Types of Fishing Yachts

When most people think of a fishing yacht, they picture large, luxurious vessels that a devoted fisherman would live aboard for days or weeks at a time in pursuit of trophy catches. However, there are actually many types of boats that could qualify as a “fishing yacht” depending on their size, cabin space and other features. Some can be used for coastal fishing while others are more suited for offshore trips or for overnight stays (like convertibles and flybridge yachts). And then there are the true sportfishers—fast, powerful boats designed to get anglers out to distant fisheries quickly.

The first thing to consider when choosing a fishing boat is how much time you want to spend on the water. Half-day charters typically last for four hours, while full-day trips are eight hours and overnight charters mean you’ll sleep on board or fish all night. Your trip length will also impact where you fish and what you can catch.

Center consoles are the most versatile of all fishing boats and can be found in sizes ranging from 18 to 40 feet. As their name suggests, these boats have the helm station in the center of the boat and this layout makes them easy to maneuver with lots of open space for everyone onboard. They’re ideal for coastal and offshore fishing but they can also be used in bays or lakes as long as there is sufficient depth.

Bay boats are designed to operate in shallow, protected waters such as bays and coves and they usually have a V-hull. This design helps them to move quickly through the water and they can often be found in a variety of colors, making them easily identifiable in the water. They can usually accommodate up to four anglers and have plenty of storage space for gear and supplies.

These are some of the largest of all of the fishing boats and they can be equipped with berths for an overnight stay and even a galley for those who choose to make this their home base for extended fishing trips. They’re incredibly fast and can reach speeds of 30+ knots which means they can cover distances more quickly than other fishing boats. This type of boat is a favorite with tournament fishermen as well as those who simply want to cruise or enjoy a day of fishing in comfort.

The project 406 from Dutch dayboat builder Vanquish combines sleek lines with the speed and performance that defines a true sportfisherman’s boat. Its high freeboard forward and smooth, tapered transom look like they’re daring the sea to come at them. This vessel has a spacious interior with three private staterooms and two heads (boater-speak for bathrooms) but it can also be configured as a one or two cabin version for day use only. This is one of many new or used sportsfishers for sale and charter on YachtWorld.