From the initial planning process to the day she takes her first sea trial, building a sport-fishing boat is one of the most intricate and frustrating yet rewarding projects anyone could ever endure to pursue their offshore dreams. They all have one purpose (or really only one that matters): to chase billfish in some of the most prolific hot spots in all of the world. It is truly incredible to look at how the boats on the following pages (listed in no particular order) continue to develop in terms of size, technology and capability. If you can dream it, they can build it.
Bayliss 64
Hull No. 22, Lor-a-Di, will splash in late 2017 and is designed to fish in any hot spot her owner desires. The three-stateroom, two-and-a-half-head layout will have a total of eight bunks and provide plenty of room for larger fishing groups. A day-head adds to the functionality of this boat, which also highlights a separate tackle room.
LOA: 63′
BEAM: 17’8″
DRAFT: 5′
DISPLACEMENT: 80,000 lb.
FUEL: 1,950 gal.
WATER: 200 gal.
POWER: Twin 1,920 hp MTU 12V 2000 M96L
Bertram 60
Not unlike the recently splashed 35, the new 60-footer from Bertram will feature the recognizable characteristics of the brand’s DNA. Bertram will build the 60 with the latest technology and will incorporate both classic and modern design elements. The boat is expected to have a 40-plus-knot top end and will splash in late 2017.
LOA: 60′
BEAM: 18’3″
DRAFT: 3’6″
DISPLACEMENT: 75,000 lb.
FUEL: 1,700 gal.
WATER: 280 gal.
POWER: Twin 1,925 hp Caterpillar C32A
G&S 52
The boatbuilder’s rich fish-catching pedigree continues with the build of a new 52-footer. The hull, interior cabin walls and decks will feature a variety of composite materials to save weight for added performance, and the boat should hit 35 knots with the pair of new MAN I6-800s. The boat will also include Mitsubishi gyrostabilization.
LOA: 51’9″
BEAM: 16’3″
DRAFT: 3’6″
DISPLACEMENT: 44,000 lb.
FUEL: 1,050 gal.
WATER: 200 gal.
POWER: Twin 800 hp MAN I6-800
Gamefisherman 50
Mike Matlack and his team are building this 50-footer for an owner who wants to fish and dive. The teak cockpit will feature mezzanine seating, fish boxes and tackle storage, and the lazarette will have storage for both dive compressors and scuba tanks. The large bridge will have plenty of seating in addition to tons of tackle storage.
LOA: 50’4″
BEAM: 16’1″
DRAFT: 4’6″
DISPLACEMENT: 42,000 lb.
FUEL: 800 gal.
WATER: 200 gal.
POWER: Twin 1,000 hp Caterpillar C12.9
Garlington 44 XPS
The 44-foot express will be the perfect combination for fishing or cruising. The bridge has plenty of seating, and the accommodations below feature a forward V-berth as well as a full head, galley and dinette. The boat will have several power options, including twin 550 hp Cummins QSB6.7, 600 hp QSC8.3 or 650 hp Caterpillar C8.7 diesels.
LOA: 44’4″
BEAM: 14′
DRAFT: 3′
DISPLACEMENT: 28,000 lb.
FUEL: 500 gal.
WATER: 100 gal.
POWER: TBD
Jarrett Bay 67
Privateer, Hull No. 63 from the North Carolina-based builder, will feature a throwback trunk-cabin design that will create an overall nostalgic feel for the build. Like all other Jarrett Bay boats, the 67-footer will incorporate all the modern performance, technology and amenities that today’s boat owners have come to expect.
LOA: 67’3″
BEAM: 18’8″
DRAFT: 4’10”
DISPLACEMENT: 70,000 lb.
FUEL: 1,600 gal.
WATER: 200 gal.
POWER: Twin 1,135 hp Caterpillar C18A
Jim Smith 48
Continuing on the builder’s recent success of its 60- and 43-foot walkarounds, the new 48 will feature plenty of living accommodations below in addition to 360 degrees of fishability. The 48 does have the option for quad outboards, in which the boat will incorporate a queen berth aft for additional sleeping quarters.
LOA: 48′
BEAM: 14’6″
DRAFT: 3′
DISPLACEMENT: 26,000 lb.
FUEL: 900 gal.
WATER: 150 gal.
POWER: Twin 705 hp Cummins QSM11
Maverick 36 Walkaround
Built from Costa Rican laurel alba and just around the corner from Los Sueños, it won’t take long for the 36 to find the action. But she won’t just look good, with a teak cockpit, covering boards and coaming, the 36 will have an in-deck fish box — which doubles as a livewell — and tuna tubes located within the covering boards.
LOA: 36′
BEAM: 12’9″
DRAFT: 2’8″
DISPLACEMENT: 18,000 lb.
FUEL: 300 gal.
WATER: 50 gal.
POWER: Twin 355 hp Cummins QSB6.7
Merritt 86
The hull and superstructure of this boat will be built with epoxy resin with Kevlar, carbon fiber and core-cell foam. “We are constantly trying to improve quality and performance every way we can,” Roy Merritt says. She will have five staterooms and four full heads, and is expected to cruise at 32 knots while topping out at 40 knots.
LOA: 86′
BEAM: 21’3″
DRAFT: 5’6″
DISPLACEMENT: 150,000 lb.
FUEL: 3,600 gal.
WATER: 500 gal.
POWER: Twin 2,600 hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L
Spencer 66
The new 66-foot Marlin Darlin‘ from Spencer Yachts began production in October 2016 and will feature a three-stateroom, three-head configuration. Daniel Spencer, vice president of Spencer Yachts, says, “The 66 is a great class of boat to do anything. Now, with new choices for power, this size boat makes sense, and we are seeing a fresh start on builds at Spencer Yachts. It really is a go-anywhere boat, and is a great size for fishing and traveling.” Marlin Darlin’ is expected to have a cruising speed of 38 knots and a top-end speed of 48 knots. “She’ll be first to the fish,” Spencer says.
LOA: 66’10”
BEAM: 18’6″
DRAFT: 4’6″
DISPLACEMENT: 72,000 lb.
FUEL: 2,100 gal.
WATER: 400 gal.
POWER: Twin 1,900 hp MTU 12V 2000 M96L
Weaver 97
Built to travel the world and fish some of the most remote locations, the new 97-footer from Weaver will feature a total of eight staterooms, one of which is an aft, full-beam master. The enclosed flybridge, sky bridge and tower will offer plenty of places for a captain or mate to watch the spread when trolling for billfish.
LOA: 97′
BEAM: 23′
DRAFT: 4′
DISPLACEMENT: 136,000 lb.
FUEL: 4,000 gal.
WATER: 550 gal.
POWER: Twin 2,600 hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L
Whiticar 63
The partnership between Whiticar and Garlington-Landeweer continues with this 63-footer, which will feature 100 percent composite construction and marry the traditional Whiticar lines with a modernized bottom. The 63-footer is expected to have a cruising speed of 35 knots and a top end of over 41 knots.
LOA: 63′
BEAM: 18′
DRAFT: 5′
DISPLACEMENT: 72,260 lb.
FUEL: 1,800 gal.
WATER: 300 gal.
POWER: Twin 1,550 hp MAN V12-1550
Willis Boat Works 42
The 42-foot express is designed to fish. Starting at the 150-square-foot cockpit, the build incorporates features like large insulated fish boxes, livewells, freezers, a tackle station and mezzanine seating. The bridge will be built to be spacious and comfortable for long runs to the fishing grounds, and will provide excellent visibility in addition to easy access to the cockpit. “This build leverages our 97-year history as a builder and mixes our proven bottom design with the traditional flare and modern features that clients demand,” says AJ Willis of Carolina-based Willis Boat Works.
LOA: 42′
BEAM: 16′
DRAFT: 2’6″
DISPLACEMENT: 27,000 lb.
FUEL: 600 gal.
WATER: 130 gal.
POWER: Twin 660 hp Cummins QSM11
Winter Custom 45 WA
The new 45-footer is based on the company’s previous walkaround design and features a curved deck with no step, which will match the sheer line of the boat. This will allow the boat to maintain 26 inches of interior freeboard from bow to stern. The cockpit will feature an 80-gallon livewell and two in-deck 7-foot fish boxes. The mezzanine will have two aft-facing seats with cooler storage below that will both be fed directly by the onboard ice machine. The helm is located on a peninsula-style console to port and will feature three 19-inch displays. A private forward stateroom, galley, head and built-in couch are located below. The boat will be equipped with a Northern Lights generator and a Seakeeper.
LOA: 45’6″
BEAM: 15’4″
DRAFT: 3’4″
DISPLACEMENT: 70,000 lb.
FUEL: 700 gal.
WATER: 150 gal.
POWER: Twin 800 hp MAN I6-800
