How to Buy a Sportfish Yacht
Sportfish yachts are without a doubt built with fishing enthusiasts in mind. Whether you’re a recreational fisherman or serious angler, these yachts are designed and engineered to get you to fishing grounds fast, combining performance and practicality. Typically, these battlewagons of the sea are fully-equipped with cabins, a galley, and high-tech systems for the ability to cruise long distances and stay on the water for days at a time. Not to mention, fully loaded with fishing gear to land you in the winner’s circle. If you’re in the market to purchase a battlewagon of your own, you’ll soon come to find that there are many options to take into consideration. Before purchasing, here are six tips on how to buy a sportfish yacht.
Get help from the experts when buying a sportfish yacht
Working with a reputable yacht broker who has vast knowledge about the sport and years of experience is the first step in finding your ideal battlewagon. There are many advantages of working with a broker including, their expertise and understanding of the industry, hundreds of hours logged on the water fishing in tournaments, direct point of contact to sportfishing manufacturers, their training and integrity, and much more. Not to mention, yacht brokers help ensure the process of buying a sportfish yacht runs smoothly and efficiently, taking the stress off of you. View our team of professional yacht brokers here.
Choosing a sportfish type & design
Two of the most common sportfishing yacht designs are center consoles and convertibles. Center consoles are usually fast and well-appointed for tackle and storage. On a center console, you have unobstructed 360-degree views and plenty of fishing space among the boat. These boats average 30-40 feet in length and suit many styles of fishing. Popular brands among center consoles include Valhalla Boatworks, Boston Whaler, Contender, Yellowfin, and many more.
Convertible yachts tend to be more luxurious and feature lavish accommodations for extended travels. These yachts often highlight spacious staterooms, kitchen quarters, living space, and fully outfitted cockpits. Convertibles usually range from 40-80’ feet in length and can travel long distances without refueling. Other sportfish models include open yachts, enclosed bridge yachts, and flybridge yacht. Popular brands include Viking Yachts, Bertram, Hatteras, and more.
Size & accomodations
Determining what size yacht works best for you will come down to what you can afford and other factors. If you are purchasing pre-owned, chances are you will be able to afford a larger yacht versus buying new. The downside to buying used, higher maintenance costs. Aside from choosing to buy new or used, how do you plan to use the yacht? Will you be gone for days at a time? How many people do you plan to have on the boat at one time? Are you fishing offshore or in a coastal area? There are many things to consider before choosing the best design and size. Remember, by enlisting the help of a yacht broker, they will be able to match you with the best options that meet your preferences. With their unparalleled industry knowledge and understanding of the market, they will be able to narrow down your search results extensively.
Functionality of sportfish yachts
Functionality is also another significant aspect to take into consideration. For some anglers having top-of-the-line fishability features is of the utmost importance. Does the yacht have enough rod holders, fishing chairs, GPS, tackle, and storage for your liking? Another notable feature is the performance of a boat. Will the yacht be able to get you to your favorite spot fast or move from one area to the next at high speeds to beat out the competition? Can it get you there in comfort or handle harsh weather conditions during the tournament season? These are all questions to keep in mind during your search for the ideal sportfish yacht.
Sportfish Specialists at Galati Yacht Sales
When it comes time to purchase a sportfish yacht, turn the specialists at Galati Yachts. Our sportfish specialists spend countless hours of product training to help you determine the best features and options for your specific boating needs. What started with one family and an all-American dream has now become an award-winning yacht brokerage firm with thirteen offices globally and a team of experts dedicated to sportfish yacht sales.
Premier sportfishing brands
We offer a large selection of new sportfish yachts from premium brands including, Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks. When it comes to the sport fisherman’s market, Viking has arguably been the global leader since its inception in 1964. They manufacture quality convertible yachts, enclosed yachts, and open yachts ranging from 37-93 feet. Viking is the gold standard when it comes to sportfishing yachts. Their subsidiary company, Valhalla Boatworks, commits to designing and building high-performance luxury outboard-powered boats with the same Viking quality, craftsmanship, and expertise that has led the marine industry for 56 years. The V Series center console range consists of three deep-V, double-stepped monohulls from 33 to 46 feet that excel as hard-core fishing boats, luxurious sport cruisers, or yacht tenders. Talk to our Viking/Valhalla specialists today for more information on either of these leading sportfish brands.
