The Dream Catchers fleet includes 11 boats, ranging in length from 17 to 47 feet. Capt. Lamp understands that in the real world total performance is more important than raw speed. He’s concerned with hole shot, handling, balance, and the ways weight distribution affect fuel economy and how his boat rests in the water as he glides over the flats. Better economy means he can start the day with less fuel in the tank, and a lighter load means the boat rests higher in the water. Gaining just a few inches of draft makes more of the flats accessible, and that’s often where the big fish lurk.
Capt. Lamp does enjoy the occasional full-throttle blast. He brought his 2,800-pound Yellowfin 24 Bay Carbon Elite boat to the Mercury Racing test site at Lake X in central Florida to test gearcase and propeller options for the Mercury Racing 300R and 450R outboards, reaching speeds well over 80 mph. That’s too fast for trolling, but it seems even a professional guide can’t resist the temptation to run Wide Open on occasion.