Introduction

Sometime in the 1920’s, inboard power started being used for craft specifically built to fish. In the 1940’s several famous boats like Miss Chevy II splashed. Pilar, Ernest Hemingway’s fishing boat was built in 1934 and had a 75 HP diesel installed.  It is believed she made a whopping 18 mph (about 15.5 knots). The lengths of these boats were typically in the 30-to-40-foot range.

As sportfishing became more and more popular, more vessels were built. Diesel engines continued to improve with ever growing power-to-weight ratios and eventually, twin engine installations became the norm. Because of this, design speeds increased greatly, reducing time to get to the fishing grounds. Desire for larger and larger boats also increased. Recently, Royal Huisman completed a 171-foot multi-deck “sportfishing superyacht.” Explore the innovative designs of Royal Huisman’s superyachts. This begs the question, bigger is always better, right?

The Early Days of Sportfishing Boats

I have been designing sportfishing vessels for over 20 years. Even in this span, the definition of “large” is continually being updated. At some point years ago, sportfishing boats transitioned into yachts. And the bigger the yacht, the more capabilities it has, the more features it has, and the more passengers it can carry.

The Advantages of Larger Sportfishing Yachts

What does size do for us in open water? Obviously, a larger and heavier hull can handle heavier sea conditions with less challenges. A larger hull also has increased interior volume for equipment, engines, and importantly, fuel. Modern sportfish yachts are not hurting for speed or range. Most custom designed/built sportfisherman these days have more range than is typically needed.  All this adds up to heavier and heavier displacements. And in rough conditions, mass is our friend. 

Design Considerations: How Size Impacts Performance

There are many variables in hull form design that affect ride quality, including chine distribution, section shape, and deadrise, among others, not to mention build weight and LCG.  But we can think more simply than this. Force equals mass times acceleration (F = m*a), a commonly known equation of physics. This simple equation tells us that acceleration equals force divided by mass (a = F/m). So, for a given sea condition which is imparting forces onto the hull at a given speed, more mass will result in lower accelerations due to dynamic inputs, softening the hits and improving ride quality.  This may seem obvious.  An 80-footer should provide a noticeably softer ride in heavy seas than a 50-footer. This is a great advantage of size and weight.

Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality

The larger boat will also allow for myriad arrangement and layout options and bespoke features, which have become so important in modern designs. These boats, while true fishing machines, also must offer uses that appeal to the whole family and their friends.  Larger boats also allow for the possibility of an enclosed flybridge, adding comfort.

The Trade-offs of Larger Sportfishing Yachts

But size comes with negatives as well.  Costs increase greatly in every way with added length, beam, volume, and weight. Obviously, to make speeds that are desired these days (typically, a 40-knot WOT is a minimum requirement), the bigger the boat, the more engine is required, which also means more fuel to maintain range. That adds weight, and around we go. But a larger hull is also not as nimble as her smaller sisters. Fighting fish requires quick response, and while even the largest sporfishing hulls can handle this, many hardcore fisherman and captains would agree there is a limit. Even ten to fifteen years ago, lengths of 70 to 80 feet were near the upper end of the range. But now there are various hulls that approach 100 feet LOA. The largest sportfish I’ve been fortunate to be part of is 105 feet in length. These days, it is easy to think of a 60-plus footer as small. Check out the top sportfishing tournaments where the largest yachts compete.

Aesthetics come into play here as well. The typical flybridge layout can look a bit clunky down in the 40-foot range. Heights need to allow for the passengers, and these smaller boats do not have the length to help offset that look. Then again, once you get into the 90- to 100+-foot lengths, challenges like cockpit height off the water come into play.  A covering board that is between 36 and 40 inches off the water, which is optimal for fishing, can look too short on a 100-footer. I believe from a look standpoint, the sweet spot is in that 60-to-80-foot range.  In our current designs, lengths in this range can top out in the upper 40 knot range (pushing 50 knots) and the lines can look just right with the various design cues being in a perfect balance.  And I would think most tournament captains would agree that a true fishing machine should not exceed this, maybe even a bit smaller.

Conclusion: Is Bigger Always Better?

It all comes down to what the market wants. Technology has allowed us to design and build larger sportfishing yachts that look great, have incredible creature comforts, offer big range, and high speeds.  And the type of fishing the owner is doing is a big factor.  While size is important, and is an owner’s personal decision, I think I would be more than a little surprised to see a 171-footer showing up to compete at most of the events during tournament season.