CudaCraft 19<\/a> was widely used and highly regarded in professional guide circles, attaining a cult-like status by nature of its design and performance.<\/p>\n![\"Variable](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Variable-deadrise-begins-with-a-48-degree-entry-to-soften-oncoming-chop.-Photo-by-George-LaBonte-273.jpeg\")
Variable deadrise begins with a 48-degree entry to soften oncoming chop. Photo by George LaBonte<\/p>\n
The model offered an extremely soft ride and effectively split duties between the shallow flats and choppier open waters of the Gulf and Atlantic reef. Its reputation and legacy have made the model a sought-after craft for restorers\u2014including Stuart\u2019s Chris Rychcik.<\/p>\n
In search of a project, Rychcik tracked down Del Bond, son of the late original designer. The molds for the 19-footer had changed hands several times over the years, before landing with Del in Tennessee, where he built CudaCraft boats for a time, until the 2008 economic downturn put an end to that.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter numerous conversations with Del about things I wanted changed on the boat he might build for me, he suggested I could buy the molds and retool it myself,\u201d says Rychcik, an engineer by trade who was intrigued with the idea of having a new version of a classic.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A-sub-12-inch-draft-allows-backwater-exploration-for-anglers.-Photo-by-George-LaBonte-1024x689.jpg\")
A sub-12-inch draft allows backwater exploration for anglers. Photo by George LaBonte<\/p>\n
The opportunity to add 2026 technology to the build process and modernize the interior while retaining the original style and performance of the classic hull design took Rychcik on a journey lasting several years. He says he started out \u201credesigning the deck layout and building modern molded hatches, etc., and it snowballed.\u201d Rychcik began working with Chris Morejohn to redesign structural aspects to support topside changes.<\/p>\n
Rychcik could have embarked on a one-off project. Instead he decided to offer custom-built CudaCraft 19 boats to the marketplace. Built in the historic Stuart Boat Building District, the boats are constructed with the hands-on input of buyers designing a layout suited to their personal needs. The concept of building new custom boats is not uncommon in Stuart; however, the opportunity to build a classic from scratch is unique.<\/p>\n
![\"Speeds](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Speeds-well-into-the-40s-are-easily-attainable-with-the-200-horsepower-option.-Photo-by-George-LaBon.jpeg\")
Speeds well into the 40s are easily attainable with the 200-horsepower option. Photo by George LaBonte<\/p>\n
The modern version of the CudaCraft offers beautiful finish work\u2014both structurally and esthetically\u2014that wasn\u2019t possible during the original\u2019s day. The soft ride and heavy solid feel of the classic remains and, after completing and spending enough time retooling his own personal model, Rychcik is open for business and says the modern classic is ready to hit the market (and to turn heads).<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter where we go on this boat, whether it\u2019s the sandbar, boat ramp, or even filling up at a gas station, people recognize the hull design and want to talk about it or look around at the inside,\u201d Rychcik says, noting the reimagined boat\u2019s one flaw with a laugh. \u201cIt makes it hard to go anywhere in a hurry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/This-live-well-and-helm-seat-combo-makes-access-to-baits-easier-and-running-the-boat-more-comfortabl.jpeg\")
This live well and helm seat combo makes access to baits easier and running the boat more comfortable. Photo by George LaBontePower File<\/p>\n
Length: 23 feet, 2 inches (with bracket)<\/p>\n
Beam: 8 feet, 2 inches<\/p>\n
Draft: 10-12 inches<\/p>\n
Variable Deadrise: 48\/24\/11 degrees<\/p>\n
Fuel: 45 gallons<\/p>\n
Max HP: 200<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The open water capabilities of this model are a cut above for a 19-footer. Photo by George LaBonte…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":170233,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[171,173,172],"class_list":["post-170232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-port-st-lucie","tag-port-st-lucie","tag-port-st-lucie-headlines","tag-port-st-lucie-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=170232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170232\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/170233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=170232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=170232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=170232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/The-open-water-capabilities-of-this-model-are-a-cut-above-for-a-19-footer.-Photo-by-George-LaBonte-1.jpeg\")
The open water capabilities of this model are a cut above for a 19-footer. Photo by George LaBonte<\/p>\n