12/31/2025
We’re proud to announce Patrick Healey as Marlin’s Person of the Year. A household name in the big-game fishing industry who hardly needs an introduction, Healey continues to produce the preeminent sport-fishing boat on the market at Viking, while its Valhalla line has elevated the center-console arena to a new level. Beyond running the most successful boatbuilding company in the big-game space, Healey is a passionate angler and leader of the highly competitive Viking Demo Team.
Healey spearheaded the fight against what was arguably the greatest threat our sport has faced in decades: NOAA’s proposed vessel speed restrictions. It’s not hyperbole to say that without Healey’s leadership, NOAA’s vessel speed rule might be law today. Thanks to his resolve, a dangerous regulation was halted, an industry was galvanized, and a practical, science-based solution was set in motion.
We created this honor to recognize an individual whose work has made a clear, measurable impact on the sport, whether through angling achievement, product innovation, advocacy, conservation, or some artful combination of all the above. It’s not just about being visible; it’s about moving the sport forward in a meaningful way.
Read more in the 2026 Annual Big Game Guide.
