Hard-core fishermen love center console boats. But even among the most dedicated anglers, many now seek more family time and improved convenience and comfort. That pushes boatbuilders to be creative.
At the same time, center console fishing boats have grown to 50-plus feet in length: That makes more room for berths and galleys and opens the door to center consoles as boats you technically could live on. Of course, you might not want to set up residence aboard these dressed-up models, but you could certainly plan an overnight or weekend trip in style.
We selected six fishing boats with cabins whose consoles surpass the Spartan label. If you’re set on buying a center console but want some four-star comforts, check out these vessels at the next boat show. (Note: Boats are ordered by LOA. Some manufacturers offer all cabin features in their standard package; others offer some as options.)
– ALWAYS USE YOUR ENGINE CUT-OFF LANYARD –
Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
Make sure your Engine Cut-Off Switch lanyard is attached to your person whenever you’re underway. They’re now required on all open boats under 26 feet.
Grady-White Canyon 376
Grady says the Canyon 376 helped define a new breed of center consoles that not only offer full offshore-fishing functionality but also the wide beam, roomy console-cabin interior, and luxury appointments of a cabin-style family boat.
The 376 can carry up to 38 rods in various locations, including lockable vertical holders inside the console. The deluxe leaning post houses a 41-gallon livewell with a clear lid, light, full-column inlet and overboard drain; a rigging station with freshwater sink; a 164-quart cooler; holders for a knife, pliers and lures; and lockable bulk and tackle-tray storage.
A 66-gallon fish box in the cockpit (available with an optional digital-control refrigerator/freezer), and two bow fish boxes, offering more than 125 gallons of storage, deliver all the room you’ll need for refreshments, equipment and the day’s catch. The cockpit features heavy-duty boarding doors at the transom and to port, each with a boarding ladder.
Step down the cherry stairs leading inside the lockable, air-conditioned console to find a stand-up shower area with curtain and a VacuFlush head, a galley with Corian countertops and deep stainless sink, plus a stainless refrigerator and microwave. A large settee converts to a berth with room for two, and offers storage along the side. The standard Fisher-Panda 5kW diesel generator maintains temperature levels in the cabin and at the helm.
The 376 tops 60 mph with triple Yamaha 425 XTO outboards. It cruises at 31.2 mph, turning 3,400 rpm, for 0.98 mpg. Other available power options include twin 425s or triple Yamaha F300s. A Seakeeper 5 gyro stabilizer is also an option.
- LOA: 36 ft. 7 in.
- Beam: 13 ft. 2 in.
- Dry Weight: 13,533 lb. (w/o engines)
- Fuel: 390 gal.
- Transom Deadrise: 20 deg.
- Max hp: 1,275
Boston Whaler 380 Outrage
Whether your focus is on fishing or family, the Whaler 380 Outrage offers a full suite of features.
Anglers will appreciate the dividable and pressurized 60-gallon transom livewell, 45 square feet of cockpit space atop large refrigerated in-floor fish boxes, toe rails with downrigger ball holders, an acrylic transom door and a portside boarding door. A second livewell is available with the deluxe leaning post, or families can opt for a summer kitchen.
Vertical rod holders in the gunwales ring the boat; the hardtop adds six additional holders. A tempered curved-glass windshield with an electrically actuated vent encloses the helm.
A lockable, acrylic sliding door beside the helm leads to the air-conditioned cabin. The interior features a microwave, vanity with custom vessel sink, solid teak flooring, and seating that becomes a berth. Rubber-backed cushions reverse to hold storage tubs.
Racks for four rods line the walls. The enclosed head comes with a VacuFlush toilet, teak seat, shower wand, and flip-down hooks for drying wet gear.
The 380 Outrage is available with triple or quad Mercury outboards, with or without a gyro. With quad 400 Verados and a gyro, the 380 topped out at 58.6 mph. It cruises at 32.5 mph, turning 4,000 rpm and achieving 0.78 miles per gallon.
- LOA: 38 ft.
- Beam: 11 ft. 8 in.
- Dry Weight: 14,500 lb. (w/o engines)
- Fuel: 445 gal.
- Transom Deadrise: 23 deg.
- Max hp: 1,600
Scout 380 LXF
Scout’s 380 LXF (luxury sportfish model) blends the qualities of a high-performance fish boat with a high-end cruiser. Built on Scout’s epoxy-infused, double-stepped hull, this 38 ½-footer features a 12-foot-1-inch beam.
Standard fishing features include a 100-gallon transom livewell; twin 92 1/2-gallon in-deck fish boxes with overboard drains; vertical gunwale and transom, under-gunwale, and belowdecks rod holders as well as an optional hardtop rocket launcher; a Seakeeper 3; and both a portside door and a transom door.
Seating includes three-across helm buckets with arm rests, an aft-facing mezzanine bench, a fold-out transom bench, bow wraparound benches and a two-person sunpad.
Inside the console cabin, you’ll find a convertible 6-foot-5-inch queen berth, a single-burner, glass-stove cooktop, microwave, flush mount 32-inch LED flat screen TV, DVD and CD player, galley sink, drawer refrigerator, enclosed shower area with toilet, sink and mirror with vanity cabinet. The cabin also features a 12,000 BTU air conditioner, powered by an 8kW diesel generator, as well as vertical storage for five rods.
Available with triple or quad Mercurys or Yamahas, the 380 LXF tops out at 69.7 mph and accelerates to 30 in 6.8 seconds with quad Verado 400s. With the quads, the most efficient cruising speed lands at 50.7 mph for 0.9 mpg.
- LOA: 38 ft. 6 in.
- Beam: 12 ft. 1 in.
- Dry Weight: 14,500 lb. (w/o engines)
- Fuel: 404 gal.
- Transom Deadrise: 20 deg.
- Max hp: 1,400
– INVEST IN SUCCESS –
Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
A boating course is a great way to gain confidence and boat-handling skills. A little practice now will make it look easy when everyone is watching.
Regulator 41
Regulator’s flagship 41 remains true to the company’s heritage: It’s a serious fish boat, but it thoughtfully and purposefully elevates the creature-comfort factor. Wide-open spaces with thickly bolstered seating create a weekender that’s ready to troll or raft up with friends.
From the twin forward-console lounger to the convertible electric pedestal table, the deck delivers relaxation. But look closely and you’ll see four fish boxes: twin 54-gallon insulated boxes beneath the bow benches; a 156-gallon belowdeck box (that also acts as locking rod storage), and an 84-gallon box at the transom. The aft bulkhead also features twin 40-gallon livewells. A starboard boarding door allows you to easily boat a big fish.
The mezzanine seating and prep area features tackle- and tray-storage compartments, a sink, drawers, countertop and electric grill. The newly-redesigned cabin features a galley kitchen—with refrigerator, microwave, sink, and inductive cooktop—double berth, a head and shower, a dining table with seating for four, and a 28-inch LED HDTV.
An Onan 7.5 kW diesel generator powers the interior air conditioning. Settle into even rocky seas with the standard Sesakeeper 5 gyro stabilizer.
Powered by quad Yamaha 425 XTO outboards, the 41 tops out at 63.7 mph and reaches 30 mph in 6.23 seconds. At a cruising speed of 25.9 mph, it turns 3,000 rpm and achieves 0.78 mpg.
- LOA: 41 ft. 3 in.
- Beam: 12 ft. 6 in.
- Dry Weight: 23,500 (w/ engines)
- Fuel: 600 gal.
- Transom Deadrise: 24 deg.
- Max hp: 1,700
Pursuit S 428
Pursuit’s new flagship S 428 not only represents the largest boat the company makes, it’s also the most powerful and spacious as well as highly innovative.
The deck features an industry-first second row of powered seats beneath the oversize hardtop. That seating converts to an entertainment center with a sink, refrigerator/freezer, and electric grill. Forward bow seating comes with electrically actuated backrests. The convertible forward-console seat adjusts to a variety of positions, and the hullside windows create a great view of the horizon from inside the console cabin.
For anglers, this 42-footer comes with three fish boxes totaling 134 gallons, two 36-gallon transom livewells, tackle storage, bait-prep areas, hull side doors port and starboard, and a spacious aft cockpit. You’ll find horizontal rod holders under the hardtop, beneath the gunwales and in the cabin, and 12 vertical holders in the gunwales, transom and bow.
Step down into the cabin from the port side of the helm. The top of the opening pushes forward to allow upright entry, and household-style steps create sure footing. A secondary screened door allows ventilation on nice days.
The interior seating quickly converts to a sleeping berth. The cabin also comes with a fully enclosed head compartment that houses a shower, vanity, and elongated toilet.
Side windows and a skylight allow in plenty of natural light, which shows off the rich hardwood décor. When weather demands, the cabin is air-conditioned and heated. A microwave, a 32-inch TV, and hidden storage round out the space.
With standard power—quad Yamaha 425 XTO outboards with Helm Master EX—the S 428 tops out at 59.3 mph, turning 6,000 rpm. It reaches 30 mph in 5.2 seconds. At a cruising speed of 31 mph, turning 3,500 rpm, the vessel gets 0.71 mpg.
- LOA: 42 ft.
- Beam: 13 ft.
- Dry Weight: 23,600 lb. (w/ engines)
- Fuel: 547 gal.
- Transom Deadrise: 22 deg.
- Max hp: 1,700
– SHOW THEM HOW MUCH YOU CARE –
Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
Nothing says ‘I love you’ like making sure the kids’ life jackets are snugged up and properly buckled.
Yellowfin 54
With quad outboards and seating for up to 14, including plush dual-row seats at the helm, the Yellowfin 54 comfortably accommodates a robust crew on a quick run to the fishing grounds.
For cruising, the 54 offers V-lounge bow seating with backrests and storage. The forward-console lounge easily accommodates two to three adults.
Because each Yellowfin is built to customer specs, amenities vary. But, as always, Yellowfin focuses on fishing. The 54 comes with a generous 100-gallon livewell in its transom flanked by molded-in single tuna tubes. The well can be configured as one tank or divided into two. A wealth of rod holders is spread throughout the boat for horizontal and vertical stowage.
Yellowfin also utilizes every space above and belowdecks for storage of fishing tackle, rods, fresh catch in insulated chill-plate-cooled boxes, safety gear and all other toys and equipment.
A spacious cabin area with standup headroom beneath the console houses a queen berth and a fully equipped kitchenette, along with wraparound seating and a head. Accessed from within the cabin, an organized mechanical space houses the gyro stabilizer, batteries, wiring and electronics.
In our recent review of the 54 with four Yamaha 425 XTO outboards, we reached a top speed of 60.8 mph at 5,700 rpm. We found the best mpg at 50 mph, turning 5,000 rpm, and achieving 0.52 mpg.
- LOA: 54 ft.
- Beam: 15 ft.
- Dry Weight: 28,000 lb (w/ engines)
- Fuel: 900 gal.
- Transom Deadrise: 22 deg.
- Max hp: 3,000
