Boats

17 Great Offshore Fishing Boats at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show 2018

Few anglers wouldn’t appreciate the chance to fish offshore in any one of these boats on display at this year’s Ft. Lauderdale show.

By Doug Olander

Updated: November 6, 2018

A couple of days spent admiring and photographing outboard fishing boats at the 2018 Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show are enough to create some serious boat envy in any angler. While some bay and flats boats were in evidence, most of the emphasis was on bluewater hulls, as reflected in this gallery. Many of the boats shown here are new models, though not all manufacturers had a new boat to intro at the show.

Blackfin 332 Center Console (new)

A twin-stepped, advanced carbon-fiber hull marks Blackfin’s largest center console. It’s rated for 900 hp max, and tops out at just over 52 mph, per the manufacturer. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The 332 boasts one of the most aesthetically compelling helms at the show, IMHO. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The black/white theme is continued with smartly appointed seating. Backrests swing easily out of the way. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Boston Whaler 380 Realm (new)

There’s no mistaking Whaler’s effort to create a multi-function, versatile boat with the Realm, arguably more family-and-friends friendly than hardcore fishing. It’s rated for 1,600 horses and is capable of nearly 57 mph wide open. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Anglers in northern climes will benefit from the ability to block out cold spray completely from the helm area with a wind-break door and windshield extension. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The 380’s cabin features a fully enclosed head with shower, galley, entertainment center and V-berth. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

A large cockpit prep center includes a grill and livewell or, as here, a fridge. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Cobia 344CC

Cobia’s sleek 344 offers a wide (11-foot, 2-inch-beam), double-stepped hull that can carry up to 900 horses that will push it at up to nearly 68 mph with a 4-second time to plane. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The 344’s impressive helm area includes Yamaha’s Command Link Plus display and SeaStar Solutions Optimus Electric Power Steering. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The walk-down console offers a head, berth and hidden lockable rod storage. Read Next: Cobia 344 CC Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Contender 35ST

Another dual-step hull, the 35ST prides itself on performance and handling, and boasts a level deck. The tournament-ready 35ST is rated for up to 1,200 hp. Contender Boats

At any point along the unobstructed gunwales, you’ll find flush rod holders and your thighs will find padded coaming. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Large twin transom livewells offer quick access to baits, whether fishing a tournament or just for fun. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Grady-White Canyon 376

Grady’s recently introduced flagship 456 notwithstanding, the Canyon 376 continues to be a popular favorite. Its SeaV2 hull offers an exceptional ride. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Grady prides itself on design, fit and finish, which shows in this view of the helm and console. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The cabin offers a head with stand-up shower, double berth, bulk and rod storage, entertainment center, fridge and more. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The 376 on display at the show boasts the 1,275 max hp in the form of three of Yamaha’s new 425s. These should give it a top end of just over 60 mph; most efficient cruise is at 31 mph for about a 1-mpg fuel burn. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

HCB Center Console Yachts 65 Estrella (new)

The world’s first “Mega Center Console Yacht” is how builder HCB describes this 65-footer. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Five Seven Marine outboards provide more than 2,500 hp to push the beast. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Simply put, the Estrella’s helm befits the boat, as one would expect. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

It’s a long hike along the gunwale from helm to bow. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Invincible 37 Catamaran (new)

Smaller sibling to Invincible’s 40 cat, the 37 was designed by Morelli & Melvin to track straight and excel at high-speed maneuverability and sea-keeping in all sea states. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The 1,400 hp across this 37’s straight transom, reflecting the boat’s 12-foot beam, is just 200 hp short of max. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

A long, optional, XL coffin box takes advantage of the cat’s generous beam forward. Read Next: Boat Review: Invincible 40 Catamaran Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Jupiter 26FS

Jupiter’s 26 hull features closed-cell PVC foam coring, a fiberglass uni-grid stringer system, hi-tech composite construction and an inner liner integrally bonded to the hull. Jupiter Marine

The Jupiter 26FS is available with the new Yamaha XTO 425 in a single-engine application, as seen at the show. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Forward seating offers grab rails and drink holders. Jupiter Marine

Pursuit S 288 Sport (new)

The S 288’s 30-foot LOA hull can carry 600 horses on the transom, which can push it a top speed of 55 mph. Pursuit Boats

A large acrylic ventilation hatch in the hardtop is a nice-weather feature many will appreciate. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Optional are hardtop-mounted rod holders. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Regulator 41

Regulator has updated its flagship model with a new integrated wraparound windshield for even better help protection and a retractable Sure Shade top. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Best seats in the house: Forward seating area includes armrests, drink holders and USB charging ports. Comfort is further assured thanks to the standard Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilization. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

With the push of a button, Regulator president Joan Maxwell reveals a complete prep and tackle center hidden under the aft mezzanine seat. Read Next: Regulator 41 Center Console Review Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Robalo R272 (new)

One of those boats that looks fast sitting still, the 272 is rated for up to 500 horses. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The 30-gallon, circular aft livewell features LED lighting. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The model on display at the boat show carried twin 200-horse Yamahas. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Scout 380LXF

Scout’s 380 LXF boasts a dual-stepped epoxy-infused, carbon/e-glass hull and such innovations as electronically-actuated, articulating rocket launchers and an electronically-actuated convertible hideaway entertainment station in the mezzanine seats. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The 380 on display at Ft. Lauderdale carried three Yamaha 425 XTOs. Those 1,275 horses would move it pretty quickly, given that factory testing showed a top speed of more than 60 mph with three 350s. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The 100-gallon transom livewell, ahead of a generous row of 45-degree rod holders, should hold many netfuls of bait. Read Next: Scout 380 LXF Review Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

SeaVee 322Z (new)

For its new 322Z hull, SeaVee married its twin-stepped, cross-ventilated hull with patented SpeedRail technology, providing a super-dry ride, top speed of 68 mph (with 800 max hp) yet planing capability at just 15 mph. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Twin LED-lit baitwells offer quick access to live baits. With the bench seat out of the way, anglers can work against padded transom coaming to work fish around engines. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

No angler will ever have to look around for a rod holder on the 322Z. The model on display in Ft. Lauderdale included a forward coffin box for storage. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

More evidence that the 322Z in its open-fisherman configuration is a serious fishing machine. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Southport 33FE

Combining amenities for the family comfort with fishing, Southport’s 33FE (family edition) does it all. With twin Yamaha 300s (the boat is rated for 900 hp max), it factory-tests out at just over 50 mph. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

A large tackle/rigging center sits just behind the console leaning post. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The space-efficient cabin manages to include a head, sink and shower, Corian countertop and a 7-foot berth. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The 33FE offers an abundance of seating forward; the 33 TE (tournament edition) replaces that seating with a 100-gallon insulated coffin box. Read Next: Southport 33 FE Center Console Review Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Wellcraft 352 Fisherman (new)

A prominent “Offshore” logo runs along the side of the new Wellcraft 352 with the black offshore package. The 23-degree-transom-deadrise hull is rated for up to 1,275 hp. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

An oversized work/prep station includes a large fridge and tall livewell with large clear acrylic window. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The T-top features heavy-duty, flat-black frame with a ladder back and the option to install a second station. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The display model in the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center sports triple 400 Verados. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

World Cat 280 CC-X and DC-X

The high-sided 280 hull (here, the dual-console DC-X) runs dry and smooth. It will carry up to twin 200 hp outboards, enough to push it wide-open at 46 mph. At a 29-mph cruise, the 280 will manage 2 miles per gallon. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The center-console CC-X’s spacious, wide bow configuration of a catamaran permits enough comfortable bow seating for a small army. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

A livewell and work station sit just behind the console seating in the CC-X. Read Next: World Cat 280CC-X Review Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Yellowfin 34

Yellowfin’s newly redesigned 34 should be even more impressive as when it was introduced some years ago. Rated for up to 1,250 hp, the 34 can top out north of 72 mph. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing