The 40-square-foot cockpit, which boasts a removable stern seat and seat back, is big enough for multiple anglers to fish in comfort yet small enough to allow the live baits, tackle storage, fish boxes and rigging station to remain very close at hand.
This tower version has a very distinct advantage. Throughout our sea trial, I could look down into the water and see schools of fish that I never would have seen from the lower-station helm.
The big V-8s churn quite a bit of centerline white water at trolling speed. However, the hull leaves precious little surface turbulence, and the prop wash dissipates by about the second wave back. Even trolling at 10 mph won't obscure your lures from your quarry.
Design and Construction
Century is one company that refuses to compromise on offshore safety. It mounts a swim ladder deployable from the water on every hull it builds.
Interestingly, the cabin is not only comfortable for someone of my large size to entertain guests, but the midship berth is actually larger than the V-berth with insert in the main cabin. The cherry-veneer joinery below combined with the handsome lighting fixtures make for a warm and inviting ambience. And though compact, the galley with refrigerator drawer can handle any chef's desire with aplomb.
Also unlike many comparably sized vessels, the 2900 allows you to take advantage of your air conditioning and other power-drawing accessories when away from dockside shore power thanks to the zero-emission, 7 kW Kohler gasoline generator. That's right, no carbon monoxide.
Century builds its own towers, including designs like this one that fold down for trailering. Amazingly, with two large men riding in our boat's tower, I still found it perfectly comfortable and roomy — unusual for a 30-footer.
Century's V-Tech hull system uses multidirectional fiberglass and transverse bracing in the stringers for stiffness. Foam injection into various air spaces deadens any sound of water rushing by the hull for a quieter ride. The company also uses high-quality Cook Composites Armorcoat gelcoat and a urethane-composite transom.
So in this case, I am conflicted no longer. For a pocket-size family fishing boat that you can also comfortably cruise, this Century 2900 does a superb job!
LOA......30 ft. 6 in.
BEAM......10 ft. 9 in.
HULL DRAFT......2 ft. 3 in.
DEADRISE......21.5 deg.
WEIGHT......9,000 lb. (w/o power)
FUEL......225 gal.
MAX POWER......Twin 350 hp OB
MSRP......$250,866
(w/ twin Yamaha 250 hp OB and tower)
$266,189 (w/ twin Yamaha
350 hp OB and tower)
Century Boats / Panama City, Florida / 850-769-0311 / www.centuryboats.com
