What is perfection in a sportfishing boat?

We believe it is a combination of beautiful craftsmanship, speed, stability in rough seas, a comfortable layout for the family, the ruggedness to handle nasty inlets and a huge cockpit.

“You build the fishing platform first, then add the box.”

The design process at Release Boatworks begins with a group of experienced offshore tournament fishermen, some of the best captains on the ocean and renowned naval architect Erwin Gerards. The late John Rybovich used to say, “You build the fishing platform first, then add the box.” That may sound easy but at Release Boatworks, it isn’t. Not with this group—only perfection will do.

Our boats offer fishing-friendly designs like low gunwales for the easy handling of billfish beside the boat, a clean wake at trolling speeds, multiple livewells and fishboxes placed where they make sense, not as an afterthought. The cockpit sole has the perfect amount of camber (curve) to drain water to the scuppers quickly, while the tackle center holds enough terminal gear for a week’s worth of charter fishing. Then there’s the expert placement of the fighting chair, icemaker, refrigeration, storage and engine access, and this is just in the cockpit.

But the best fishing designs are meaningless unless the boat is simply gorgeous. At Release Boatworks, that means a traditional curved shear line, tumblehome and sharp entry. Everything must fit perfectly and then be finished to a high-gloss shine. The result is the classic look that serious anglers and boating aficionados expect from a custom boatbuilder.