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The V-55 from Valhalla literally stretches the definition of an outboard-­powered center-console fishing boat, merging the genre with what genuinely qualifies as a yacht. That’s not surprising given that Valhalla’s sister brand is Viking Yachts. Quad V-12 600 hp Mercury outboards provide the get-up- and-go for the Michael Peters-patented Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel running surface. And oh, does it go, achieving a top speed of 62.8 mph, even while rigged with a tuna tower, a second control station and a molded fiberglass hardtop. An electrically operated fuel-­management system enables each engine to draw from a designated fuel tank. The V-55 is also available with five 600-hp Mercury Verados for a top speed of 70-plus mph.

A large standard equipment list complements an exhaustive option sheet to build this 55-foot-7-inch fishing machine with total customization. Stepping aboard through the port or starboard dive doors, the 15 1/2-foot beam creates an immense ­cockpit ideal for offshore fishing. Dual ­65-gallon pressurized livewells with glass fronts are built into the transom and flanked with fold-down seats. Overboard discharge drains in the transom corners accommodate additional on-deck livewells. Twin insulated 110-gallon fishwells with refrigeration were set up in the cockpit on my test boat, with an Eskimo ice-dump receptacle to starboard. Gunwale rod holders line the coaming, and 12-volt electric reel outlets are a popular option. 

For service, a large lazarette hatch provides access to a seven-­position manifold and twin Hooker sea chests, one for the ­air-conditioning system and one for the livewells. A second Hooker ­livewell pump in place serves as an ­instant standby. Raw-water intake and circulating lines are protected with an ElectroSea ClearLine system. The gelcoated lazarette is easy to maintain and delivers safe and swift ­access to ­fuel filters, water separators, two Rule 2000 bilge pumps with Ultimate float switches, and a Reverso auto outboard flush system. Wiring and plumbing are neat, secure and well-labeled. 

Forward of the lazarette hatch is a second watertight hatch and home for the Seakeeper 9 ­gyrostabilizer. This hatch also supports a Release Marine eight-rod rocket launcher. Aft-facing mezzanine seating features molded armrests, ­tackle stowage, eight more rod ­holders and seven drink holders. Beneath the mezzanine cushions are more compartments that can be ordered as chill boxes. Forward of the mezzanine in the second-row seat module are stowage compartments. Aboard the test boat, these included an electric grill, a sink and a flat-screen TV. Below the mezzanine, reached from the second row, is still more stowage, and a place to carry a helium tank or two for kite-fishing. 

Amidships are side lockers for stowing four outfits per side and the dive-door ladder. Anglers will enjoy the 24-inch-wide walkways, 41 inches of freeboard, a recessed bow rail and a ­186-gallon fish box. Built into the center lounge is a 40-gallon livewell. Both the port and starboard forward lounges, each with stowage below, end before reaching the bow, so there are no cushions to step on. The 10-inch-tall teak step provides good footing while still retaining 30 inches of freeboard. 

To make sure everyone is comfortable, the first row of seating at the air-conditioned helm features four 19-inch Release Marine teak helm chairs with armrests, electric slides and flip-up bolsters. But the comfort does not stop there; you can ­order a second row of seating in ­either a four- or five-chair arrangement. With the latter, you can seat a party of nine. A second version of the V-55 trades the second-row seating for a U-shaped lounge with a power-­actuated teak table that converts to a two-person berth.

A ProCurve glass windshield with a custom one-piece wraparound fiberglass frame provides undistorted visibility. The raised black dash accommodates three 22-inch Garmin 8622 multifunction displays. A Mercury MFD monitors the engines directly in front of the wheel. Single-lever Mercury controls are to starboard, along with the Mercury joystick and a SidePower electric bow-thruster joystick. Two banks of Bocatech 12-volt switches operate accessories. 

Read Next: Valhalla V-46

A sliding door that disappears into a pocket starboard of the helm leads below to reveal posh overnight accommodations that include a private stateroom with a walk-around queen bed, a 24-inch flat-screen TV, a Bomar overhead hatch, side windows, an enclosed head, and a separate fiberglass shower stall. A full-featured galley, a dinette that converts to a single bunk, a 32-inch flat-screen TV, and a pair of bunks aft make excellent use of the space. 

The aft machinery room contains a Fischer Panda 15 kW generator, a Kuuma water heater, batteries and a pair of ProNautic charging systems, a Parker Pro Mini ­watermaker, and a Spot Zero water purifier. 

From design to construction to performance to accommodations and fishability, Viking broke new ground with its Valhalla V-55. Coupled with outfitting from Palm Beach Towers and Atlantic Marine Electronics, the V-55 sets a new standard for supersize center-console fishing ­machines. 

Specifications

Valhalla Boatworks – Egg Harbor City, New Jersey; valhallaboatworks.com

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If you’re planning to shop—and possibly plunk down hard-earned money—for a center-console fishing machine this year, consider the following. Here is my must-have list of five features you cannot do without on your new pride and joy.

1. Enough Power

Whenever I write a review for a center console with a nationally advertised price that includes a power package that’s inadequate, I add the advice: Don’t do it! Underpowering a center console is the worst mistake a boat-buyer can make. Not only will it struggle to get on plane, but the helmsman will have a hard time maintaining a safe speed in rough water. You also will get hammered when you trade it in or try to resell it. Go online and find a review of a boat with the engine package you are considering or ask the dealer. If the top speed is around 40 mph, it’s a dog. In my experience, the magic minimum top speed number for most center consoles today is around 50 mph.

2. Tall Gunwales

I used to fish with a friend of mine in the Florida Keys who had a popular 25-foot offshore boat that only had a rear interior gunwale height of 22 inches. In seas above 2 feet, my knees were sore as hell from bumping against the side of the boat by the end of the day. And at least once, I felt like I might fall in. For safety and comfort, there should be a minimum height of 26 inches with more toward the bow. Toe rails increase safety when stretching to gaff or net a fish.

3. A Real-Deal Livewell

Tiny livewells serve as a dead giveaway that a boat wasn’t designed by someone who fishes. The primary livewell should hold a minimum of 20 gallons and 30-plus gallons would be better. Secondary baitwells can be smaller since they are mostly used to be a convenience to cut the distance for anglers at the opposite end of the boat. Livewells should be round or oval, and should have strong recirculating pumps. Pumps that reside within a sea chest are the gold standard for offshore center consoles to prevent air from entering the line when running. The lids should be clear and have a hydraulic dam or friction hinges to prevent banging shut. Aquarium-style livewells with clear sides for bait monitoring are also a plus.

4. 360-Degrees of Fishability

One of the primary reasons for owning a center console instead of a dual-console boat or express is the ability to fight a fish or cast from any location around the boat. Any obstruction such as fixed seating on the perimeter can hinder an angler. Fold-down stern benches or flip up-jumpseats add seating without taking up space. Large consoles are currently the rage to offer enough real estate for large electronics displays and roomy head compartments, but when they limit walkaround space, it becomes a problem. There should be at least 20 inches in between the gunwale and the console for comfortable transit fore and aft.

5. Adequate Rod Storage

A good indicator if a center console is designed as a serious fishing machine or not is its number of rod holders. If a boat has more cupholders than rod holders, it’s a day boat. On smaller center consoles, there should be a minimum of three gunwale holders per side and at least four in the stern with storage racks under the gunwale. T-tops should have at least four rocket launchers and if they are high above the deck, there should be some sort of step-up to help access them.

A Must-Have Future Feature

OK, I said I would list five must-haves, but here’s one to seriously consider as center-console fishing boats evolve in years ahead. I predict that in the near future, most new center consoles capable of heading offshore will be equipped with gyro-stabilizers. The prices and sizes keep getting smaller as evidenced by the Seakeeper 1, which weighs 365 pounds, costs $15,900 and is designed for boats as small as 23 feet. The boost in comfort and safety is impressive.

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I remember when a run to the offshore fishing grounds went something like this: Get to the boat the night before to load up gear, bait and tackle. Once we cleared the breakwater, we’d settle in for a long, slow chug through the inky darkness. If there was any weather, the inability to see approaching waves meant slowing down even more. After eight or 10 hours of creeping along and taking turns at the helm, a faint horizon would materialize along the hem of the purple-gray sky, and our fishing day would officially begin.

Today a new breed of high-speed fishing boats has created a new paradigm for serious offshore anglers coast to coast. Owners of these powerful fishing machines are likely to hop on board in the morning, fire up the four or five high-­performance outboards sitting shoulder-­to-shoulder across the ample transom, and motor out of the harbor to the oohs and aahs of onlookers and envious anglers. 

When the captain reaches open water and opens the throttles on up to 3,000 hp of outboard power, the true appeal of these speed machines becomes apparent. With a jaw-dropping amount of available horsepower, high-tech mono- or multihulls rocket to the offshore destinations in a fraction of the time required in yesteryears. The concept of comfortably running 100 miles or more, catching a load of fish, and returning home on the same day is not just possible but also common. 

Fishing-boat brands such as Contender, Freeman, Invincible, Regulator, Scout, SeaVee, Yellowfin and others have broken the mold on what a ­center-console outboard-­powered fishing boat can achieve, blasting through size and performance barriers. This new crop of boats offers the dimensions and seaworthiness of old-fashioned sport-fishing yachts, but can also reach 60 mph and cruise all day at 40 to 50 mph without breaking a sweat. And they do this with surprisingly good fuel economy, providing the range to go long and fish hard all day.

However, there’s a lot more to this new class of boats than just size and speed. Boatbuilders are competing to introduce more comfortable and capable offshore machines, adding new features, ­interior comfort and amenities without compromising on the open layout and unfettered fishing access that define the breed. Owners are attracted by these vessels’ versatility as well. These boats can be supersize (with corresponding price tags well over $1 million), but a center-console is still a center-console. If the mood strikes, owners want the ability to pull up on a sandbar with everybody else, kick back with a drink, and enjoy the party with their smaller cousins.

When you first see one of these sleek and stylish boats, your eyes are inevitably drawn to the gleaming engine ­cowlings seemingly filling every inch of transom space. It’s clear that the entire class of vessels couldn’t exist without quantum leaps in outboard motor power and ­technology from builders like Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha. There are different theories about which came first, this growing number of high-powered outboards from 350 to 600 hp, or the ever-­larger hulls designed for outboard power. Conventional wisdom is that the evolution of more-powerful outboards led to the development of wider, longer and more-advanced hulls. However, there are also those who believe that evolving consumer demand for simplicity and ease of use was simultaneously pushing builders to redefine the center-console and walkaround fishing-boat classes. 

Perhaps we should call it a tie. “The evolution of outboard motors has resulted in even more-powerful, reliable and feature-­rich powerplants, enabling boat sizes in this popular segment to grow to overall lengths of 40 feet and beyond,” says John Caballero, sales and marketing director for SeaVee Boats. At the same time, he acknowledges an existing preference for simpler boats. “The market discovered long ago how practical a center-console boat is in terms of its utility and ­generally lower maintenance requirements.” He highlights the company’s 42-foot 420Z and 45-foot 450Z as ideal models for meeting this need, providing the amenities to enhance the fishing experience and the safety and comfort for all on board. Additionally, both models can be highly customized to suit the owner’s needs and preferences. 

“While supersize center-consoles are by no means simple machines, they are undoubtedly less complex than multi­stateroom sport-fishing yachts,” says Rob Sabin, southeast sales manager for Contender Boats. “This typically translates to lower maintenance bills and less time in the yard. It also gives owners the ability to run and maintain their own vessel.” 

Contender considers its 44-foot 44FA (Fisharound) the perfect fishing platform for extended adventures. Built on the center-­console 44ST hull, the 44FA features a large berth, enclosed head and kitchenette. It carries 575 gallons of fuel along with 70 gallons of fresh water and can be equipped with a generator, air conditioning, ice makers, water heaters and gyrostabilization.

“Boats are getting bigger and more powerful, but that’s not all,” says Matt Arnholt, marketing manager for Yellowfin Yachts. They have been able to maximize efficiency and fishability while incorporating various features, electronics in particular, Arnholt points out. 

While the 36 Offshore continues as Yellowfin’s most popular model, anglers are also turning to the 39 Offshore, 42 Offshore and 54 Offshore, Arnholt ­observes. The 54 delivers the brand’s styling, stepped hull, fuel efficiency and construction with features like a fully equipped galley, queen berth and a ­diesel generator. Its long list of available options includes a bow thruster, a Quick dynamic stabilizer, and a range of hardtop and tower possibilities.

“Many of our customers used to own large sport-fishermen,” says Alan Lang, director of sales and marketing for Scout Boats. “They are ready to move to a center-­console for the ease of operation and the ability to drive it themselves and take care of it themselves. Outboard power not only makes our boats fast and ­agile, it also makes maintenance much ­easier.” Multiple high-horsepower engines also provide owners with peace of mind. According to Lang, Scout’s current flagship—the 530 LXF—will easily get on plane and get you home at 50 mph, even with one engine down. 

Scout raised eyebrows across the industry when it first previewed its 670 LXF, a 67-foot LOA cross between a center-­console and a superyacht due for launch in 2024. Scout’s 530 LXF (Luxury Fish) is a 53-footer built almost entirely of lightweight yet strong carbon fiber and epoxy resin, and it’s packed with amenities like dual hydraulic beach platforms that lower for family water play, heated helm seats, a standard Seakeeper gyrostabilizer and luxurious interior options.

“The biggest things driving these supersize center-consoles are high horsepower, along with the great weight-to-horsepower ratio,” says Dan Freer, senior director of engineering for Invincible, which offers both monohull and catamaran models. 

Invincible’s 46-foot cat is offered in both a center-console and pilothouse configuration. Even with the added comforts of two sleeping berths, interior seating, air conditioning and a generator, the 46 Pilothouse stays true to the brand with 360-degree fishability. The new flagship of Invincible’s monohull fleet is the 43 Open Fisherman. While the cockpit layout emphasizes all-around fishing room, the design includes a cabin with a full sleeping berth, a vanity sink and a head for ­extended angling journeys.   

Builders pretty much agree that the trend will continue, even if the overall size of the boats eventually tops out. Consumer demand and outboard engine development will continue to drive future innovation. What this future will look like is anyone’s guess, but it will certainly be a hell of a ride. 

Outboard Muscle

Powerful and efficient outboards are helping drive the trend for larger boats. Here are the top dogs in horsepower from three manufacturers.

Mercury: The Mercury V-12 600 hp and Mercury Racing 450R and new 500R are popular choices for twin, triple, quad and even quintuple installations.

Suzuki: Suzuki’s V-6 DF350 pioneered twin contra-rotating propellers for the added torque to push heavy loads, making this 350 a solid and efficient choice for catamarans in quad applications.

Yamaha: Yamaha’s new V-8 450 XTO Offshore outboard is a popular power option for the new breed of XL-size open fishing boats.

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The field of 40-something center-console offshore fishing boats has boomed in the past few years. While an outboard-powered 40-foot center-console proved ­nearly unthinkable a decade ­earlier, more than a dozen major boat brands now compete fiercely in this size category. Forty feet represents a magic size, one that can traverse the gnarliest inlets, continue fishing when sea conditions have chased lesser boats to port, and reach distant angling destinations such as the Bahamas, Northeast Canyons or West Coast seamounts, with console interiors big enough for overnighting. Thanks to equipment such as joystick systems and thrusters, they handle and dock easily in crowded ­marinas and tight slips.

Jupiter Marine’s 40 stands out as not only one of the latest entries, but also one of the category’s most impressive. This new 40 dovetails ­nicely between Jupiter’s 38 and 43 center-­consoles (not to mention the Jupiter 41 SB enclosed-­bridge model). Jupiter has not jumped on the step-hull bandwagon, instead relying on a deep-V running surface for the 39-foot-11-inch hull that features 24 degrees of deadrise at the transom and a Posi-Stern hull-pad design. 

At speed, the 16,000-pound (with engines) boat rode and handled like a dream in the 2- to 3-foot seas we encountered on test day. Triple Yamaha XTO 450s propelled us to a top speed of 57.3 mph with three crewmembers and a full tank of fuel (500 gallons). At rest and trolling speeds, the nearly 12-foot beam provides remarkable lateral stability for fishing securely, even in cross-sea conditions.

Jupiter builds in durability with composite PVC coring (that means no wood to rot), a fiberglass and foam-filled uni-grid stringer system and vacuum-­infused vinylester construction. The inner liner is mechanically bonded to the hull. Separating the transom bulkhead from the motors is a transom platform that lets you easily walk from one side of the boat to the other, a handy trait if you’re trying to fight a big tuna across the transom.  

The teak-accents option adorning the gunwale tops on our test boat gave the Jupiter 40 an added touch of class. For comfort while fishing, coaming pads encircle the interior. Anglers will love the ­60-gallon pressurized transom livewell with a viewing window (and a seating pad and a backrest), twin ­100-gallon insulated fish boxes under the aft cockpit sole, a 126-gallon forward insulated fish box, and a portside door that lets you slide aboard a big tuna or swordfish. There was also a 48-gallon cooler/bait freezer under the aft-facing bench abaft the three-across helm seats on our test boat. 

Life afloat is not always about chasing and catching fish. The marine industry in general and Jupiter in particular arrived at this conclusion much sooner than I did, and that’s why the new 40 features an inviting lounger for two atop the forward console. Creature comforts don’t end there. The bow area is adorned with a pair of lounges with integral backrests, so the 40 is as much at home on an evening harbor cruise as it is fishing kites for sails or trolling the edge of an offshore rip for ­tuna and marlin.

Sometimes you need a handy place to get out of the weather or catch some sleep while in a remote marina or on the anchor in a quiet bay. The Jupiter 40 has you covered (literally) with a roomy console interior, accessed from a companionway on the port side. It offers over 6 ½ feet of headroom, a 7-foot-long berth, a mini galley, a hanging ­locker, and a separate head compartment with a ­shower, vanity, sink and ­electric ­marine toilet.

A full-height curved ­acrylic windshield complements the hardtop, and the dash on our test boat featured three Garmin multifunction displays—a 24-inch MFD in the middle and 16-inch MFDs on each side. There was also a special compartment to starboard that lifts open to reveal the Yamaha Helm Master EX joystick and the bow-­thruster control. It’s mirrored by a handy glove box on the port side of the helm. 

The helm deck itself is elevated about 10 inches to provide a better point of view over the console for the captain and crew, and air-conditioning vents cool the helm area on sultry days. To rock the tunes, our test boat came with a deluxe JL Audio marine system with four 10-inch subwoofers, eight 8-inch speakers and two 6.5-inch speakers.

Read Next: Jupiter 32

As mentioned earlier, my test boat featured the ­upgraded Yamaha XTO 450 V-8 outboard, which replaces the XTO 425. The extra 25 ponies come in part thanks to an increase in intake and exhaust volume, but the 450 is also ­quieter, shifts more ­smoothly, and boasts more charging power and faster, easier engine tilting. I also liked the new styling of the 450. Aesthetically, it is a significant improvement over the 425. 

Ultimately, even in a crowded field of 40-something offshore fishing machines, the Jupiter 40 is hard to ignore, especially when powered by three of the new Yamaha XTO 450 outboards.

Editor’s Note: While the photos in this story depict twin Mercury Verado 600 hp V-12 outboards, our test took place with triple Yamaha XTO 450 V-8 outboards. Photos of the Jupiter 40 with the Yamaha 450s were not ­available at press time. 

Specifications

Jupiter Marine – jupitermarine.com

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One of the latest brands to join the ranks of the 40-something center-console league is California-based custom builder Mag Bay Yachts with its 43 CC featuring a patented Cross Step hull design. The 43 CC reflects Mag Bay’s signature styling, which includes an intricately contoured tumblehome in the stern quarters, a sweeping sheer that dips ever so slightly at the forepeak, and a healthy bow flare. Fishing features include a 75-gallon transom livewell and 525 gallons of in-sole fish-locker capacity. Two rows of helm chairs offer posh seating for six, and the console interior features a berth and an enclosed head with a shower. Available power includes twin or triple Mercury Verado 600 hp V-12s or quad 400 hp V-10s. The hardtop boasts a polished stainless-steel frame and incorporates an overhead electronics box that will accommodate a flush-mount multifunction display to augment the pair of flush-mount MFDs already at the helm. Digital switching controls all ship’s systems. A wraparound windshield protects the helm. A starboard side door facilitates boarding, swimming and landing big fish. 

Mag Bay Yachts – magbayyachts.com

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The newest model in Pursuit’s lineup serves as a refreshing change of pace from the trend toward super­size, high-dollar, multi-­outboard center-consoles. The moderate price tag of the S 248 means it is relatively affordable for many anglers. But this doesn’t subtract from the center-­console’s superb seakeeping, spirited performance, fishing range, and abundant fishing features.

The S 248 has an LOA of 25 feet, 8 inches—16 inches longer than it predecessor, the C 238, increasing room in the cockpit and at the helm. A thoughtfully designed stern bench seat converts from a combing pad to a comfortable perch for taking a load off ­between fishing spots.

Pursuit has transformed the swim platform into a wholly usable area, thanks to a few innovations. Pursuit rigs this model with only Yamaha F300 DES engines, which have electric steering that eliminates hydraulic hoses. A single rigging tube routes underneath a hinged hatch cover that sits atop the splashwell, eliminating any tripping hazard so crewmembers can traverse its width with ease. Other touches simplify the boarding process, like a transom door that stays open with magnets.

Some anglers disdain bow seating because it leaves less room for fighting a fish at the bow. Pursuit left the center open so an angler can walk all the way forward. Usually, when companies have a windlass option, as with the S 248 ($1,475), it precludes the ­ability to add a bow boarding ladder. However, Pursuit designers found a way to make room for both features by setting the ladder off to the side.  

A 24-gallon recirculating livewell resides in the transom’s port quarter. A clear lid lets you keep track of the baits. A large drawer sits beneath the helm seats for easy tackle access, and just beneath this lies a 45-quart Yeti cooler that slides out on tracks to ease access to cold beverages. Overhead are four rocket-launcher rod holders at the rear of the standard hardtop. And there are four more rod holders ­located at the transom, in addition to four set into the gunwales alongside four ­jumbo cup holders.

One fishing feature missing on the S 248 is a place to cut and rig bait, which could be alleviated by adding an aftermarket rod-holder-anchored cutting board. 

I put the S 248 Sport through its paces by running out of the Fort Pierce Inlet in ­3-footers. Thanks to its 21 degrees of deadrise and hefty 6,050-pound displacement, it handled the seas easily without pounding. The three-sided tempered glass windshield reaches to the top of the standard hardtop, protecting crew at the helm from wind blast or spray, which it can clear with a quick wipe of the optional windshield wiper ($470). 

The helm on our test boat had an optional dual-seat configuration, with flip-up bolsters and two sets of armrests. The dash offers room for dual Garmin 12-inch displays. For rigging, you can access the wiring harnesses by releasing and tilting the entire dash panel rearward. 

A doublewide throne with armrests sits on the forward console, and the tall backrest features the perfect amount of recline. On center-­console boats of this size, entering the head compartment from the side can be downright comical for large folks. But the S 248 features a wide companionway at the front to make access easy. The interior can be equipped with an electric VacuFlush toilet ($3,050) with a 6-gallon holding tank, or leave it bare to maximize storage. 

We set up a drift as I cast a paddle-tail jig toward the rock jetty, hoping to tie into a snook. I moved freely from the stern to the bow thanks to the wide walkway past the center console. I appreciated the tall gunwales that allowed me to lock my thighs under the combing pads by taking a wide stance. After several passes, I declared the area a snook-free zone, so we headed inland to work the mangrove shorelines. With the engine down, the S 248 drafts 3 feet. But with the engine up, that number reduces to 1 foot, 10 inches, so it can fish in fairly skinny inshore ­waters by adding an aftermarket trolling motor.

Read Next: Pursuit S 428

Remove the cushions from the bow seats, and you can install a pedestal table that transforms the foredeck into a casting platform with enough height to throw a cast net, sight-fish, skip casts under branches, or cast a fly rod. (The port and starboard undergunwale rod racks each provide storage for fly rods up to 9 ½ feet long, with concealed tip tubes for protection.) When you’re not fishing, the combing pads pivot inward to form bowrider seatbacks.

The S 248 Sport is the ­only Pursuit in the ­company’s sportboat lineup with an 8-foot-6-inch beam, making it ideal for those who like to hook up their boats and trailer them to the hottest action without having to abide by wide-load restrictions. 

Specifications

Pursuit Boats – pursuitboats.com

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Scout’s new 260 LXF, which replaces the 255 LXF, boasts a maximum power rating of 400 hp, a ­146-gallon fuel capacity, a beam of 8 feet, 11 ­inches, and 100 percent hand-laid construction with a completely finished bilge, lids, doors and hatches. It features a forward lounge seat, side door, in-sole fish boxes, and an extended walkable transom. An integrated fiberglass hardtop complements this model’s sleek profile, which includes a sweeping sheerline, a wide Carolina flare to shed spray, and Scout’s trademark tumblehome in the stern quarters. Other standard features include a Seakeeper Ride trim-control system, six stainless-steel ­flush-mounted rod holders, a livewell in the port quarter, two wireless phone chargers, a 45-quart Yeti cooler, and a step-down console interior with a porcelain marine head. Notable options include multiple Garmin ­display-screen upgrades, hardtop-mounted rocket launchers, power-assisted hydraulic steering, a forward canvas deck shade, and much more. The 260 LXF is available with single- or dual-outboard engine packages from Mercury or Yamaha. 

Scout Boats – scoutboats.com

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The 400CC is Blackfin’s biggest boat yet, an offshore center-console designed and built with a Michael Peters two-stepped running surface. Power comes in the form of multiple outboards with up to 1,800 hp total. The bow features large sun pads and a drum windlass concealed below the deck to preserve the bow’s sloping lines. Two rows of heated seats with fold-down bolsters for crew comfort are found at the helm. A higher second row ensures that everyone can see ahead, while grab rails, cup holders, charging ports and RGB lighting make the seating comfortable and convenient. The full-height windshield provides weather protection. Two 24-inch Garmin MFDs reside in the dash. A tackle station abaft the helm seats includes a composite countertop and cutting board as well as a sink and optional electric grill. An aft-facing fold-down mezzanine seat is a standard feature. The large tuna door helps haul in big fish. There’s a 70-gallon transom livewell. A spacious cabin includes a skylight, a couch that converts to a berth, a mini galley, and a separate head and shower with a pocket door for privacy. 

Blackfin Boats – blackfinboats.com

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Angler enthusiasm for boats designed for both inshore and offshore fishing is growing like Georgia cotton, and Grady-White’s new 281 Coastal Explorer is feeding the frenzy. It checks every box for serious angling and family fun.  

The 281 CE boasts a center line length of 27 feet, 7 inches, with a beam of 9 feet, 4 inches. It is designed to run ­nicely on a single Yamaha 450 XTO or dual F300s. Our test boat sported the latter, offering ­zero-to-30 mph acceleration under 5 seconds, impressive for a 6,500-pound boat. It posted a top speed in excess of 57 mph at 5,950 rpm. 

I like the dual engines because you get better joystick response and all the Yamaha Helm Master EX capabilities. Yamaha’s optional Full Maneuverability package is another worthwhile option that works best with multi-­engine setups. 

The 281’s SeaV2 hull sports a 16-degree deadrise at the transom that provides outstanding at-rest stability and a smooth ride. Running into southeast winds, we found a comfortable speed at about 35 mph. The 281 CE drafts 19 inches, making backcountry fishing easy to accomplish. 

Anglers will appreciate the dual shotgun rod holders and dual gunwale rod holders port and starboard. There is also a pair of rod holders forward. Our boat wasn’t equipped with optional outriggers, but the hardtop is built with sturdy receptacles for them. Four rocket launchers in the hardtop and four in the back of the optional Elite leaning post keep other rods handy. Two rod hangers below the starboard gunwale stow rods, gaffs and boat hooks. We found tackle compartments below the rigging sink on the back of the leaning post, storage in the sides of it, and two more compartments on the front. 

The 281 sports a 38-gallon livewell in the leaning post. Like all Grady tanks, this one has a unique water manifold molded into the side that distributes seawater from bottom to top, surrounding bait with a protective current that eliminates dead spots in the tank. A second 18-gallon well can double as another fish box, but we see tarpon anglers using it for crabs or shrimp. 

The fish boxes are in the forward seating pods, and they drain overboard. But if you plan to fish for tuna (and there’s no good reason you shouldn’t in this high-bow vessel), there’s a double forward lounge with an insulated box underneath that drains overboard. 

To slide a big fish aboard, an electrically operated portside door hinges downward and low enough to slide a beast into the cockpit. The aft cockpit offers a roomy casting deck. It also provides seating with a removable center seatback posted in shotgun rod holders, and convertible port and starboard cushions that swivel into a comfortable beam-to-beam position for riding. These convertible seatbacks also swing outward to create leaning bolsters and add stability when casting at the transom. The center seat cushion can be removed and stowed. 

The foredeck provides a vast casting space by joining the forward console lounge with an optional forward casting deck using a half-moon-shaped removable deck insert. 

Successful boatbuilders like Grady-White know that today’s boating family won’t confine itself to fishing. In fact, on some days, they might decide they don’t want to fish at all. Grady-White kept this in mind when it designed the 281 CE. Sure, the 281 ramps up your range and offshore confidence while keeping tarpon, snook and redfish easily approachable, but the family-­fun platform can’t be beat.

All these casting platforms double as luxury seating through a well-designed, ­lushly upholstered, ­thickly padded series of cushions. On the forward deck, two seatbacks raise with the touch of an electric switch. And the electrically operated portside boarding door mentioned earlier doubles as a swim platform, with reboarding made easy thanks to a stowable ladder. 

With the cocktail table flat in the casting deck, the cushions complete a sun pad. An optional cushion on the half-moon-shaped insert joins the forward console lounge to make this cushion more expansive. Getting up to the deck is easy thanks to molded-in steps to port and starboard. 

The helm included two optional Elite captain’s chairs with armrests and bolsters, adjustable to put the controls in easy reach. Roomy access below the console (with a porcelain toilet and sink) ­accommodates
linebacker-size anglers. 

Grady optionally pre-rigs the 281 CE for a bow trolling motor with a swivel bracket, a motor-shaft support, and three 12-volt batteries for a 36-volt motor. Your ­dealer will add the Minn Kota or Rhodan trolling motor and dual 10-foot Power-Poles—get those, you’ll want them in the backcountry and bays.

The 281 Coastal Explorer brings all of Grady-White’s best attributes together in a boat that opens doors to blue water without shutting doors to bays and backwaters. And it does so with impeccable construction, beautiful lines, and a track record of winning every ­customer-satisfaction award ever offered in the ­marine industry. 

Specifications

Grady-White – gradywhite.com

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The Caymas 34 CT is a new-school cat with dual-stepped, semi-asymmetric hulls. These semi-asymmetric sponsons are mirror images of each other, and an important key to this design is that the outside running surface of each is longer than the inside running surface of each. This allows the boat to comfortably lean into turns at high speed like a mono-hull (more on this later). A cat’s sponsons also need to give you a smooth ride, and Caymas’ Earl Bentz got this down pat when he and his team pulled together their engineers to design the 34 CT, the first multi-hull model from this brand.

Our test boat planed in around 4 seconds. It punched through to 30 in under 9 seconds, impressive for a boat weighing almost 14,000 pounds with twin Mercury V-10 400 hp outboards. We had 25- to 30-knot winds on test day, so we stayed in the Intracoastal Waterway, which was miles wide in our location. Waves rumpled to ­nearly 3 feet at times, but the 34 handled them like warm butter. Mega-yachts plied those waters, and we slid over their wakes without slowing or shaking the crew. At rest and idle, we turned our beam to the seas and the 34 CT straddled them with the grace of a hurdle jumper in slow motion. 

A quick spin of the helm and a heavy hand on the throttle dissolved any doubt about handling. At ­barely planing speeds, the 34 CT heeled a little outwardly in turns. But at speeds closer to cruise—about 4,000 rpm—the 34 CT tucked its inside shoulder, heeling ­into the turn safely, swiftly and comfortably, thanks to the semi-assymetric design of the sponsons. 

Then there’s the combination of Merc’s V-10 outboard power and the double-stepped hulls. At 4,000 rpm and 36.7 mph, this cat achieved 1.2 mpg in our test. That efficiency equates to a crusing range of more than 400 miles, even with 10 percent of its 436-gallon fuel capacity left in reserve. 

And when you fish, you do so in comfort. The deck was steady in beam seas, allowing us to traverse its ­nearly 11-foot width and 34-foot length without hanging on for dear life. With our toes tucked in the deck gutters and our thighs pressing the thick gunwale bolsters, we could focus on handling the rod or gaff, not staying on our feet. 

We had three livewells available: a center 70-gallon livewell flanked by an ­optional pair of 25-gallon wells. All of the wells are fed by heavy-­duty Hooker electric pumps in a Hooker sea chest. For the bait gluttons, there are also optional dual livewells under the deck. Otherwise, there are six fish boxes (three per side) with macerator pumps. 

Rod holders were strung like pearls, six in each gunwale, five shotguns, nine tuna- stick hangers under the gunwales, and nine more shared between the hardtop and leaning post. Tackle drawers in the front and back of the post and leader holders on each side keep all the rigging gear handy, and a cutting board slides out for chopping bait. 

Fishing-wise, it’s apparent Caymas put the right people on the design team. But the designers and upholsterers get their kudos on the comfort side as well. A pullout transom seat and dual forward pullout lounges offer comfortable seating to complement the dual chaise-style ­lounges on the console’s front side. Under those posh cushions is a ton of storage or another fish box, as you choose. Every deck compartment is insulated for multiuse.

The helm station is wide, as expected on a broad-beamed cat, but it left generous walkways to the foredeck. The ­dual seats are electrically actuated to slide fore and aft. We found the driving position comfortable with a footrest below and well-protected by a tempered glass windshield. To compete for coolness with the driving seats, a pillow-topped Frigid Rigid cooler electrically slides out from the back of the ­leaning post to form a pair of ­mezzanine seats. 

The electronics panel ­boasted two 16-inch Raymarine multifunction displays, but could likely hold a pair of 20-inch displays. In addition, the entire front of the helm station is hinged like a James Bond library door to lean aft, granting access to the entire wiring scheme of the boat. 

In fact, Caymas engineers did a fine job of making ownership easy with ample access to pumps below, batteries and switches in the leaning post, and ignition keys and circuit breakers in the helm head compartment. We nearly forgot to mention the organized storage drawers in there and the porcelain throne for crew convenience. 

With a windlass and polished stainless-steel anchor at the bow, and raw- and freshwater washdowns to clear a fish-bloodied deck, it’s pretty hard to imagine what else an angling family could need. 

Caymas Boats – caymasboats.com

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