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 consoles have grown to 40-plus feet in length: That makes more room for berths and galleys and opens the door to center consoles as boats you can live on. And while it's true you really wouldn't want to "live" aboard these dressed-up models, you could certainly plan an overnight trip in style.
We selected six fishing boats with cabins whose console cabins 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.)
The LXF in this model's name equates to luxury sport-fish. To build it, Scout blended the best aspects of its high-performance fish boats — including a double-stepped hull — with the amenities of a high-end cruiser.
The 350’s triple-engine option kicks top speed into the high 60s to put you on fish quickly. Fishing features include tackle drawers and a livewell beneath an aft-facing seat, molded-in cabinet for gaff storage, in-deck fish boxes, a 60-gallon transom fish box or livewell, transom door, and horizontal and vertical rod storage.
Its luxury features include topside comforts, such as a double sun lounge with cushions, Fusion stereo system, freshwater washdown and swim platform. Options include a grill, teak flooring, an electric fiberglass sunshade, and a retractable, electronic teak bow table.
Belowdecks, through an opening on the port side of the console, the cabin offers 6 feet, 3 inches of headroom, a 73½-inch-long double berth, an ice chest with Corian countertop, marine head, stainless sink and pullout showerhead with Corian vanity, and a microwave. The berth was designed so you can raise up the middle cushion to a vertical position, which then exposes a fold-down Corian tabletop. Options include 12-volt air conditioning. For more information, call Scout at 843‑821‑0068 in Summerville, South Carolina, or visit scoutboats.com.
LOA: 34 ft. 11 in.
Beam: 10 ft. 9 in.
Weight: 9,100 lb. (dry)
Fuel: 360 gal.
Deadrise: 22 deg.
Max hp: 900
The 376 is Grady's flagship for the Canyon line of center-consoles. Its broad, 13-plus-foot beam gives the cabin an expansive feel.
“We amped up the features in the console cabin for this fishing machine by using vibrant colors reminiscent of the Caribbean,” says Shelley Tubaugh, Grady’s vice president of marketing. “We added the fine details of carefully crafted cherry cabinetry, and the important live-aboard necessities of a head, sink and roomy, comfortable berth.”
In fact, Grady disguised the berth as a settee for daytime use. To sleep, you simply press a button, and the backrest lifts to expose an 80-by-62-inch bed.
When you first step inside the lockable cabin, you’ll find more than 6 feet, 6 inches of headroom — plenty of space for any adult to use the pullout showerhead to clean up in private. The cabin also comes with a “hidden” head, stainless refrigerator, large storage area and vertical rod storage.
Options for the 376 include a microwave, flat-screen TV and air conditioning inside, a generator, cockpit-area grill and motorized bow table.
Abovedecks, the 376 provides anglers a 41-gallon livewell with full-column aeration and an optional second well, a rigging station with freshwater washdown, tackle drawers, multiple large, insulated fish boxes, and a transom door. Call Grady at 252‑752‑2111 in Greenville, North Carolina, or visit gradywhite.com.
LOA: 36 ft. 7 in.
Beam: 13 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 12,850 lb. (dry)
Fuel: 420 gal.
Deadrise: 20 deg.
Max hp: 1,050
Boston Whaler's large-boat -business manager, Wil Rogers, says his job has provided numerous opportunities to overnight aboard the 370 Outrage. "The last time, I was taking a boat from Stuart to Naples, going across the ditch," he says. "I missed the last lock, and there were no hotels. I had provisions aboard, a refrigerator, microwave and grill: I turned on the air conditioning and watched a movie. It was the best 12-hour sleep I've had in a long time."
Rogers says that while the 370 was made for short trips, it’s really not designed for long-term adventures that would demand a true express or cabin boat. But like the other center-consoles in this class, it comes with impressive qualities, such as a refrigerator with a plastic tray that slides in and out so you can bring aboard prepared meals.
The 370 also offers a sink, microwave, head, shower and a full-length locker. The berth measures 6 feet, 6 inches long, even slightly longer than the cabin headroom at 6 feet, 5 inches.
While all the interior amenities — including air conditioning — come standard on the 370, serious anglers certainly don't have to compromise. This Outrage comes with a pressurized 55-gallon livewell, tackle-storage drawers, lure bags, bait-prep area with cutting board, storage lid with tool and leader holders, a transom door, five fish boxes, and tons of rod storage. Call Whaler in Edgewater, Florida, at 877‑294‑5645 or visit bostonwhaler.com.
LOA: 37 ft. 6 in.
Beam: 11 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 13,500 lb. (dry)
Fuel: 425 gal.
Deadrise: 23.5 deg.
Max hp: 900
Brand-new to the market this year, HydraSports Custom offers the 4200 Siesta, equipped with an air-conditioned console cabin sporting 6 feet, 6 inches of headroom. The elegantly paneled stateroom features a china marine head with a padded seat atop, freshwater sink and shower, optional microwave, skylights and LED lighting.
The double berth employs a fold‑down panel that extends its length. A dressing mirror lines the inside of the console door. HydraSports Custom also introduced a new wiring system in this model that charges all 12-volt batteries while underway so that they’re capable of powering even the air conditioning.
The 41-plus-footer also offers two 45-gallon livewells in the transom bulkhead, a custom tackle station aft of the helm and sleigh seating. The station incorporates a freshwater sink, tackle drawers, a broad King Starboard cutting-surface top, and an electrically actuated Frigid Rigid cooler.
The forward sun lounge conceals a coffin box that can be rigged as a freezer. The boat comes with a custom tower sporting a full second station, Bennett trim tabs and a stereo system. Call HydraSports Custom in Islamorada, Florida, at 800‑539‑2628 or visit hydrasports.com.
LOA: 41 ft. 7 in.
Beam: 12 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 23,000 lb. (w/ power)
Fuel: 630 to 820 gal.
Deadrise: 23 deg.
Max hp: None
Yellowfin takes hard-core fishing seriously. But the company has certainly given a stylish nod to families and overnighters with the Yellowfin 42's interior. The completely lined cabin features two 6-foot-6-inch bunks, and a head and shower enclosed by an opaque Lucite door.
Above the berths are five storage bins and a porthole. The area also comes with a cubby for a microwave and another for a flat-screen television. Though it lacks a true galley area, the berth is arranged for easy mealtime seating.
Of course, the vessel's fishing features pretty much speak for themselves. With triple Yamaha F350s, the stepped-hull 42 topped out at 63.6 mph in SF's test this past fall. It carries an 80-gallon livewell aft, comes standard with a T-top, high-performance K Plane trim tabs and a 133-gallon macerated fish box.
Yellowfin also offers a variety of leaning-post options — all of which speak to angling needs, and include amenities such as tackle drawers and bait-prep areas. Call Yellowfin in Bradenton, Florida, at 941-753-7828 or visit yellowfin.com.
LOA: 42 ft.
Beam: 12 ft.
Weight: 16,500 lb. (w/ power)
Fuel: 600 gal.
Deadrise: 22 deg.
Max hp: 1,400
Also new this year, SeaHunter’s Tournament 45 offers a console-cabin with queen-size bed, air conditioning, sink, hideaway head, microwave and television. At the same time, it boasts a tournament pedigree, three large (60- to 100-gallon range) livewells, deep-V transom, and a well-equipped tackle station.
The boat’s standard power option is quad Yamaha 350s. SeaHunter created a center walk-through transom door for anglers to work a fish around the outboards. Two insulated fish boxes create tons of space for an iced-down catch, and an in-sole rod locker lies to starboard and holds multiple rods to 9 feet.
Thirty rod holders line the console; the tackle station also features rod holders, and comes with drawers, a sink, broad cutting-board top, and removable tackle boxes. Below the station, a Frigid-Rigid cooler (that can also be wired as a freezer) slides out manually and comes with a cushion atop for additional seating.
Not that you'd need more room to sit. The 45 offers a triple-helm seat and second-row (or sleigh) seating for three more adults, plus a bow lounge. Call SeaHunter in Islamorada, Florida, at 800‑539‑2628 or visit seahunterboats.com.
LOA: 45 ft. 4 in.
Beam: 12 ft.
Weight: 21,000 lb. (dry)
Fuel: 738 gal.
Deadrise: 24.5 deg.
Max hp: 2,000
Some manufacturers make boats called fish-arounds, which incorporate an even-larger cabin than these more-traditional center-consoles, yet they retain a flat, single-level deck encircling the entire boat. SeaVee's 430), Contender's 36 and 32 Fish and Invincible's upcoming 42 (which the company calls a walkaround) fit that description.
