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Best New Boats of the Year

The latest in center console fishing boats for anglers and families.
Best New Fishing Boats
A gallery of some of the best new boats this year. Courtesy Manufacturers; Illustration: Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing

As demand for boats and outdoor experiences grows, boat builders rush to meet the surge in interest. Today’s center console fishing boats cater to both hardcore anglers and those with families looking for quality adventures.

From skiffs to yachtlike offshore vessels, here are some of the most recently introduced top boat models in a variety of price ranges and styles. They’re listed alphabetically by brand.

(If you’re looking for vessels in specific size ranges, these galleries also feature best boats):

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20 Top Center Consoles 26 Feet and Under

15 Top Center Console Boats 26 to 30 Feet

Best Center Console Boats Over 30 Feet

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Cobia 350CC making a hard turn offshore
Specifications: LOA 34 ft. 4 in.; Beam 11 ft. 2 in.; Dry Weight 8,600 lb.; Fuel 320 gal.; Transom Deadrise 21.6 deg.; Max HP 900 hp. Cobia Boats

Cobia 350CC

Cobia’s beamy 350CC offers anglers a spacious cockpit, measuring 131 square feet, and roomy walkthroughs fore and aft. Twin 42-gallon livewells, two in-deck fish boxes, a full tackle and bait-prep station, belowdecks lockable rod storage and an inward-opening side door stand out as fishing features while seating for 11, a cabin with a V-berth and head, and a hideaway bow table give families loads of conveniences.

Contender 44 Fish Around running shot
Specifications: LOA 43 ft. 10 in.; Beam 12 ft.; Dry Weight 22,500 (ready to fish); Fuel 575 gal.; Transom Deadrise 22.7 deg.; Max HP 2,000 hp. Courtesy Contender Boats

Contender 44FA

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Contender’s 44 Fish Around model delivers plenty of fishing features as well as a comfortable cabin for multiday offshore trips. The near-44-footer offers twin 55-gallon transom livewells with an 80- or 100-gallon deck well optional. Fish box space totals 500 gallons. Belowdecks, anglers will find a queen-size berth, galley, refrigerator and electric cooktop as well as an enclosed head and standup shower.

Everglades 395cc running shot
Specifications: LOA 39 ft.; Beam 12 ft.; Dry Weight 16,650 lb.; Fuel 600 gal.; Transom Deadrise 25 deg.; Max HP 1,275 hp. Everglades

Everglades 395cc

The 395cc — a mid-size model between the 355cc and the 435cc — comes with comforts such as mezzanine seating, a full-beam folding transom bench, interior dining area and a forward-facing double lounger. For anglers, the single-level cockpit features insulated 112- and 75-gallon fish boxes, two 40-gallon pressurized livewells, 39 rod holders, under-gunwale power ports, and more.

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Grady-White Canyon 326 running shot
Specifications: LOA 33 ft. 1 in.; Beam 10 ft. 9 in.; Dry Weight 8,500 lb.; Fuel 327 gal.; Transom Deadrise 20 deg.; Max HP 700 hp. Grady-White

Grady-White Canyon 326

Grady’s Canyon 326 features a strategic console design, with a full-height windshield and integral superstructure that creates a haven for the helmsman and wide walkways for anglers. A rigging station aft of the helm seating, standard 32-gallon livewell, and an 80-gallon fish box in the transom highlight the fishing amenities.

NauticStar 249 XTS running shot
Specifications: LOA 24 ft. 3 in.; Beam 8 ft. 6 in.; Dry Weight 2,500 lb.; Draft 1 ft. 2 in.; Fuel 75 gal.; Transom Deadrise 16 deg.; Max HP 300 hp. NauticStar

NauticStar 249 XTS

This XTS (Extreme Tournament Series) bay boat features deep freeboard forward for enhanced passenger safety. It comes with two livewells (13- and 30-gallon sizes), a 28-gallon fish box and a pair of lockable rod bins.

Parker 26 SH running through the bay
Specifications: LOA 26 ft. 6 in.; Beam 9 ft. 6 in.; Dry Weight 5,073 lb.; Draft 1 ft. 3 in.; Fuel 97 gal.; Transom Deadrise 17 deg.; Max HP 400 hp. Courtesy Parker Boats

Parker 26 SH

Parker Boats labeled its new boat SH for Special Hybrid. The vessel features a spacious forward casting deck, twin aft 30-gallon livewells, lockable rod storage, and a standard jack plate. Families will like the padded seating and cupholders throughout and the freshwater washdown.

Pathfinder 2700 Open running offshore
Specifications: LOA 27 ft.; Beam 9 ft. 4 in.; Dry Weight 4,934 (w/ engine); Draft 1 ft. 5 in.; Fuel 97 gal.; Transom Deadrise 18 deg.; Max HP 450 hp. Courtesy Pathfinder Boats

Pathfinder 2700 Open

This new center console features a hybrid deck layout with an open aft cockpit resembling that of an offshore boat, and a raised foredeck like many bay boats. The double-stepped hull draws 17 inches and comes standard with two livewells and three fish boxes.

Pursuit S 378 running offshore
Pursuit’s new S 378 comes with some very innovative new designs. Courtesy Pursuit

Pursuit S 378

Boasting some new, innovative features, Pursuit’s S 378 center console is a unique showpiece. A button push turns the aft-facing mezzanine seat into a social zone. Pursuit also sculpted in tempered glass hull-side windows near the bow. Anglers will love the hull side door, twin 41-gallon fish boxes, lockable rod storage and a 36-gallon livewell.

Regulator 24XO running shot
Specifications: LOA 24 ft. 4 in.; Beam 8 ft. 5 in.; Dry Weight 5,250 lb.; Draft 1 ft. 4 in.; Fuel 86 gal.; Transom Deadrise 17 deg.; Max HP 300 hp. Courtesy Regulator

Regulator 24XO

The second model in its crossover line, Regulator’s 24XO offers dozens of standard features including a hardtop, 25-gallon aft starboard livewell, two bow fish boxes with locking rod storage, a leaning post with rocket launcher and tackle storage, a 12-inch Garmin display and a saltwater washdown. In Yamaha testing, the vessel topped out at 50 mph, powered by an F300.

Scout 330 LXF running shot
Specifications: LOA 32 ft. 9 in.; Beam 10 ft. 4 in.; Dry Weight 9,545 lb.; Fuel 265 gal.; Transom Deadrise 24 deg.; Max HP 900 hp. Scout

Scout 330 LXF

Scout’s 330 LXF features a 10-foot, 4-inch beam, three inches wider than its predecessor, offering more room to fish and greater roll stability at rest and while underway. Like its LXF siblings, the 330 comes with luxury as well as fishing amenities from its encircling coaming pads, teak bow table and padded sun lounge to its retractable rocket launcher, insole fish lockers and 21-gallon livewell.

Sea Cat 260 running shot
Specifications: LOA 26 ft.; Beam 8 ft. 6 in.; Dry Weight 4,900 lb; Fuel 120 gal; Max HP 600 hp. Sea Cat

Sea Cat 260

This 26-foot multihull comes from a rich heritage — created by longtime catamaran builder Forrest Munden. For anglers, it features twin 25-gallon livewells, a large forward casting platform and two 7-foot boxes recessed into the deck and plumbed with drains and pumps. Options include a custom hardtop, SeaStar EPS power steering, a forward livewell and additional rod holders.

Sea Chaser 35 HFC Bluewater running shot
Specifications: LOA 35 ft. 8 in.; Beam 10 ft. 8 in.; Dry Weight 8,261 lb.; Fuel 255 gal.; Transom Deadrise 20 deg.; Max HP 900 hp. Sea Chaser

Sea Chaser 35 HFC

Sea Chaser’s new flagship 35 HFC comes standard with two 50-gallon livewells, a 64-gallon fish box, and a full-featured tackle station. But it also has a softer side: the forward console chaise accommodates two loungers with armrests and nearby cup holders. At the transom, dual bench seats fold down to create a plush perch for four people. The 35 HFC also features an aft tuna door and a portside boarding door.

Stamas 31T Aventura running shot
Specifications: LOA 31 ft. 7 in.; Beam 10 ft. 4 in.; Dry Weight 6,300 lb.; Fuel 302 gal.; Transom Deadrise 18 deg.; Max HP 700 hp. Stamas Yacht

Stamas 31T Aventura

Stamas built its 31T Aventura on the popular Tarpon Series center-console platform and filled it with fishing features such as an aquarium-style livewell in the leaning post, transom livewell, insulated fish boxes, tackle station with sink and a spacious cockpit and bow casting area. Belowdecks, anglers will find a berth with convertible settee, freshwater sink with a shower nozzle, a head and a table.

Viking Valhalla V-41 running shot
Specifications: LOA 40 ft. 6 in.; Beam 11 ft. 7 in.; Dry Weight 18,533 lb.; Fuel 557 gal.; Transom Deadrise 24 deg.; Max HP 1,600 hp. Viking Yacht Company

Valhalla V-41

Viking Yachts debuted its line of outboard-powered center console boats with the series name “Valhalla.” The largest, the V-41, can adapt to eight different power choices, including a variety of options from Mercury and Yamaha. Each build of the double-stepped hull is semi-custom, with buyers choosing from a long list of fishing options, seating choices, electronics and more.

Yellowfin 17 Carbon Elite running across a bay
Specifications: LOA 17 ft. 4 in.; Beam 6 ft. 8 in.; Dry Weight 800 lb.; Draft 8 in.; Fuel 22 gal.; Max HP 115 hp. Courtesy Yellowfin Yachts

Yellowfin 17 CE

The 17 CE is a cutting-edge version of the company’s smallest flats skiff. It features the same deck as the original 17, but its new hull introduces a deeper deadrise forward with a sharper entry. The 17 CE also incorporates a single-step running surface. Its layup resembles that of the 24 CE bay boat comprising Kevlar, carbon fiber and E-glass weave.

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