New Boats of 2023

Elegant performers that continue to stretch the boundaries of technology
A cross-section diagram and digital rendering of a sport-fishing boat
Today’s boats are a blend of modern innovation and old-world craftsmanship. Courtesy Bayliss Boatworks

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From fishy, innovative 40-foot dayboats and walkarounds to 90-foot super-sport-fishermen capable of amazing range, amenities and comfort, the next generation of boats is almost beyond imagination. And yet, they all share a technological edge in the design, construction techniques, propulsion, electronics, and optional equipment that was almost unheard of just a handful of years ago. Those advancements continue to push the boundaries of reality in the world of sport fishing from a group of incredibly talented builders.

Valhalla 55

Valhalla 55 digital render
Valhalla 55 Courtesy Valhalla Boatworks

The Valhalla 55 is poised to become the industry’s leading center-console over 50 feet, delivering unbeatable performance, range and engineering. The V-55 combines the speed, maneuverability, and 360-degree on-deck access and versatility of an outboard-powered center-console with the engineering, luxurious living space, and conveniences of a Viking convertible. And just like the remainder of the V-Series fleet, it will utilize the patented Michael Peters Yacht Design stepped-V ventilated-tunnel running surface to deliver precise control and efficiency. The boat’s overall size allows for more fuel capacity, cockpit space, on-deck seating, and interior comforts than any other center-console in its class. Hull No. 1, in Haze Gray, is scheduled for completion this fall, and will be outfitted with a tower by Palm Beach Towers.

  • LOA: 55’7″
  • Beam: 15’6″
  • Draft: 3’1″; 4′
  • Displ.: 38,904 lb.
  • Fuel: 1,200 gal.
  • Water: 125 gal.
  • Power (standard): Quad Mercury Verado 600
  • Power (optional): Quintet Mercury Verado 600

Blackwell 50XL

Blackwell 50XL digital render
Blackwell 50XL Courtesy Blackwell Boatworks

Kicking off early this spring is the 50XL, the first boat of the new-generation Blackwell line. With more luxury equipment becoming standard, the Wanchese, North Carolina-based boatbuilder took the opportunity to update its design from the inside out. Craig Blackwell’s iconic lines have been updated with a modern edge, which begins with a 17-foot-6-inch beam; 6 feet, 9 inches of headroom in the salon; and an exaggerated cockpit overhang that will keep everyone cool in the shade. The engine room is a mechanic’s dream. Despite all these updates, the builder was able to maintain the smooth ride that owners have come to expect from a Blackwell. The first of the line will feature a teak interior and will be powered by 900 hp Scania diesel engines, which are expected to provide a cruising speed of 32 knots and a top end of 37 knots.

  • LOA: 50’9″
  • Beam: 17’6″
  • Draft: 4’1″
  • Displ.: 54,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 800 gal.
  • Water: 130 gal.
  • Power: Twin Scania DI 16

Jim Smith Tournament Boats 86

Jim Smith Tournament Boats 86 digital render
Jim Smith Tournament Boats 86 Courtesy Jim Smith Tournament Boats

Gina Lisa, the second Jim Smith for this owner and a replacement for the current boat, will hit the water later this year. The Donald L. Blount and Associates-designed cold-molded hull is constructed of mahogany, while composite materials are used extensively elsewhere throughout the build. With a five-stateroom/­five-head layout, the 86 is designed for serious tournament fishing and prolonged cruising. The Honduran mahogany interior will feature an elegant satin finish, and the twin 16-cylinder MTU engines will provide a cruising speed in the mid-30-knot range.

  • LOA: 86′
  • Beam: 21’9″
  • Draft: 5’10”
  • Displ.: 125,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 3,200 gal.
  • Water: 500 gal.
  • Power: Twin MTU 16V M96L

Winter Custom Yachts 46

Winter Custom Yachts 46 digital render
Winter Custom Yachts 46 Courtesy Winter Custom Yachts

Introducing WCY Hull No. ­37, Thumper. Tim Winters has managed to take the walkaround concept to the next level, and continues to build a better product time after time. This 46-footer could be one of the most optimal fishing platforms he has designed yet, destined to excel at whatever the owners might ask. Whether fishing shorthanded or cruising with family, this vessel offers plenty of seating, storage, and power to accomplish any adventure in comfort. Winters is excited to add this model to his fleet, and looks forward to watching Thumper tackle the many feats ahead.

  • LOA: 46’1′
  • Beam: 14’2″
  • Draft: 3’2″
  • Displ.: 33,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 600 gal.
  • Water: 75 gal.
  • Power: Twin CAT C12.9

Spencer Yachts 77

Spencer Yachts 77 digital render
Spencer Yachts 77 Courtesy Spencer Yachts

Hull No. 220 combines Spencer Yachts’ classic lines and styling with a unique, international flair. Purpose-built for its Japanese owners, this distinctive design features an enclosed bridge, a sky bridge, and a glass windshield in the forward galley. The sleek interior will showcase a modern aesthetic, with ebony veneers paired with walnut hardwoods, granite countertops, and all the modern technology imaginable. This 77 is slated to splash in Japan in 2023.

  • LOA: 77′
  • Beam: 20′
  • Draft: 5′
  • Displ.: 120,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 3,500 gal.
  • Water: 400 gal.
  • Power: Twin MTU 16V 2000 M94

Scarborough Boatworks 75

Scarborough Boatworks 75 digital render
Scarborough Boatworks 75 Courtesy Scarborough Boatworks

Scarborough’s latest build will be Hull No. 15, the 75-foot Game Time. This boat will be one of the first recipients of the new Caterpillar C32B 2,400 hp engines—a package that will provide not only impressive cruise and top-end speeds, but will also generate a smaller footprint than other engines of this horsepower, allowing the builder to better utilize available space in the engine room. Game Time has four staterooms, with the master forward, three full heads and a salon day head, and a large laundry room. This vessel will be appointed with a predominantly teak interior. A few of the many options include dual watermakers and gensets for redundancy, a Seakeeper 26 gyro, Furuno Omni sonar, and refrigeration galore.

  • LOA: 75′
  • Beam: 20’10”
  • Draft: 5’11”
  • Displ.: 110,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 2,600 gal.
  • Water: 300 gal.
  • Power: Twin CAT C32B

Michael Rybovich & Sons 62

Michael Rybovich & Sons 62 digital render
Michael Rybovich & Sons 62 Courtesy Michael Rybovich & Sons

Designed to travel the world as the speedboat of the owner’s fleet, this 62 features an aft galley for easy access while fishing and a full glass wraparound windshield, which will allow for 360-degree views from the salon. Hull No. ­8 will have a three-stateroom/three-and-a-half-head layout, with a queen master aft, and the laundry/utility room could be converted to a fourth stateroom if desired. Because of an extensive travel schedule, the boat will feature a painted transom, toe rail, half-round and bridge rails to minimize exterior brightwork maintenance at the request of the owner and captain. The projected splash date will be late 2023, with a likely delivery in early 2024.

  • LOA: 62’
  • Beam: 18’6”
  • Draft: 5’9”
  • Displ.: 78,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 2,260 gal.
  • Water: 370 gal.
  • Power: Twin MTU 12V 2000 M96L

Jarrett Bay Boatworks 90

Jarrett Bay Boatworks 90 digital render
Jarrett Bay Boatworks 90 Courtesy Jarrett Bay Boatworks

Hull No. 68 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, and a massive cockpit and bridge will provide the space needed to fish and relax comfortably. Range is expanded with its ability to carry more than 4,000 gallons of fuel, allowing for extended travel. Final details are currently under review, and construction is set to begin in early 2023.

  • LOA: 90′
  • Beam: 22’7″
  • Draft: 5’6″
  • Displ.: 200,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 4,100 gal.
  • Water: 500 gal.
  • Power: TBD*

*Model under development. Specs are preliminary estimations.

Viking Yachts 90

Viking’s new flagship will be offered in three different models: open bridge, enclosed bridge and sky bridge. Like its predecessor, the Viking 92, this 90-footer will feature six staterooms and seven heads, as rich natural walnut with horizontal grain enhances the contemporary interior. The 90 will be a stellar performer—stressing weight savings in the build process and advanced propulsion systems—with a fast, efficient ride for excellent range. It will also possess the latest technology, with a focus on ease of operation and service. Powered with 2,635 mhp MTUs, Hull No. ­1 will be delivered in a Kingston Gray sky bridge model and premiere at the company’s 2023 VIP show in February, followed by the Miami International Boat Show.

  • LOA: 90′
  • Beam: 23’2″
  • Draft: 5’11”
  • Displ.: 193,490 lb.
  • Fuel: 3,801 gal.
  • Water: 480 gal.
  • Power (standard): Twin CAT C32A
  • Power (optional): Twin MTU 16V 2000 M96L; CAT C32B

Bayliss Boatworks 64

A longtime Bayliss boatyard customer is currently watching their own sport-fishing dream come to life: the new 64-foot Max Bet. The boat is designed to accommodate an aggressive family-fishing program with a three-stateroom/three-head layout and plenty of storage. This 64-footer will possess all of the premium equipment Bayliss is known for: Seakeeper 18, Furuno Omni sonar, proprietary Bayliss freshwater cooling system, chilled-water air-conditioning system, FCI watermaker, and more. Delivery is scheduled for fall 2024.

  • LOA: 64’9″
  • Beam: 18’4″
  • Draft: 5′
  • Displ.: 100,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 1,800 gal.
  • Water: 300 gal.
  • Power: Twin MTU 12V 2000 M96X

Titan Custom Yachts 63

As with most of Titan’s builds, Hull No. 10 started as a spec boat. Built to owner Russ Garufi’s specifications, he was looking for speed with the 1,900 hp MAN engines and streamlined the build with a half-tower. “Let’s get there and fish” was the rationale, and just as great minds think alike, along came a customer with that same vision. Constructed with traditional cold-molded processes, this three-stateroom/three-head beast is being built for strength and speed. This 63 will be outfitted with a Seakeeper 18 HD.

  • LOA: 63′
  • Beam: 18’8″
  • Draft: 4’10”
  • DISPL.: 87,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 1,785 gal.
  • Water: 285 gal.
  • Power: Twin MAN V12-1900

F&S Boatworks 68

F&S Boatworks 68 digital render
F&S Boatworks 68 Courtesy F&S Boatworks

The latest custom project at F&S is designed to maximize offshore fishability, comfort and liveaboard amenities with extensive systems redundancy. Key features include a full tower, Seakeeper 18, custom wake-adapted drivetrain, Spot Zero watermaker and dockside treatment system, Furuno Omni sonar, and a pressurized baitwell system with tuna tubes. A four-stateroom/three-head layout offers a large midship master stateroom, a spacious VIP, two crew/guest rooms, and several customized tackle-storage areas. Utilizing a variable-deadrise hull design with longitudinal steps results in F&S’s exceptional speed, efficiency, ride, and seakeeping ability. ­State-of-the-art weight-saving technologies are used throughout the build process. A top speed in excess of 43 knots is expected.

  • LOA: 68′
  • Beam: 19′
  • Draft: 5′
  • Displ.: 90,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 2,200 gal.
  • Water: 300 gal.
  • Power: Twin MTU 12V 2000 M96X

Daniels Boatworks 63

Daniels Boatworks 63 digital render
Daniels Boatworks 63 Courtesy Daniels Boatworks

Hull No. 3 for North Carolina’s Daniels Boatworks is a 63-footer named Vitamin Sea, which is being custom-built for owners Cliff and Dina Maddock. This fully composite sport-fisher will be powered by a pair of MTU 12V2000 engines and will be equipped with two 21 ­kW Onan generators and two Seakeeper 6 stabilizers. The layout will feature an attractive salon with three staterooms and three heads for long-range comfort for the owners and crew. Vitamin Sea is expected to spend its first year tournament fishing along Florida’s east coast before heading to the Dominican Republic.

  • LOA: 63′
  • Beam: 17’6″
  • Draft: 5′
  • Displ.: 70,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 1,600 gal.
  • Water: 300 gal.
  • Power: Twin MTU 12V2000

Willis Custom Yachts 70

Willis Custom Yachts 70 digital render
Willis Custom Yachts 70 Courtesy Willis Custom Yachts 70

Hull No. 16 from Willis Custom Yachts in Stuart, Florida, was started in December 2021 and is expected to deliver in early 2024. The design will feature carbon-infused components as well as flow-aligned running gear for optimal performance from the twin CAT C32B engines, each producing 2,400 ­hp. The four-stateroom/three-head layout with salon day head will have a center-island galley configuration. Options include a pair of 29 ­kW Onan gensets, hydraulic bow thruster, Furuno Omni sonar, full Bausch tower, and Seakeeper 18. The projected top end is an eye-watering 45 knots.

  • LOA: 70′
  • Beam: 19’4″
  • Draft: 6′
  • Displ.: 115,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 2,500 gal.
  • Water: 250 gal.
  • Power: Twin CAT C32B

Maverick Yachts Costa Rica 66

Maverick Yachts Costa Rica 66 digital render
Maverick Yachts Costa Rica 66 Courtesy Maverick Yachts

An exciting new build is in the works at Maverick Yachts Costa Rica: a 66-foot flybridge model. The new boat will be a blend of luxury and performance, and is being crafted for a discriminating owner who plans to fish both the Gulf Coast tournament circuit as well as the waters of Costa Rica. This boat will be powered by a pair of 2,600 hp MTUs; CAT C32B 2,400 hp engines are also an option for future builds. The cold-molded boat will feature Seakeeper stabilization, a full tuna tower, a Garmin electronics package, custom tuna tubes and more, including a 2,000-gallon fuel capacity for outstanding range. All Maverick Yacht boats are custom-built in Playa Herradura, Costa Rica, and can be shipped globally.

  • LOA: 66’2″
  • Beam: 18’10”
  • Draft: 5’5″ (with shallow pockets)
  • Displ.: 90,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 2,000 gal.
  • Water: 325 gal.
  • Power: Twin CAT 32B; MTU 16V2000

Tribute 48

Tribute 48 digital render
Tribute 48 Courtesy Tribute Boats

Building on the success of its 37-foot center-console, Tribute Boats in Palm Beach, Florida, now has a new 48-footer underway, with the company’s signature cornerstones of performance, pedigree and Palm Beach fit-and-finish all on prominent display. The build will feature epoxy and Corecell-infused construction, with a clean interior design that’s perfect for hardcore fishing or as a large tender. The boat will be designed to incorporate a large lithium-battery bank with inverter to supply power for air conditioning and accessories without the need for a generator. Thanks to a substantial fuel capacity, cruising range is up to 600 miles, with speeds approaching 80 mph with optional power.

  • LOA: 48’10”
  • Beam: 14′
  • Draft: 2′
  • Displ.: 22,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 1,000 gal.
  • Water: 80 gal.
  • Power: Triple or quad outboards

Release Boatworks 43

Release Boatworks 43 digital render
Release Boatworks 43 Courtesy Release Boatworks

The 43-foot Release Boatworks dayboat is designed for an owner who values compact maneuverability built around a large 140-square-foot cockpit. Equipped for serious sport fishing, Hull No. ­1 provides superior accommodations, which includes a queen master and twin bunks for overnight trips, and sports a classically engineered, seaworthy hull with a clean wake for chasing pelagics offshore. This dayboat offers large, insulated fish boxes, bait freezers, livewells and outriggers—all engineered for optimal placement.

  • LOA: 43′
  • Beam: 14’5″
  • Draft: 3’9″
  • Displ.: 33,000 lb.
  • Fuel: 550 gal.
  • Water: 150 gal.
  • Power: Twin Volvo 725

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