The 2026 Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series is over. The burgundy jackets have been awarded. And a Black Book Charters vessel took home the title.
Our 61' Chadwick, based year-round in Palm Beach, earned the most points across all three legs of the most prestigious sailfish series in the country, finishing first overall with 80 points and claiming the 2026 Quest for the Crest championship. This is the same boat, the same crew, and the same program available for charter through Black Book Charters.
Leg 1: Operation Sailfish | 1st Place, 31 Points
The 2026 Operation Sailfish opened the series in January at Sailfish Marina Resort in Palm Beach with a record fleet of 68 teams and a $612,500 purse. Over two days, the fleet released 183 Atlantic sailfish.
The 61' Chadwick had five releases on Day One to sit fifth heading into the final day. On Day Two, the crew added five more and climbed the leaderboard steadily through the afternoon. With two minutes remaining before lines-out, the crew called in a hookup. More than thirty minutes later, the release was confirmed, sealing a victory and the Operation Sailfish championship.
The win included a sweep of Tier One and Tier Two Dailies, the Leaderboard, High Rollers Club, Big Easy, Sporty, and Charity Calcuttas for a $256,340 payout. It was the kind of finish that puts the rest of the fleet on notice heading into Leg 2.
Series standings after Leg 1: 61' Chadwick: 31 points (1st)
Leg 2: Sailfish Challenge | 6th Place, 25 Points
The 23rd Annual Sailfish Challenge in February, drew a tournament-record 62 boats and producing 358 sailfish releases across two days of competition. The $545,450 purse reflected the depth of the field.
The Sailfish Challenge is built around its signature three-inlet format, allowing teams to check in through Government Cut in Miami, Hillsboro Inlet or Palm Beach Inlet. That strategic flexibility rewards crews who read the conditions and commit to the right water. Day One delivered a classic South Florida bite with 208 releases recorded across the fleet. Day Two shifted south, reshuffling the leaderboard and separating the teams that adapted from the ones that stayed put.
The 61' Chadwick finished sixth overall in the Sailfish Challenge, adding 25 points to the series total. The consistency kept them in a strong position at the top of the standings heading into the final leg.
Series standings after Leg 2: 61' Chadwick: 56 points (1st)
Leg 3: Final Sail | 7th Place, 24 Points
The 13th Annual Final Sail closed the season in April at Coconut Grove, Miami, with 25 teams competing for a $345,035 purse anchored by a $100,000 guaranteed payout. Final Sail is where burgundy jackets are earned and where every release carries the weight of an entire season.
Day One was as tight as you will see at this level. The top ten boats were separated by two fish. Day Two brought the swings that Final Sail is known for, with the leaderboard shifting throughout the afternoon.
The 61' Chadwick finished seventh in the Final Sail field, adding 24 points to the series total and bringing the final count to 80 points across three legs. That was enough to clinch the 2026 Quest for the Crest championship and the burgundy jackets, awarded at the Final Sail awards ceremony at Bayshore Club Miami.
Final series standings: 61' Chadwick: 80 points (1st)
Leg 1 (Operation Sailfish): 1st Place, 31 Points
Leg 2 (Sailfish Challenge): 6th Place, 25 Points
Leg 3 (Final Sail): 7th Place, 24 Points
Fish with Champions
The 61' Chadwick is a custom Carolina sportfish, privately owned, captain-maintained, and based year-round in Palm Beach. The crew that won the 2026 Quest for the Crest is the crew you fish with on charter. The equipment, the rigging, the program that earned the burgundy jacket is the same setup that runs every trip.
This is a tournament-proven platform optimized for kite fishing, dredge fishing, and bottom fishing across the South Florida sailfish grounds. Whether you are preparing for a tournament or booking a private charter, the 61' Chadwick offers an opportunity to fish at the highest level the sport has to offer.
Palm Beach dates are available now.
For more from the 2026 South Florida sailfish season, read our mid-season tournament recap.
