Sport Fishing Boats and Yachts for Sale

Sport fishing yachts are high-powered, saltwater boats designed with the specialized needs of serious offshore anglers in mind. There are several different styles available, including convertible, express, and center console, to suit all needs. Search for new and used sport fishing boats for sale by brand, length, budget, or specification.  

Main Characteristics of Sport Fishing Boats

Sport fishing boats are dedicated vessels designed for offshore fishing. They are fast and capable, able to withstand heavy seas and get anglers to the best fishing grounds quickly. They are well-equipped, with storage for fishing equipment such as rods and tackle, as well as livewells to store the day’s catch. 

These types of boats are designed for serious offshore anglers who enjoy big game and pelagic fishing, and as such every part of the vessel is planned with fishing in mind, from the fighting chairs to the bait and tackle stations. Having said that, they are also designed for comfort and luxury and have cabins of varying size and plenty of luxury home comforts. 

Sport fishing yachts can either be inboard or outboard, and it’s common to see twin, triple, or even quad outboards on the largest models. Ranging in size from a little under 30 feet to 90 feet and more, sport fishing boats come in various styles, notably the express, convertible and center console types. They have good ranges to allow them to reach offshore fishing grounds and most are able to accommodate a couple or families on overnight cruises too. 

Types of Sport Fishing Boats

Convertible Sport Fishing Boat

Convertibles are characterized by their larger cabins, offering the opportunity to embark on The helm decks tend to be enclosed, creating a saloon and lots more covered space for passengers. 

Flybridge Sport Fishing Boat

A convertible sport fishing boat typically offers the most space and comfort among all sport fishing boats and is good for multi-day offshore fishing excursions and weekend cruises in comfort. A convertible is characterized by its open deck above the cabin roof where there is a second helm station. Some also have a tuna tower above that giving the captain progressively higher vantage points, and excellent visibility. The flybridge allows for extra space for hosting passengers, and given that most of these vessels are 40 feet and up, they usually have larger cabins and extra interior space than other styles. These attributes make them a good option for serious anglers who would like a more hybrid-style vessel for entertaining too. Such is their popularity that they make up a significant portion of the sport fishing boat market, and there are therefore plenty to be found on the used market. 

Express Sportfish Boat

The express sport fishing boat, sometimes called an open sportfishing boat doesn’t have the raised deck of its convertible cousin but offers plenty of on-deck space as there are no ladders to navigate around. They are stable on the water without as high a center of gravity, and they are renowned for their speed. Most express sport fishing boats will have some sort of cabin, and the larger models (which make up a big section of the market) will have spacious interiors and comfortable cabins for overnight trips. 

Center Console Sport Fishing Boats

There are many center console fishing boats on the market, but it’s important to differentiate between those designed for coastal use and those that are true offshore fishing vessels. Center console sport fishing yachts will have powerful outboards, open cockpits, and below deck cabins, as well as being able to cruise long distances in heavy seas. Some of the largest will also have a flybridge.

Best Sport Fishing Brands

There is stiff competition within the sport fishing boat sector, with many of the world’s top brands building ever better models year on year. Renowned brands such as Viking, Hatteras Yachts, and Bertram offer some of the larger models in their line-ups, while brands such as Boston Whaler and Grady-White include smaller versions in their broad fishing boat ranges. 

Many of the top brands in the industry are American, and these include Florida-based Merritt, American Custom Yachts, Davis Yachts, F&S Boatworks, and NauticStar to name just a few. Top brands from other countries include Maverick Yachts in South Africa and XO Boats in Finland. 

When it comes to center console sport fishing yachts, there is a marked difference between those that fish coastally and those equipped for offshore angling. Top brands such as Contender, Fountain, Invincible, Freeman, and HCB are examples of those building highly capable offshore center consoles as excellent sport fishing boats. 

Why Choose Sport Fishing Boats?

Sport fishing boats are designed for serious offshore anglers who need the strength, safety, and speed to get them to blue water fishing grounds in comfort. They will be equipped with everything from fighting chairs to fishing storage and livewells, as well as have cabins for overnight stays. There are several types of sport fishing boat including express, flybridge, and convertible.