Rampage(R) Sport Fishing Yachts Reels in Tred Barta at the Miami International Boat Show

Rampage(R) Sport Fishing Yachts Reels in Tred Barta at the Miami International Boat Show

Yacht maker and outdoor sport fishing and television personality to team up for blue water fishing, tournaments and Boys and Girls Club charity

MIAMI, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts today announced that it is teaming up with Tred Barta, noted fishing and hunting expert, author and cable television personality, resulting in Barta owning Rampage's 33 Express, a sport fishing yacht to be powered by twin CAT(R) engines from CAT distributor Gregory Poole. Rampage and Barta signed a letter of agreement this week.

Barta will captain the 33 Express in deep-water fishing segments of "The Best and Worst of Tred Barta," an Outdoor Life Network program showcasing Barta's sometimes irreverent brand of reality fishing and hunting. Pete Gillon, brand manager of Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts, made the announcement.

"From one offshore authority to another, Rampage is delighted to work with Tred Barta in bringing big game, blue water sport fishing to enthusiasts in their homes and on the water," said Gillon. "We look forward to Tred introducing his own brand of offshore fishing to the Rampage family."

"We believe this is a good fit for Rampage," said Rick Jelinski, general manager of Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts. "Like Rampage, Barta is passionate about conservation, quality, doing things the right way. But we are also proud to support Barta's efforts on behalf of the Boys and Girls Clubs, which owner K.C. Stock supports in his home state of Wisconsin."

While the 33 Express will serve as back drop for Barta's ocean exploits, the award-winning fisherman will provide Rampage with user-focused real-time feedback on potential improvements to the craft's interior design and fishing friendliness, Gillon said. But the never-short-on-words Barta was ecstatic in his comments about the Rampage boat.

"I demand a lot from my boat," says Barta. "It has to be fast, have long range and be able to carry plenty of ice and fish. Most importantly, I have to absolutely know that it will get me, and my family, home from up to 100 miles offshore. The Rampage Express can do all this and more."

Rampage expects to deliver Barta's 33' Express, named Makaira (the Latin word for marlin and the name Barta gives all his boats), this April. When completed, the craft will be equipped with twin CAT C7 engines, from CAT Marine Power Systems distributor Gregory Poole, capable of churning out 920 horsepower combined. In addition, the Express holds 338 gallons of fuel, sleeps six adults comfortably, has both upper and lower stations for piloting, and holds 60 gallons of fresh water.

"Gregory Poole is proud to support Rampage Yachts and Tred Barta because, like us, both are committed to their customers, ocean fishing conservation and community involvement," said Neil Peterken, marine account manager for Gregory Poole Equipment Company. "We thank Rampage for this opportunity and wish Tred Barta 'tight lines' throughout the season."

Barta and Rampage will also team up for tournaments, Rampage and CAT dealer appearances and other special events, some of which will support Barta's favorite cause, the Barta Boys and Girls Club Billfish Tournament, held July 21-23, in Beaufort, N.C. Planning for other events is underway.

Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts, "The Offshore Authority," debuted in the late 1980s with a mission to make the strongest, best performing, most comfortable and affordable sport fishing yachts available. Today, Rampage is known as much for its rugged blue-water sport fishing yachts as it is for its consumer-focused approach to design and engineering. Based in Navassa, N.C., on the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, Rampage builds walkaround, express and convertible models, from 30- to 45-feet, at its state-of-the-art 344,000 square foot facility. For more information, visit Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts at http://www.rampageyachts.com/ .

Tred Barta is host of "The Best and Worst of Tred Barta," a new generation fishing and hunting show, which debuted last September on the Outdoor Life(R) Network. Barta is best known as a contributing writer to such magazines as Sport Fishing Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Marlin and Big Game Fishing. Barta has a successful book, "The Best and Worst of Tred Barta," which inspired the show. Surge Entertainment produces "The Best and Worst of Tred Barta." Mark Freedman is executive producer. Go to http://www.bartaboysandgirlsclubbillfish.com/ for more information.

Gregory Poole Equipment Company is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., with 10 facilities located throughout N.C., S.C. and Va. The company is one of the leading Caterpillar(R) dealers in the Southeast for construction and material handling equipment, stand-by power, truck and marine engines and is a trusted provider of parts, maintenance, and service. More information is available at http://www.gregorypoole.com/ .

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, a division of Caterpillar Inc., offers the most comprehensive line of medium- and high-speed marine propulsion, auxiliary engines and gensets in the world. The organization services commercial and pleasure craft marine applications, offering propulsion power ranges from 224 bkW (127 hp) to 16,000 bkW (21,450 hp). Caterpillar provides customers with industry-leading technological solutions; installation excellence; marine financing of engines and vessels; and worldwide product support with more than 1,800 dealer locations. More information is available at http://www.cat.com/ .


Source: Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts

CONTACT: David Pagliughi of Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts,
+1-910-367-3792, dpagliughi@rampageyacht.com

Web site: http://www.rampageyachts.com/
http://www.gregorypoole.com/
http://www.bartaboysandgirlsclubbillfish.com/
http://www.cat.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Event photos available for download at http://www.rampageyachts.com/media .

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