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Merritt Custom Boats Yachts For Sale

Perhaps one of the most recognizable names in all of the marine industry when it comes to custom sportfishing yachts is Merritt Boatworks. Known for building iconic, highly customizable sportfish, Merritt Yachts are a work of art just as much as they are a "battle-wagon" for fighting big Marlin. The team at United has listed and sold countless Merritt Boats over the years and has the expertise to help you find one on the market or represent you in the purchase of a new build.

Learn More About Merritt And Find Your Next Boat

Merritt is a family owned and operated custom sportfishing yacht builder and boatyard located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach, Florida, just a short distance from the Hillsboro Inlet and Atlantic Ocean. Franklin and Ennis Merritt left Long Island to purchase a 10-acre parcel on the Intracoastal Waterway in 1947 and opened Merritt Boat and Engine Works the following year to maintain and service the Merritt fleet of charter and drift fishing boats in the Hillsboro Inlet area. The Merritt boatyard developed a reputation for highest quality work and great customer service—values instilled in sons, Buddy and Allen, and Allen’s son, Roy, who leads the Merritt team today, overseeing daily operations of new construction and the comprehensive services offered by the full-service boatyard.

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List Of Merritt Custom Boats Yachts On The Brokerage Market

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Buddy Merritt’s early 37-ft boats were purpose-built to fish big tuna in Cat Cay, Bahamas and were influenced greatly by Rybovich & Sons in the 50s and 60s who first converted cabin cruisers to sportfishing boats and then built boats from the ground up using plank on frame construction with an open deckhouse—no aft bulkhead, and a flying bridge. Another major influence was custom boat builder, Jim Smith, who introduced Roy to cold-molded construction method in the mid-1960s. The 43-ft Hull #13 was the first Merritt to transition from plank-on-frame to cold molded construction. Roy also credits his uncle Buddy, whom he had worked with until Buddy’s passing in 1971, for the simplicity and functionality along with the meticulous woodwork that are signatures of Merritt custom sportfishing boats. These early custom builders of sportfishing boats helped popularize big game sport fishing all over the world, as they allowed captains and crew to fish previously unreachable destinations.

Merritt Boatworks early model

Roy Merritt’s further innovation was to transition from cold molded to cored composite construction for a lighter, yet stronger boat but with the solidity and sound-proofing qualities of wood. Starting with the hardtops, composite was used to produce lighter more efficient boats, able to take on the rigors of bluewater game fishing. Building certain size hull molds added to construction efficiencies while allowing the boats to be customized to a client’s wishes. It was client Jo Jo Del Guercio’s idea in 1975 that led to Merritt’s development of the first “rocket launcher” to hold fishing rods for trolling on his Merritt Hull #23. Current innovation focuses on materials that add strength while reducing weight and utilizing new running gear technologies to run smoother and more efficiently, making gains in speed.

Merritt boats are known for amazingly beautiful woodwork throughout the yacht. Master carpenters and craftsmen build the stunning interiors, custom cabinetry, furnishings, custom bar stools, teak spiral steps, mezzanine wings and varnished teak trim, typical features of Merritt’s classic, elegant look and feel that garner admiring looks in marinas all over the world. But Merritts are much more than beautiful yachts, they are extremely functional and efficient sportfishing boats, yielding many record-setting gamefish catches over the years. Characteristic of Merritt builds is easy access to pumps, compressors, and other mechanical equipment and systems for simplified maintenance. Redundancy is built in to make servicing easier. The uncluttered cockpit with serious fighting chair is spacious with built-in deck fish box conveniently along the transom; freezers, refrigerator and livewell on the mezzanine deck within easy reach are but a few examples, as each Merritt is a custom build.

Merritt’s custom sportfishing yachts are prized not only for their stunning beauty, but as superbly functional and well-engineered fishing machines, able to reach distant fishing grounds with the comfort and amenities of a luxury cruising yacht.

 

Merritt 58’ Custom Sportfish

Merritt Yachts 58

Aboard the 58 foot Custom Sportfish, enter into the salon through an electric sliding door from the cockpit. You will find a U-shaped sofa with ample storage underneath on the port side. To the starboard side you will find an A/V cabinet and a barrel chair. The galley is equipped with an under counter refrigeration and freezer along with tons of storage drawers. Make your way downstairs, you will find the crews staterooms with over and under bunks and hanging lockers for storage. There is also a guest stateroom with a double birth and single pull down birth above for when it is needed. The guest stateroom is an en suite head and shower with easy access to and from the companionway. Moving all the way forward you will find the Master Stateroom with a queen birth, hanging lockers and an en suite with a head and shower. This custom 58 foot sport fish boat is one like no other. 

 

Merritt 72’ Sportfish

Merritt Boatworks 72

As for the 72 foot Sportfish from Merritt’s, you will find all things luxurious. There is a sliding air door to and from the salon and port with a wraparound sofa and an ample amount of storage. Forward is a large dinette with seating enough to accommodate four. The galley has a cook top and a double sink and more storage than you can think of under and above of the refrigerator and freezer. Other appliances aboard the 72 foot sportfish are a built in microwave and coffee maker. There are wood blinds that are able to raise and be lowered all over, each window.

Towards the companionway, on the port side is where you can find the master stateroom with a glorious walk around queen bed, large double hanging lockers for extra storage and an elegant en suite equipped with a shower and head. Over on the starboard side is the crew quarters with over and under bunks as well as double hanging lockers. There is a head and shower that adjoins to the crew quarters and another stateroom that has a single bunk and double lockers and storage underneath. This particular yacht has a VIP stateroom that is forward with a walk around queen bed and this room is attached with an en suite. As for the flybridge, it is well equipped with three helm chairs and a large bench of maximum seating and rod storage underneath. All the navigation equipment is located in the teak bridge console. Get ready to take on the big fish aboard this Merritt 72 foot Sportfish, and do it in comfort. 

 

How to Buy a Merritt Boat

If you’re interested in purchasing a Merritt Sportfish, a United Yachts Sales professional can assist you in your search.  Being a 100-percent customer-driven business, United Yachts delivers every time by listening closely to your needs and budget, thoroughly reviewing the available options on the market, and taking the guess-work out of your boat search. Using a United broker to help you find the right boat or yacht for you can save you time, money, and a lot of extra work after the sale. And best of all, it costs you nothing.

How to Sell Your Merritt Boat

United Yachts Sales has experience and the product knowledge to sell your Merritt Yacht. Selecting the right full-service brokerage firm when selling your yacht improves the likelihood of a seamless and timely transaction. Listing your yacht with United Yachts, you can be certain it is in the hands of dedicated professionals.  With over 15 years in business, our devoted Sales Professionals work attentively to provide you with first-class representation. Our industry-leading support team includes a listing team, marketing team, and closing team with decades of combined experience to make ensure the sale of your boat or yacht goes as smoothly as possible. 



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