Omie Jennings Tillett (1929 - 2019)

Born 9 Mar 1929 in Atlantic Township, Dare, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

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Biography

Omie "Sportsman" Tillett was born in 1929. He was the son of Hiram Tillett and Theresa Wescott. He passed away in 2019.

Tillet was a boat-builder and innovator. He started Sportsman Boatworks in 1973.

Tillett was a pioneer in sport fishing. Along with his father, Sam, he organized the group of boats in Dykstra’s Canal to form what is now the Oregon Inlet charter fleet.^[1]

Obituary Excerpt

Along with his father and brother, Omie pioneered the Outer Banks’ offshore charter fishing industry. Captain of the Sportsman out of Oregon Inlet, his boatbuilding skills were renowned.

In January 2009, Omie was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in North Carolina, for his exceptional accomplishments and exemplary service as a citizen in his community. A member of the International Game Fish Association’s Hall of Fame, he was the 2010 Dare County Living Legend.

Above all, Omie was ‘topped off’ with love for the Lord. His signature “woooo” and holy ghost hugs were as well-known as his skills as a captain and boatbuilder. He began every morning by blessing the fleet which started a tradition that continues today.

Memorial donations may be made to Dare County Boat Builders Foundation – Omie Tillett Scholarship Fund (PO Box 1473, Manteo, NC 27954 or online at www.dcbbf.org) or The Gideons International (PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214 or online at www.gideons.org).^[2]

Omie Tillett - Boat Builder

However, one of the most dynamic patriarchs was undoubtedly Omie Tillett who was only able to complete eight hulls because of an allergy to epoxy. Yet his influence continues today.

Omie Tillett comes from a family of fishermen that includes his younger brother Tony. Omie began working with his father, Sam Tillett, at the age of 10, and by 20, Omie was running his first boat. As many Carolina charter captains soon learn, a new or different boat is often needed in order for them to keep fishing in the challenging conditions.

In fall 1960, construction began on Sportsman. In spring 1961, the Sportsman was launched, and the classic Carolina boat was born. Tillet started Sportsman Boatworks in 1973. He built many familiar boats that still ply the offshore waters of North Carolina today, including Skylark (now Salvation), Temptation, Carolinian (now Rigged Up) and Brothers Pride.

Tarheel Innovator: “Omie had an idea to put everything in line by going to a single large rudder aft of the propeller but adding a ‘flanking rudder’ forward of the strut. The flanking rudder’s purpose was solely for backing down. Tarheel was set up perfectly for this because it had two fuel tanks and the center companionway was wide open for this experimental project."

"Omie helped devise and install this system. It was a big success. Fuel is probably your largest expense as a charter fisherman, and Omie’s idea saved almost 10 percent a day in fuel and gave another knot of speed by reducing drag.”^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.marlinmag.com/omie-tillet-brothers-pride-custom-boat-refit/
2. ↑ https://www.twifordfh.com/omie-j-tillett/
3. ↑ https://www.marlinmag.com/omie-tillet-brothers-pride-custom-boat-refit/

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200849476/omie-jennings-tillett