Denny Hamlin flaunts his $67995 fishing boat on social media: “I’ve got to have a gas pedal”

Denny Hamlin offered fans a glimpse into his life away from NASCAR this week after sharing a detailed video of his new fishing boat on social media. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver explained why fishing has become his preferred escape and how his latest purchase reflects his racing instincts.

Hamlin’s coming off a demanding 2025 Cup Series season, on multiple fronts. He finished runner-up in the Cup Series on the final overtime, welcomed his first son, and finally saw a 15-month legal dispute with NASCAR come to an end. Through all of it, fishing remained a consistent outlet.

That growing interest led Hamlin to purchase a Nitro Z20 XL fishing boat with a base price of $67,995 from Bass Pro Shops. Walking fans through the setup, Hamlin said in an Instagram video:

“As you guys have seen over the last few months, I’ve gotten into fishing quite a bit. Of course, I had to go to Bass Pro for my brand new fishing boat. Ended up getting a Nitro Z20 XL here. It’s got pretty much everything on it that you could want.” “It’s got the factory 12-inch Garmin screen here. Runs everything from side view, live scope. I’m a race car driver, of course. I’ve got to have a gas pedal. You see down there, got the hot foot gas pedal, which is amazing. Can’t be running the throttle up here. You got to use your feet,” he added.

Denny Hamlin's boat is equipped with high-end Garmin displays that allow him to monitor depth, navigation charts, and live sonar simultaneously. Dual-mounted 16-inch screens give real-time visibility of fish movement, while upgraded wiring ensures a clear live-scope feed.

Hamlin also pointed to the physical layout as a key selling point. The hot foot gas pedal was non-negotiable. Storage space for rods and reels, organized tackle compartments, and quick-trigger controls for the power poles were all set up to make time on the water efficient. With a 250-horsepower Mercury engine at the back, Hamlin joked that the boat still has “plenty of get up and go.”

As 2025 draws to a close, the NASCAR case is settled, the racing year is over, and Denny Hamlin is spending time with his family during the holidays and fishing.

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Denny Hamlin says fishing is “teaching me patience”

Denny Hamlin during qualifying for the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Source: Imagn

Denny Hamlin has been open about why fishing resonates with him, especially during periods of stress. Speaking previously, he explained that time on the water offers quiet that is hard to find elsewhere, even at home. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran explained that fishing gives him space to slow things down and step away from the constant noise and pressure.

Hamlin expanded on that idea during an appearance on the Happy Hour podcast:

“We both live in a house with multiple children and even your house at times is a chaotic spot where it's like, oh my gosh, I'm just trying to lock myself in a room and just have some quiet here for a second. And the water is the place for me to do that. And I found, great enjoyment out of just slowing down. I mean, it's teaching me patience.”

Fishing is not the only hobby Hamlin enjoys. He is also a novice poker player and has competed in blackjack and poker events, including a Las Vegas tournament where he won a $300k cash prize. Golf is another constant for him, often played with team members and fellow Cup drivers. That shared interest famously led to his relationship with Michael Jordan, which eventually became the foundation for 23XI Racing.

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Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar