With several 38-foot walkaround boats on the water, Tim Winters and his team at Winter Custom Yachts in North Carolina have optimized the walkaround concept in order to take 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 360 degrees. 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. 

If there’s a drawback to the walkaround design, it’s a loss of interior volume, as the boat’s command deck and salon are compact to accommodate the walkaround alleys that span the perimeter of the hull. To make up for it, Winter upsized his latest version to 46 feet. The result is Hull No. 37, Thumper. This 46-footer was designed to be a fishing tender as part of a globetrotting mothership-and-game boat operation, and is a tough-as-nails workhorse designed to fish hard and well. 

The 46 is a yacht tender, and it has yacht-level finish to match the mothership. Descending from the air-conditioned command deck via a semi-spiral staircase, the galley and couch are immediately below, along with a day head. The full-beam en suite master is forward, with a guest stateroom with twin bunks aft. 

Power is a pair of 850 hp MAN i6 engines. At a 35-knot cruise, Thumper is riding comfortably while burning 60 gallons per hour; with 600 gallons of fuel, that’s a range of 350 nautical miles. At top hop, it hits 39.3 knots on initial sea trials while burning 80 gallons per hour. The performance illustrates the vessel;s efficient hull form and the CJR flow-aligned running gear and propellers. 

The program for this mothership-gameboat operation includes fishing adventures in far-flung destinations such as Magdalena Bay, Mexico and the distant seamounts off Costa Rica. 

Other notable features on the Winters 46 include a 25 kW Northern Lights generator and a Seakeeper 9 gyrostabilizer. The satin-finish interior showcases the builder’s woodworking talents, with the horizontal grain teak veneer selected to match the interior of the owner’s larger yacht. 

On the command deck, the peninsula helm stretches from port with multiple Garmin displays as well as joystick control, FLIR night vision and omnidirectional sonar. 

“Since our inception, I have strived to perfect every technique and component to optimize the unique fishing experience my clients want to achieve,” Winters says. “During the process, I work alongside my clients to make the build process enjoyable, so much that some have repeated the process several times. They recognize their boat is not only a fun venture, but it also affords an excellent investment. I never compromise on details and will always deliver the finest custom sportfishing boats that my clients are proud to own.” 

Winters considers Thumper to be the ultimate gameboat, thanks to the smooth transitions from bow to stern with no steps to impede an angler as well as the boat’s overall size and nimbleness.

Take the next step: wintercustomyachts.com

Quick Specifications

• LOA: 46’1”
• Maximum Beam: 14’2”
• Draft: 3’2”
• Displacement: 33,000 lb.
• Fuel Capacity: 600 gal.
• Water Capacity: 75 gal.

The post Winter Custom Yachts 46 Reviewed appeared first on Yachting.

The Merritt family has been building boats since 1955, and Roy Merritt has been hands-on at the yard ever since he was a boy. Under his leadership, Merritt’s Boat & Engine Works, located in the sleepy beachside community of Pompano Beach, Florida, has grown from a mom-and-pop boatyard to become one of the world’s legendary builders of custom sport-fishing vessels. Its latest build is Hull No. 110, an 88-foot skybridge—a first for Merritt’s—which is designed as a globe-traveling sportfisherman. Meet the new Reel Tight. 

Other builders have proven the concept and benefits of a skybridge design, which is a conventional flybridge layout atop an enclosed bridge. For long-distance travel, it’s hard to beat since the lower station is not only luxurious in layout, but is fully climate controlled and out of the elements. When it’s time to fish, the captain heads up the ladder to the open flybridge above. With its additional electronics plus 360-degree views, not to mention the elevation above the water, this is definitely advantageous for those who choose to spend their days chasing mammoth marlin and tuna. 

The enclosed bridge has Merritt styling and a classic teak interior with a full yacht-grade helm and electronics with an L-shaped lounge and granite-topped table. To port is a stone countertop with a wet bar, two refrigerator drawers and four storage drawers—all finished in Merritt’s satin-varnished teak. In essence, the enclosed bridge becomes the second story of this sport-fish yacht and a place where guests can enjoy the views while underway or the fishing crew can strategize without interrupting the conversations in the main salon one deck below. 

At the helm, all ­vessel control systems are within easy reach, including the MTU engine gauges and the ship’s system controls. There are four large screens to display the various navigation and fishing information with two 22-inch and two 19-inch Seatronx sunlight-viewable monitors. The screens display the chartplotter and radar as well as Furuno black-box cartography, Chirp sounder, multibeam wide-angle 3D sonar sounder, omnidirectional sonar and FLIR thermal camera. 

Heading down to the salon, the space is open and inviting with a U-shaped settee to port, another to starboard and a large television monitor in the aft corner, which can also display navigational or sonar inputs from the electronics. A dinette is to starboard across from the galley. There are six Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers for this boat, another nod to the owner’s plans for long-range travel and fishing in more than a few “off-the-beaten-path” destinations. 

Forward of the galley is the pantry/electrical-equipment control room to port and the stairway to access the ­staterooms and the crew quarters with a private captain’s quarters, two bunks and a shared head. The master stateroom is to port with a king berth and en suite head, and a guest stateroom with over-under bunks is forward of the owners’ space. A laundry closet with a washer and dryer, a guest stateroom, also with over-under bunks, and a shared head with the port guest stateroom is to starboard. The VIP with an en suite head has a queen island berth with stowage, two cedar-lined closets and overhead outboard stowage.

Outside, the 88 Skybridge has a mezzanine with an L-shaped lounge to port with a teak armrest on the end. A flip-up lid houses controls for the exterior air conditioning as well as the stereo and security system. A high-low table creates a social lounge with the flybridge overhang providing respite from the sun. There is the standard mix of refrigerated and freezer stowage in the mezzanine, plus engine room access on centerline. The teak cockpit has a Bluewater Chairs unlimited-class fighting chair with a rocket launcher; a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer is also in the deck just ahead of the chair’s pedestal. The lazarette provides access to all steering components, plus bilge and livewell pumps. An oversize tuna door is included to help boat the big ones. 

The engine room is home to a pair of 2,600 hp MTU V16 2000 engines and twin ­40-kilowatt Kohler generators to supply power for hotel loads while away from the dock. Cruising along at 1,850 rpm at a 71 percent load and making 30 knots, Reel Tight burns 150 gallons per hour. Bumping the rpm to 2,100 yields a fast cruise of 36 knots. At wide open, the Merritt 88 Skybridge has a top hop of 41.5 knots in fishing-ready condition—impressive considering its 153,000-pound displacement. That performance is due in large part to the extensive use of carbon fiber, Corecell and advanced epoxy in its construction, making this boat not only stronger but also lighter and faster than its predecessors. 

Merritt 88 Quick Specifications

• LOA: 88’
• Maximum Beam: 21’2”
• Draft: 5’6”
• Displacement: 153,000 lb.
• Fuel Capacity: 3,900 gal.
• Water Capacity: 500 gal.

Take the next step: merrittboat.com

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When a professional captain turns to building boats, first for themselves and then for others, it seems they always incorporate seemingly insignificant custom touches that make ownership easier. For example, frequently maintained systems are easier to access and systems, which might need to be replaced one day, are designed with future replacement in mind. There is a higher level of thought and execution, and to the experienced eye, it shows.

That was definitely the case when Capt. Jon Duffie built his first boat for himself and his family. The 64-foot Billfisher, splashed in spring 2021, immediately started turning heads—and cashing checks. In August of the same year, Duffie and his team landed a 1,135-pound blue marlin during The MidAtlantic tournament, setting a new Maryland state record and winning more than $1.1 million. It was just the third confirmed blue marlin weighing more than 1,000 pounds ever landed off the coast of Maryland. Duffie’s boats checked all the boxes for a top-shelf custom builder: fast, efficient, beautiful lines, easy to own and easy to maintain. One of his newest hulls is the 70-footer Dem Boys.  

While custom sport-fishers might all start to look similar to some folks, Duffie’s boats stand out thanks to its engine-vent design, which mimics the curvature of the forward brow and side glass. Several recent builds have also eschewed the standard tuna tower; while opinions vary widely in the sport-fishing community, many feel that the additional weight, maintenance and expense of a tower outstrips the benefits, especially in fisheries such as the East Coast where there’s little need for the added height. At any rate, Dem Boys doesn’t have a tower, nor does it need one to compliment its classic lines.  

Entering the salon from the cockpit, there is a gray U-shaped sofa on the port side, with a substantial cabinet and wine cooler to starboard. A generous L-shaped dinette is also to starboard. The galley is to port and equipped with four slide-out Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer drawers, a convection cooktop and all the amenities needed to keep a team of hungry fishermen happily fed for days. 

The Duffie 70 has a four-stateroom, three-head configuration with the master stateroom on the port side at the bottom of the steps. It has a king berth and abundant stowage, including multiple hanging lockers. 

Forward, just above a small step, is a dedicated tackle area with vertical storage for more than a dozen rods and reels. Beneath this step is entry to the fully finished forward bilge—complete with LED lighting—with access to all forward pumps, fittings and machinery. This area also doubles as a stowage for overflow provisions or tackle.

The forepeak VIP has a raised queen berth. A  stand-alone Garmin display is flush-mounted with the teak cabinetry, allowing the captain to keep an eye on systems and positioning during those overnight trips. Two additional guest bunk rooms are to starboard, with an additional shared head.

Outside, the flybridge has a pair of Release Marine helm chairs just abaft a peninsula helm laid out to port. The helm console has three 24-inch Garmin multifunction displays, along with omnidirectional sonar. Seating abounds on the bridge, with additional stowage for dry goods beneath nearly every seat..

The teak cockpit has a Release Marine Trillion, unlimited-class fighting chair in the center, but perhaps even more noticeable is the absence of a traditional scupper system for drainage. Duffie uses a French drain system running along the full length of the transom to remove water quickly, an advantage when backing the boat down hard on a potential tournament winner. The air-conditioned mezzanine has comfortable seating atop a configuration of freezer and refrigerated stowage, while an ice box beneath the step is fed by a Dometic ice chipper, ensuring that the fresh catch stays that way.

A pair of 2,400 hp Caterpillar C32B engines and two 30 kW Phasor generators reside in the engine room, which is well lit with room to move outboard of each engine. Duffie uses a proprietary closed-loop freshwater cooling system, virtually eliminating fouling when compared to conventional seawater-cooled pumps and accessories.

Dem Boys is a strong performer, thanks to those Cat diesels. Turning 1,850 rpm,the boat cruises easily at 32 knots while the engines burn a touch over 160 gallons per hour. At 2,000 rpm, fast cruise is 36.5 knots, enough speed to make those long canyon runs considerably shorter. Fuel burn at this speed is less than 200 gph. At top hop, Dem Boys sped to 43.5 knots. 

For those with a need for speed as well as a desire for luxe touches, first-rate amenities and superb fishability, the Duffie Boatworks 70 checks the boxes. 

Take the next step: duffieboatworks.com

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Imagine that a well-respected production boatbuilder of midsize sport-fishing boats wants to create a next-level flagship? Now imagine a renowned custom-sportfish builder with a multi-year backlog that wants to produce something more rapidly? And what if both shipyards are located in North Carolina just a few hours from each other. That’s exactly how the Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition came to be. 

Albemarle Boats and Spencer Yachts have collaborated to design and build a semi-custom Carolina boat, with custom-sportfish design elements, styling and performance, but built in a production setting. This setup allows for faster build times, on the order of months rather than years. The plan has been several years in the making, but the result appears well worth the effort. 

As with the Spencer’s larger builds, the hull of the Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition has a vacuum-infused hull with a composite core, making it bluewater strong and with less weight than conventional cold-molding techniques. 

The salon in Hull No. 1 is an inviting space with a white headliner, gray seating and warm, walnut veneers. An L-shaped dinette for four or five guests is forward and to port, while on the starboard side is an L-shaped sofa with customizable stowage below as well as an ottoman containing additional stowage, handy for tackle or accessories. 

The step-down galley is also to starboard. Features here include a pair of Vitrifrigo refrigerator/freezer drawer units, a microwave and an array of cabinets. The aft bi-level countertop overlooks the salon, with two bar stools providing an intimate atmosphere and the dark-tinted windows highlighting the outside views found throughout the salon.

Belowdecks, the 53 has a three-stateroom, two-head layout. To port and starboard are bunk rooms; the port stateroom also provides over-bunk rod stowage. Just forward is a shared head. All the way forward, the en suite master stateroom has a queen berth with two overhead cabinets that can be customized for clothing, additional rods or gear.

The flybridge layout has an island helm console, allowing easy access around either side to the forward-facing lounge ahead of the console and outboard bench seating to either side. Just above the teak helm pod—a nod to the boat’s custom Carolina lineage—the electronics flat is designed to house a pair of 22-inch or three 16-inch multifunction displays. Caterpillar engine displays and a Garmin 9-inch repeater screen are overhead. A sliding hatch provides access to the Miya Epoch US-9 teaser reels.There are options for a custom Pipewelders half or full tower and a full acrylic enclosure and a pair of Release Marine helm chairs provide comfort and weather protection for the skipper.

The 160-square-foot cockpit is uncluttered and customizable for different styles of fishing, with an 80-gallon transom fish box and wide transom door with lift gate to facilitate boating trophy gamefish. L-shaped radiused doors that hide the shore power and washdown spigots are found under each gunwale. The mezzanine has engine room access and five fiberglass boxes, which can be set up as coolers, bait freezers, refrigerated drink boxes or an ice dump. The portside cabinet accommodates a sink or grill, plus additional tackle stowage. Other options here include teak decking and covering boards, a Release Marine fighting chair and rocket launchers.

Standard power is a pair of twin 1,1150 hp Caterpillar C18 diesels, with 1,600 hp MTU 10V1600 engines available. Mechanical highlights include a 21 kW Onan generator and an innovative pump room forward of the engine room bulkhead, which houses the sonar transducer and pump equipment, keeping the engine room uncluttered. Additional available mechanical options include a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer, a watermaker and an ice chipper.

With the optional MTU engines, performance on Hull No. 1 proved to be impressive. At 1,750 rpm and burning 80 gallons per hour, the 53 hit an easy cruising speed of 30 knots. Bumping things up a bit, 1,950 rpm yielded a fast cruise of 35 knots and a fuel consumption of 112 gph—with the standard fuel capacity of 1,100 gallons, that’s nearly 10 hours of running time at that speed. Winding up the engines to their maximum of 2,450 rpm, the boat hit 43 knots. 

And rather than waiting years for a truly custom boat, the Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition can be delivered in less than six months from start to finish.

Take the next step: albemarleboats.com

The post Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition Reviewed appeared first on Yachting.

Forced to discontinue production of its popular 92-footer, Viking Yacht Company took a step back and brought its decades of boatbuilding know-how to the forefront with a redesigned yacht: the Viking 90. 

“We could have continued production of the 92 except for an international mandate requiring the installation of a heavy, bulky and potentially dangerous exhaust-treatment technology called Selective Catalytic Reduction,” says Viking President and CEO Pat Healey. “The SCR systems in the 92 would have increased purchase and operating costs of the boat; added significant weight; reduced performance; hindered accessibility for service; compromised safety; and required additional ventilation and onboard tankage. With the new 90, we invested $20 million to develop a new flagship sportfishing yacht that does not require SCR. It was a costly decision, but one that had to be made because it’s the best product for our owners.” 

The Viking 90 is a leveled-up sport-fishing boat in several ways. Viking took what it learned from the 92, as well as other recent new models, including the 82, and applied that knowledge to the 90. Improved elements include the latest lifting-strake design, a refined driveline and prop pockets, along with the advanced propulsion systems. Performance was optimized through the use of computational fluid dynamics software, allowing the design team to analyze pressure distribution, study trim angle and trim tab effectiveness, and modify strakes and chines to increase running efficiency.

At the business end of the 90, the cockpit measures 224 square feet, with a 203-gallon transom fishbox/livewell and a pair of full-length, 103-gallon insulated in-deck fishboxes with optional refrigeration. Access to the Seakeeper 35 gyrostabilizer is via a centerline hatch. There are three aft-facing seating areas on the upper and lower mezzanine levels, with optional air conditioning in the backrests, plus freezer and refrigeration stowage as well as engine room access on centerline. 

The vessel’s interior has a six-stateroom, seven-head layout with a high level of style and luxury. The U-shaped lounge to port is perfect for anglers to rest out of the sun while enjoying the starboard-side home theater center with pop-up 65-inch HDTV, wet bar with sink and ice maker. 

A wraparound galley with refrigeration and freezers is forward and starboard. It has engineered stone countertops and five bar stools. Across from the dinette is a raised dinette with U-shaped seating and a walnut table. The elevated platform allows for excellent views outside while also providing a rod locker with pull-out drawer below. 

The 90 has a full-beam master stateroom with king-size berth, a his-and-hers head with shower, a credenza below a 65-inch HDTV, a vanity/desk area with swing-out stool on the starboard side, a portside lounge seat, and port and starboard credenzas with drawers. There are five additional guest staterooms, each with an en suite head and shower, crew quarters with immediate access to the engine room, a pantry with an additional crew athwartship berth and a day head.

The Viking Yachts 90 is available in three models: an open bridge, enclosed bridge and sky bridge. Caterpillar C32A 1,925 hp engines are standard, but the most popular setup are the twin 2,635 hp MTU 16V2000 M96L diesels.

Take the next step: vikingyachts.com

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John Bayliss and his team of boatbuilders at Bayliss Boatworks in Wanchese, North Carolina, is accustomed to working with owners to create hand-crafted sport-fishing machines. That was certainly the case when Bayliss and his team took on their first walkaround build: the 60-foot Sequentis.

A walkaround design is similar to an express-boat layout, but it has deep alleys around the perimeter of the vessel. This setup gives anglers 360-degree access around the boat for fighting fish. And since Sequentis was designed for tournament live-bait sailfishing in South Florida, there’s as much fishing to be done off the bow as there is from the more traditional cockpit. 

In keeping with this approach, and keying on the need for substantial quantities of live bait, Bayliss installed two livewells in the bow in addition to  wells in the transom and the cockpit. Proper pump selection and drainage were both key to make the intricate system function properly. There are also hidden fittings for removable on-deck livewells, adding to the system’s flexibility.

The 60-footer’s exterior layout demonstrates the builder’s penchant for efficient storage and attention to detail. Hand-selected teak makes up the cockpit sole, raised-bridge sole, forward walkaround deck and  the transom. Bayliss used traditional steam bending techniques to shape the walkaround deck—the result is as beautiful as it is durable. The bridge has a starboard-side dash with two Release Marine helm chairs along with a tackle center, a dinette table to starboard and a portside lounge. A sun pad and a forward bench are on the bow, as well as an anchor locker forward of the livewell and bait tubes. The starboard-side bridge bench seat houses a quick-change helium tank with custom brackets for ease of use when the wind is light and helium balloons are needed to keep the fishing kites flying properly. 

Belowdecks, the layout includes a combination salon and galley with a Miele cooktop and speed oven, a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer and a stainless-steel sink. Also included is a day head with shower to starboard, and a forward stateroom with twin bunks. Though the interior is smaller in size than standard sport-fishing yachts, the same attention to detail was carried out when building the boat’s custom teak cabinetry, sofa and bunks.

In a sport where having the ability to quickly relocate to a hot bite can mean the difference between finishing in first place or last, Sequentis is fast. Powered by two MTU 12V2000 M96X diesel engines, this 60-foot walkaround reportedly hit speeds of well over 42 knots during the initial sea trials.

Take the next step: baylissboatworks.com

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F&S Boatworks’ latest creation, the 82-foot Special Situation, represents the culmination of its decades of experience creating custom builds to chase big fish.

The F&S Boatworks story charts a distinct course in the world of custom boatbuilding, literally beginning from the hull up. Back in the 1970s, Jim Floyd, a master carpenter with an angler’s passion, found inspiration in the ride of his family’s 23-foot SeaCraft—a vessel renowned for its ability to brave seas that sent others scurrying back to port. His journey took him to Wanchese, North Carolina, the cradle of the East Coast’s finest custom boatbuilders. There, Floyd not only honed his fishing skills, but also immersed himself in the craft of building classic cold-molded sport-fishermen.

By 1996, Floyd launched the first F&S: the 59-foot Fin-Ally. This vessel quickly gained acclaim, not just for its speed and elegant lines, but for its seakeeping abilities, thanks to a longitudinally stepped variable-deadrise hull inspired by the original SeaCraft design. F&S’ reputation stands tall among custom builders, a testament to Jim Floyd’s legacy, which is now steered by his nephew, John Floyd.

Built to replace their previous F&S of the same name, the new Special Situation showcases the builder’s first-rate finish carpentry throughout the salon, companionway and staterooms. The salon has a U-shaped couch to port and a smaller loveseat directly opposite, with plenty of hidden stowage beneath each for bulky items such as tackle bins and large spools of monofilament line. Moving forward, a trio of barstools line the bar top to port, with the galley set against the forward bulkhead. An electrically activated liquor elevator hidden in the corner rises and falls flush into the countertop. It’s a cool touch. The salon windows are made using dimmable glass, which turns from clear to opaque with the touch of a button, eliminating the need for blinds or valances. 

Moving forward, down the gracefully curving teak-trimmed companionway, the master stateroom is to port with a king berth and en suite head.There is a forepeak VIP stateroom, also with an en suite head,, while two additional guest bunkrooms are to starboard with an additional shared head. Aft is a generous crew room with a private head that includes three bunks and a tackle stowage center, which is hidden behind a false wall. 

Special Situation’s cockpit has F&S’ signature curved steps that make it easy and safe to transition from the teak deck to the mezzanine, even in rough seas. There’s a tackle center to hold everything required for chasing pelagics such as marlin, tuna and wahoo offshore, while the mezzanine also has both refrigerated and freezer stowage beneath the comfortable (and air-conditioned) seating. There’s also a hidden purified-­water dispenser for the anglers and crew to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles. 

A trio of Release Marine teak helm chairs on the flybridge are oriented behind the centerline teak helm pod. Three Garmin multifunction displays are flush-mounted within a non-glare matte panel, while the controls for the omnidirectional sonar are located to the starboard of the helm. A drop-down in the overhead ­houses the dual MTU engine displays while an additional Garmin ­drop-down display is also mounted overhead for viewing while facing the trolling spread aft. There are wraparound bench seats forward of the helm with cavernous freezer stowage located within the helm itself, complete with customized dividers.

One of the hallmarks of any F&S is the performance. Powered by a pair of 2,600 hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines, cruising speed is reportedly 36 knots at 2,000 rpm and 80 percent engine load. The builder says fuel burn is just south of 200 gallons per hour at cruise. Backing off to 1,650 rpm, speed is 28 knots while fuel burn drops to 122 gph. At the other end of the spectrum, top-end speed is 42-plus knots at 2,450 rpm. Performance is enhanced by the use of CJR props and wake-adapted running gear, which provides cleaner water flow to the wheels than a conventional setup. Despite a displacement of more than 110,000 pounds, Special Situation is one of the fastest vessels in this size range on the water today. 

Take the Next Step: fsyachts.com

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New Jersey boatbuilder Release Boatworks has introduced its 43 Gameboat, a sport-fisherman  with lines reminiscent of one of the most classic fishing boats ever built—the 43 Merritt.

The 43 Gameboat comes ready to fish with a lengthy standard equipment list, including a 140-square-foot cockpit, single-lever electronic controls, power-assisted hydraulic steering, an 11.5 kW Onan generator, teak ladderback helm seat with a four-inch pedestal and removable cushions and covers, four flush-mounted rod holders, a walk-through transom door with lift gate and much more. There’s also a tuna door with lift gate, so add a few more rod holders, a fighting chair and/or a rocket launcher, some outriggers and this boat is ready for the tournament circuit.

“The 43 Gameboat continues our proud legacy of building timelessly beautiful and endlessly fishable custom boats,” says Jim Turner, Director of Release Boatworks. “This boat is for the customer we know best—the boat owner who values compact maneuverability, a large cockpit, and spacious sleeping accommodations. This is a family-friendly boat, which combines our classically engineered seaworthy hull with spacious accommodations below for overnight trips, as well as a highly fishable cockpit and clean wake for hardcore sport fishing.” Indeed, these boats would be just as at home chasing giant blue marlin in the turbulent Gulf Stream off Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, as they would be in the flat-calm waters of Kona, Hawaii, or anywhere in between. 

The extensive use of composite materials throughout the boat creates a strong structure without excessive weight, enhancing overall performance. Case in point: with standard twin 550 horsepower Cummins QSB6.7 diesels, the 43 Gameboat reportedly comes on plane with little effort and settles in at a 24.8-knot cruise speed at 2,000 rpm. The builder says that fuel burn at cruise is an economical 43 gallons per hour. Push the throttles and the boat is soon running smoothly at 31.5 knots. Wide open, the 43 Gameboat is said to hit 35 knots. 

The 43 Gameboat has a modified-V hull form with 14.5 degrees transom deadrise. Penned by naval architect Erwin Gerard, the hull design is said to offer notable seakeeping ability. Some options include 600 hp Cummins QSC or Volvo Penta D8 engines, omnidirectional sonar, gyrostabilization and various tower options.

Belowdecks, there is a teak-accented head to starboard with a full shower, a vanity and a stainless-steel sink. The master stateroom with island queen berth is fully forward, while a guest stateroom with over-and-under bunks is to port opposite the head. 

Founded in 2009, Release Boatworks is a custom boatbuilder that combines fishability with high-end construction and finish. Each boat has fishing-friendly designs such as low gunwales for the easy handling of billfish at boatside, a clean wake at trolling speeds and multiple livewells and fish boxes. These boats are built with 100-percent composite materials, using vinylester resins, carbon fiber, biaxial and triaxial woven fiberglass cloth and composite cores throughout the hull areas. 

The Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat combines the eye-catching profile of yesterday’s classic designs with the latest technology and modern performance, to produce a formidable fishing platform. The 43 Gameboat is also available in walkaround, flybridge walkaround or express layouts.

Take the Next Step: releaseboatworks.com

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As sport-fishing boats seem to grow larger with each passing year—and outboard-powered center consoles leading this charge—it’s refreshing to see a builder return to producing a high-quality inboard sportfisherman under 40 feet. That builder is Viking Yacht Company, based in New Gretna, New Jersey. 

The company’s model lineup stretches to 90 feet length overall, but the 38 Billfish offers a special place in the hearts of owner-operator, sport-fishing enthusiasts with its combination of versatility, comfort and performance. 

The diesel-powered 38 Billfish offers simplicity and ease of maintenance, serving as a ready-to-go fishing machine, which is equally adept at inshore and offshore excursions as well as for extended cruising with family and friends. The boat’s 109-square-foot is equipped with a laminated in-deck mounting plate to support options for a fighting chair, rocket launcher or marine table. Other big-boat features include in-deck insulated fish boxes, a walk-through transom door and lift gate, bait freezer with upper tray, a transom fish box and live well, rod holders, tackle stowage and fresh- and raw-water wash downs. Two-person mezzanine-style seating flanks the centerline walkthrough, and there’s refrigerated drink storage, as well as an array of gear stowage throughout the boat.

The 38 Billfish’s command deck has a salon-like living area that includes a portside U-shaped dinette and a fiberglass hi-low table. A lounge to starboard also serves as additional rod stowage. For those who prefer a lower helm station, it’s an option here on the starboard side, with immediate access to the cockpit. 

Belowdecks, Viking’s made full use of the boat’s 14-foot beam to maximize comfort and utility. There’s a single stateroom forward that can have either an island queen or a crossover-berth setup. Hand-finished teak joinery, an Amtico sole and climate-control create a cozy retreat after a long day on the salt. A full galley and an enclosed head round out the available real estate.

Viking uses a modified vinylester resin for constructing the 38 Billfish’s entire hull skin. End-grain balsa and closed-cell foam are used as coring materials in selected areas to optimize strength and stiffness while minimizing weight. The single, integral fiberglass fuel tank—sealed to the hull with resin foam—is resin-infused with balsa coring on all sides for stiffness, and the hull-to-deck joint is mechanically fastened every three inches and fiberglassed inside. This ensures the boat is built to take what the ocean dishes out.

For ease of maintenance, engines and other critical machinery is located beneath electrically actuated hatches in the command deck area; the Billfish is designed and built with many of the same mechanical systems, components and technologies found on larger Vikings, such as the Delta-T engine-room ventilation system and a fire-suppression system that’s automatically or manually operated. The engine room, lazarette and forward bilges are painted with Snow White Awlgrip for increased visibility and ease of maintenance. A large centerline hatch provides quick access to the diesels, an optional Seakeeper gyrostabilizer and watermaker, and fuel tank fittings. Powered with twin 550 hp Cummins QSB6.7 diesels, the 38 Billfish’s reported top speed is 35-knots-plus with a 31-knot cruise speed.

Take the Next Step: vikingyachts.com

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It’s a milestone few boatbuilders ever achieve, but as Viking Yacht Company celebrated its much-heralded 60th anniversary on April 1, 2024, it announced the introduction of its latest sport-fisherman: the 82 Convertible. 

“We’ve taken a boat that has been proclaimed by the sport-fishing community as the most successful 80-foot sportfish boat ever and improved upon it,” says Viking President and CEO Pat Healey, referring to the previous model in the company’s lineup. “We’ve been able to design and build a better boat by using our experiences on multiple Viking 80 demo boats and collecting a tremendous amount of feedback from owners, captains and mates. And like every new model, the 82 is going to be bad-ass—another industry leader.”

Hull No. 1 was completed in May, 2024, and first displayed during the Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks Dealer Meeting in early June. That boat is serving as the company’s summer demonstrator vessel, fishing in a slew of high-profile marlin tournaments along the East Coast. 

The 82 will be offered in three different models: open bridge, enclosed bridge and sky bridge. Hull No. 1 is an open-bridge model with a Pamlico Blue gelcoat and a custom tuna tower from Viking subsidiary Palm Beach Towers. The boat’s performance was optimized through the extensive use of computational fluid dynamics software, which allowed the in-house design and engineering team to analyze the longitudinal center of gravity and pressure distribution, study trim angle and trim tab effectiveness, and modify strakes and chines to increase running efficiency. 

The Viking 82 is offered with the Advanced Viking Propulsion System, which utilizes struts and rudders with modified shapes to minimize hydrodynamic resistance and improve performance. “The strut is designed to improve the in-flow of water to the propeller, while the rudder minimizes resistance in the flow of water from the propeller,” says Viking Naval Architect Joe Snodgrass. “These improvements allow us to use a larger propeller to gain additional speed.” With twin 2,600 hp MTU 16V2000 M96Ls and the Advanced Viking Propulsion System, performance levels are in the same range as the latest Viking 80s—42 knots at full load with a cruise of 36 knots. 

The nearly 230-square-foot cockpit is set up for big-fish battles, just add your preferred fighting chair. The mezzanine provides a perch to keep an eye on the spread and it has two refrigerated boxes as well as two freezer boxes for stowing baits, drinks and more. There are two in-sole, split-lid fish boxes as well as a transom livewell and liftgate tuna door.

The interior has a horizontal-grain natural walnut throughout—available in satin- or high-gloss finishes—and interior doors with horizontal and vertical grains and ebony inlays. To port, there’s a convenient day head; the open-concept salon design features three distinct gathering areas with a straight walkway that extends from the salon door to the forepeak, accentuating the sense of volume.

A wraparound sofa to starboard, with stowage below and accompanied by a hi-lo walnut table, provides an excellent view of the portside HDTV, which rises from the entertainment center cabinetry. Forward on the port side, the dinette accommodates five guests with plush seating and a walnut table. The dinette is on a raised platform, giving guests an excellent view outside while providing rod stowage in a pull-out drawer below.  

The galley’s fore-and-aft style maximizes usable space with two under-counter refrigerators and one freezer beneath a second dining area with a raised bar and three stools. The outboard counter accommodates a double stainless-steel sink, electric cooktop, conventional oven and drawer stowage. A microwave oven, trash compactor, dishwasher and upper and lower cabinet stowage round out the conveniences. 

The Viking 82’s larger size is also evident in the forepeak, where there are five generously appointed staterooms and additional space in the companionway for a dedicated rod-and-tackle locker as well as a laundry center. The rod-and-tackle locker can be customized to the owner’s liking, while walnut doors conceal both of these spaces.

The full-beam master stateroom is amidships and accessed via a private staircase off the companionway. It has a king-size, walk-around berth. Hanging closets as well as credenzas flank the berth, and there is a vanity/desk area with stool to starboard and a seating area to port. The en suite head has twin sinks with stowage below and a walk-in shower. 

All staterooms have en suite heads with separate showers. The forepeak VIP and the guest stateroom aft  has walk-around queen berths. A guest and crew stateroom are to port, each with upper and lower berths. The crew stateroom is adjacent to the rod-and-tackle locker.

The flybridge takes several design cues from the Viking 90 and is anchored by a walkaround center console with a full-width helm platform. The console’s recessed, black-acrylic dash holds four 17-inch multifunction displays. The helm has dual radio boxes with split lids with instrumentation and controls, a teak helm pod, single-lever electronic controls and a stainless- steel steering wheel. There are three Release Marine helm chairs. Air conditioning is optional. Hull No. 1 has a custom navigation, communication, fishfinding and entertainment package from Viking subsidiary Atlantic Marine Electronics.

The 82 utilizes many proven systems, including digital switching from Octoplex as well as the Optimus Electronic Power Steering system. In addition, the 82 is engineered for many systems previously provided as custom installations that are now offered as optional components, such as omnidirectional sonar, multiple watermakers and crushed ice machines, tuna tube bait systems as well as the extensive use of refrigerated stowage boxes. 

As sport-fishers continue to push the limits of size and performance, Viking Yacht Company’s 82 Convertible embodies the hard won knowledge and experience of 60 years of boatbuilding. 

Take the next step: vikingyachts.com

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