Step Aboard the Southport 33 DC

Stephen and Ellen Tabor turned to the 33-footer for its practicality along with a personal connection to where the boat company is based

George LaBonte

August 19, 2022

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The Tabors’ Southport 33 Dual Console. Photo by George LaBonte — The Tabors’ Southport 33 Dual Console. Photos by George LaBonte

For Stephen and Ellen Tabor, the boating lifestyle isn’t a foreign concept. Previous owners of both a jet-powered boat and a pair of Sea-Doo personal watercraft—along with a Sea Ray 240 that was claimed by Hurricane Sandy at their northern home on Manahawkin Bay, New Jersey—the Tabors had already dipped their toes into the boating lifestyle. But it wasn’t until they moved to Jupiter that they decided to expand their boating horizons and step things up with a larger vessel.

Below the helm is a dedicated head compartment. Photo by George LaBonte — Below the helm is a dedicated head compartment.

During a scouting trip to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show last year, they found themselves admiring a beautiful 33-foot dual console by Southport Boats. A few factors appealed to them about this design. The company is based in Gardiner, Maine, and since Stephen’s mother grew up in Down East Maine, there was a sentimental aspect at play. There was also some practicality involved: The layout of a dual console was perfect for their growing interest in partaking in some extended cruises with their local boating club.

For short trips to the Keys or the Bahamas, the comfortable layout of the Southport 33 DC just made sense. This design offers more amenities for the leisurely pursuits the Tabors enjoy while boating, versatile enough to provide opportunities for fishing, cruising, and simple relaxation all at once.

A copilot lounge provides seating protected from the hot sun. Photo by George LaBonte — A copilot lounge provides seating protected from the hot sun.

This Southport 33 offers comfortable forward seating in a wraparound setting that can be configured as a sun lounge or a dining venue. Amidships, she boasts a comfortable copilot lounge to port opposite the helm seating to starboard. The large hardtop provides welcome relief from the tropical sun. Within the air-conditioned portside console/cabin are a pair of 6-foot berths. To starboard below the helm is a dedicated head compartment with an electric freshwater toilet.

A wraparound seating area can operate as a sun lounge or a dining venue. Photo by George LaBonte — A wraparound seating area can operate as a sun lounge or a dining venue.

The cockpit aft is wide open for fishing or diving convenience and features an aft-facing seat along with foldaway L-shaped bench seating. Across the transom, there is a large, insulated fish box with optional chill plates and a 35-gallon live well. A side-opening dive door to starboard offers easy access to the cockpit for divers as well as for boarding dockside. The 33 DC also incorporates an integrated swim platform to the transom on opposite corners of her twin
Yamaha 425-HP power plant.

Upon returning home from the boat show, the Tabors took the leap and purchased their new vessel from Stuart-based Sand N Sea Marine Group. Ultimately, it was a combination of the seaworthiness and style, top quality hardware and finish work, classic Carolina-inspired lines and Down East craftsmanship, and practical multipurpose functionality of the layout that closed the deal for the Tabors.