Boise, ID – Protos, a Boise, Idaho-based firm specializing in the design and development of high-quality fishing and marine products, has announced the launch of the new custom-made Protos Series by East Cape Boats – a limited series of high-performance 18-foot “cross-over” crafts engineered to meet the needs of demanding freshwater and saltwater anglers. Only 12 Protos Series boats will be made, with each featuring the highest quality parts available, seamless construction, and uncompromising craftsmanship.
Every aspect of the Protos Series – from the unique design to the state-of-the-art onboard features and accessories – is built to optimize the on-the-water experience for serious recreational and tournament fishermen. The Protos Series Carbon Fiber/Kevlar hull, constructed for unsurpassed durability and impact resistance, is also 33% lighter than those of comparable fiberglass boats, ensuring not only long-lasting performance but also maximum fuel efficiency. Both the Protos Series’ hull and hatches are built using a proprietary infusion process implemented in a climate-controlled environment, ensuring maximum strength and durability. In addition, the Protos Series boat features the highest quality parts available, including all stainless-steel hardware.
Each Protos Series boat is paired with an ultra-reliable Suzuki Stealth 115 HP four-stroke outboard with keyless start that provides a powerful hole shot, excellent cruising speed, and outstanding fuel efficiency. Further enhancing overall performance is a SeaStar hydraulic jackplate, which helps increase speed and fuel economy while also enabling the boat to run safely and effectively in shallow water.
The Protos Series’ aesthetics are equally impressive. The hull boasts an eye-catching vanilla white finish with a subtle silver metallic flake, and the blackout accents on the boat’s accessories, latches and brackets perfectly complement the boat’s matte black Stealth motor and powder black trailer.
The high-quality construction and stylish aesthetics of the Protos Series’ exterior are matched only by the custom design and fabrication of its onboard components. An aerated, LED backlit livewell located on the back bulkhead provides plenty of room for holding your catch and features the Protos Signature built-in acrylic window for viewing. Behind that is a 40-gallon round bait tank, strategically shaped to protect your live offerings and keep them in prime condition. In addition to the bait tank’s blue LED lights, the Protos Series has storage hatch and under-the-gunnel lighting as well as an underwater light in the stern.
To locate the fish, the Protos Series has state-of-the-art 16-inch display Lowrance HDS Pro fishfinder/plotters – one unit with Active Target Forward Facing Sonar on the bow, and another with ActiveImaging™ HD 3-in-1 FishReveal and Structure Scan 3D on the console – both featuring “quick-release” Protos mounts. Each stern-mounted transducer features a spring-loaded flip-up mount for added convenience, plus a deflection shield that provides protection should the unit come into contact with any underwater obstructions.
Each Protos Series boat is also equipped with a Power-Pole Move brushless trolling motor connected to a Power Pux quick-release bracket with an integrated power plug. The Power-Pole trolling motor delivers rugged, dependable, efficient operation, while the Power Pux makes it easier than ever to deploy or remove the trolling motor, while also eliminating the need for cumbersome power cords.
For easy, reliable anchoring in shallower water, the Protos Series is equipped with two lightweight, durable 8-foot Power-Pole blades powered by an energy efficient “ONE” Pump hydraulic pump that is also light and built for rugged, long-lasting performance.
Providing the “juice” for the Protos Series are two reliable NMEA 2000-connected LithiumPro battery systems – a 36-volt, 75Ah system that powers the trolling motor and a 12-volt, 210Ah system for the boat’s electronics and accessories. Protos Series owners will also appreciate the Power-Pole CHARGE – a technologically advanced onboard power management system that keeps the batteries fully charged while running by automatically transferring power from one battery to the other if one cell is running low. The Protos Series’ battery systems are also integrated with the boat’s Lowrance units, allowing you to access important data such as “available battery power” and “running time” with a glance.
Other noteworthy Protos Series features include a Sirius XM weather module for real-time weather updates, a Scanstrut waterproof phone and USB charger on the console that clamps onto your cell phone and keeps it fully charged without the need for charging cables, and a stylish Uflex paddle trim system on the steering wheel for convenient trim and jackplate adjustments. There’s even a removable poling platform for working the flats that’s simple to install when needed and just as easy to take off and store when poling isn’t required.
Every Protos Series boat comes with a Ram-Lin C channel dry-launch aluminum trailer that’s specially built to allow for quick and easy launching right at the waterline. Along with its innovative design, this trailer is built to stand up to whatever the punishing marine environment can dish out. It features stainless-steel axels, plus a special powder black coating that not only supplies superior corrosion resistance but also matches the boat’s hatch handles and latches for a complete “black-out” look.
According to Danny Uribe, who co-founded Protos early this year with business partner Jeremy Nielsen, the Protos Series boat is result of extensive research, design, and development by the firm alongside East Cape Boats, the longest-running skiff company under original ownership. “We work closely with companies within the fishing and boating industries to create truly innovative products – not only boats, but also reels, rods, and accessories – that take the on-the-water experience to a whole new level,” said Uribe. “In the case of the Protos Series, we collaborated with the team at East Cape Boats to create a custom-designed craft that’s unbeatable for a wide range of freshwater and inshore saltwater assignments. We’re confident that the new Protos Series will exceed the expectations of the most serious recreational and tournament anglers out there.”
Key Protos Series Features
- Limited Series – only 12 Protos Series boats will be built
- Release well/Livewell & bait tank feature independent recirculation systems, oxygenation stones
- Custom Protos elevated bench seat
- Based off East Cape Boats’ EVO 18 hull
- Hand-stitched diamond pattern seating with highest quality marine vinyl
- Insulated jump seat cooler
- Protos direct connect command system (features NMEA 2000 and ethernet connections that integrate all the boats, transducers, weather module, batteries, Point-1 GPS, Power-Pole accessories, and Suzuki gauge display to the Lowrance Pro units)
- Suzuki Stealth 115 with keyless start
- Ram-Lin C-Channel aluminum trailer with stainless steel axels, swing tongue, stainless steel fenders and hardware, MAG wheels with spare & spare hub, and sealed hubs (made to last 100,000 miles with no maintenance)
- Power-Pole MOVE PV trolling motor – extremely lightweight with quiet operation
- Dual matte black Power-Pole blades with “ONE” pump are lightweight and eliminated the need for two pumps, decreasing overall weight and providing extra room in the bilge area
- Power-Pole console charging port for easy plug-in charging
- Wet Sounds sound system
- “Formula 1” paddle-style trim and jackplate levers
- Flush-mounted aluminum control/accessory buttons
- Custom powder-coated grab handles for passengers
- Protos custom quick-release graph mounts (composed of 6061-T6 aluminum) built for heavy-duty applications
- Trolling motor and bow graph are quick to disconnect for those who want to fly fish or have a clear deck for casting
- Custom Protos aluminum motor strap
- V Marine aluminum “spool style” push-pole holders on deck and under gunnels for rod storage
- V Marine aluminum poling platform push-pole holder
- All stainless-steel hardware
- Separate detachable pad with trolling motor pedal, Power-Pole stomp switches (easily stowable if not needed)
- Each boat comes with a key tag with Protos logo and hull number etched in
- Limited lifetime hull warranty
For more information on the new Protos Series, visit www.eastcapeboats.com. You can also learn more about the Protos Series on Facebook (Protos Fishing) or Instagram (@ProtosFishing).
About Protos
Protos is a team of design and production experts led by Danny Uribe and Jeremy Nielsen that specializes in creating premium fishing equipment. With unparalleled expertise and innovation, Protos has established itself as a leading design firm within the fishing industry. The Protos team’s vision is to elevate the fishing experience by combining exquisite design with cutting-edge technology. Each product created is a masterpiece, meticulously crafted to enhance your fishing adventures. To learn more about Protos and the firm’s product and design capabilities, visit https://protosfishing.com.
