How a passion for fishing led to founding Release Boatworks and reviving the legendary Gamefisherman brand

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Jim Turner’s story reads like the ultimate fisherman’s dream: turning a passion for angling into a thriving boat-building empire. As the founder of Release Boatworks and current owner of the legendary Gamefisherman brand, Turner has spent decades perfecting the art of both catching fish and building the boats that make it possible.

The Guatemala Discovery That Changed Everything

In 1995, Jim Turner and his wife Elizabeth took what seemed like an ordinary fishing trip to Guatemala. The country’s civil war had recently ended, and tourism infrastructure was virtually non-existent. What they found instead was fishing paradise.

“After that first trip, I knew this was the best fishing grounds in the world,” Turner recalls. “Billfish on light tackle in calm seas—what could be better?”

The answer came quickly: fishing for free. Turner purchased a 1961 37-foot Merritt named Release in Costa Rica, relocated her to Guatemala, and launched a charter fishing business with Captain Chris Sheeder. His philosophy was simple: let the charter income cover expenses while he fished without cost.

Building a Fishing Empire in Central America

What started as a single boat operation quickly evolved into something much larger. Dissatisfied with his charter clients’ lodging options, Turner opened Casa Vieja Lodge in Puerto San Jose in 2003. The lodge demanded a larger fleet, prompting Turner to acquire and restore a collection of classic sportfishing vessels:

• Intensity – a 37-foot DCN from Colombia
• Pelagian – a 37-foot Rybovich requiring major rehabilitation
• Canaso – a 1968 37-foot Daytona from St. Augustine

The fleet eventually grew to eight boats, including Merritt, Gamefisherman, Stolper, Rybovich, and Whiticar models. Turner personally rebuilt and repowered each vessel, sometimes multiple times.

A Record-Breaking Day on the Water

One of Turner’s most memorable fishing experiences occurred in 2003 during filming for “The New American Sportsman” television show. While NFL Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez was the featured guest, Turner ended up stealing the show.

“Chris looked at me and said, ‘You better rest up, tomorrow we’re breaking the record,'” Turner remembers. That morning, he released 30 sailfish on fly before noon—surpassing the previous record of 28. By day’s end, their charter boat had released 57 sailfish total, with Turner accounting for 54 of them.

From New Jersey Roots to Florida Waters

Turner’s love affair with fishing began in childhood. Growing up as a true New Jersey native, he spent summers split between the Jersey Shore and Jupiter, Florida, where his grandparents had relocated in 1968.

His formative years were shaped by early morning shifts at the family bakery business and evening fishing expeditions aboard their 22-foot Mako. Even during high school, Turner’s priorities were clear: “My days at an overcrowded Manasquan High School were mostly spent fishing or hunting.”

One memorable storm created the perfect fishing conditions: “A Nor’easter pushed striped bass right up against the beach and north jetty. A friend and I rode our bikes to the inlet and hauled in a 28-pounder—a trophy catch that remains one of my favorite fishing stories.”

The Birth of Release Boatworks

By 2009, Turner had grown weary of constantly maintaining his aging fleet of wooden boats. His friend David Salazar posed the question that would change everything: “Aren’t you tired of fixing these old wooden boats? You ought to build your own.”

Turner had the business acumen to make it happen. He’d already sold the family’s Ritz Bakery & Café (voted retail bakery of the year in 1993), developed a 512-unit active adult community called Park Place, and founded Homecourt Hospitality with six Hilton and Marriott hotels across the Southeast.

On November 15, 2011, Turner laid the hull for his first Release Boatworks vessel. Exactly four months later, working every single day including holidays, he splashed the 46-footer and made an all-night run to display it at the Miami Boat Show.

“I’ve always had a booth at the show for Casa Vieja,” Turner explains. “So, I said, ‘Let’s put up a flag showing new Release Boatworks boats for sale.’ Lo and behold, I sold the boat, and that’s how I got into the retail boat-building business.”

Design Philosophy: Timeless Meets Modern

Turner’s design benchmark for Release boats is the classic 43 Merritt, which he considers “the ultimate Florida custom boat.” This influence is evident in every Release hull’s distinctive features:

• Subtle tumblehome
• Functional spray rail
• Elegant guardrail
• Detailed accent lines
• Graceful S-curve sheer

“You build something timeless and use technology to improve the product,” Turner explains. “Look at a Corvette—you can connect the dots between a 1958 and 1998 model. We’re custom builders, but we’re not letting you change our hull. It’s the interior that we customize, like remodeling the inside of a classic home built with solid bones.”

Acquiring a Legend: The Gamefisherman Story

In 2017, Turner relocated Release from Miami to New Jersey, taking on two partners and purchasing a 13-acre facility designed for boat building. The company’s most significant acquisition came through an unexpected phone call.

“About five years ago, we got a call from the owner of Gamefisherman asking if we could build some parts for them,” Turner recalls. “One thing led to another, and we bought Gamefisherman.”

The acquisition made perfect strategic sense. Gamefisherman had built its reputation on providing the best charter boats to the world’s premier fishing destinations—from Costa Rica to Guatemala, Bermuda to Hawaii.

“What Gamefisherman bought us was a legacy,” Turner explains. “It cemented our spot in the historical aspect of sportfishing boat building.”

Current Operations and Future Vision

Today, Release Boatworks operates from a single New Jersey facility, building both Release and Gamefisherman brands. The company produces 12 boats annually—an impressive number for a custom builder—primarily 46 and 55-foot models.

Turner’s vision for the brands is clear: Release will focus on higher-end custom builds, while Gamefisherman maintains its charter boat heritage. The company is currently building a 34-foot center console Gamefisherman, expanding beyond traditional sportfishing designs.

Despite building dozens of boats for clients, Turner faces an ironic situation: “For the first time since that 13-foot Boston Whaler, I am boatless, and it is burning a pit in my stomach,” he admits. The company’s solid backlog means even the founder must wait his turn.

The Enduring Pull of Guatemala

While Turner has fished around the world—from Venezuela to Australia—Guatemala remains his first love. “If I had to get on a plane, I’d be going to Guatemala,” he says. “I have roots and friends there, and there’s a lot to be said for calm seas and 20-pound test.”

From a young angler casting from Jersey jetties to a boat builder serving sportfishing enthusiasts worldwide, Jim Turner’s journey embodies the American dream of turning passion into profession. His story continues to unfold, one custom boat at a time.

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About Release Boatworks: Founded in 2011 by Jim Turner, Release Boatworks builds custom sportfishing boats in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. The company also owns the legendary Gamefisherman brand, continuing a tradition of excellence in charter boat construction.

Contact Information: info@releaseboatworks.com or Phone: 833-347- 4729

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