Caught up with Susan Patterson, the vice president of sales and marketing for Concept Boats, for a story I’m writing on the company’s 44’ Sport Yacht. (The article will appear on Boats.com in October). The Opa-Locka, Fla., company has built eight 44-footer’s in a combination of T-top and fully-enclosed cockpit versions, to date. The most popular power choice has been triple 300-hp outboard engines.

Patterson said the company will soon offer the boat with diesel power. That’s a departure for Concept, which has historically gone the outboard-power route with its offerings.

“We’ve had requests for it, so we will build it,” she said. “We’re a semi-custom boat builder, so we’re more than willing to do things like that for our customers.”

The 44’ Sport Yacht was introduced two years ago at the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.