupiter 31 today and see for yourself why astute owners brag about owning the best combination of quality, seaworthiness, and performance .