Last updated: July 29, 2026
Game On: The Next Generation of Sportfishing Yachts
A sportfisherman starts with a simple job — a motorboat built to catch fish — and turns it into one of the most demanding, performance-driven categories on the water. The newest sportfishing yachts for 2026 push that idea harder than ever, pairing tournament-grade fishability with the range, comfort, and finish of a proper cruising yacht.
The nine boats below run from a nimble 35-footer to a 72-foot flybridge, but they share a mission: chase game fish farther offshore, get there faster, and keep the crew comfortable on the long runs home. Here are the new models making waves.
What Makes a Modern Sportfishing Yacht
Today’s sportfishing yachts share a handful of traits that separate them from the offshore boats of a decade ago. Builders infuse hulls with vinylester resin and add composite or Kevlar reinforcement for strength without excess weight. Propulsion grew more efficient, whether that means IPS pod drives on a 42-footer or 2,200-mhp diesels on a 70. And the cockpits and interiors now do double duty — tournament-ready workspaces that convert to comfortable cruising quarters the moment the lines come tight. The nine models below show that range in action.
Jarrett Bay 64
Jarrett Bay Boatworks built custom sport-fisher convertibles in the 60-foot range across its 40-year history, and a run of recent 64-foot commissions established that length as a signature for the yard. The latest 64, Rebelette, came together to the owner’s exact specifications. Her Carolina flare invokes speed and agility even at rest, and Caterpillar’s latest twin C32B propulsion stands ready to send her off the dock toward the next adventure. jarrettbay.com
Henriques Yachts 35′ EXHT
Henriques answered the popularity of its 42′ EXHT by bringing the same layout to its proven 35′ hull. The smaller EXHT delivers outstanding helm visibility, a cockpit with room to fish or cruise, and a cabin that covers the essentials — all wrapped in the solid, dependable ride Henriques owners expect. It handles rough offshore conditions with confidence, which makes it an easy fit for serious anglers and families alike. See it at henriquesyachts.com.
Bertram 61
Bertram built the 61 for serious offshore pursuits, and it shows in a confident mix of seakeeping, luxury, and fishability. A vinylester-infused hull, reinforced with Kevlar through the keel and strakes, stands up to demanding conditions. The cockpit comes ready to work with a transom livewell, rod holders, and electric reel outlets, while a spacious, customizable interior keeps crew comfortable on extended bluewater runs. Compare it with the builder’s open-express approach in our Bertram 50 sportfish roundup. More at bertram.com.
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Viking 70
The second-generation Viking 70 builds on a proven platform and sharpens design, efficiency, and fishability across the board. Twin 2,200-mhp engines push it to a top speed of 43 knots, and a four-stateroom layout gives owners real flexibility, with Open, Enclosed Bridge, or Sky Bridge configurations on the table. Viking debuts the boat at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, where it marks the next step in the builder’s 70-foot class. To see how far the yard reaches at the top end, read our look at the Viking 90 sportfisherman. More at vikingyachts.com.
Albemarle 53
Albemarle Boats teamed with Spencer Sportfish to build a semicustom Carolina boat that captures custom styling and performance in a production setting. Molds shorten the build time without giving up the look. Albemarle vacuum-infuses the 53 hull with vinylester resin over a composite core — the company’s strongest yet lightest design to date — and the hull carries the seakeeping both builders long made their name on. Learn more at albemarleboats.com.
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Riviera 72
The Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht Series II blends long-range cruising comfort with genuine sportfishing capability. Riviera designed it for a smooth, dry ride and gave it a wide, open cockpit ready for action, plus expansive entertaining space that runs from the foredeck to the enclosed, air-conditioned flybridge. A luxurious saloon, walkaround decks, and easy indoor-outdoor flow make the 72 as at home hosting at anchor as it is chasing fish offshore. More at rivieraaustralia.com.
Michael Rybovich & Sons 42
Michael Rybovich & Sons returns to the 40-foot class with a refined 42-footer that marries timeless craftsmanship to modern capability. Flawless teak joinery sets the tone, while twin 725-hp Volvo Penta D11 engines on IPS950 drives deliver agile handling and efficiency. An 11-kW Kohler generator supports the boat’s systems, and a smartly arranged interior — galley, full head, and bunk room — makes offshore runs and weekend stays equally comfortable. More at michaelrybovichandsons.com.
Ocean Yachts 54 Super Sport
Ocean Yachts completely re-envisioned the 54 Super Sport to mark the model’s 20th anniversary. The builder kept the proven hull that performed for owners around the world and wrapped it in a new curved superstructure for a thoroughly modern look. Increased fuel capacity — 1,400 gallons — gives the 54 the range to reach the farthest fishing grounds. More at oceanyachts.com.
Release 46 Gameboat
The Release 46 Gameboat pairs classic sportfisherman styling with modern construction in a purpose-built offshore performer. A resin-infused hull delivers a fast, efficient, dry ride, whether the crew chases billfish or runs home at speed. Release built the 46 for serious anglers, with a tournament-ready cockpit and no-nonsense fishability — a flybridge for owners who demand performance, durability, and precision after long days offshore. More at releaseboatworks.com.
Which Sportfishing Yacht Fits Your Program?
From the Henriques 35′ EXHT to the Riviera 72, this year’s sportfishermen prove the category keeps evolving — faster hulls, smarter propulsion, and cabins that make a tournament boat livable for a family weekend. Whichever end of the range fits your program, 2026 gives offshore anglers plenty to chase.
