Sportfishing yachts allow you to go further and faster out to sea for fishing tournaments or recreation. Whatever the reason, these yachts use a special hull design that allows them to cruise through various ocean conditions faster than other types of boats – providing the ultimate luxury experience for fishing in comfort at sea.
While these types of yachts all serve the same basic functions, they may come in different sizes and with various configurations depending on your needs and wants. With that in mind, if you are in the market for a new sportfishing yacht but are not sure what to look for, here is your ultimate guide to buying the best one for your needs.
Choose Your Type of Yacht
When you first choose your sportfishing yacht, one of the first decisions you will have to make is deciding between a center console or a convertible type. Center consoles tend to be faster vessels that are built for maximum storage and equipping a variety of different fishing accessories and tools. With a center console, you can enjoy a 360-degree perimeter of fishing space – giving you the freedom and space to fish however you see fit. Additionally, you can expect speeds of up to 65 – 70 miles per hour, making them ideal for those who love fast cruising.
On the other hand, convertible types come with luxury features and longer voyages in mind. These vessels usually have luxury cabins, bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living area to relax and enjoy a comfortable ride. While convertibles may not be as versatile as center console yachts, they typically can cruise up to 600 miles from the coast, making them ideal for longer outings. When deciding between these two types of sportfishing yachts, you need to consider your needs and wants first and then pick the vessel that most suits your needs.
The Right Size/Capacity
Finding the ideal size sportfishing yacht is ultimately determined by what your needs are. Sizes vary from 35 – 90 feet depending on how the vessel will be in use. When working with a yacht broker, a couple of questions you can ask yourself are how you will be using your yacht.
Will you be fishing alone or with companions? How long will you typically spend at sea? And will you be fishing mostly in coastal areas or out in the open sea? Once you determine these answers, you can begin narrowing down until you find the right size that will provide you with enough capacity and fun.
Equipment
The yacht itself is only part of the equation when it comes to sport fishing. In addition to having the specifications for your vessel that fit your needs, you must also ensure you have all the necessary fishing gear for your purposes. That means equipping your yacht with all the necessary rod holders, GPS, electronic fish-finding equipment, and a comfortable fishing chair that you can sit in for hours (or however long you think you will fish at a time).
It is important to ensure your vessel can adequately handle any task you throw at it in any number of conditions. Even if you have a yacht able to cruise at high speeds but are lacking the right fishing gear, your overall experience may suffer.
Check the Condition
Finally, before closing on a deal to purchase a yacht, check that the vessel is in good condition and properly maintained. The last thing you want to deal with is expensive repairs due to poor care or lack of maintenance, so before you decide to buy, make sure it is seaworthy first!
Join a Yacht Club
Yacht clubs provide a sense of community around a shared passion and access to many amenities that can assist you with maintaining and operating your sportfishing yacht. Lighthouse Point Yacht Club has been operating since the early 1960s and providing accommodations for vessels ranging from 30 to 120 feet, with complementary full-service faculties ready to meet your sportfishing needs. If you are interested in learning more about our club, contact our amazing team today!