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2015 New Fishing Boats

The latest center consoles, bay boats, flats skiffs, dual consoles, expresses and walkarounds

By Chris Woodward

Updated: April 28, 2015

Yamaha 190 FSH

Yamaha expanded its lineup of jet-powered boats early this year with the 190 FSH center-console fish boat. The 1.8-liter high-output engine and driveline for the 190 reside in the hull beneath the leaning post, creating a full 360-degree open cockpit and deck. Particularly unique is the unobstructed transom area. A two-tiered swim platform affords plenty of room for casting a net or a lure. The helm area features a leaning post and backrest (on the Deluxe and Sport models), with room beneath for a cooler. Starboard of the leaning post is an 18-gallon livewell. On either side of the center console, Yamaha attached three vertical rod holders. Four more holders lie beneath the gunwales, and four flush-mount holders are set along the sides of the aft deck. SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 19 ft. 2 in.
BEAM: 8 ft.
DRAFT: 16 in.
FUEL: 30 gal.
MSRP: $27,999 (base starting price)

Metal Shark 25 Gravois

Metal Shark, a Louisiana-based boatbuilder that normally designs vessels for military and commercial use, has introduced a fully welded, stepped-hull 25-foot bay boat. The 25 Gravois is made from digitally cut plates of military-grade aluminum alloy, and its running surface — an “aggressively stepped, ventilated, deep-V tunnel hull” — was designed by well-known marine architect Michael Peters. Metal Shark also filled the hull with foam to deaden sound. The Gravois comes standard with trim tabs, two 35-gallon transom livewells, six gunwale rod holders and horizontal storage for four sticks. More holders can be added with an optional T-top. Anglers can choose either a bow casting deck or bow seating, and the transom can be outfitted with a dive door and fold-away seating. Power options include Evinrude, Honda, Mercury, Yamaha or Suzuki single outboards from 250 to 350 hp. SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 25 ft.
BEAM: 8 ft. 6 in.
DRAFT: 15 in.
MAX HP: 350
MSRP: $78,645 (w/ Mercury Verado 250)

Freeman 34VH

A stepped-hull version of the popular 33, this new 34 catamaran also incorporates the performance gains Freeman made with its 37VH (vented hull). In fact, Freeman says this new hull reached a top speed of 65 mph in recent tests, and attained 1.4 mpg at 50 mph, powered by twin Yamaha F350s. Built with offshore fishermen front and center, the 34VH can be outfitted with tuna tubes and three livewells that hold 53 gallons each. The boat comes with two 50-gallon in-deck insulated fish boxes, lockable below-deck rod storage (for nine rods), a 200-gallon insulated coffin box, 18 gunwale rod holders, and tackle storage. Specifications
LOA………………. 33 ft. 7 in.
BEAM………….. 10 ft. 10 in.
TRANSOM DEADRISE N/A (catamaran)
FUEL…………………. 400 gal.
MSRP……………… $202,000
(with twin Yamaha F300s)

Hatteras 45 EX

Hatteras‘ new 45 EX is the first model of that company’s new express series. The hull comes in fishing or cruising configurations; both offer Hatteras’ resin-infused, solid-fiberglass hull bottom, integrated hardtop, large single-pane windshield, and custom-engineered sound-deadening materials and systems. The fishing version comes with a 56-gallon livewell molded into the transom, a bait-and-tackle center with storage, two large in-deck fish boxes, and rod storage belowdecks. The vessel is equipped with air conditioning, bow thrusters, a battery charger, an anchor and windlass, and a 14.7 BHP diesel generator. The galley comes with dinette seating (storage beneath), a refrigerator plus a freezer drawer, a two-burner cook top, and a microwave/convection oven. Specifications
LOA………………. 44 ft. 7 in.
BEAM……………. 16 ft. 6 in.
WEIGHT………… 49,700 lb.
FUEL ………………… 800 gal.
MSRP N/A

EdgeWater 280CC

EdgeWater first introduced the 280CC for the 2014 season as a fishing and family-fun vessel with cleverly designed features like the integrated hardtop with its Clear Vision glass windshield, specially molded to create an unobstructed sight line. The center-console interior provides a double berth, head and pullout shower. The leaning post abovedecks can be configured in several ways — with a cooler and prep area, with a livewell and tackle center, with a sink, shower and storage, or with a kitchen setup. The vessel comes standard with a windlass, two in-sole fish boxes, midship fender lockers, a 28-gallon transom livewell, and stainless-steel cockpit toe rails. Specifications
LOA……………………… 28 ft.
BEAM………………… 9 ft. 6 in.
TRANSOM DEADRISE N/A
FUEL……………………. 200 gal.
MSRP N/A

Robalo R242

Robalo says it built the R242 center-console for anglers who want to navigate big water but need a trailerable boat. The 24-footer features high offshore-style freeboard and the company’s HydroLift hull design. With a single 250 hp outboard, it weighs 4,800 pounds, and the variable–deadrise running surface terminates at the transom with a 22-degree angle. The R242 incorporates Kevlar in its construction; its cockpit layout combines tournament-fishing amenities with cruising comforts. Anglers will find three insulated fish boxes, two livewells (an 18-gallon well in the leaning post and a 20-gallon well at the bow), toe rails and 14 rod holders. Specifications
LOA…………………………. 24 ft.
BEAM………………… 8 ft. 9 in.
DRAFT……………………. 20 in.
TRANSOM DEADRISE……. 22 deg.
FUEL……………………. 150 gal.
MSRP…………………… $63,725
(with Yamaha F250)