All Eyes on Coconut Grove: Burgundy Jackets and a $100,000 Guarantee Await at the 13th Annual Final Sail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2026
THE GRAND FINALE: FINAL SAIL, LEG THREE OF THE 2026 QUEST FOR THE CREST SAILFISH SERIES PRESENTED BY RAYMARINE
The countdown is on for the 13th edition of Final Sail, the highly anticipated championship leg of the 2026 Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series presented by Raymarine. Set against the vibrant waterfront of Miami’s historic Coconut Grove, Final Sail will once again bring together the sport’s top teams to close out the season in style. Proudly hosted by Courtyard by Marriott Coconut Grove, Shake-A-Leg Miami, Bayshore Club Miami, Miami Beach Marina, and Grove Harbor Marina, this year’s tournament is scheduled for April 8–11, 2026.
Arriving in Miami at the peak of South Florida’s sailfish season, Final Sail has earned a reputation for delivering both a red-hot bite and a dramatic finish to the series standings. Teams will compete for their share of the tournament’s signature $100,000 Guarantee optional entry calcutta, available exclusively to boats registered for all three legs of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series, made possible through the continued support of Raymarine and Yamaha.
Tournament week begins on Wednesday, April 8, with the Captain’s Meeting at the iconic Shake-A-Leg Miami. Teams will gather under their historic Coast Guard hangar for an evening of camaraderie alongside fellow anglers, sponsors, and tournament partners, enjoying complimentary cocktails, catered food, and panoramic views of Biscayne Bay in the heart of Coconut Grove.
Competition takes center stage on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, as the fleet heads offshore for two days of high-stakes sailfishing. The weekend concludes Saturday evening at Bayshore Club Miami with the Final Sail Awards Ceremony, where both tournament champions and the 2026 Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series champions will be crowned. VIP cabanas will be reserved for the series and tournament champions.
SHAKE-A-LEG MIAMI FOUNDATION
Shake-A-Leg Miami is an organization dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of sailing and watersports to empower individuals with disabilities. With a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, Shake-A-Leg creates a welcoming environment that fosters joy, camaraderie, and the pursuit of dreams for all participants.
To learn more about their mission or to support their efforts, please visit www.shakealegmiami.org.
CHASING BURGUNDY
The battle for the coveted SIMMS Fishing Burgundy Jacket is officially on. Here’s a look at the current standings and how the top teams and anglers are positioning themselves in the hunt.
QUEST FOR THE CREST SERIES STANDINGS THROUGH LEG TWO
QUEST FOR THE CREST SERIES POINTS RACE
1st – Priceless– 60 Points
2nd – Reel Deal – 56 Points
3rd – Sandman – 47 Points
4th – Vitamin Sea – 42 Points
5th – Living Water/Makin Time – 40 Points
6th – Sir Reel – 38 Points
7th – Native Son/Steel Got It – 38 Points
TOP LADY ANGLER RACE PRESENTED BY ALTIER JEWELERS
1st – Sandra MacMillan – Sandman – 5 Points
2nd – Sandra Fish – Sandrita – 4 Points
3rd – Ona Alpert – Taylor Jean – 2 Points
MASTER ANGLER RACE
1st – Matthew Rodriguez – Priceless – 6 points
2nd – Robbie Ramirez – Sandman – 6 Points
3rd – Oliver Jones – Reel Deal – 6 Points
TOP CENTER CONSOLE RACE PRESENTED BY GEMLUX
1st – Off The Wall – 39’ Contender – 17 Points
2nd – Goin’ Raptor – 44’ Contender – 16 Points
3rd – Viva – 41’ Center Console – 14 Points
BATTLE OF THE BRACKETS SPONSORED BY TURTLEBOX — ROUND 4
Priceless VS. Goin’ Raptor
For more information on the series and its prizes, visit www.questforthecrest.com.
FINAL SAIL ACCOMMODATIONS
For anglers participating in Final Sail, the host venue, Courtyard by Marriott Coconut Grove Miami, offers unmatched convenience right in the heart of Coconut Grove. Located just steps away from Grove Harbor Marina, Bayshore Landing, and Dinner Key Marina, this prime location allows participants to focus solely on the competition, eliminating any logistical concerns.
A discounted room block will be available on a first come first serve basis through March 10, 2026, or when the block is full, whichever comes first.
To book your room at Courtyard by Marriott Coconut Grove Miami, visit the link HERE
To enhance your experience, see the list of nearby marinas below:
Bayshore Landing
2550 S Bayshore Drive
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
305.854.7997
https://bayshorelandingmarina.com/
Dinner Key Marina
3400 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miami.gov/Parks-Public-Places/Marinas/Dinner-Key-Marina-Mooring-Facility
Sea Isle Marina
1635 N Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 33132-1180
305.377.3625
www.seaislemarina.com
Miami Beach Marina
300 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.673.6000
www.miamibeachmarina.com
Monty’s Marina Coconut Grove
2550 S Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 33133
305.854.7997
www.primemarina.com/miami
Miamarina at Bayside
401 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33132
305.960.5180
www.miami.gov/Parks-Public-Places/Marinas/Miamarina-at-Bayside
Grove Harbor Marina
2640 S Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 33132
305.854.6444
TOURNAMENT ENTRY TIPS
Secure your place in one of South Florida’s most prestigious sailfish tournaments. Early registration for Final Sail is now open at a discounted rate of $1,200 + tax per boat through March 25th, 2026. After this date, the entry fee increases to $1,700 + tax. In addition to competing for the coveted first-place title, teams have the opportunity to earn significant cash payouts across both general and optional entry categories. Follow these key tips to maximize your tournament experience:
To register for Final Sail, visit fish.bluewatermovements.com
GENERAL ENTRY DIVISIONS
Meatfish Category: The Quest for the Crest isn’t only about sailfish; don’t overlook the value of the meatfish divisions. With categories for Meatfish Aggregate, Heaviest Fish Overall, and top placements in Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish, Cobia, and Tuna, teams have multiple opportunities to secure significant payouts. Add in three high-value meatfish Calcuttas, and the potential earnings stack up fast.
Reel-E-Sea proved that in 2023, earning more than $54,000 with a standout 69.9-lb Wahoo and a heavy bag of Kingfish. A reminder that in the Quest, you don’t have to catch bills to stack bills.
Small Boat and Semi-Pro Categories: Boat size or tournament resumes don’t matter in the Quest for the Crest when leaderboard contenders in the fleet can come from every angle. With categories including Small Boat Division for boats 37’ and under and Semi-Pro Division for crews looking to rise through the ranks, teams have multiple opportunities to secure big-time payouts.
Crews that fall in these categories and are willing to put extra skin in the game can open the door to even larger payouts by entering optional categories like the Winner-Take-All Self Centered Calcutta and the Small Boat Stash, where the money ramps up quickly and could potentially add close to $15,000 to a team’s winnings.
Prime example: Liquidated made their series debut as a Semi-Pro team in 2024 aboard a 36’ center console and went on to win the entire series, earning more than $277,855 throughout the season. Proof that dedication and commitment, not boat size or legacy, are the difference makers in the chase for burgundy.
OPTIONAL ENTRY CALCUTTAS
Fish For Charity Calcutta: Make every release count for a cause. The Fish For Charity Calcutta gives teams an opportunity to give back while they compete, with proceeds benefiting Shake-A-Leg Miami Foundation. The pot is split 50/50 between the top-scoring team and the nonprofit’s supporting mission. With a $500 entry fee per boat, it’s a true win-win for both the teams and the charity.
Release Round-Up: High stakes. High reward. The Release Round-Up is the Quest for the Crest’s exclusive winner-take-all Calcutta and a favorite among the fleet. Structured across four rounds over two days of fishing, only the sharpest and most consistent teams advance. Those who go the distance have a shot at a major payday, just ask Miss Annie, who claimed an impressive $371,700 jackpot in 2020. Entry for the Release Round-Up Calcutta is $1,000 per boat.
Final Sail $100,000 Guarantee: No fine print. No gimmicks. Thanks to the tremendous support of Raymarine and Yamaha, the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series is raising the stakes for its grand finale. Leg three, Final Sail, now features a guaranteed $100,000 bonus payout, a 50/30/20 split awarded on top of the standard prize money.
This elite bonus is reserved for teams that register for all three legs of the series. Available only at Final Sail, entry for this guaranteed payout is $2,500.
FINAL SAIL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Kick-Off Party/Captain’s Meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Shake-A-Leg Marina, 2620 S Bayshore Dr, Coconut Grove, FL, 33133
Fishing Day 1
Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
Lines-in to Lines-out: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Deadline to Submit Media: 6:00 PM
Location: Miami Beach Marina 300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Location: Grove Harbor Marina, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Fishing Day 2
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Lines-in to Lines-out: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Deadline to Submit Media: 5:30 PM
Location: Miami Beach Marina 300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Location: Grove Harbor Marina, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Awards Ceremony
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Bayshore Club, 3391 Pan American Drive, Miami, FL, 33133
ABOUT THE QUEST FOR THE CREST SAILFISH SERIES PRESENTED BY RAYMARINE
The Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series stands as the ultimate battleground for the world’s top billfishing teams. This prestigious 3-leg series boasts an estimated purse of over $1.7 million, attracting fierce competitors from across the globe. But the true prize—the one that every team covets—isn’t about the money. It’s about The Crest.
The Crest represents the highest honor in the world of tournament sailfishing, a symbol of unmatched excellence. This coveted award, embodied by the iconic burgundy jacket, is reserved for the team that rises above all others in skill, strategy, and stamina. To don the jacket is to hold the title of world champion. It is not just a prize; it is a legacy earned through sheer dominance over an elite field. Only the best of the best can claim this privilege on their quest for the ultimate crown in billfishing.
ABOUT FISH BLUEWATER
Based in the heart of South Florida, the sportfishing capital of the world, Fish Bluewater is a premier sports marketing company with over three decades of expertise. For 30 years, we’ve been at the forefront of the competitive fishing scene, developing some of the most successful tournaments in the industry. Our deep-rooted knowledge of tournament fishing, paired with cutting-edge event marketing strategies, has allowed us to deliver unparalleled experiences for both anglers and sponsors alike.
With a portfolio of seven highly sought-after tournaments, each hosted at iconic venues across South Florida, Fish Bluewater continues to set the standard in competitive sportfishing events. Our commitment to excellence ensures that every tournament we produce is more than just a competition—it’s a premium experience that celebrates the passion and spirit of the sport.
For media inquiries, images, and additional information, please contact:
Chris Caravello
Phone: 954-725-4010
Email: Chris@bluewatermovements.com
