Gamefisherman 40: A Classic Offshore Day Boat Built for Billfish

The Gamefisherman 40 was born in Stuart, Florida, in 1985, when founder Mike Matlack—an experienced fisherman with years at Rybovich Boat Works in Palm Beach—set out to build a rugged day boat designed for offshore tournament fishing. While many builders at the time were stretching into larger, more complex yachts thanks to increasingly powerful engines, Matlack embraced a simpler, purpose-driven approach inspired by classic Rybovich and Merritt designs. The result was a boat focused on fishability, reliability and seaworthiness: the Gamefisherman 40.

Design and Construction

Built using traditional cold-molded construction, the Gamefisherman 40 displaces roughly 19,000 pounds, offering a solid, stable platform for heavy tackle and rough offshore conditions. The hull features a modified-V running surface designed to be efficient yet responsive. That hull form delivers a crisp, narrow trolling wake at slow speeds—useful for presenting lures and baits to billfish—and steady cruising performance when covering ground to distant grounds.

Performance and Range

With mid-size, fuel-efficient six-cylinder diesel engines and a 400-gallon fuel capacity, the Gamefisherman 40 strikes a balance between speed and range. Typical cruise speeds fall in the mid-20-knot range, allowing anglers to reach productive grounds without excessive fuel burn. At slow trolling speeds—around 6 knots—the boat’s wake and handling characteristics made it especially effective for attracting large pelagic species.

Deck Layout and Fishing Features

A 13-foot beam creates a generous cockpit that can accommodate a fighting chair while still leaving space for anglers to work stand-up gear for 100-pound class Pacific sails, marlin, swordfish, tuna and large mahi. Practical elements such as a teak deck to reduce engine noise, a bait-prep station, cockpit controls and a transom door make the boat highly functional for serious fishing trips. Many owners also opted for a tuna tower to enhance sight-fishing and provide better visibility when searching for signs of game fish.

Helm, Flybridge and Onboard Comfort

The flybridge on the Gamefisherman 40 is straightforward and efficient: a single helm seat with small lounges flanking a mahogany helm pod keeps the captain close to the action while conserving space. The compact deckhouse retains enough height to store fishing rods overhead and offers a sheltered space where anglers can sit out bad weather or prepare gear without being far from the cockpit. Below deck, the layout is basic but comfortable—single bunks to port and starboard and a head forward—reflecting the boat’s role as a day boat that still provides modest amenities for longer excursions.

Reliability and Suitability for Remote Fishing

One of the Gamefisherman 40’s strongest attributes is the simplicity of its mechanical and 12-volt electrical systems. That straightforward engineering made the model a popular choice for fishing operations in remote locations—places where owners and crews value systems they can maintain and repair without extensive shore support. This durability and self-sufficiency helped the Gamefisherman 40 earn a reputation for reliability in far-flung fisheries.

Proven Tournament Performance

Highly regarded by tournament anglers, the boat proved itself in the hands of experienced captains. Notably, Capt. Bubba Carter’s hull No. 5, the Tijereta, recorded an extraordinary run of success in 1990 while fishing out of Flamingo Bay, Costa Rica—more than 1,330 billfish in 190 days—highlighting the model’s capability in productive tropical waters.

Legacy and Modern Use

Although Mike Matlack retired and sold his company in 2018, the Gamefisherman 40 remains respected among both seasoned tournament anglers and owners who prize proven performance over the latest trends. Today these boats still show up in unexpected places around the globe—Morocco, remote Pacific atolls and other far-reaching destinations—often serving as tenders for megayachts or as dependable platforms for serious big-game fishing expeditions.

Designed as a no-nonsense offshore day boat, the Gamefisherman 40 continues to be valued for its blend of purposeful design, straightforward systems and proven track record on the water. For anglers seeking a capable platform that prioritizes fishability and durability, this classic remains a benchmark in its class.

This article was originally published in the January 2022 issue.