1986 Knowles 40 Express

Step aboard and you can feel the handcrafted pedigree the moment your hand hits the teak. The 40 Knowles carries that low, purposeful bow and broken sheer that slices through a head sea yet still looks right at home backing down on a hot fish. Sightlines from the helm are excellent, thanks to the classic express profile and clean, unobstructed foredeck. Inside, the layout is all business: a practical galley, honest storage, and just enough creature comfort to keep the crew happy on an overnighter. Wide cockpit wings, solid gaff lockers, and a proper transom setup make it clear this boat was built around serious tournament-style fishing, not just cruising the inlet.

A 40-foot cold-molded express like this Knowles is tailor-made for the mixed conditions you see in these waters. She’s compact enough to slide into tighter slips and shallow marinas, yet offers the range and ride to comfortably run offshore when the window opens. The efficient express layout keeps captain and crew connected while working the spread, which is ideal when baits need to be adjusted quickly in shifting currents. Her classic hull form softens the chop common on afternoon runs back inside, while the open cockpit and straightforward systems make washdowns and turnarounds fast between trips. It’s a sweet spot of size, fishability, and economy for this region.