Release 46 Express Review: A Dream Sport-Fisher Built for Solo Runs and Big Game

Release Boatworks crafts a confident, capable express platform for serious offshore adventures
The Release 46 cruises across the open ocean leaving waves in its wake. The skies are clear and blue, and the ocean is calm clear.
Built with precision and purpose, the Release 46 Express Riff Raff turns heads at the dock and proves its pedigree offshore—with a versatile layout, custom features, and the performance to match. Credit Chris Rabil

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A lot of owners experience the ebbs and flows of boat ownership—bouncing between center-consoles and sport-fishers, jumping a few feet in size every few seasons, all in pursuit of the perfect platform. For Luke and Jenn Williams, that search took place while living in the Florida Keys, where they owned a variety of center-consoles, including both V- and cat-hull designs. But in 2020, when they traded island life for a quieter setting on the mainland, they also made the call to move into a sport-fisher—shifting their focus from sailfish to marlin in the Bahamas.

Their first step into the sport-fish world was a 33-foot pocket convertible, a diesel-powered trial run that confirmed they were heading in the right direction. After speaking with multiple builders—both custom and production—they found what they were looking for in the 46 Express from Release Boatworks. A meeting with Scott Jastrzembski in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, sealed the deal.

Cockpit and Bridge

When I visited the Williams’ home in Vero Beach, Florida, we walked down to their newly christened 46 Express, Riff Raff. First impressions: the cockpit is spacious, the bridge generously proportioned, and the boat is clearly built to entertain one or ten with ease. The Bosch tower with full controls is well-balanced and appropriately sized. As Williams cast off and slid behind the helm, I found myself still taking in the cockpit layout when, within a minute, we were already cruising out of the slip—a testament to the boat’s intuitive design and solo-operability.

That was no accident. One of Williams’ requirements from the outset was the ability to run the boat alone. He enjoys swordfishing and often heads out without a full crew, so visibility, layout and access were all optimized for one-man operation.

View of the bridge showcasing the digital display and other controls
The well-appointed bridge features twin 19-inch Simrad displays, MAN engine monitors, open-array radar, and a suite of intuitive controls—ideal for solo swordfishing or running with a full crew. Courtesy Release Boatworks

At the helm, a comfortable double bench sits behind twin 19-inch Simrad evo3S displays. To port are the MAN engine monitors, with dual Simrad VHF radios, Simrad autopilot, Humphree trim tab controls, and a Fusion stereo system all within reach. A 6-foot, 25kW open-array radar provides solid visibility, while the 3kW transducer and S5100 sonar module deliver bottom details even in unfamiliar waters.

As I idled through the ICW, the boat tracked level and handled smoothly—effortless steering, no tabs required. With a push of the throttles, the twin I6 850 hp MANs launched the 35,000-pound boat cleanly onto plane. When the turbos kicked in, it felt like we hit a second gear. Cruise settled in at 30 knots, burning 30 gph per side at 1,900 rpm. Wide open, the boat reached 38 knots at 2,360 rpm, with fuel burn climbing to 43 gph per side. Factoring in the 600-gallon fuel capacity, Riff Raff boasts a range of roughly 330 miles—ideal for nonstop runs from Vero Beach to the hotspots of the northern and central Bahamas.

Interior and Layout

To starboard of the helm sits a large teak dinette table surrounded by U-shaped seating. The table drops down and, with a filler cushion, converts to a comfortable daybed or extra bunk. Forward of the helm is a compact galley station with a fridge, convection cooktop, and sink. Williams designed this area with a key goal: to prep breakfast without waking anyone sleeping below. In the center of the helm deck, a large hatch provides clean access to the engine room and 11.5 kW Onan generator.

Angled view of the interior salon and galley of the Release 46 Express featuring wood finishes and white cushions and accents.
Down below, the teak-accented interior offers wraparound seating, a full galley, spacious head, and a queen master stateroom—blending luxury and practicality for life on the water. Courtesy Release Boatworks

Below, the layout is equally efficient. The salon features wraparound seating and a polished table adjacent to the express galley, complete with a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and sink. To port is a spacious head with a separate stand-up shower. Just forward of that, a double single bunk provides extra overnight accommodations. The master stateroom in the bow features a queen bed and ample storage within beautifully crafted teak cabinetry—perfect for extended getaways.

Rigged to Fish

Back in the cockpit, beneath the mezzanine seating are integrated refrigeration and freezer compartments. A tackle station resides under the starboard seat. The transom features a high-capacity livewell, fed by dual Hooker Electric 4,500 gph pumps, and is rigged to support external wells when needed. Two in-deck fish boxes handle the catch, with a chiller plate to starboard and a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer housed in the lazarette. Centered in the cockpit is a Pompanette rocket launcher—a detail Williams proudly points out as a long-held dream from his youth.

The Release Boatworks 46 Express cruises on the open water. the sun creates a warm, golden sky with light peeking through the clouds.
From the Pompanette rocket launcher to the dual Hooker livewell setup and mezzanine refrigeration, the cockpit of Riff Raff is a dialed-in command center for serious offshore action. Credit Chris Rabil

The Riff Raff is the kind of boat that delivers on those dreams. Well-balanced, confident, and dialed-in for the way its owners fish, it’s an express platform that runs as good as it looks—and does everything it’s asked to do.

Release Boatworks 46 Specs

  • LOA: 46’
  • Beam: 15’
  • Draft: 3’10”
  • Displacement: 35,000 lbs.
  • Fuel: 600 gal.
  • Water: 100 gal.
  • Power: Twin MAN I6 850 hp

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