The Non Evolution of the Sport Fisher

This thread was started because Shazams thread on the “ pod/Zeus buzz” diverted greatly from that into Sportfish popularity, which interests me because for years I have wondered why the sportfish and pilothouse designers have not learnt more from each other.
IMHO, the sport fish needs to re-invent itself for many of the reasons mentioned in Shazams thread. For example, many people who own a SF in Australia (and in the US I guess) are not hard-core fishing people. They enjoy cruising as much as fishing, if not more. My perfect boat is a pilothouse with a large cockpit that I can fish from and go on long trips or just a short weekend. Putting game poles on an Offshore or Ocean Alexander never seemed strange to me.
Best of both worlds.
Look at the Hatteras Convertible 53 I have now.
A 1971 build and it is still the same basic design as a new one. Beside all the massive technology in engines, electronics, hull design (below the waterline) and structural material. Now that either means that Hargrave had it 100% right 45 years ago or that there has been little thought put into adapting the different boating needs into one design. I think Tom Fexas and Nordhavn have tried with their Passage maker/Sport fisher, but the price point is way too high.

Simple examples are the fact that U.S. SF have no bow rails.
No Pulpits or proper ground tackle.
No davits or tenders.
No hatches.
No opening windows…..this really gets me. Why go out on the water to spend your whole day stuck shut inside an Aircon boat? Sure opening windows leak after 20 odd years, so do the ones in a house, doesn’t mean we seal them up with silicone!

Says to me that the builders see no market for these boats for cruising people who fish as well. This may have been true in the past, but now it seems the buyers are not there for dedicated 50’ plus boats.
Looking back, there have been amazing SF designs, but I suppose the market demanded what the builders supplied. Could be time for a U turn?

Here is an EXTREME example of what must be the perfect marriage of both worlds, if only it had been continued and evolved to different lengths etc:
1984 Huckins Cockpit Motor Yacht Power New and Used Boats for Sale

So those brokers sitting on the large SF at the boat shows are saying to the prospective buyers:
“This is for the rich, then, if you have the $’s, you must be prepared to run generators all the time, also, it’s only for go fast=plenty of fuel consumption and basically, if you are not into fishing, sitting with your back to the bow watching the wake behind you, or being cooped up in the saloon with the A/C on, this ain’t for you”

Where is a designer who can come up with a sport fisher with access to the bow and cockpit, a pilothouse and long range?
It is almost there, just look at a Fleming 55 or Offshore , add some hard-core fishing options and a mezzanine etc.
AMG?
Far?
Kajan?

No argument about portholes, I was talking windows opening in the saloon. Tenders on hire aren't available this side and I still don't get it. As for anchors being unsafe if they get loose, mine is secured by a chord while underway and in my book not having an anchor is unsafe. FWIW, I have spent about $150K in the last 18 months on my boat, added to the $750K from before makes it an expensive classic, but that's my point, it still is same in many respects to a new convertible. The market has "evaporated" for more reasons than economy. Going by your opinion, RER and others on the Zeus/Pod thread, buyers are spending the same and more on CC rather than new SF's or later model SF's. Hence my comment. People have not suddenly stopped fishing. So if you had a company producing SF's, would you not consider following, or ALWAYS better, creating a new multi target designed boat?

Co-incidently, a few years ago I was in contact with Aqua Star. They had a 55'+ model that had a good layout, just very pricey. There was one for sale with Palmer J in 2006 that was great, except missing a 3rd cabin.
Ended up going with an Offshore 58.
As for Ed Monk Jr. I think the Tollycraft 57 and 65 are amongst the 2 best pilothouse designs ever. Work for fishing with clean large cockpits, diving and long range.
e.g:
1996 Tollycraft 65' Pilothouse Power Boat For Sale - www.**************

PacBlue, good analogy. I love the boat and just keep adding "minor touches".
This last week added some teak to the sides. Not just for the look, also because the paint was getting a bit tired at the edge.

TY, occured to me after a long walk through the hardware store. These things can take up many hours of thought late at night, as we know.

But in your own words, it is not selling!
In the words of others the buyer is "extinct".
I too think my 53 is beautiful, or I would not have bought her.
However, not perfect. In 45 years, no one has added pilothouse door or doors that carried on to the next generation, or bow seating, not necessarily as far forward as Midnight Lace but at least giving the bow SOME darn use!
All that work and fibreglass and what is it used for other than the occassional tender and then usually only in Australia or the West Coast.
I never said the SF was ugly.
The question about whether the market for the 50'+ SF was over was not mine but posed by many on Shazams thread, hence this thread. Alligators are thriving I believe

Beau, if the evolved SF is an Azimutt then I'll stick with my '71 Hatt for sure, the Mutt are not my idea of a sea going vessel and with respect, I think you missed my point. Fishtigua with his Aqua Star and walk around decks, pilot house door and heavy sea build has a good alternative.
Could be my next boat, if if get one in the next 5 years, (I do love the Hatt) willl be a Fleming with game poles.