Dutch shipyard Vanquish Yachts has announced an order for a new sportfish yacht which will serve as the chase boat for the 60-metre project SkyFall currently in build at the Heesen shipyard. Called VQ80 Sportfish, the 24-metre chase boat is expected to be equipped with every conceivable facility and layout option for the avid angler owner and his fishing buddies.
Photo: Vanquish YachtsDeveloped in collaboration with exterior and interior designer Guido de Groot and naval architects from Studio Delta, the chase boat is a hybrid between a luxurious sportfish superyacht and a VQ powerboat. 
Photo: Vanquish Yachts“It was a unique challenge to design a chase-standard boat with the best possible fishing cockpit and we were given carte blanche as long as key VQ elements such as the reverse bow were retained,” explains designer Guido de Groot.
Photo: Vanquish YachtsThe VQ80 Sportfish will provide the ideal environment for fishing, with an added suspension effect thanks to its Petestep deflectors, Garmin gears and hydraulic doors that open both towards the port and starboard to safely haul the fish into the hold.
Photo: Vanquish Yachts“The client has set out to create a very special sportfish that resembles nothing else on the water today. We had to play a lot with the proportions in order to get the height right, especially with the tuna tower on top, part of which has been integrated into the superstructure. The same applies to the spacious stern fishing cockpit, the upper line of which flows over the hull and blends with the engine room and cabin windows to generate a unified design signature as well as a true sense of swiftness,” de Groot added.
Photo: Vanquish YachtsThe interiors have an elegant and sporty look, offering a large saloon with outdoor seating for guests to relax and watch the angling action. Accommodation is provided in the owners’ suite at the fore and two double guest staterooms, alongside a cabin for two crew members.
Photo: Vanquish Yachts
Powered by next-generation Caterpillar C32 Marine engines with 4,800 hp in total, the vessel is expected to reach a speed of 51 knots in light load conditions, cruise with a speed of 40 to 50 knots and cover a range of 330 nautical miles.