2009 McKee Craft 28 Pilothouse

Swashbuckler is a custom-built 2009 McKee Craft Pilothouse 28 designed for boaters who want the confidence to pursue the day’s plan—whether that means crossing open water before sunrise, working a favorite fishing area, or enjoying an unhurried cruise along the North Carolina coast. Her USCG-certified unsinkable construction reflects the rugged, practical character associated with McKee Craft, providing an appealing foundation for serious coastal use.

The enclosed pilothouse is a defining feature, giving the captain and crew valuable protection from wind, rain, spray, and summer sun while preserving the visibility and working practicality expected of a purpose-built fishing boat. That added shelter extends the season and makes longer runs more comfortable, whether heading offshore in the morning, traveling between islands, or making the most of a marginal weather day. The 28-foot size offers a capable balance: substantial enough for demanding water, yet manageable for owner-operators and family crews.

For anglers and active families alike, Swashbuckler offers a versatile platform for fishing trips, weekend exploring, and coastal adventures based from Harkers Island or beyond. Her custom build, protected helm, and unsinkable-certified design set her apart from a conventional open center console, delivering the durability and all-weather utility that makes every outing feel more attainable.

General Measurements

• LOA: 28 ft
• Beam: 9ft 11”
• Draft: 2 ft

Tankage:

• Fresh Water: 1 @ 12 gal.
• Holding tank: 10gal.
• Gasoline: 260 gal
• Live Bait Well: 52 gal

Propulsion

• Twin Suzuki 300 HP Four Stroke
• Prop: 16 inch diameter 19 pitch cupped four blade stainless steel propellers RH and LH rotations
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Engines are maintained routinely and have never had ethanol blends
• Electronic shift and throttle
• Suzuki twin engine control pad (tower)
• Suzuki engine gauge for each engine (tower)
• Suzuki twin engine electronic shift and throttle (tower)
• Racor water separating filters for each engine with fuel shutoff valves (hatch)
• LencoTrim tabs

Electronics

• Garmin Radar networked to Garmin electronics
• Garmin Echomap GPS and depth sounder (tower)
• VHF radio (tower)
• Two 8 foot VHF radio 8db antennas on top of pilothouse
• Garmin radar dome on radar mount on top of pilothouse
• Two Garmin GPS Antennas on radar mount on top of pilothouse
• Garmin network control panel (cabin)
• Garmin sonar (cabin) transducer is thru hull with a 20 deg tilt to offset deadrise
• Garmin control for autopilot (pilothouse)
• Garmin remote control for autopilot
• Garmin remote control for autopilot (tower)
• Garmin GPSMAP 4212 with blue chart mapping and networked (pilothouse)
• Garmin GPSMAP 4208 and networked (pilothouse)
• Garmin remote control for GPSMAP 4212 and 4208 (pilothouse)
• Garmin GPSMAP 3205 with independent GPS (pilothouse)
• Two VHF radios (pilothouse)

Fishing Tackle

• Custom fold down tower with five rocket launchers and buggy top (tower)
• Taco 18 ft outriggers
• Overhead rodholders (cabin)
• Battle Station fish fighting post which has an underdeck backing plate for support (deck)
• Electric plugs for electric reels (3 per side) (deck)
• Starboard side fish box with macerator pump (deck)
• Six rod holders on transom (deck)
• Transom door on starboard side to bring in large fish (deck)

Electrical System

• Shore Power Inlet Amperage: 30 Amp
• Seavolt 3 Bank battery charger/tender (cabin)
• 120 volt shore power receptable wired also to battery charger (pilothouse)
• Cranking battery per engine Group 27 (pilothouse)
• House deep cycle battery group 27 (pilothouse)
• Dual engine electronic battery selector which electronically selects which engine battery bank supplies house battery (cabin)
• LED Navigation Lights
• Forward spreader lights
• Aft spreader lights
• ACR remote control spotlight (remote inside pilothouse)
• Solar powered pilothouse exhaust fan
• LED Nav/Anchor Light on top buggy tower

Inside Equipment

• Porcelain toilet with macerator pump, manual valve to fill with raw water, can pump overboard or to holding tank at back of boat via a three-way valve
• Golden rod heater
• Two panels to make a full bed in the v berth
• LED overhead lighting

Ground Tackle

• Anchor Box
• Aluminum Anchor
• 20 ft of chain
• 3/8 inch rode

Additional Equipment

• Stainless steel bow rails
• Commercial grade heavy duty rub rails
• Pop up cleats
• Portuguese Bridge Pilothouse 
• Air Ride seats starboard and port (pilothouse)
• Stainless Steering Wheel (pilothouse)
• 5” Compass (pilothouse)
• Throw ring and holder (deck)
• Starboard fold up step which has a backing plate so that this step can be used to attach a block and tackle to bring large fish thru the transom door (deck)
• Port side storage box which drains to bilge (deck)
• Folding bench seat at transom (deck)
• Flush mount pull out ladder on aft starboard side
• Raw water washdown pump
• Freshwater washdown pump
• 1500 gph bilge pump
• 500 gph automatic bilge pump
• Boat is bottom painted with black Pettit Vivid. Bottom has been sanded and primed then painted.
• 12000 lb Road King aluminum trailer (no brakes)