Project: Resurrection Of A Nor-Tech 5000-V

The owner Integrated AV in Edmond, Okla., Shawn Romberg makes his living installing state-of-the-art centralized landscape lighting and integrated sound systems. Old things have no place in his professional world. But when it comes to his taste in performances boats, the 50-year-old doesn’t just lean toward older offerings, he’s made a habit of recycling borderline antiques. His first restoration project was a 24-foot Fountain Powerboats CS sportboat. His second was a 42-foot Sonic.

When Romberg took delivery of the 17-year-old 50-foot Nor-Tech V-bottom, it still had a radar arch.

And now Romberg has something bigger in the works—a 2007 model-year Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats 5000-V powered a trio of Yanmar turbo-diesel engines in the just-shy-of-400-hp range.

How dated is the 50-footer? When Romberg first purchased it at auction a few years back, the boat still had a radar arch. It’s a massive, deep cockpit V-bottom that can accommodate a crowd.

“We have a big family and we love to do poker runs,” he explained. “That’s why I bought it. I knew I could get a lot of people on it.”

Romberg eventually got rid of the arch, had the boat wrapped and installed a new interior. He had its engines and Bravo drives rebuilt

The Nor-Tech 5000-V is simply massive.

But he wasn’t satisfied. So he turned to Nick Buis, the owner of Statement Marine, whom he got to know through their mutual friend and former Statement catamaran owner Robby Mcatee, to modernize the 17-year-old boat. A marine industry veteran, Buis knew the Nor-Tech behemoth particularly well.

“I remember delivering that boat to Teddy Pzus back in the day,” Buis said.

Currently in the final stages of new paint application at Statement headquarters in Clearwater, Fla., Romberg’s Nor-Tech will be outfitted with a new interior, most likely Alcantara he said, and SeaDek flooring on the sole.

“Nick keeps coming up with all these great ideas,” Romberg said. “He knows all the latest trends. I’m letting him run with it.”

A trio of completely rebuilt Yanmar turbo-diesel engines power the 50-footer.

Romberg was hoping to have the 50-footer completed in time for him and his wife, PJ, and their three young children to enjoy the Florida Powerboat Club Tampa Bay Poker Run (April 11-14). But the flooring may not be installed in time by a local vendor in his area.

“I really want to show it when it’s completely finished,” he said.

Regardless where and when Romberg runs the reimagined 50-footer for its maiden voyage, one this is certain. It will be loaded with the owner’s family and friends.