Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Skylar Hamilton

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Take a look through Bassmaster Elite Series pro Skylar Hamilton’s fully loaded Caymas bass boat. Rigged out with all of the bells and whistles, it's all the set up for Hamilton as he fishes each Elite Series tournament.
Take a look through Bassmaster Elite Series pro Skylar Hamilton’s fully loaded Caymas bass boat. Rigged out with all of the bells and whistles, it’s all the set up for Hamilton as he fishes each Elite Series tournament.
A shot of the full setup captures the Caymas bass boat paired with a wrapped Toyota Tundra. The 5.7-liter Toyota V8 holds the power and capabilities to pull the boat and equipment to each tournament location without a problem.
A shot of the full setup captures the Caymas bass boat paired with a wrapped Toyota Tundra. The 5.7-liter Toyota V8 holds the power and capabilities to pull the boat and equipment to each tournament location without a problem.
Side by side, Skylar Hamilton’s Caymas is parked next to Mike Huff’s Vexus.
Side by side, Skylar Hamilton’s Caymas is parked next to Mike Huff’s Vexus.
Like most Elite Series anglers, Hamilton has is boat uniquely wrapped. It features his sponsors, and it helps protect the boat's original gel coat.
Like most Elite Series anglers, Hamilton has is boat uniquely wrapped. It features his sponsors, and it helps protect the boat’s original gel coat.
When beaching the boat, the Gator Guard Keelshield protects the hull from the ground underneath.
When beaching the boat, the Gator Guard Keelshield protects the hull from the ground underneath.
Paired with his Lowrance units, the transducer can be found mounted at the bottom of the trolling motor.
Paired with his Lowrance units, the transducer can be found mounted at the bottom of the trolling motor.
Hamilton runs the MotorGuide Tour edition 109 pounds thrust/36V trolling motor.
Hamilton runs the MotorGuide Tour edition 109 pounds thrust/36V trolling motor.
Easy deploying and retracting, toughness and durability are just a few of his favorite features when it comes to the trolling motor.
Easy deploying and retracting, toughness and durability are just a few of his favorite features when it comes to the trolling motor.
The 360 breakaway system on the trolling motor protects the shaft. This is important if the motor was run into obstructions under water, such as a stump. Instead of the shaft snapping or bending at impact, the shaft will break free.
The 360 breakaway system on the trolling motor protects the shaft. This is important if the motor was run into obstructions under water, such as a stump. Instead of the shaft snapping or bending at impact, the shaft will break free.
Hamilton lets fans know where to follow his career on social media.
Hamilton lets fans know where to follow his career on social media.
A tight view of some of the front deck. The arrowed switches allow him to retract and deploy the Power-Poles with his feet while standing on the front deck. The MotorGuide all metal foot petal cable steers the trolling motor and allows for adjustable speed. The foot pedal also sits deep inside the front deck to give more of a natural feel while standing and using the trolling motor.
A tight view of some of the front deck. The arrowed switches allow him to retract and deploy the Power-Poles with his feet while standing on the front deck. The MotorGuide all metal foot petal cable steers the trolling motor and allows for adjustable speed. The foot pedal also sits deep inside the front deck to give more of a natural feel while standing and using the trolling motor.
Mounted up front is a 16-inch Lowrance HDS live graph.
Mounted up front is a 16-inch Lowrance HDS live graph.
The boat includes a large enough front portion to comfortably fit the 16-inch Lowrance unit, trolling motor and other accessories without being over cluttered.
The boat includes a large enough front portion to comfortably fit the 16-inch Lowrance unit, trolling motor and other accessories without being over cluttered.
“What’s nice about the Caymas is it has most of the buttons found at the console up at the front also. So, I don’t have to walk back to the console to press any buttons while I’m fishing,” he said.
“What’s nice about the Caymas is it has most of the buttons found at the console up at the front also. So, I don’t have to walk back to the console to press any buttons while I’m fishing,” he said.
Used to mount the mount the Lowrance graph is a Bass Boat Technologies shorty mount. “The Caymas has a wide enough spot to flush mount the 16-inch graph, but I decided to use the shorty mount for durability and being able to adjust my graph,” he said.
Used to mount the mount the Lowrance graph is a Bass Boat Technologies shorty mount. “The Caymas has a wide enough spot to flush mount the 16-inch graph, but I decided to use the shorty mount for durability and being able to adjust my graph,” he said.
Rod Buckles strap the rods down to keep them secure while operating the outboard.
Rod Buckles strap the rods down to keep them secure while operating the outboard.
An overhead view shows the compartment layout as well as the ample storage offered with the Caymas bass boat.
An overhead view shows the compartment layout as well as the ample storage offered with the Caymas bass boat.
According to Hamilton, he has been able to fit nearly 30 rods into this massive rod locker.
According to Hamilton, he has been able to fit nearly 30 rods into this massive rod locker.
The center compartment provides plenty of space for Hamilton’s tackle, which he organizes with plastic boxes for easy accessibility. If needed, the rod tubes in the back allow the compartment to store extra rods.
The center compartment provides plenty of space for Hamilton’s tackle, which he organizes with plastic boxes for easy accessibility. If needed, the rod tubes in the back allow the compartment to store extra rods.
The two side compartments are used for more tackle storage as well as life jackets and other essential on-the-water gear.
The two side compartments are used for more tackle storage as well as life jackets and other essential on-the-water gear.
The latches on the lockers create a tight, suctioned seal when closing the locker with a leak-proof locking and unlocking system. This is another feature that ensures storage will be completely dry, even in extremely wet conditions.
The latches on the lockers create a tight, suctioned seal when closing the locker with a leak-proof locking and unlocking system. This is another feature that ensures storage will be completely dry, even in extremely wet conditions.
Tools such as scissors, pliers and the bump board are handy while on the water. The built-in tool holder keeps these items close by and easy to find for quick accessibility.
Tools such as scissors, pliers and the bump board are handy while on the water. The built-in tool holder keeps these items close by and easy to find for quick accessibility.
A tray is placed beside the second tool holder in the Caymas. Setting loose items such as hooks, baits and other tackle in this tray keeps the boat free of small loose items on the carpet where they could be lost or stepped on.
A tray is placed beside the second tool holder in the Caymas. Setting loose items such as hooks, baits and other tackle in this tray keeps the boat free of small loose items on the carpet where they could be lost or stepped on.
A wide look at the design of the inside of the boat shows the large amount of space offered as well as a nifty layout.
A wide look at the design of the inside of the boat shows the large amount of space offered as well as a nifty layout.
The Caymas comes with a Hot Foot for convenient pedal-driven acceleration.
The Caymas comes with a Hot Foot for convenient pedal-driven acceleration.
A full look at the well-designed and simplistic layout of the dash.
A full look at the well-designed and simplistic layout of the dash.
The second 16-inch Lowrance unit is mounted on the dash.
The second 16-inch Lowrance unit is mounted on the dash.
The Bass Boat Technologies mount is also used to mount the Lowrance graph to the dash.
The Bass Boat Technologies mount is also used to mount the Lowrance graph to the dash.
The switch panel is conveniently located on the driver side below the dash and includes all of the necessary switches for boat operation. The Power-Pole up and down switch is also located by the switch panel.
The switch panel is conveniently located on the driver side below the dash and includes all of the necessary switches for boat operation. The Power-Pole up and down switch is also located by the switch panel.
The tilt steering and blinker style Pro-Trim tabs offer convenience and simple operation of the jackplate and motor trim.
The tilt steering and blinker style Pro-Trim tabs offer convenience and simple operation of the jackplate and motor trim.
“All-in-one gauge is a cool thing Caymas has. The system will link to your outboard no matter what brand it is. The on gauge will provide fuel levels, hours, speed and more. This keeps the console neat, which allows for bigger graphs and more electronics,” Hamilton said.
“All-in-one gauge is a cool thing Caymas has. The system will link to your outboard no matter what brand it is. The on gauge will provide fuel levels, hours, speed and more. This keeps the console neat, which allows for bigger graphs and more electronics,” Hamilton said.
A small Bass Boat Technologies fully waterproof box is located on the dash. This is convenient storage for personal belongings and any other small items Hamilton would like to keep dry and out of the way. It is also equipped with a USB plug on the inside for charging a cellphone regardless if the weather is rain or shine.
A small Bass Boat Technologies fully waterproof box is located on the dash. This is convenient storage for personal belongings and any other small items Hamilton would like to keep dry and out of the way. It is also equipped with a USB plug on the inside for charging a cellphone regardless if the weather is rain or shine.
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At the foot of the co-angler side is a completely waterproof pull-out day box. Hamilton uses this day box to hold extra coil tags, fin clips and other small extras.
At the foot of the co-angler side is a completely waterproof pull-out day box. Hamilton uses this day box to hold extra coil tags, fin clips and other small extras.
A cooler is located next to the console of the boat. This is the compartment he uses for cold items while fishing.
A cooler is located next to the console of the boat. This is the compartment he uses for cold items while fishing.
The seats in the Caymas are not only comfortable, but they are also adjustable. The seats slide forward and backward to meet the height and preference of the angler.
The seats in the Caymas are not only comfortable, but they are also adjustable. The seats slide forward and backward to meet the height and preference of the angler.
Another waterproof day box is located in between the driver and passenger seats. This box also doubles as a cooler, but Hamilton uses it to store more coiling essentials and personal belongings, such as his phone and truck keys.
Another waterproof day box is located in between the driver and passenger seats. This box also doubles as a cooler, but Hamilton uses it to store more coiling essentials and personal belongings, such as his phone and truck keys.
The co-angler side of the boat provides plenty of room for rods and reels, and a handle for holding onto while riding.
The co-angler side of the boat provides plenty of room for rods and reels, and a handle for holding onto while riding.
Behind the passenger seat is a net holder. This placement is convenient because it offers quick accessibility, and the net does not take up space in a rod locker.
Behind the passenger seat is a net holder. This placement is convenient because it offers quick accessibility, and the net does not take up space in a rod locker.
Hamilton keeps the SuperStick strapped down behind the seats just in case he needs to push the boat off when stuck.
Hamilton keeps the SuperStick strapped down behind the seats just in case he needs to push the boat off when stuck.
Large and deep livewells ensure better storing of fish during a tournament and plenty of room for larger fish.
Large and deep livewells ensure better storing of fish during a tournament and plenty of room for larger fish.
The vent system on the livewells allows clean air to filter in keeping the livewells breathing and at a moderate temperature.
The vent system on the livewells allows clean air to filter in keeping the livewells breathing and at a moderate temperature.
The high-speed pickup ensures the livewells will have plenty of water while driving and during rough conditions.
The high-speed pickup ensures the livewells will have plenty of water while driving and during rough conditions.
Switches, wires, batteries and other mechanical aspects of the boat can be found in the back hatch. The Caymas, however, includes a smart design layout which provides cleanliness, organization and convenient operation.
Switches, wires, batteries and other mechanical aspects of the boat can be found in the back hatch. The Caymas, however, includes a smart design layout which provides cleanliness, organization and convenient operation.
Located in the back compartment is a hatch which hides away the livewell pump system. This is convenient and keeps the back hatch organized with more available storage space.
Located in the back compartment is a hatch which hides away the livewell pump system. This is convenient and keeps the back hatch organized with more available storage space.
Another hatch in the back compartments contains the bilge system. “This allows me to have so much more room in the back compartment, for whatever I may need it for,” Hamilton said.
Another hatch in the back compartments contains the bilge system. “This allows me to have so much more room in the back compartment, for whatever I may need it for,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton uses 8-foot Power-Pole Blades, which work well for keeping the boat from moving when fishing a certain spot or bed fishing.
Hamilton uses 8-foot Power-Pole Blades, which work well for keeping the boat from moving when fishing a certain spot or bed fishing.
Used to mount and adjust the outboard is the Bob's Machine Shop action series jackplate, which also comes in a custom color.
Used to mount and adjust the outboard is the Bob’s Machine Shop action series jackplate, which also comes in a custom color.
A closer look shows the detailed mechanics of the back of the Caymas and all of the mounting points.
A closer look shows the detailed mechanics of the back of the Caymas and all of the mounting points.
“The Leash system bolts on and goes around the engine staying attached at all times. If your engine was to break away, the Leash system keeps the outboard from flying up into the boat. It is a really neat safety feature, and it’s never in the way. You never know it’s there most of the time,” Hamilton continued.
“The Leash system bolts on and goes around the engine staying attached at all times. If your engine was to break away, the Leash system keeps the outboard from flying up into the boat. It is a really neat safety feature, and it’s never in the way. You never know it’s there most of the time,” Hamilton continued.
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Hamilton’s Caymas is powered by a Yamaha Vmax 250 SHO. The sheer power and reliability of this outboard reassures Hamilton that he will reach his destination quickly and without issue.
Hamilton’s Caymas is powered by a Yamaha Vmax 250 SHO. The sheer power and reliability of this outboard reassures Hamilton that he will reach his destination quickly and without issue.
A standard three-blade prop is used on Hamilton’s Yamaha 250 SHO.
A standard three-blade prop is used on Hamilton’s Yamaha 250 SHO.
A full look at the rear end of Skylar Hamilton’s Caymas bass boat. <p> Thanks for the tour, Skylar!
A full look at the rear end of Skylar Hamilton’s Caymas bass boat.

Thanks for the tour, Skylar!

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