So many amazing outboard fishing boats were crammed into dock slips and tents at this year’s Miami International Boat Show that a boat lover could be overwhelmed. Here’s a look at 20 boats up to 34 feet long, including new models, that commanded attention.
Albemarle 29 Express
Introduced last year, the Albemarle 29 packs a lot of boat in its 33.5 LOA. The North Carolina-based builder offers a package with twin Yamaha F350s or F300s and a 320-gallon fuel capacity. The boat shown here sports a Seakeeper wrap for the Miami show.
The 29 offers air-conditioning in its impressively appointed cabin and extends the AC optionally to the helm deck as well.
A rigging station in the 64-square-foot cockpit conceals a sink.
Blackfin 272 Center Console
Blackfin’s 272, introduced mid-year last, looks like it means business. In earlier testing by Sport Fishing, the 272 hit 61 mpg, pushed by a pair of 300 Verados, its maximum hp rating. The steep bow deadrise moderates to 22 degrees at the transom.
The black theme is reiterated on the massive console, one of the sexiest consoles I spotted at the show.
A generous rigging station with tackle drawers rests just behind the helm seats.
Coming soon: The latest from Blackfin, and the largest in its current lineup, a 332 CC, shown here in a poster at the Blackfin booth in Miami.
Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro
Whaler has rigged out this venerable Dauntless hull for serious fishing, witness the half tower, the bottom of which is visible here, offering great visibility from its bench seat. With a deadrise of 16 degrees, the Pro draws just over a foot; in Sport Fishing tests, it hit 48 mph with a single 350 Verado.
Aft-deck rod holders also accommodate backrests for seating while underway, but cushions are easily removed to provide a broad, open casting deck.
Comfortable bow cushions hide extensive storage beneath the seats. Flip-up backrests offer support.
Cobia 240CC
New for 2018, the 240CC weighs 3,500 without power, which can be up to 300 horses. Shown here with optional hardtop and integrated windshield, the 240 offers an 8-foot, 10-inch beam with a 21 ½-degree deadrise.
Generous helm seating offers various sitting and standing options behind the hydraulic-tilt steering.
A removable backrest adds cockpit seating while underway. The 28-gallon livewell is standard as are the cockpit bolsters.
Crevalle 24 Bay
The 23 ½-foot LOA Bay sports an 8 ½-foot beam and a 16-degree deadrise to deal with heavy chop. Maximum horsepower is 300. A second-station tower is not a standard feature, but clearly adding one is possible.
The standard Yacht Grip non-skid decking makes for a particularly appealing look. The 24 Bay’s foredeck offers serious space from which anglers can cast and fight fish, plus plenty of covered storage.
Again, the eye is met with more unobstructed casting space on the raised aft deck of the Bay 24.
Edgewater 320CC
Edgewater advertises a bit more beam than similar boats; this unsinkable 32 sports 10 feet, 2 inches of beam, and will take up to two 350-hp outboards. Generous tackle storage is evident behind helm seating.
Everglades 335 Center Console
Debuted just the past November at Fort Lauderdale, the 335 extends the popular 325CC in length as well as standard features. Her 25-degree deadrise is designed to slice into stiff head seas. The 335 is rated for up to 700 horses.
The 335 offers the option for a generous second station with bench seating for two.
A well-conceived helm allows a pilot to completely assess and control at all times.
Intrepid 327-I
The embodiment of sleek, the 327 can accommodate up to 900 horsepower, which would make it blazingly fast since in past testing, just 600 horses pushed the boat to nearly 60 mph.
Intrepid designs each hull to its owner’s needs, so fishing features may range from sparse to generous.
The 327’s forward padded seating with full padded backrest is generous.
Pathfinder 2600 HPS
Also called the Bay Crusher by Pathfinder, the 2600 combines a modest 15-inch draft with an 18-degree deadrise to allow anglers to fish from open water offshore to shallow bays. It’s rated for up to 400 horses; with a 300-hp outboard (59.4 mph top speed), total weight is 4,100 pounds.
Ranger 2260 Bay
A straightforward, fishing-friendly layout designed for fishing shallow water characterizes the 2260 Bay Ranger. Fully loaded, it draws a mere 13 inches. The 2260 is rated for up to 200 horsepower.
An 18-gallon livewell is conveniently located just abaft the helm seats.
Robalo R242 Center Console
Robalo’s newest center console boasts high freeboard for a 24-footer, plus Robalo’s wide reverse chines and lifting strakes to offer a dry ride and stability. It’s rated for up to 400 horsepower and carries 150 gallons of fuel.
A smart black-and-white design characterizes the cockpit and seating as seen from beneath the fiberglass T-top that is standard issue.
A flexible forward configuration allows bow seating as seen here; expands with the addition of a bow filler cushion; or turns into a casting platform upon stowing the pads.
Sailfish 320CC
This 31-foot, 6-inch LOA Sailfish sports a beam of 10 feet. It can carry up to 700 horsepower. If you could see them all in this photo, you could count 30 rod holders. The hull is available in any of six standard colors or three premium colors.
Generous helm seating for two with large flip-up bolsters.
Six flush rod holders – four vertical and two angled aft – join two cup holders on the 320’s transom.
Sea Chaser 26 LX
The largest in its popular LX series, Sea Chaser’s 26 is touted as an offshore-capable bay boat, riding on an intermediate 15-degree transom-deadrise, stepped hull. Rated for 350 horses, the 26 carries an 8 ½-foot beam.
The rear baitwell comes standard on the 26 LX; the T-top is optional.
The broad foredeck offers both dry storage and a generous casting platform.
Sea Fox 249 Avenger
Similar to its popular 248 Commander center console, the 249 Avenger offers a side-console design with a 8 ½-foot beam. Its flared bow and 19-degree transom deadrise help ensure its competence as an offshore boat. The 249 is rated for a maximum of 300 horsepower.
Seen from the console, the Avenger’s full wraparound bow seating is sure to add appeal to families as well as fishermen.
Seen from astern, the side console, with padded aft-facing jump seat, is evident.
Sea Vee 290B
Sea Vee offers its new 290B in two configurations: an open fisherman that maximizes cockpit space and a luxury edition (with molded-in forward seating and an optional rear bench). It features an offshore deadrise of 25 degrees at the transom, and draws a modest 20 inches. It’s rated for 800 horses, maximum.
A variety of pipe work options can be ordered with the 290. Not shown here, one of those is a low-profile second station.
A 50-gallon transom livewell with pump comes as standard equipment.
Skeeter SX240
Largest of Skeeter’s bay-boat lineup, the SX240 draws 15 inches and comes standard with a 12-inch manual jackplate (hydraulic optional). It holds 75 gallons of fuel and is rated for a maximum of 300 horsepower.
The Texas-based manufacturer hasn’t scrimped on rocket-launcher rod holders on the optional T-top and across the back of the helm-seat module.
Stamas 326 Tarpon
Stamas’ pride and experience as a boat builder, in Tarpon Springs, Florida, for more than 60 years is evident in the design of its 326 Tarpon, clearly designed with serious fishing in mind yet genteel enough for a family cruise. Standard power: two 600-hp Yamaha 300s (also max horsepower).
Stamas offers an impressive list of standard features with the 326, including hardtop, and an air-conditioned cabin with galley including microwave, stove, fridge, ac power and water heater.
The 326 boasts a generous 11-foot, 2-inch beam.
Wellcraft 302 Fisherman
Dressed in what Wellcraft calls a tri-tone color option (black/yellow and black/red are other options) and with a slick deluxe T-top, this is one sexy fisherman. With twin 350 Verados (maximum horsepower), the manufacturer clocked the 302 at just under 58 mph. The boat comes with a 268-gallon fuel tank.
The eye-catching black hardtop includes LED lighting, spreader lights and an electronics box.
The 302’s large console offers plenty of space for electronics on its face and, inside, storage space.
Read Next: Fishing Boats 36 to 46 Feet at the 2018 Miami Boat Show
World Cat 280 DC-X
The new dual-console offers an alternative configuration to World Cat’s popular 280 CC-X center console catamaran. The offshore hull can slide into relatively shallow areas, drawing a mere 14 inches. Twin 200-hp outboards (maximum) are expected to push the boat to nearly 50 mph, yet at 30 mph cruise should yield about two miles per gallon.
Optional cockpit work station with sink and refrigerator.
Comfortable bow seating could accommodate a small army. Forward are anchor-locker hatches and a raw-water washdown hose in the port locker.
Yellowfin 34 Offshore
Impressive from any angle, Yellowfin’s mid-range center console appears ready to tame nearly any seas with its flared, twin-stepped hull, known for its soft, dry ride. Sport Fishing tested the 34 with twin Merc 275 Verados and hit a top speed of 56 mph; with three 350s, the maximum, something north of 70 mph seems assured.
Optional wrap-around bow seating with padded coaming backrests offers an appealing place to ride in nice conditions.
Strakes, steps and hard chines are part of the equation making Yellowfin an acknowledged leader in offshore ride and handling.
