It is possible to fish from any type of boat, but a sportfishing yacht is purpose-built for angling aficionados to chase fish of all sizes and species, whether it’s fun fishing for sailfish and mahi-mahi off the beach in Palm Beach or campaigning a professional-level billfish crew on the high-profile (and big-money) tournament circuit from the Bahamas to Bermuda and back. The best sport-fishing yachts combine rugged, blue-water construction with performance, range, agile handling and the comforts of luxury-yacht living. On the outside, sportfish yachts are notable for their dance-floor size cockpits for fish fighting; livewells to keep baits kicking; in-deck fish boxes to keep the catch chilled; and an armada of rod holders for drift fishing, kite fishing or trolling. They also are known for big diesel horsepower and speed, often north of 40 knots. Sportfish yachts are also notable for luxurious interiors with supple leathers, granite countertops, high-end galley appliances and spacious staterooms. These are highly self-sufficient angling platforms geared for life beyond the horizon where the water is deep and the fish are big.
Top Luxury Fishing Boats
The following 13 sportfish yachts are all vessels we’ve reviewed. They are listed in no particular order.
- Viking 82 Convertible: A new breed of sportfishermen emerges from this iconic New Jersey boatbuilder.
- Royal Huisman 171: This superyacht sportfish is touted as the biggest sportfish yacht ever built.
- Rybovich 94: A 41-knot, super-sized sport-fisherman from a legendary name in the boatbuilding game.
- Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat: An owner-operator-size, custom-built competitor with classic lines and modern performance.
- Viking 38 Billfish: One of the top inboard-powered sport-fishermen under 40 feet available today.
- Jarrett Bay Boatworks 64: Rebelette is a 43-knot fish chaser from the custom North Carolina boatbuilder.
- F&S Boatworks 82: Special Situation is special indeed: 82 feet of custom sportfisherman, with a top speed of more than 40 knots.
- Bayliss Boatworks 60: The first walkaround model for this noted boatbuilder, Sequentis is designed to fish the competitive South Florida tournament sailfish circuit .
- Viking 90 Convertible: The flagship of the Viking fleet, the 90C leads a new breed of mega-yacht sport-fishing boats.
- Merritt 88 Sky Bridge: The renowned custom boatbuilder introduces an 88-foot sky-bridge model designed for global sportfishing adventures.
- Duffie 70 : This 70-footer from Maryland’s Duffie Boatworks blends craftsmanship, performance and fishability.
- Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition: Blending production efficiency with custom-boat design was a dream several years in the making, and the result is well worth the effort.
- Winter 46: The boatbuilders at Winter Custom Yachts have optimized the walkaround concept with this MAN-diesel-powered 46-footer.
Viking Yachts 82 Convertible
Viking Yacht Company recently debuted its newest sport-fisherman: the 82 Convertible. Hull No. 1 is serving as the factory demo for the busy summer tournament season in Bermuda and along the East Coast. Thanks to many factors, including the use of computational fluid dynamics, performance is exceptional: twin MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines provide a reported 42-knot top hop and a 36-knot cruise speed. This 82-footer also leverages several proven systems for ease of use and efficiency, such as digital switching from Octoplex as well as the Optimus electronic power steering system. The Viking 82 is engineered for many systems that were previously custom installations and are now on the options sheet, including omnidirectional sonar, multiple water makers and crushed ice machines, tuna tube bait systems as well as the extensive use of refrigerated storage boxes. The Viking 82 is available in three models: open bridge, enclosed bridge and sky bridge.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 82’11” |
| Maximum Beam: | 21’5” |
| Fuel Capacity: | 2,671 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 425 Gal. |
| Draft: | 5’9” |
| Displacement: | 154,647 lb. |
Royal Huisman 171
A 171-foot sportfisherman? Yes. That’s exactly what the six-deck Special One is, from Dutch builder Royal Huisman. The interior and exterior design is from noted Dutch yacht-design firm Vripack, which calls the vessel “a sport-fisher on steroids.” The hull and superstructure of the supersize sportfish is Alustar aluminum, a material known for its strength and relatively light weight.
Even with six decks, Vripack has managed to create sleek lines. It starts with a high freeboard forward that seemingly dares the ocean to approach. Transitioning from the bow, the sheerline slopes downwards in a steady cadence. The flowing sheerline resolves seamlessly at the cockpit. The vessel’s raked house and stacked deck are juxtaposed against the long profile, creating a sinewy aesthetic, which is no simple feat in this 171-footer. Add in all of the expected angling accouterments and 30-knot speed, and you have a sportfish yacht ready to chase fish around the world.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 171’ |
| Hull & Superstructure: | Aluminum |
| Design & Architecture: | Vripack Yacht Design |
| No. of Decks: | 6 |
Rybovich 94
Size, speed and agility is a unique trifecta in a sportfish boat, but the 94-foot, 41-knot III Amigos from Michael Rybovich and Sons checks all those boxes as well as a few more too. The sportfish boat, designed by Patrick Knowles with naval architecture from Dusty Rybovich, is built in cold-molded mahogany. Prop pockets help keep the boat’s half-load draft down to a Bahamas-friendly 5 feet. The Rybovich 94’s impressive speed is helped by a pair of beefy 2,600 hp MTU diesels.
The owner of III Amigos also owns a 196-foot Feadship superyacht and, while he wanted the sportfish to be all business on the outside, he wanted luxury-yacht finishes on the inside. Subtle but telling touches are the solid doors to the staterooms; each mimics the owner’s Feadship with ¾-inch thickness. The doors close flush (each has hidden hinges), and the sound is of a Rolls-Royce door closing.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 94’ |
| Maximum Beam: | 22’ |
| Fuel Capacity: | 4,400 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 600 Gal. |
| Draft: | 5’ |
| Displacement: | 165,000 lb. |
Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat
Reminiscent of arguably one of the most classic sport-fishing boats of all time—the 43-foot Merritt—the 43 Gameboat from Release Boatworks takes that design to a new level of sophistication and performance. These include a hull built using blister-resistant modified epoxy resin, which is vacuum-infused using Airex foam cores with E-glass hybrid fiberglass laminates to maximize strength while minimizing weight. The stringers are built with fiberglass encapsulated foam, and the bulkheads are vacuum-infused with composite cores. The extensive use of composite materials throughout the boat creates a strong finished product and saves a great deal of weight, providing admirable performance. With standard twin 550 hp Cummins QSB6.7 diesels, the 43 Gameboat cruises at 30 knots and tops out at 35 knots. Notable options include 600 hp Cummins QSCs or Volvo Penta D-8s, omni sonar, gyrostabilization and various tower options. The Release 43 Gameboat is also available in walkaround, flybridge walkaround or express layouts.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 43’ |
| Maximum Beam: | 14’10” |
| Fuel Capacity: | 620 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 60 Gal. |
| Draft: | 3’9” |
| Displacement: | 34,000 lb. |
Viking Yachts 38 Billfish
The Viking Yachts 38 Billfish offers a special place in the hearts of bluewater sport-fishing enthusiasts around the world, with its combination of versatility, comfort and performance. The reasons are numerous. As an owner-operator vessel, the 38 Billfish offers simplicity and ease of maintenance, serving as a ready-to-go fishing machine that is equally adept at inshore and offshore excursions as well as for extended cruising with family and friends, thanks to its reliable inboard diesel power. It has a large cockpit as well as the speed and range to fish well offshore alongside much larger vessels, while also providing a fast, safe and comfortable ride in a variety of sea conditions.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 38’8” |
| Maximum Beam: | 14’ |
| Fuel Capacity: | 460 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 69 Gal. |
| Draft: | 3’4” |
| Displacement: | 30,953 lb. |
Jarrett Bay Boatworks 64
North Carolina’s Jarrett Bay Boatworks latest build is the 64-foot beauty known as Rebelette. From its spacious tackle center to a one-of-a-kind walnut interior Hull No. 65 is a tailored fit, and it also has the latest in propulsion tech in the form of twin 2,025 hp Caterpillar C23B diesels. Taking full advantage of the Cat power, Rebelette cruises comfortably at 1,750 rpm while making an easy 31 knots. With 1,650 gallons of fuel, it has range to spare at this speed. Push this vessel up to 1,950 rpm to reach a fast cruising speed of 37 knots, which is impressive in any book. Wide-open throttle is 43 knots, fully loaded and ready to fish.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 64’8″ |
| Maximum Beam: | 18’8″ |
| Fuel Capacity: | 1,650 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 550 Gal. |
| Draft: | 5′ 3″ |
| Displacement: | 98,000 lb. |
F&S Boatworks 82
F&S Boatworks’ stellar reputation stands tall in the world of custom sportfish builders so it’s no surprise that its latest creation, the 82-foot Special Situation, continues the tradition. One of the hallmarks of any F&S is the performance and Special Situation certainly doesn’t disappoint in that department. Powered by a pair of 2,600 hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines, at 2,000 rpm and 80 percent engine load, cruising speed is 36 knots, burning just south of 200 gallons per hour. Backing off to 1,650 rpm, it’s using 122 gph at 28 knots. At the other end of the spectrum, the top hop is more than 42 knots at 2,450 rpm.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 82’ |
| Maximum Beam: | 21’9” |
| Fuel Capacity: | 3,200 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 500 Gal. |
| Draft: | 5’5” |
| Displacement: | 110,000 lb. |
Bayliss Boatworks 60
The 60-foot Sequentis was recently delivered to its new owners by the team at Bayliss Boatworks and it represents the first walkaround design for the storied North Carolina custom boatbuilder. Designed for live-bait tournament sailfishing in South Florida, Sequentis has 360-degree fishability as well as multiple livewells and pitch-bait tubes. And in a sport where having the ability to quickly relocate to a hot bite can mean the difference between finishing in first place or dead last, Sequentis is also fast. Powered by two MTU 12V2000 M96X diesel engines, it reportedly hit speeds of well over 42 knots during the initial sea trials in July 2024.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 60′ |
| Maximum Beam: | 18′6″ |
| Fuel Capacity: | 1,650 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 225 Gal. |
| Draft: | 5′ |
Viking Yachts 90
The flagship of the Viking fleet, the 90 Convertible, has improved elements including the builder’s latest lifting-strake design, a refined driveline and prop pockets, and advanced propulsion systems. Performance was optimized through the use of computational fluid dynamics software, allowing the Viking design team to analyze pressure distribution, study trim angle and trim tab effectiveness, and modify the strakes and chines to increase running efficiency.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 90′ |
| Maximum Beam: | 23’2″ |
| Fuel Capacity: | 3,801 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 480 Gal. |
| Draft: | 5’11” |
| Displacement: | 203,659 lb. |
Merritt 88 Sky Bridge
Merritt’s Boat & Engine Works introduces its latest, an 88-foot sky bridge designed for global sportfishing. Featuring luxurious interiors, advanced electronics and twin 2,600 hp MTU engines, this sport-fisherman offers yacht-level comfort, high performance and functionality for long-range angling adventures. The Merritt 88’s performance is greatly enhanced due to the extensive use of carbon fiber, Corecell and advanced epoxy in its construction, making this boat not only stronger, but also lighter weight and faster than its predecessors.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 88′ |
| Maximum Beam: | 21’2″ |
| Fuel Capacity: | 3,900 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 500 Gal. |
| Draft: | 5’6″ |
| Displacement: | 153,000 lb. |
Duffie 70
The new 70-footer from Duffie Boatworks, Dem Boys exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship, with notable features such as a luxurious four-stateroom layout and high-tech systems, including a proprietary closed-loop freshwater cooling system to virtually eliminate fouling. At 2,000 rpm, the Duffie 70 has a fast cruise of 36.5 knots, enough to make those long runs to the distant offshore canyons considerably quicker, while consuming less than 200 gph. At top hop, Dem Boys hit 43.5 knots.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 71’6” |
| Maximum Beam: | 20’ |
| Fuel Capacity: | 2,600 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 405 Gal. |
| Draft: | 5’11” |
| Displacement: | 125,000 lb. |
Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition
Albemarle Boats and Spencer Yachts formed a partnership to design and build a semicustom Carolina boat, with the goal of bringing in the characteristic design elements, styling and performance from the custom world but to do it in a production setting, allowing for faster build times on the order of months rather than years. It was a dream several years in the making, and the result is the Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 53’ |
| Maximum Beam: | 16’6” |
| Fuel Capacity: | 1,100 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 150 Gal. |
| Draft: | 5’ |
| Displacement: | 48,000 lb. |
Winter Custom Yachts
Tim Winters and his team of boatbuilders at Winter Custom Yachts in North Carolina have truly optimized the walkaround concept, taking full advantage of its inherent versatility. Anglers are no longer confined to the limited space in the cockpit and have the freedom to fight fish all the way around the boat from bow to stern. Even just taking the family on a shorthanded picnic cruise is safer and easier since everyone has full access to the bow without having to navigate a slippery deck. Its latest 46-footer, Thumper, is one of the most versatile boats in this size range on the water today.
Quick Specifications
| Length Overall: | 46’1” |
| Maximum Beam: | 14’2” |
| Fuel Capacity: | 600 Gal. |
| Freshwater Capacity: | 75 Gal. |
| Draft: | 3’2” |
| Displacement: | 33,000 lb. |
