No owner of Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats models or Florida Powerboat Club members demonstrates greater loyalty than Octavio Valdivia from Georgia. This retired entrepreneur has been a devoted supporter of both since 1993, the same year they were founded by coincidence.
Valdivia owns one of three 48-foot catamarans made by the Rhode Island-based company.
Before he acquired a 2010 open-cockpit SC 48 catamaran named Royal Flush earlier this year, Valdivia had only owned V-bottom models: a 51-footer followed by a 47-footer from the Bristol, R.I. manufacturer.
Currently, this catamaran is docked at Margaritaville on Lake Lanier in Northern Georgia, which is the setting for today’s Pirates Of Lanier Charity Poker Run.
Valdivia expressed his thoughts on his first catamaran: “I adore it. It’s stunning.”
Originally built for noted performance-boat owner Johnny O’Loughlin and sold shortly thereafter, the 48-footer spent the majority of its existence in Turkey before returning stateside to Outerlimits last summer for maintenance. The company’s general manager, Dan Kleitz, facilitated the transaction between the previous owner and Valdivia.
Valdivia subsequently instructed the Outerlimits team to modernize the vessel.
“The boat was entirely red, and Octavio wanted to enhance its look, so we designed a new wrap—drawing extensively from Octavio’s input—and applied it with the help of our partners at Ad-Pro,” Kleitz recalled. “We overhauled the entire dashboard with new electronics, including two Garmin GPS systems, the latest Mercury Marine VesselView display, and upgraded JL Audio sound equipment. We also crafted an attractive new cockpit carpet and cover.
“By the way, the 48 cats are incredible performers in rough water,” he remarked.
Surrounded by friends Jorge and Frankie, Octavio, Karen, and Luke Valdivia are eager for today’s excursion in their unique Outerlimits catamaran.
This 48-footer is equipped with refurbished, pre-owned Mercury Racing 1350 engines. Although Valdivia has extensive experience operating high-speed boats, the SC 48 is his first catamaran. Thus, he completed a high-performance catamaran driving course with Shaun Torrente.
“I gained a lot of knowledge from Shaun—he’s a great individual,” he stated. “Additionally, he is a very skilled and knowledgeable instructor.”
The 48-foot catamaran is driven by twin Mercury Racing 1350 engines.
Valdivia, along with his wife, Karen, maintains a second residence in Pensacola, where they spend most of their time currently. The SC 48 will be docked there. Their son, Luke, and a few close friends will accompany them for today’s event on Lake Lanier. Up next for the family are the Florida Powerboat Club Emerald Coast Powerboat and Key West Poker Run events.
Valdivia’s assessment of his new acquisition is straightforward.
“I love it,” he remarked. “It’s stunning.”
“Moreover, it navigates waves exceptionally well,” he added with a smile.
This 48-footer was among the first vessels to dock for the upcoming Lake Lanier Charity Poker Run this weekend.