"The Bimini Bonefisher," a custom handcrafted work of art, is the latest creation of Ansil Saunders, a fifth generation boat builder. His boats have been shown at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and in Nassau, The Bahamas. Mr. Saunders builds one boat per year, and construction usually takes about 10 weeks.
A 16-foot, $13,000 skiff, the Bonefisher is built to pursue bonefish in water as shallow as five inches deep. Mahogany, native horseflesh wood from South Bimini and oak are used to construct his boats. Other materials include solid brass screws, epoxy glue, fiberglass and varnish. Plus, a 20-gallon aluminum gas tank, a battery and an oil well are also included.
Mr. Saunders guarantees that this boat is unique to Bimini and it has proven to be the most effective vessel on the bonefish flats, because of its durability and shallow draft.
This well-respected businessman is also a Bimini-born bonefisherman. He is a renowned sports ambassador, through his lifelong talent as a bonefish guide, a bone-fishing world record holder, and the recipient of the prestigious 2003 Cacique Award (Minister’s Award).
Mr. Saunders first received recognition as the fisherman who guided the late civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., when he supposedly came to Bimini in search of serenity and to clear his mind. Mr. Saunders took him out in his boat to spots that were very peaceful. On this outing Martin Luther King Jr. took notes for his speech that later earned him the Noble Peace Prize.
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