Release Marine Launches 43 Gameboat

The Release 43 Gameboat is a modern take on the classic Merritt 43 sport-fisher.
Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat
Release Boatworks in New Jersey has launched its first 43 Gameboat for a Florida-based owner. The sport-fisher takes design cues from the classic 43 Merritt. Photo by Austin Coit

New Jersey-based Release Boatworks has launched Hull No. 1 of its 43 Gameboat.

Aimed at the angling-enthusiast, the Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat has a 140-square-foot, dance-floor-size cockpit for big-fish battles. There’s also a tuna door with lift gate and four rod holders standard, so add a few more rod holders, a fighting chair and/or a rocket launcher, some outriggers, an optional tower and this boat is ready for the tournament circuit. The boat also has an Omni sonar option to ensure the skipper can find the fish and stay on the fish-anywhere.

Naval architect Erwin Gerards penned this sport-fisher’s modified-V hull form with 14.5 degrees transom deadrise. Standard power is twin 550 hp Cummins QSB6.7 diesels, which reportedly provide 30-knot cruise speed and a 35-knot top hop. At cruise speed, the diesels’ fuel burn is reportedly 56 gallons per hour resulting in a 365-nautical-mile range with a 10 percent fuel reserve. Some of the other power options for the 43 Gameboat include twin 600 hp diesels from Cummins and Volvo Penta. An 11.5 kW Onan genset provides power for hotel loads when away from the dock.

Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat
The boat’s 140-square-foot teak cockpit leaves space for a fighting chair with room to spare. Note the transom door with lift gate to starboard. Photo by Austin Coit

The sport-fisher’s helm station is set up with single-lever controls, a teak ladder-back helm chair with four-inch pedestal and removable cushions.

Construction for the 43 Gameboat is a vacuum-infused, E-glass hybrid fiberglass hull with “blister-resistant modified epoxy resin.” The builder uses Airex foam core to enhance strength without excessive weight. Additionally, the boat has foam stringers encapsulated in fiberglass, and the bulkheads are vacuum-infused composite cores. According to Release Boatworks, “the interior of the hull also gets an isophthalic gelcoat topcoat.” Considering a standard fuel load of 620 gallons, the 43 Gameboat’s displacement is 32,000 pounds.

Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat
For those overnight canyon trips, the 43 Gameboat has accommodations belowdecks for four people. Photo by Austin Coit

Owners can add a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer for enhanced stability in a seaway.

In a press release, said Jim Turner, Director of Release Boatworks stated, “This boat is for the customer we know best—the boat owner who values compact maneuverability, a large cockpit, and spacious sleeping accommodations. This family-friendly battlewagon combines our classically engineered seaworthy hull with lofty accommodations below for overnight trips, as well as a highly fishable cockpit and clean wake for chasing trophies offshore.”

Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat
With standard twin 550 hp Cummins diesels, Release Boatworks reports a 30-knot cruise speed and a 35-knot top hop. Photo by Austin Coit

Release Boatworks says this 43-footer also comes in walkaround, flybridge walkaround and express versions.

Take the next step: releaseboatworks.com