1996 Merritt 75

The 1996 Merritt 75 is a 75-foot custom sportfishing yacht built by Merritt's Boat & Engine Works. Designed around serious offshore fishing, the boat combines a cold-molded hull, large cockpit, full tuna tower and substantial fuel capacity with a comfortable interior intended for extended time aboard. The current example, Wish You Were Here, has a 19-foot 8-inch beam, a 5-foot 8-inch draft, 2,850 gallons of fuel capacity and 450 gallons of freshwater capacity.

The yacht has also been extensively updated during its ownership history rather than remaining in its original 1996 configuration. Its current equipment includes twin MTU 16V2000 M90 engines, three SeaKeeper 9 stabilizers, modern Furuno and Garmin navigation systems, Starlink, a full tuna tower and extensive fishing equipment. The combination of classic Merritt construction and newer systems makes this 75-footer suitable for buyers looking for a serious sportfish with cruising comfort.

Is the 1996 Merritt 75 for Sale?

Yes. A 1996 Merritt 75 named Wish You Were Here is currently advertised for sale. The latest Merritt listing places the boat in Pompano Beach, Florida, with an asking price of $1,699,000. The yacht was originally launched as Can't Touch Dis in 1996 and has subsequently been updated by previous and current owners.

The listing describes the yacht as a well-traveled sportfish that has fished from Madeira and Mexico to the Bahamas and along the U.S. East Coast. Its current configuration includes a large salon, master stateroom, three SeaKeeper 9 units, full tower, extensive cold-storage capacity and updated navigation equipment. Buyers should confirm the vessel's current location, availability, equipment list and asking price directly with the listing broker because used-yacht listings can change.

1996 Merritt 75 Price

The latest Merritt listing shows an asking price of $1,699,000 for the 1996 Merritt 75 Wish You Were Here. The boat measures 75 feet overall, has a 19-foot 8-inch beam and carries approximately 2,850 gallons of fuel. Its equipment and recent upgrades are important factors behind the asking price.

Other listings for the same 1996 Merritt 75 have shown different asking prices, including $2.1 million, illustrating that advertised values can change over time and between brokers. For a used custom sportfish of this age, buyers should evaluate the engines, hull construction, electrical systems, electronics, stabilizers and recent refit work rather than comparing asking prices based on year and length alone.

Performance and Propulsion

The current Wish You Were Here is powered by twin MTU 16V2000 M90 diesel engines, rated at 1,800 hp each. The listing reports approximately 7,500 engine hours, with a reported cruising speed of 27 knots and maximum speed of approximately 33 knots. With 2,850 gallons of diesel capacity, the yacht is configured for substantial offshore range while retaining the high-speed characteristics expected from a large sportfishing boat.

The mechanical package also includes two Kilo Pak 40 kW generators, a chilled-water air-conditioning system, multiple Racor fuel filtration systems, watermakers and a bow thruster. Three SeaKeeper 9 stabilizers are installed to improve comfort while underway and during fishing operations. Actual performance and fuel consumption should be verified during a sea trial because engine condition, loading, hull condition and propeller condition can all affect real-world results.

Exterior Design and Construction

The 1996 Merritt 75 uses a cold-molded hull, a construction method associated with Merritt's custom sportfishing boats. The 75-foot hull has a substantial 19-foot 8-inch beam and approximately 130,000 pounds of reported displacement. Its exterior is designed around offshore fishing, with a large cockpit, teak details, transom tuna door, live baitwells, fish boxes, rod storage and a full tuna tower.

The cockpit is equipped for serious fishing, including refrigerated drink boxes, freezers, tackle storage, rocket launcher and Rupp hydraulic outriggers. Above it, the flybridge has a centerline helm, multiple Merritt helm chairs, seating areas, rod holders and access to the tower. The current boat also carries modern electronics, night vision, radar, sonar and communications equipment, creating a practical bridge arrangement for offshore navigation and fishing.

Interior and Accommodation

Inside, the 1996 Merritt 75 has a large salon with a U-shaped leather settee, additional chairs, entertainment equipment and extensive storage. The raised galley uses stone countertops and includes a Wolf oven, custom Merritt refrigerator and freezer, wine cooler, ice maker, dishwasher and other appliances. This gives the yacht a more residential interior than a basic tournament-focused sportfish.

The current configuration provides a large master stateroom with an athwartship queen berth and en-suite head, along with a VIP stateroom and crew accommodation. The crew area has upper and lower bunks and direct engine-room access. Laundry equipment, multiple heads, air conditioning and substantial onboard freshwater capacity further support longer fishing trips and cruising periods away from shore.

What to Check Before Buying a 1996 Merritt 75

Before purchasing a 1996 Merritt 75, buyers should arrange a comprehensive marine survey, haul-out inspection and mechanical inspection. Particular attention should be given to the cold-molded hull and deck structure, moisture levels, previous repairs, fasteners, stringers and areas around the transom and cockpit. The twin MTU engines should also be inspected individually, including service history, operating hours, cooling systems, exhaust components, turbochargers, transmissions and oil-condition reports.

The yacht's extensive equipment also makes system testing important. Buyers should verify the condition of the three SeaKeeper units, generators, watermakers, chilled-water air conditioning, bow thruster, navigation electronics, radar, sonar, tower equipment and fishing systems. A sea trial should confirm the reported 27-knot cruise and 33-knot top speed where conditions permit, while maintenance invoices should be reviewed to establish which major systems have been recently serviced or replaced.