Thank you for your interest in Release Boatworks.

My name is Jim Turner, owner of Release Boatworks and Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala, one of the world’s premier sportfishing operations. I’ve had the privilege to fish aboard some of the greatest gameboats ever made, run by some of the best captains and crews on the water, both in Guatemala and in nearly every top destination in the world.

Along with this privilege comes the immense responsibility of maintaining and in most cases, restoring these timeless classics. Since its inception, Casa Vieja Lodge has offered its worldwide clientele not only outstanding sportfishing but also the opportunity to fish aboard some of the sport’s most iconic gameboats, from Rybovich and Merritt to Whiticar, Gamefisherman, Stolper and more. Maintaining these classics season after season, overcoming years of use (and abuse) while remaining true to their original intent, has truly been a labor of love over the years. It’s also given me a unique insight into what makes a sportfishing boat a true classic.