The Latest Elite Sportfishing Yachts
Sportfishing yachts have stood the test of time since the Rybovich Miss Chevy II back in the early 1900s. The sportfisherman profile is unparalleled and recognized by most every boater. The technology has improved design and performance with each model from smaller boats that are quick with good range to the larger ones where the crew and guests take extended trips, such as the incredible 171-foot Royal Huisman Project 406, now known as Special One, the largest and most luxurious sportfish yacht built to date. Here are a few more to whet your sportfishing appetite.
Royal Huisman Project 406: The Largest Sportfish Yacht
With a towering profile spanning six decks and a massive 171-foot hull, Royal Huisman’s Project 406, now known as Special One, is the largest, most luxurious, and individual true sportfish yacht globally, epitomizing personal freedom. Designed for a passionate fishing enthusiast, she boasts a distinctive design by Vripack Yacht Design, featuring a long bow and high bulwarks sweeping through a clear sheer to a low and uncluttered cockpit aft, as well as a specialized high fishing tower providing exceptional views. Her Alustar aluminum hull and superstructure offer strength and resilience, plus the lighter weight that facilitates smooth passages from berth to fishing grounds. Meticulously crafted by more than 350 experts, Special One seamlessly blends supreme sportfishing with superyacht luxury and refinement, marking it as the epitome of bespoke motoryacht innovation. royalhuisman.com
Buddy Davis 52: Redesigned for Performance and Comfort
The newly redesigned Buddy Davis 52 is an Express model that is slightly wider and significantly lighter that can handle a tuna tower and is loaded with amenities. Powered by twin MAN 1550 V12 engines with an 820-gallon fuel tank, she allows for speed but doesn’t sacrifice comfort, ride, and safety, especially with a gyrostablilizer, generator, and two generous staterooms and two heads. The centerline helm provides all-around visibility. She has plenty of indoor square footage, loads of outdoor mezzanine seating overlooking a classic workable cockpit wrapped in teak with a built-in bait well, fish box, and freezer. buddydavis.com
Bertram 61C: Merging Luxury with Sportfishing Excellence
The Bertram 61C is designed for open-water adventures. She seamlessly integrates seakeeping prowess, luxury, and sportfishing capabilities. Her spacious layout, featuring a three-stateroom, three-ensuite configuration with a full-beam master, accommodates family, friends, and crew. Equipped with a Seakeeper 16 and twin 1,925-mHP CAT C32 ACERT engines, the 61C (61′ 2″ LOA, 18′ 3″ beam) ensures stability and power. The cockpit boasts various amenities like removable fish boxes, rod holders in the gunwale, saltwater and freshwater washdown, a transom livewell, and mezzanine seating. Inside, the salon impresses with panoramic windows and a custom U-shaped sofa with storage, as well as a fully equipped galley. Optional fishing enhancements include outriggers and a fighting chair. bertram.com
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Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition: Traditional Style Meets Modern Performance 
Albemarle Boats and Spencer Yachts collaborated to create the 53 Spencer Edition, a semi-custom Carolina boat featuring traditional styling and performance characteristics. This new flagship of the Albemarle fleet (53′ LOA, 16′ 6″ beam) boasts a spacious interior with three staterooms, two heads, and luxurious amenities including a full galley and comfortable salon. The bridge features an island helm console and ample space for electronics, while the large cockpit offers versatility for various fishing styles, with options for fighting chairs and rocket launchers. The mezzanine has five fiberglass boxes, which can be customized to house coolers, bait freezers, and the like. Standard power is twin 1,150-hp CAT C18 diesels or upgrade to 1,600-hp MTU 10V. albemarleboats.com
Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat: Classic Design with Advanced Technology
The Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat seamlessly blends classic design with cutting-edge technology, creating an ultimate fishing platform. Hull No. 1, named Riser, combines a seaworthy hull with family-friendly accommodations below. The 43-foot boat (14′ 10″ beam) features composite construction for strength and weight savings, enabling superior performance with twin 550-hp Cummins QSB6.7 diesel engines. Equipped for fishing, she offers a spacious cockpit with four flush-mounted rod holders, a walk-through transom door with a lift gate, electronic controls, hydraulic steering, a generator, and more. Optional upgrades include 600-hp engines, a Seakeeper 6 stabilizer, and various tower options. releaseboatworks.com
Jarrett Bay 90: A High-Tech Masterpiece for Sportfishing
Jarrett Bay Boatworks has been asked to commission Hull No. 68 by repeat owners for an impressive upgrade to a high-tech 90-foot (22′ 7″ beam) sportfish with a full tower and open bridge. This newest custom build will be added to the builder’s long list of extraordinary projects with cutting-edge infusion and advanced lamination techniques, both to the superstructure and the decks, to save weight. The cold-molded hull will be traditionally crafted to ensure Jarrett Bay’s signature legendary ride, while a massive cockpit and bridge will provide the space needed to fish and relax comfortably. The range is expanded with her ability to carry more than 4,000 gallons of fuel, allowing for extended travel. jarrettbay.com
Viking 82 Convertible: A Tournament-Ready Sportfishing Yacht
The Viking 82C sportfishing convertible boasts a large cockpit designed for tournament success, featuring ample stowage, refrigerated drink boxes, and multiple wells for the day’s catch. On the flybridge, guests enjoy comfort with helm chairs, lounges, and amenities like rod stowage and chill boxes. The center console helm offers excellent visibility and accessibility, equipped with electronic controls and protected electronics. Inside, the salon offers luxurious options, including high gloss or satin teak joinery and a world-class galley. Accommodations are elegant with a full-beam king master and four additional generously sized staterooms, each with its own ensuite and separate shower. Available in open, enclosed, or sky bridge models, the 82C (82′ 11″ LOA, 21′ 5″ beam) promises versatility and luxury for fishing or cruising adventures. vikingyachts.com
Willis Custom Yachts 70: Speed and Innovation in Sportfishing
The latest Willis to hit the water is the first of the 70-foot hull series. Dubbed WCY15, this vessel is designed for an unbelievable 50-knot top-end speed through its MTU 16V 2000 power plant at 2,600 horsepower. Willis takes the drivetrain to the next level by incorporating a remote gearbox in front of the engine, using a V-drive setup, and reducing the shaft angle to 7 degrees. Maritime Research Associates were called in to engineer the underwater equipment to run as efficiently as possible. The four-cabin, three-head layout offers comfortable accommodations for up to seven guests/crew, including ensuite owner and VIP cabins. A center island galley, custom refrigeration, cozy salon with 55-inch pop-up TV and Creston Audio system make it easy to relax. This boat is made to fish. Not only to get out first, but its 360-degree sonar technology, Custom Marine Electronics, and Bausch Tower help tackle any tournament. williscustomyachts.com
Henriques 42 Express Hardtop Bridge: Year-Round Fishing Comfort
The Henriques 42 Express Hardtop Bridge is a unique model boasting a flybridge atop a hardtop enclosure, catering to both avid fishermen and their families. The vessel features hand-laid fiberglass construction, ensuring durability and seaworthiness. Designed for year-round use, she offers a spacious cockpit with amenities like a live well, two refrigerated fish boxes, tackle prep centers, and mezzanine seating. Inside, the galley boasts stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops, while the salon offers comfortable seating and entertainment options. Accommodations include a master stateroom with a well-appointed head. Powered by either twin Cummins or Volvo engines, the 42-foot boat (14′ 9″ beam) combines functionality with luxury for an unparalleled fishing experience. henriquesyachts.com
Bayliss 60 Sequentis: The Ultimate Walkaround Sportfishing Yacht
Sequentis is the third boat Bayliss Boatworks has built for its owner, and the first walkaround for the company. With twin 2,000-hp MTU 12V engines and 360-degree access to livewells, pitch bait tubes, and rod holders, Sequentis (60′ LOA, 18′ 6″ beam) is a life-support system for a South Florida live baiting team. Belowdecks, she features a combined galley and salon, day head, and accommodations for two. Mechanical highlights include a Seakeeper 18 to keep her steady and a Northern Lights 25kW generator. baylissboatworks.com
Rybovich 62 Sportfisherman: World-Class Sportfishing with Luxury
Hull No. 8 of the Rybovich 62 Sportfisherman is designed to travel the world as the speedboat of the owner’s fleet. With ultra-lightweight construction and twin 1,920-hp MTU 12V 2000 M96L engines, the 62-foot boat (18′ 6″ beam) features an aft galley with a day head accessible from the cockpit. A full-glass wraparound windshield allows for a 360-degree view from the salon, and all the action in the cockpit can be viewed from the salon sofa, dinette, or one of three bar stools along the galley island. With the three-stateroom, three-and-a-half-head queen master aft layout, the boat comfortably sleeps six. The laundry/utility room is also large enough to be converted to a fourth stateroom. michaelrybovichandsons.com
Merritt 77: A New Era of High-Performance Sportfishing Yachts
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The all-new Merritt 77 (77′ LOA, 21′ 6″ beam) is loaded with features and performance. Her sleek shear line, raked stem, tumble home, and spacious four ensuite staterooms are founded on an advanced high-performance bottom design from builder Roy Merritt and noted naval architect Michael Peters that is projected to produce a 36-knot cruise speed and a top end of 45 knots with the proposed MTU 16V 2000 M96L 2600-hp diesel engines. Her cockpit is graced with a highly fine-tuned mezzanine with a large L-shaped settee to port and a standard day head to starboard. A Seakeeper gyro and hydraulic outriggers are standard. She holds 2,850 gallons of fuel and will draft 5 feet, 6 inches fully loaded. merrittboat.com Â
