Reminiscent of one of the most venerated fish boats ever built, the 43 Merritt, Release Boatworks’ new 43 Gameboat takes that classic design to a whole new level of sophistication and performance. Hull number one of the 43 Gameboat, a Florida-based vessel named Riser, retains the beautiful, classic look favored by many hardcore fishermen, but comes built with cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art materials.
These include a hull built using blister resistant modified epoxy resin, vacuum infused using Airex foam cores with Eglass hybrid fiberglass laminates to maximize strength while minimizing weight. The interior of the hull gets an isophthalic gelcoat topcoat with a durable high gloss polyurethane coating, and the exterior consists of high performance isophthalic gelcoat npg with superior gloss, flexibility, and outstanding weathering characteristics.
The stringers are built with fiberglass encapsulated foam, and the bulkheads are vacuum infused with composite cores. The extensive use of composite materials throughout the boat creates an incredibly strong finished product and saves a great deal of weight, providing superior performance. For example, with standard twin 550 horsepower Cummins QSB6.7 diesels, the 43 Gameboat cruises at 30 knots and tops out at 35 knots. And a modern hull design from renowned naval architect Erwin Gerards affords unmatched seakeeping abilities. Notable options include 600 horsepower Cummins QSCs and 600 horsepower Volvo Penta D-8s, an Omni sonar, a Seakeeper 6 stabilizer, and various tower options.
The 43 Gameboat comes ready to fish as well, with a lengthy standard equipment list, including a 140 square-foot cockpit, single lever electronic controls at the helm, DC-power assisted hydraulic steering, an 11.5 kW Onan generator, a teak ladder-back helm seat, with a four-inch pedestal and removable cushions and covers, four flush-mounted rod holders, a walk-through transom door with a lift gate, and much more.
“The 43 Gameboat continues our proud legacy of building timelessly beautiful and endlessly fishable custom boats,” said Jim Turner, Director of Release Boatworks. “This boat is for the customer we know best—the boat owner who values compact maneuverability, a large cockpit, and spacious sleeping accommodations. This family-friendly battlewagon combines our classically engineered seaworthy hull with lofty accommodations below for overnight trips, as well as a highly fishable cockpit and clean wake for chasing trophies offshore.”
The Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat combines the beauty of yesterday’s classic designs with the latest technology and modern high-performance characteristics, to produce what might be the ultimate fishing platform. The Release 43 is also available in Walkaround, Flybridge Walkaround, or Express models.
