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Crew Captures Million-Dollar Victories with Enhanced Performance
In the competitive world of sportfishing, speed and reliability determine whether a crew reaches the fish first or watches others claim the prize.
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CUSTOMER:
Builder's Choice
DEALER:
Gregory Poole Equipment Company
SEGMENT:
Sportfishing
SOLUTION:
Repower
LOCATION:
North Carolina
SCOPE OF ENGINE USE:
Cat® C32B
Builder's Choice, a 64-foot Jarrett Bay Boatworks vessel powered by Cat® C32 ACERT engines, competed in 24 tournaments over the past decade and often placed high in the leaderboards. When the crew sought how to gain a competitive edge for the upcoming tournament season as the boat’s engines approached 8,000 hours, they turned to Cat dealer Gregory Poole Equipment Company for a strategic performance upgrade.
A Winning Repower Takes Shape
Gregory Poole has provided maintenance and service to Builder’s Choice since its christening in 2015 and deeply understands the crew's exacting requirements. To support the owner’s desire for the boat to continue to dominate the tournament circuit, the dealer recommended repowering the vessel with two Cat C32B engines. The 12-cylinder C32B delivers 2000 horsepower, compared to the previous model’s 1900 horsepower configuration, providing the power boost needed for an edge on the water. Gregory Poole also installed two Cat 2.2 gensets, providing reliable onboard power for all systems.
Built on the proven C32 platform, the C32B incorporates an advanced multi-shot fuel injection system that delivers the robust responsiveness and agility sportfishing demands. The new design is also engineered to reduce engine noise for a quieter operation that enhances the competitive experience.
Captain Brent Gaskill, who has helmed Builder's Choice for eight years, praised the seamless installation. "The C32B engines dropped right into the same footprint,” he explained. “We didn't have to change anything structurally." Along with a full vessel refurbishment, including new paint and teak decking, the repower prepared Builder's Choice for its most successful tournament season yet.
Builder's Choice Claims Bermuda Triple Crown Victory
The crew immediately saw performance improvements that translated into tournament success. The C32B engines provided stronger acceleration out of the hole — critical when navigating shallow waters — and increased both cruising and top-end speed by 1.5 knots. A new Quick Shift throttle system allowed precise control down to single RPM adjustments, enabling the captain to dial in exact trolling speeds.
The C32B repower not only impacted Builder's Choice performance but also purse winnings. The crew’s winnings approached nearly $2 million during the 2025 tournament season. Most notably, the team won the prestigious Bermuda Triple Crown and secured impressive performances in several categories, including:
- Taking third in the Bermuda Billfish Blast.
- Landing a 650-pound fish to rank first in the Bermuda Big Game Classic.
- Winning the Seahorse Anglers Club tournament.
"The reliability of these engines gives me confidence to push them when it counts, like when we needed to find fish 40 miles away in the Bermuda tournament," Captain Gaskill explained. "With our speed advantage, we made the run in about an hour and caught fish that helped us win over $100,000 that day."
Teamwork Powers Performance
The enduring relationship with Gregory Poole has made an important impact on Builder’s Choice over the years, as the service team has provided responsive support and quality solutions that support the crew’s ambitions.
"Anytime I've had a question or concern, Gregory Poole handles it right away," Captain Gaskill noted. "They make me feel like a top priority. I can leave the boat with them and know it'll be taken care of perfectly."
With this level of support and the C32B engines' proven reliability, Builder's Choice has never missed a fishing day due to engine issues — a remarkable record in the demanding sportfishing environment.
"We're thrilled with the performance gains from the C32B engines," the captain concluded. "Whether we're fishing tournaments or cruising to the Bahamas, these engines have exceeded our expectations."
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