Vanquish VQ80 SF Video Review: A Sportfish Built to Chase a Superyacht
By the YachtWay editorial deskUpdated October 2026Video walkthrough7 min read
The Vanquish VQ80 SF is an 80 ft aluminium sportfish, built as the chase boat for a 60 m superyacht. We walked her indoors at the yard as she was being readied for delivery, before anyone had seen her in public. She runs twin Caterpillar C32B engines on surface drives. Aft there is a proper fishing cockpit with live wells and a custom fighting chair. The main deck has a DJ station and a helm with a fold-out joystick, and below are an owner's cabin, two guest cabins and a crew cabin. Up top sits a full tuna tower.
Half sportfish, half entertainment boat
This VQ80 serves a 60 m superyacht, so it is built for days of fishing and fun, not long cruises. Carbon fibre runs through the boat, from the door frames to the cabinet lids, and a red carbon stripe was a special request from the owner. Many parts are made in-house, including CNC-cut AC grilles, custom handrails and a fighting chair blacked out to match. Even the tool kit comes in a soft bag so it never marks the paint.
What stood out on board
- A custom fighting chairVanquish restyled it with custom cushions, stitching and blacked-out metal.
- A DJ stationHidden under a carbon lid on the main deck, next to the game consoles.
- A joystick that folds outFlip the helm panel and drive with a joystick, like a fly-by-wire jet.
- A full tuna towerA second helm high up, with Garmin screens, a joystick and teaser reel controls.
- Misters for the crowdA button sprays cooling mist over the fishing cockpit and the seats watching it.
- Cleats inside the anchor lockerMooring lines run through cutouts, so the deck stays clear.
Spec sheet at a glance
| Feature | What you get | The benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 80 ft 5 in (24.5 m) | A big, stable fishing platform |
| Beam | 19 ft 6 in (5.95 m) | A huge cockpit and sunbed |
| Draft | 2 ft 9 in (0.85 m) | Shallow, thanks to surface drives |
| Dry weight | 48 t (105,822 lb) | Solid yet quick |
| Fuel | 1,500 gal (5,678 L) | Long days offshore |
| Power (as filmed) | 2x Caterpillar C32B, 4,800 hp in total | Huge torque on surface drives |
| Top speed | Over 50 kn (as quoted on board) | Not measured, she was not on the water |
| Fishing | Live wells, fighting chair, rod holders, teasers | A proper sportfish |
| Helms | Main helm, tuna tower and cockpit station | Drive while fighting a fish |
| Layout | Owner's cabin, two guest cabins, crew cabin | Overnights for a small group |
| Systems | Böning monitoring, FLIR night camera | Watch everything from any screen |
| Design | Vanquish, Guido de Groot | Clean, aggressive lines |
Fishing cockpit
The cockpit is built for big game. Live wells keep bait alive, and the side doors fold down into steps, with a ladder built in.
- Prep station.Screens, a joystick and throttles to steer while you fight a fish.
- Hook holder.Custom made to hold big tuna hooks while you tie on.
- Grill.Cook the catch right away.
- Shade.A big Bimini runs out over the cockpit.
- Lights.Strong LED lights for night fishing.
Side decks and bow
High gunwales come up to the waist on the way forward. The bow sunbed is raised, with a step, and fits five adults easily.
- Lights.Pop-up lights for evenings.
- Rod holders.Along the bow too.
- Seating.A bench for two or three.
- Storage.For lines, hoses and carbon Bimini poles.
Main deck lounge
Two lounges face the cockpit, so guests can watch the fishing with a drink. Inside, the table has hexagon details that run through the boat.
- Games.Storage for PlayStation and Xbox.
- Lids.Carbon, held shut by magnets at speed.
- TV.Drops from the ceiling at a tap on an iPad.
- Bar.A fridge, an ice maker and custom cup holders.
Helm station
The custom helm seat is perforated with red accents and moves in every direction. Flip the wheel panel and a joystick appears.
- Screens.Four displays, with more hidden under a sliding panel.
- Systems.Böning monitoring with a model of this exact boat.
- Footrest.Folds up or down.
- Power.4,800 hp at your fingertips.
Lower deck
Custom aluminium handrails with a carbon weave lead down. LED strips in the floor and ceiling make it feel like a private jet.
Galley and owner's cabin
- Galley.A Miele oven, a fridge, a dishwasher and a coffee station.
- Owner's cabin.Forward, with a TV, a safe and red carbon trim.
- Doors.CNC-cut patterns, closed at a button.
- Day head.With its own shower.
Guest and crew cabins
- Guest cabins.Two, with screens to view the FLIR camera and charts.
- Crew cabin.Two beds and its own head with a shower.
- Tools.A custom kit in a soft bag that protects the paint.
Tuna tower
Stairs lead up from the main deck to a full helm high above the water, with great views for spotting fish.
- Controls.Garmin screens, trim tabs, throttles and a joystick.
- Remote.Control the screens without reaching.
- Teasers.Reel controls overhead.
- Safety.Life rafts in two cases at the back.
- Dome.Radar, searchlight, FLIR and horns.
The VQ80 SF blends a serious sportfish with a party boat. The cockpit has everything a fishing crew needs, the tuna tower is a boat of its own, and the main deck hides a DJ station, games and a pop-down TV. The finish is just as impressive, with carbon fibre and custom parts throughout. We saw her on land before delivery, so we cannot speak to her speed or ride.
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