*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
Notices
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
I know, I know...here we go again with the 21-23 foot CC question.
I have had six boats in the past. They have all been runabouts and cruisers.
I have discovered that the best all-around boat is a Center Console.
I live in Louisville, KY and mainly boat on the Ohio River. In the future I plan to travel to area lakes and also have a once-a-year jaunt to the Outer Banks.
I have read through a lot of the posts and cannot find a thread on what is the best recreational Center Console made.
I pose a new question to the community with specific guidelines.
I am looking for a trailerable Center Console that can easily take 4 footers off Nags Head and feel safe.
95% of my boating will be in the river, 3% in lakes, and 2% in Outer Banks or Bradenton, FL.
I will mainly take family and friends out for recreational boating in the river.
I forsee my 2 yr. old hanging onto the bow rail with "mom" enjoying the water. I will also be doing skiing and sunset cruises. While on the Outer Banks vacation I would like to go out of site of land and attempt to catch a "real" fish.
What I am looking for:
A NEW BOAT or less than 2 yrs old with extremely low engine hours
Less than 24 feet.
No more than 8'6" beam
Less than 3600 lbs. dry (boat only)
At least 25" cockpit depth
Less than $51,000 base MSRP (boat only) - new
Bow seating for six people
Rear bench for two or more
Recessed Bow Rail
Preferrably ONE Yamaha or Honda 225 Four Stroke
The Perfect Layout?
I just read a post that spoke of a boat manufacturer that I had never heard of before...Sailfish.
I say this because the 2360 Sailfish has the ultimate layout!
30" cockpit depth rear, 40" cockpit depth front. only 3400lbs, deep deadrise, awesome rear seating options, and multiple gelcoat color choices. It's too bad that it is out of my price range.
I hope that this thread will shead some light on the boats that I have already researched AND I hope to discover new gems like the Sailfishboats line.
Boats that I believe are viable choices with the above restrictions:
Triumph 195CC
Grady White Escape 209
Mako 212
Hydra-Sports 2200CC - may be too expensive?
Wellcraft 232
Pro-Line 23 Sport
Triumph 235CC
Mako 234
Sailfish 218CC
Boats I can't consider:
Everglades and other BIG MONEY boats
Boats with no bow seating like Triton, McKee, Laguna, etc...
I can go up to $35,000 for the used boat option.
I will be shopping for at least 6 months and I plan to look at YOUR top choices June 21-23 in the Virginia Beach area.
I know this will be hard for most of you hard-core fishermen...but put your recreational hat on for a minute. So...here is my question!
From my list of boats or yours...
What is your top three choices considering the above restrictions?
(I would like you guys to emphasize build quality and ride quality considering length)
RE: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
The one thing I'd delete from your criteria is a high deadrise boat. You're talking about lakes and rivers where the stability of lower deadrise hull far outweighs the ride of a high deadrise hull. The family won't like it if the boat starts rocking like a sailboat as soon as you stop and everyone has to be warned about walking around because it is tippy. More deadrise also means more fuel burned.
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
I don't really care about deadrise. I just used the Sailfish as an example. However, the Test Bulletin on the Sailfish website (under the Review tab) says that the boat gets 3.02 mpg with a Yamaha F250. This seems pretty good for the deadrise of the boat...wouldn't you say?
I like the deep cockpit because it will make my wife (the decider) feel more safe.
Truepursuit....I would just like to head out in 4 footers and not feel as if the boat is falling apart.
I guess it's more of a quality question with small Center Consoles.
RE: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
From what you said regarding how it will be used and where...Call me crazy but if I were you I would look at the Carolina Skiffs. Lots of room, you can ski with it, fish, and you can pretty much design the layout as you want. Your statement regarding 4-footers The Carolina Skiff is certainly not a ROUGH water boat but no more than you will be in rough water, it seems that you should atleast consider them. They are as stable as a boat can get. IMO.
__________________ Two MegaYachts and looking to outfit them.
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
country...
The DLV series is the only Carolina Skiff model that has a gunnel height of 25" or more. The problem is that it doesn't have comfortable bow seating for 6.
Thanks for your reply...
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
Black Lab boats are bullet-proof -- literally. I took delivery of a 26' a month ago after looking at many other boats. It has more deck space and is more efficient than any other center console in the same "class". The only sticking point, for some, is the "look" of aluminum. Personally, I love the work-boat style, so, for me, it's a plus.
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
If I were you I would go for a Parker center console. The are great all around boat and are very seaworthy. I would trust even their 23' center console for offshore use. The 23' is 3,500 lbs (dry weight) and an 8' 6" beam. There is currently a used 2001 23' Parker CC for sale with a Yamaha 200 HP engine for $35000 ( http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1709241/0 ). If I were you, I would take a look at it.
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
swrock...I just sent off for a Sea Chaser brochure. It looks like that model might be in the running.
squid Kid...The Parker boats looks well made. I could not consider them however because the website does not have a rear bench on the option list.
Thanks for your replies...
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
[quote]IWanna - 6/2/2007 11:48 PM
swrock...I just sent off for a Sea Chaser brochure. It looks like that model might be in the running.
cool
i like them. send tht'er Dominio Effect a pm if you want to talk with somebody that has one. his has twin fourstroke 150's. i believe he fishes 60+ miles offshore with it.
they hold 140 gallons of gas. with plenty of seating up front with storage under.
they have a built in fish box for the occasional fishing trip, or for more storage.
walk in console with porta potty for the ladies.
my last boat was a 21' sea chaser. i was real pleased with it.
good luck with your search and let us know what you end up getting.
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
The fact that Parker (or anyone else) does not list an option like a rear bench seat should not come into play. The folks at Birdsall will make you one to fit anything. If you are looking for the perfect boat, with exactly the layout and features you want, it is going to be a long search. Parker makes a very well respected and tough boat with high resale. That's great, but it is also a very functional boat. They are made to be hosed of and put away wet. They are not fancy, but they last and last and last. Translation: Find the hull that is most suitable for your use and add the options you want, including t-tops, arches, biminis or what ever. Does this boat need a head?
Bow seating for 6 sounds appealing, but in reality it is something that can only be used at very low speed, because even on a Regulator, no one can sit there at high speed without being tossed around.
Edit: I went to Birdsall's site and could not find the complete catalog on line. That was a surprise to me, because of the vast number of things they make for many boat builders. But they make a couple different rear seats that will work just fine in a Parker. A Parker does not have a transom door, which may mean it is not right for you. I like Parkers, but would not consider them among the "family boats".
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
I agree with im412. I fish more than I do anything else out of my boat and I still sometimes feel like a boat with a cabin of some sort would better serve me so I can't fathom why someone who seldom uses the 100% fishability of a center console (it's main draw) would be attracted to one.
If I were you, I'd go cuddy or express style.
Further, I lived in Kill Devil Hills (city just north of Nags Head on the outer banks) last summer. Legitimate 4 ft waves will make any 23' boat feel like a canoe. Just my $.02. Hell, today I was caught in the Chesapeake Bay 14 miles from where I wanted to be and was in some real sloppy stuff that was probably only 2-3ft...and my boat was really feeling small...
__________________ Ryan
23' Fish Nautique
Suffolk, VA (home)
Blacksburg, VA (school...too far from saltwater)
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
Why is your budget $51K for a new boat but only $35K for a used boat? If you truly have $51K to spend, You should be able to find a lightly used Edgewater 225CC in your price range. Superb build quality, the finest forward seating of any 22-footer on the market, folding aft bench seat was a factory option, very roomy head compartment that is all smooth gelcoat. Here are some pix of the latest version 228CC which is 99% the identical boat:
Re: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
"Go out in 4 footers" You've been reading waaaay too many boating forums. Listening to a too many people that would need to change their Pampers if they ever were in 4' seas in a 22, they'd call them 8'. In a 22' boat, you come in sometimes in 4 footers, but you'll never go out.
Carolina Skiff Surely you are joking....
I would go with a dual console, not center console.
RE: What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman?
Quote:
KCook - 6/3/2007 2:44 AM
Pick da boats is always a fun game ...
From your list - Sailfish and Wellcraft
Add to list - Century 2200
But I would not attempt to order those 3.
Century makes a nice Walkaround in 22 and 24, I believe. Similar to CC but maybe more family friendly...just checked their web site - go look at the 2200 and 2400
What is the best Center Console for the non-fisherman? 
The Carolina Skiff is certainly not a ROUGH water boat but no more than you will be in rough water, it seems that you should atleast consider them. They are as stable as a boat can get. IMO. 
You've been reading waaaay too many boating forums. Listening to a too many people that would need to change their Pampers if they ever were in 4' seas in a 22, they'd call them 8'. In a 22' boat, you come in sometimes in 4 footers, but you'll never go out. 
