Orca Tribute to a Legend
Honoring the iconic boat from the movie Jaws
Orca Tribute to a Legend
Honoring the iconic boat from the movie Jaws
The Orca Legacy
The Build: Recreating the ORCA
The Build: Recreating the ORCA
Michael’s lifelong fascination with the ocean and the JAWSfilm made him uniquely suited to bring the iconic ORCA back to life. Captivated by the movie’s suspense and adventure from a young age, he developed a passion for boat-building that would eventually culminate in this milestone project.
But this was not a journey Michael undertook alone. From day one, his son Jack Sterling was at his side, making the ORCA build a true father–son project. Jack wasn’t just helping in the shop — he became Michael’s right-hand man throughout the process. From shaping details to solving challenges, Jack’s fingerprints are on every piece of the vessel. For Michael, Jack’s energy and passion became the driving force behind the project. As he often says, “This boat is as much Jack’s as it is mine.”
By blending technical mastery with heartfelt dedication — and by working side by side with his son — Michael ensured the ORCA was recreated with authenticity and respect for its cinematic roots. What began as a professional challenge became a deeply personal tribute to a story that shaped Michael’s career and now inspires Jack’s future.
The unveiling of the ORCA at Martha’s Vineyard in June 2025—sponsored and brought to life by Michael Fulcher of Eyedeas Inc.—along with its appearance at the Maritime Heritage Festival in New London, CT, marked true milestone moments. The Vineyard celebration, part of the JAWS 50th anniversary, drew record crowds and placed the ORCA at the very heart of the festivities. Fans, locals, and lifelong JAWS enthusiasts gathered to witness the triumphant return of cinema’s most famous fishing boat.
The ORCA’s journey continues. Its next stop is the Fort Lauderdale
International Boat Show, followed by appearances at select events across the country — ensuring that what began as a father–son dream project will live on as a traveling tribute.
About The Orca: A New Tide of Adventure
Martha’s Vineyard: The Unveiling
In June 2025, the Orca made her highly anticipated public debut at the JAWS 50th Anniversary Celebration on Martha’s Vineyard — the very waters where movie history was made. Thousands of fans, film historians, and locals gathered to witness the return of the vessel. The event was more than a premiere; it was a cultural milestone, marking the Orca’s transformation from concept to reality and cementing her place as a living tribute to JAWS.
With appearances by cast members, designers, and lifelong JAWS enthusiasts, the unveiling proved the Orca’s enduring legacy — and highlighted the passion, detail, and craftsmanship behind her recreation.
Martha’s Vineyard: A Cultural Milestone
With appearances by cast members, designers, and lifelong JAWS enthusiasts, the unveiling proved the Orca’s enduring legacy — and highlighted the passion, detail, and craftsmanship behind her recreation.
The event itself was brought to life through the dedication of the JAWS community, who worked together to honor the vessel’s legacy and celebrate her recreation. Every detail of the Vineyard celebration was designed to capture the spirit of the original film, ensuring that the Orca’s unveiling was not just a premiere, but a cultural milestone. Fans, historians, and enthusiasts alike poured their passion into the event, creating a tribute that recognized the enduring impact of JAWS and the craftsmanship behind the Orca’s rebirth.
New London: Maritime Heritage Festival
September 2025 marked the Orca’s first major voyage after Martha’s Vineyard. Hosted by OPSAIL CT at the Maritime Heritage Festival, the Orca drew huge crowds and national attention. Fans experienced the vessel up close, learned about her build, and celebrated maritime history alongside the cinematic legend.
Fort Lauderdale Preparations at APB
Following her triumphant voyage to New London, the Orca is now at All Points Boats (APB) in Fort Lauderdale, where master craftsman Michael Sterling is completing the vessel’s final touches. From fine-tuning details aboard the boat to constructing a faithful recreation of the legendary shark cage, every step is designed to enhance authenticity and immerse fans deeper into the cinematic world of JAWS.
Fort Lauderdale: Deco Drive Feature
In October 2025, the Orca and her creators were featured on WSVN’s Deco Drive, spotlighting the vessel’s craftsmanship and cinematic legacy ahead of her debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The segment showcased the collaboration between All Points Boats and Sterling Marine Carpentry, where every detail—from Quint’s iconic tower to the newly engineered shark cage—was brought to life with precision and passion.
Filmed directly at All Points Boats in Fort Lauderdale, the feature highlighted the Orca’s transformation from concept to completion, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous work that restored one of cinema’s most recognizable vessels. The Deco Drive spotlight not only celebrated the artistry behind the build but also set the stage for her public unveiling at Pier Sixty-Six Marina during FLIBS 2025.
Fort Lauderdale: Pier Sixty-Six at FLIBS (Upcoming)
Debuting at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) from October 29 - November 2, The ORCA - a handcrafted recreation of the legendary Jaws vessel by master craftsman Michael Sterling and his son, Jack - will take center stage at Pier Sixty-Six Marina. In honor of Jaws 50th anniversary this year, the vessel is being finalized at All Points Boats in Fort Lauderdale, complete with a meticulously recreated never-before-seen shark cage.
Set against the backdrop of Pier Sixty-Six, home to one of the largest superyacht marinas on the Eastern Seaboard with 5,000 linear feet of dockage and 164 slips, The ORCA’s introduction unites cinematic heritage with Fort Lauderdale’s $8.8 billion marine industry. The marina features 5,000 linear feet of dockage with 164 slips, welcoming vessels up to 400 feet in length, making it the ideal stage for this milestone unveiling.
The exhibit at Pier Sixty-Six will include:
• The fully outfitted ORCA on display as both a working vessel and a cinematic artifact.
• The debut of the recreated shark cage, available for fan photos.
• A special appearance and signing by Book of Quint author Ryan Dacko.