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The biggest sportfish superyachts in the world

Related articles, superyacht directory.

The next few years are shaping up well for the super-sportfish market with the Global Order Book reporting 26 projects currently on order or in build. Some special mentions include the Viking 90 flagship, a 24 metre sportfish chase boat underway at Vanquish and Royal Huisman 's mega 52 metre sportfish hull Project 406 which was announced in 2021. As we patiently await this new wave of uber-luxe fishing vessels, we take a look at the biggest already afloat...

1. Bad Company

The 43.9 metre sportfish yacht Bad Company (née Marlena ) was delivered in 1998 and was the largest sportfish in the world at the time. She changed ownership in 2013 and sent to Spain where she received a comprehensive refit and lengthened by six metres to her current length of 43.9 metres. ABS classed and MCA compliant, this all-aluminium superyacht accommodates up to 11 guests in a master suite, VIP, two doubles and one twin with a Pullman berth, all with LCD television screens and full en suite bathroom facilities.

2. Mea Culpa

Despite her size, Mea Culpa can reach a top speed of 23.5 knots thanks to a pair of 2735hp MTU 12V4000M90 diesel engines. The McMullen & Wing superyacht, designed by Jack Sarin , measures in at a hefty 42.28 metres. Mea Culpa can accommodate up to eight guests and six crew in her interiors, which have been designed by Marnell Corrao . She boasts a deck jacuzzi on board for post-fishing relaxation.  Mea Culpa was delivered in 2003.

3. Forty Love

Forty Love , formerly Don Elegante , began life in 1988 when she was commissioned by her first owner. According to BOAT Pro, the yacht ended up being reconstructed on an existing hull built by Westport in 1990 and was finally finished in 2002. Today, the 42 metre sportfish motor yacht sails under the name Forty Love and was the recipient of a two million-euro refit in 2020. Highlights include a main dining area with 360-degree views as well as a swimming platform with steps down into the water.

Lanakai , built by Yachting Developments , is the newest addition to the list of mega sportfish yachts. Delivered in 2017, the 39.5 metre superyacht is constructed entirely from carbon fibre to a design by Michael Peters  and can reach a top speed of 30 knots thanks to the power of two 3100.0hp MTU diesel engines. Spread over four decks, Lanaki can accommodate 10 guests and six crew. Her interiors, designed by Naylor Booth , sport an alliance of finely crafted American walnut joinery and muted fabrics. Lanakai boasts two saloons within her spacious interiors as well as a bar and stainless-steel aft deck barbecue for preparing the catch of the day.

5. Red Sapphire

Dutch shipyard Heesen , known today for its sporty steel and aluminium hulls, launched a series of sportfishing superyachts including Red Sapphire which splashed in 1999. The 39 metre is easy to spot with its distinct triangular form and a red stripe that runs the length of the yacht. Built for speed, she was capable of reaching speeds of 35 knots back in the day, powered by twin MTU 16V4000M90 engines.

6. Obsessions

The 38 metre Obsessions is the second Heesen built to make it into this round-up of supersized sportfish yachts. Launched in 1996, she arrived three years earlier than her sportfishing sister Red Sapphire . She was designed by Dutch studio Mulder Design and can sleep up to 10 guests.

The 37.19 metre sportfish Mary P was delivered in 2008 by Trinity Yachts . Built to satisfy the ultimate fisherman, this custom yacht incorporates a Simrad forward-looking sonar in the bow and a transom specifically designed to back down on fish at 10 knots. Twin 2,550hp Caterpillar diesel engines give her a top speed of 25 knots. Mary P was designed by Doug Sharp  together with Geoff Van Aller and is the only sportfish yacht to be built to ABS class. Her interiors have been designed by Judy Bell Davis and she can sleep up to eight guests and three crew below deck. On board amenities include a skylounge, bar and a formal dining area forward.

Boss was delivered by Dutch shipyard Feadship 1988 under the name Gallant Lady - the fifth in a series of yachts owned by the late Jim Moran. When she was launched she measured 35.35 metres in length but has since been extended to 36.27 metres. The yacht was refitted at Palmer Johnson in 1999 and can sleep up to 10 guests across four staterooms. 

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Top 13 Luxury Sport Fishing Yachts You Need to See

• By Yachting Staff
• Updated: August 8, 2024

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

• More: Albemarle Yachts , Bayliss Boatworks , Duffie Boatworks , F&S Boatworks , Jarrett Bay , Merritt , Release Boatworks , Royal Huisman , Rybovich , Sportfish Yachts , Sportfishing Boats , Viking , Winter Custom Yachts , Yachts
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SPECIAL ONE

The world’s largest true sportfish yacht, Special One, is an exceptional Alustar® aluminum motor yacht that represents, without compromise, the pinnacle of custom superyacht engineering and construction. She features six decks of the highest standards of luxury and comfort, combined with technological advancements and a performance to sail at 30+ knots during extensive testing and trials on the North Sea.

Special One is a unique vessel in many respects. She is tailored to meet the specific brief of her experienced owner, who has a deep passion for sportfishing. The design is extremely distinctive, with a long bow and high bulwarks sweeping through a clear sheer to a low and uncluttered cockpit aft. The high tower offers outstanding views with a downward angle on the water for specialized fishing. Apart from its practical function, the tower also offers a superb viewing platform for guests, who can follow all the action below.

Special One will be presented by Royal Huisman at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024 (berth E09). This sportfish superyacht underscores the shipyard’s position at the forefront of the superyacht sector, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

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The World’s Largest Sportfishing Yacht Is About to Launch in Amsterdam

Project 406 was moved from an inland facility in the netherlands to the capital, where it will depart for billfishing grounds around the world., michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories.

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Billfish, beware.

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“Project 406 is a sportfishing machine on steroids,” Vripack co-creative director Bart M. Bouwhuis told Robb Report in 2021 as the project became publicly known. “It has the proportions of a typical American sportfishing yacht, with a long, flaring bow and open foredeck, and raked-back superstructure. It’s just bigger in every way. She’ll set a new benchmark in the world of big-game fishing boats.” The boat will include a varnished-wood fighting chair in the cockpit.

The bow will have a large sun-lounge area, while its fourth-deck sky lounge will be a “theater” for watching the sportfishing action. To keep the vessel as lightweight as possible, the hull and superstructure will be made of Alustar aluminum, a strong, high-tensile alloy. Bouwhuis would not reveal the yacht’s power, though he used the word “huge” in the conversation. “You can’t fool nature if you want a 171-foot boat to go this fast,” he says. “It will have significant horsepower.”

Royal Huisman, best known for some of the world’s largest bespoke sailing superyachts , has yet to release a launch date or the eventual name for Project 406.

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