Mako Boats recently improved on a great inshore concept, changing the layout of its popular 19 Pro Skiff, and adding a tower and elevated helm that provide an ideal vantage point for running in skinny water and scouting for fish.

Built with shallow-water performance in mind, the Advanced Inverted V (AIV) hull of the 19 Pro Skiff is capable of carrying large loads and integrates design elements that deflect water downward and mitigate spray to keep occupants dry. The inverted V also improves acceleration by reducing drag on the wetted surface. Extending all the way to the transom, the addition of clear water channels allows the engine to be raised vertically, which facilitates jumping up quickly as well as scooting effortlessly across just a few inches of water.

The hull and deck liner are bonded together chemically, and stainless-steel fasteners are then added every 6 inches for maximum strength, before the assembly is filled with expanding foam for structural unification and superior flotation.

At rest, the hull becomes an extremely stable fishing platform, with both the forward and aft casting decks wide enough for a pair of anglers to share. A single hatch provides storage up front for the anchor and rode, and the batteries for the Minn Kota Ulterra i-Pilot 80-pound-thrust trolling motor — standard issue on this Mako.

Taking the place of a typical center-console helm, a black powder-coated aluminum tower puts the skipper 50 inches above the deck, where a minimalist station accommodates all the basics, including hydraulic steering, Mercury ­SmartCraft ­multifunction gauge, ­binnacle-mounted motor control, and a panel of waterproof rocker switches, leaving enough room for a combination plotter/fish finder and a VHF radio. A full-width, glove-compartment-type hatch provides access to electrical connectors, as well as storage for valuables and rain gear. A leaning-post-style seat with fold-down footrest enables driving while seated or standing, and a rocket launcher in back holds four rods out of the way, but rigged and ready for action.

A fiberglass module at the base of the tower incorporates a forward seat with backrest. Lift the cushion and you gain access to an 18-gallon oval livewell with the interior finished in calming blue, which puts a substantial bait supply just a step away from the forward casting deck. Its dimensions also make it perfect for carrying your catch alive to a tournament weigh-in.

The aft-facing side of the module hides the house battery and leaves some space to stash items you may not need instant access to, like a spare prop and tools. Nestled above it sits a removable 55-quart Orion cooler complete with safety straps to keep it in place.

Halfway between the tower and the rear casting deck, a larger 65-quart cooler — also removable — with a comfy cushion on the lid serves as both a fish box and aft seating for two. Twin compartments in the deck behind it afford dry storage to port and starboard, and a second, larger livewell between them adds another 25 gallons of capacity for your choice of live bait. Meanwhile, storage netting on the aft deck bulkhead keeps dock lines, tackle trays or other essentials within reach.

Read Next: Mako 17 Pro Skiff CC

A Bob’s Machine Shop hydraulic jack plate, standard equipment on this 19-footer, adjusts the height of the Mercury 115 hp Pro XS, the builder’s power of choice, with the touch of a button to navigate extreme shallows and optimize performance according to sea conditions.

Taking the Top Drive out in Sarasota Bay for a sea trial gave us the chance to do precisely what this boat was designed for: cruise the shallows. Checking the hole shot was the first thing on the agenda, and after several shuttle runs in different directions, the boat averaged 10.5 seconds to go from zero to 30 mph, although the quick-planing hull was usually up much sooner than that. The top speed at wide-open throttle was just over 43 mph, a smidgen less than the original 19 Pro Skiff without a tower. Easing up on the throttle, we determined the Mako remains on plane at just 18 mph, a nice-and-slow cruising speed that is a major asset for learning the topography of a new area or looking for fish.

A fun, no-nonsense inshore fishing boat, the 19 Pro Skiff Top Drive promises capable skinny-water ­cruising and is a solid choice to fish two to four anglers. Taking into account the affordable price and the fact that Mako includes a galvanized, tandem-axle trailer as part of the package, it also offers a lot of bang for your buck.

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Fiberglass innovator Robert Schwebke built a center console boat from that then-novel material so that he and a friend could fish in comfort and safety. Others eyed it and asked for one, and by 1967, a hobby had become a boat business and the made-for-fishing Mako brand was born.

The Mako heritage became more accessible to anglers through Johnny Morris’ White River Marine Group, with its proven ­marketing, sales and service network, and product-development expertise and no-haggle fully rigged price structure.

Mako boasts that it builds boats today, as did Schwebke, “stronger than they have to be,” from thrifty skiffs to full-feature offshore boats. Hulls and decks are open-molded for durability and precision fit, and consoles and compartment lids closed-molded and gelcoated inside and out for great looks and easy cleaning.

Offshore boats ride on Mako deep-V hulls, with strategically placed strakes lifting the hull for improved speed, fuel efficiency and handling, fast and slow. Some inshore boats feature a Rapid Planing System transom for swift hole shots. Pro Skiff models’ Advanced Inverted V hulls boast bigger load capacity, better performance and dry, chop-taming rides.

The third-most-evaluated brand in our survey, Mako’s reputation, safety and customer service were bedrock attributes particularly cherished by our respondents.

Mako 17 Pro Skiff CC

Mako calls the Pro Skiff 17 CC one of its most popular boats ever, and no wonder. It’s a quick, reliable, affordable and seaworthy way to get a family or handful of fishing buddies on the water.

Thanks for all that goes in large part to its Advanced Inverted V hull, producing smooth performance, a quick hole shot, a dry ride and deft handling — plus better load carrying and more modest horsepower requirements.

Deck and closed-cell foam-injected hull are bonded mechanically and chemically, ­creating a single quiet structure with plenty of flotation. Bonded to the hull is a one-piece fiberglass deck-liner system with a gleaming gelcoat finish.

Construction is 100 percent composite — the kind of hard-working materials our ­respondents praised. And speaking of hard work, this skiff is ready for it, rated for nearly half a ton of people and equipment.

This center console inshore fishing specialist has bow and aft molded raised nonskid casting decks, with storage within. The helm seat is a removable 65-quart cooler; there’s a 32-quart cooler within the forward console seat and a 10-gallon aerated baitwell in the aft deck. The console itself has five vertical rod holders, a contoured acrylic windscreen, a stainless-steel grab rail and plenty of real estate for mounting fishing and navigation electronics.

MORE INFO mako-boats.com

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On a steady path to rekindling the widespread passion for the fabled shark-silhouette brand, Mako draws from its 50 years of boatbuilding expertise to meet the demands of offshore- angling devotees, which continue to grow along with the size of today’s center consoles.

While a lot has changed since the 1970s and ’80s when 17- to 25-foot Mako boats were staples of the sport-fishing scene throughout the Southeast, the 334 CC launched a year ago was a loud declaration of the brand’s intent to reclaim its place among the leaders, and the recent debut of the 414, Mako’s largest model to date, reiterates the company’s commitment to expand beyond previous boundaries.

Featuring a 24-inch deadrise for a softer ride, lifting strakes for high performance, and a set-back transom to deliver undisturbed water to the props, the deep-V hull boasts 100 percent composite construction and a one-piece, foam-injected stringer grid with integrated transom knee supports for high strength-to-weight ratio and maximum rigidity. The hull-deck joint is chemically sealed and bonded, stainless-steel fasteners every 6 inches add to the soundness and integrity, and all cleats, chocks and hinges have aluminum backing plates.

The wealth of attributes begins at the front with a through-hull breastplate and roller holding a 35-pound stainless anchor, and an anchor locker that hides a windlass and stores 600 feet of rode. Raised compartments afford 59 quarts of dry-storage on both sides of the bow, and, a step aft, a cavernous 824-quart chamber stows fenders, buckets and other large items below deck. For safety, recessed handrails stretch along both covering boards, from the bow to the helm, and coaming bolsters border the top of the gunwales and transom.

There are flush-mounted holders for eight rods, and horizontal racks cradle six more. Large in-floor fish boxes, a telltale sign of a hardcore offshore fishing machine, parallel the gunwales — two 455-quart boxes at midship and two 511-quart boxes (with macerators and overboard discharge) in the cockpit, their dimensions well-suited for icing down trophy-size pelagics. Strategically located on the transom corners, identical 50-gallon livewells with blue interiors, clear lids, and steady water flow from a four-pump sea-chest setup are further evidence that input from experienced anglers played a major role in the design of this center console. Although the big Mako is undeniably built for serious fishing, it doesn’t lack creature comforts. For starters, seating goes well beyond the functional. Cushions and removable backrests turn twin compartments at the bow into comfortable loungers. A removable table between them converts the front of the boat into a social zone, or a filler panel bridges the gap to form a full sun pad instead. Jump seats pull down from the port and starboard gunwales, then fold up flush so they won’t impede foot traffic. Wider versions of the jump seats hide in the rear bulkhead, accommodating six crew members on the way to and from the fishing grounds, and stow away when it’s time to set out lines.

A pair of loungers with fold-down armrests and a 275-quart cooler underneath stretch forward of the console. A door to starboard provides entry to a stand-up head compartment inside the console, complete with a pull-out shower, sink, toilet, bunk and storage cabinets.

As you’d expect on a boat this size, the console, aided by a tempered-glass windshield and a deluxe hardtop with built-in electronics boxes, lighting, a shade that extends aft to cover the cockpit, and access on both sides for an optional second helm above, offers substantial protection from the elements. The dash accommodates two 17-inch multifunction displays, plus digital gauges and CZone digital switching with Mako’s exclusive SharkTooth moni-toring app. The steering wheel, set on the centerline, leaves room for a VHF, stereo, trim-tab switches and more.

Three adjustable bolster seats with arm- and footrests serve as helm seating, with a rigging station in back (upgradeable to a summer kitchen), plus a full complement of storage hatches and drawers behind and below. If that’s not enough tackle storage, four tilt-out hatches hide tackle trays and tool and leader-spool holders.

Like the 334 before it, the 414 CC is available in two configurations: Bluewater Family and Sportfish editions, with options such as Mercury Joystick Piloting, Iris NightRunner infrared camera, cooktop and refrigerator in the leaning post, on-demand water heater, tuna/dive door with boarding ladder and more.

Boat survey completed, the 20-knot blow and 4-foot chop that greeted us in south Biscayne Bay helped put the 41-footer to the test. Powered by quad 350 Verados, we jumped on plane, went from zero to 30 mph in 8 seconds without the bow ever rising above eye level, and topped out at a plenty-fast 59 mph.

Despite its heft and large footprint, the Mako seemed to ride the crests of the waves rather than slicing through them, feeling nimble and responsive while taking on the chop matter-of-factly at different speeds and in every direction, and never ­forcing a wince out of me. It also tracked well on tight turns, and sea spray, a fact of life under the existing conditions, started aft of the helm where it had little chance to make it over the gunwales.

The 414 CC combines sleek and efficient design below and above the waterline with top-notch fit and finish, the latest in marine technology, an ergonomic layout and smart use of all the interior space afforded by its ring-deck design. I found it solid, comfortable, quick and fun to ride. If you’re looking for a boat in its class, don’t overlook this bad boy.

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For 50 years Mako has been a major force in saltwater fishing, earning a solid reputation for its center console boats.

Now part of White River Marine Group — formed when Johnny Morris’ Tracker Marine recently acquired Ranger Boats — the Mako brand has found a comfortable home within its proven marketing, sales and service network, bolstered by its emphasis on product development.

The result of combining the heritage with the updates is what Mako proudly calls “the best ride by design.”

One of the most often reviewed brands in our survey, Mako drew high marks for its brand reputation, construction and safety — traits that grow confidence one embraces whether on blue water or inshore.

Respondents also applauded, Mako’s impressive speed, performance and range. They go far, and fast!

A top Mako design priority is ride: smooth, stable, dry and safe.

In offshore boats, this comes via a Mako deep-V hull, on which strategically placed strakes raise the hull higher out of the water at speed, increasing fuel efficiency. At trolling and cruising speeds, ­handling is stable and footing secure, and close quarters ­maneuverability is exemplary.

Other Mako boats – inshore specialists – ride on hulls with a Rapid Planing System transom, for quick planing and snappy hole shots.

Pro Skiff models ride on exclusive Advanced Inverted V (AIV) hulls, netting better load-carrying abilities, stability and performance, and dry, chop-taming rides.

MAKO 334 CC

Saltwater specialist Mako’s line of 16- to 28-foot fishing boats just got a big addition: a bluewater 334 center console with ring-deck design, port tuna/dive door, massive storage, and a triple-outboard capacity of 1,050 horsepower.

Building on its half-century of boatbuilding experience, Mako in the 334 CC crafted what it calls the ultimate sport-fishing and ultimate family saltwater-fishing boat, one offering advanced design and fishing features, along with crew comfort and state-of-the-art technology.

The 334 CC’s features an aggressive deep-V hull with notched transom and high-speed raw-water pickup. At the console is Joystick Piloting for Outboards, Garmin electronics and Fusion audio.

Other features include a forward cushioned seat with cooler, folding aft bench seat, walk-in freshwater head, leaning post with freshwater sink, port and starboard aft fish boxes with Gulper macerators, stowable dive ladder, and two 34-gallon pill-shaped baitwells.

The new boat comes in three configurations, starting with the impressive Standard Edition described. The Bluewater Family Edition features bow seating, a stowable table/bow filler, and an auto-extendable aft sun screen. And the Sportfish Special Edition offers a recessed 292-quart coffin box and upper station with Mercury Vessel View, Taco outriggers and 11 more rod holders.

More Info: mako-boats.com

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The new 334 CC, Mako’s largest model to date, is a dynamite center console bound to catch the eye of avid offshore anglers. Its sleek, high-performance hull design, superb fit and finish, and plethora of well-thought-out features do more than carry on the legendary brand’s tradition, they actually take it up a notch.

Revered as a builder of premium fishing machines in the ’70s and ’80s, Mako underwent many changes after it became part of Tracker Marine’s family of brands. But like the shark it is named after, the boatbuilder has been aggressive in its pursuit of excellence, and steady improvements in design and construction have led the resurgence that brought Mako boats back to the high echelon they occupied before many current competitors were in existence.

Recommendations from charter captains and pro anglers were instrumental in the 334’s design, which incorporates an aggressive deep-V, 24 degrees of deadrise, lifting strakes and a notched transom in a hull that planes in a flash, cuts through a chop with ease, and offers a comfortable ride with responsive and predictable handling that rivals that of a high-end sports car.

The one-piece molded stringer grid, chemically bonded hull and deck, and stainless-steel fasteners and hardware combine for maximum strength and durability, while 100-percent composite construction adds rigidity and minimizes weight, resulting in a rugged yet swift craft capable of taking on the rigors of bluewater fishing.

The 334 CC is loaded with standard features. At the bow, you find an anchor locker with through-hull anchor deployment and free-fall windlass and rode stowage, plus a cavernous 740-quart in-deck storage compartment with a drain. Midship, a pair of tilt-out lockers provides additional storage to port and starboard of the center console, which includes an 81-quart cooler under the forward seat, a spacious step-down head room complete with a sink, a full-width integrated footrest and a wide dash equipped with a pair of 12-inch Garmin multifunction displays, illuminated rocker switches, digital gauges, a VHF radio, Fusion stereo, Mercury Joystick piloting system and tilt steering.

An outrigger-ready hardtop with two integrated electronics boxes and LED lighting provides shade for both the console and the leaning post that serves as the helm and companion seats with flip-up bolsters and back- and armrests. The leaning post incorporates storage hatches on both sides, with tackle drawers and a rigging station with a freshwater sink in the back.

Stepping aft, a pair of 290-quart in-deck fish boxes with macerators and overboard discharge sit to port and starboard of the leaning post and extend backward into the cockpit. To port, a tuna door with a hinged gate helps to boat large fish and doubles as a dive door. Closer to the transom, twin lockable, tilt-out hatches on opposite covering boards keep essential tackle handy and provide holders for leaders, pliers, a Boga-Grip and a 12-inch fillet knife.

Conveniently located in the transom corners, identical 34-gallon oval livewells — both pressurized, with high-speed pickups and clear lids and finished in calming blue — hold a substantial number of liveys and enable anglers to isolate two different bait types. Between them, a long cutting board is cleverly positioned for chumming and chunking, and a fold-down bench adds seating for two and stashes away when fishing. Recessed grab rails, all-around coaming bolsters, a raw-water washdown, recessed trim tabs, rod racks and diffused LED lighting below the gunwales, and transom underwater lights also come standard.

Mako’s new 34-footer is available in two configurations: the Bluewater Family and Sportfish Special editions. The first adds elevated compartments to port and starboard on the bow, affording considerable extra dry storage and seating with stowable backrests on both sides, plus a bow filler with removable cushion that doubles as a table, and the deluxe hardtop, which includes a retractable shade that keeps the sun off the aft deck with the touch of a button.

I tested the Sportfish Special edition, which includes 11 flush-mounted rod holders along the gunwales and transom, a 292-quart coffin box with hydraulic lift above the center in-deck storage compartment up front, a set of Taco outriggers and an upper helm station with anti-fatigue pad and ­Mercury VesselView, a digital interface that displays boat and engine performance data and provides instant access to Mercury SmartCraft features, like cruise control, Smart Tow and troll control. With three Verado 350s in back, I expected serious acceleration. The first thing I did, after bracing myself, was time how long it took the Mako to go from 0 to 30 mph: a scant 7.5 seconds. Next came the slalom test, during which the boat zigzagged on command, earning high marks. Though negligible, the splash at cruising speed — 38 mph at 3,500 rpm while burning 27 gph proved most efficient — started just ahead of the console. And once we reached top-end speed — 66.1 mph at 6,300 rpm with a burn of 90.4 gph — the spray started behind the helm where even the stiff breeze couldn’t push it into the cockpit, no matter what direction I turned.

Reverse, at low and moderate speeds, was efficient. The cockpit didn’t flood, and the stern swung to port and starboard with every turn of the steering wheel, with prop torque affecting our retreat far less than anticipated. Mako has a definite winner in the new 334 CC. The boat is fast, soft-riding, roomy and pleasing to the eye. Furthermore, this center console comes rigged with just about everything a hardcore offshore angler would expect on a top ride.

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Our Benchmark respondents rated Mako as a brand they highly respect as well. Part of it comes from excellent design and engineering, and even more comes from pride in workmanship. But Morris always believed the front-door experience of the dealership coupled with customer service at the backdoor would make or break a brand, no matter how well its boats were built. So his team developed the most respected network of dealerships in America. Some are legacy dealers who came to the brand long before the famous chain of Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World megastores existed. While many casual visitors to Bass Pro Shops never see the experience, training or dedication to the Mako service shops nearby, Mako owners respect them, which is reflected in their high marks for brand reputation and value.

214 CC

The 214 CC is a beautiful example of Mako’s legacy in offshore boats. Ideal for trailering to big saltwater bays or angling for Great Lakes salmon, the 214 CC is easy to maintain, thanks to accessible pumps and seacocks in the bilge, and battery and switch access below the console. It’s stable at low speeds and high speeds; at over 6 feet wide at the waterline, its beefy dimension is capable of harnessing the commanding power of big Mercury Verado engines.

Anglers want plenty of deck space, according to our survey, and the 214 provided it in a proportion belying the 21-foot vessel’s size. Under gunwale rod storage includes a toe rail to improve footing while leaning out to gaff a fish. At the helm, a dual seat with flip-up bolsters and a broad console to accommodate dual multifunction displays is protected behind a wraparound -windscreen. Below it is easy access to a compartment optionally equipped with a head.

A hallmark of Mako Boats is a single, haggle-free price with factory-installed components such as Lowrance electronics.

MORE INFO: mako-boats.com

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I met Capt. Rob Modys, a Bass Pro guide, in Fort ­Myers Beach, Florida, and I immediately regretted not having my travel rod when several tarpon rolled as we idled into the Gulf. But duty called, and we proceeded with the test. Modys’ boat carried the economical Mercury 150 ­four-stroke, and it proved to be a sensible match. At ­wide-open throttle with a 17-pitch propeller, the GPS registered 39.9 mph. ­Dialing back to 4,500 rpm, we made 33.1 mph. The same boat model, rigged with a Mercury 150 hp Optimax ­direct-injection engine, produced a top speed of 43.5 mph ­during factory tests, with a fuel rate of 14 gph.

Modys says he gets four miles to a gallon with his ­four-stroke. That’s certainly an important consideration for a guide, as well as an attractive benefit for the weekend warrior.

With standard Teleflex hydraulic ­steering and responsive handling, the boat is fun to drive. The hull design ­features the Rapid Planing System notched transom, a modified tunnel that provides quick acceleration out of the hole and good performance with less horsepower. The 21 has a beam of more than 8 feet, so it’s stable at rest or underway. The RPS transom also acts as integrated trim tabs to inherently level a shifting load. In tight turns, the boat bit and held, refusing to blow out the prop with the tunnel design. The draft is 12 inches, reasonable for a boat of this size, and a choice of two hydraulic jack plates are available add-ons.

The hand-laid hull and deck are built to last — with fully injected closed-cell foam in the molded ­fiberglass stringer system, and high-density composite core in the transom. The deck-cap joint is chemically sealed and bonded, then ­finished with stainless-steel fasteners ­every 6 inches. Marine-grade tinned ­wiring with ­waterproof ­connectors and ­stainless-steel hardware is used throughout, along with ­Marelon ­corrosion-free seacocks below the waterline. This might be a light-tackle skiff, but it comes with heavy-duty ­construction and a nice fit and finish.

The most ­innovative feature of the 21 is the center-console access. Designed with double duty in mind, the starboard rod rack and the twin elevated cupholders act as steps for access to a standing position atop the console. An extra-tall, beefy hand rail serves as a thigh rest. From there, at the same height as a standard poling ­platform, you command a view of the surrounding water from behind the acrylic windscreen. This catbird seat makes spotting fish and running a remote-controlled trolling motor an easy proposition. Add an optional remote-controlled Minn Kota or Power-Pole shallow-water anchor system and skinny-water versatility increases considerably.

The helm comes with a leaning post with removable 94-quart cooler and a 4-rod rocket launcher. A 72-quart removable cooler seat sits forward of the console. The hinged backrest flips up to reveal a cutout holding two Plano 3600 tackle trays. A dual-battery switch, 12-volt accessory jack and breakered rocker switches are standard. Smartcraft digital gauges and Guest or Dual Pro battery chargers are available upgrades. If you take advantage of the console top for spotting, there’s ample room to flush mount electronics in the beveled dash.

Live-baiting enthusiasts will ­appreciate the 30-gallon well centered on the aft deck. In addition to lighting and a ­fish-calming blue interior, it comes with a Pro-Air aeration system to keep shrimp and other crustaceans frisky. Outboard compartments add storage options aft, and you get plenty more in the bow. Twin 90-quart compartments provide rod storage, while a centerline 136-quart bow locker handles anything else. A removable castnet storage tub is standard, and all hatches are fully finished for easy cleaning.

With package deals with trailer starting at under $34,000, the 21LTS is a great value for anglers looking to up their game in skinny water. Just don’t forget the rods for those rolling tarpon.

The post Boat Review: Mako 21 Light Tackle Skiff appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

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It’s hard to get on a Mako boat today and not think back to the glory days of the ’70s and early ’80s, when you were hard-pressed not to see a Mako at a marina. But it’s important to remember that there were few other brands with a full product line from 17 to 28 feet and a top-shelf dealer system, plus few companies were as focused on fishing.

Mako’s new 284 center console is a breath of fresh air for the company. Built on a nice-riding hull surface and utilizing some proven, advanced boatbuilding components, the 284 is a respectable family fishing boat. Boats like this often get lost in the maze of center console offerings, but the 284 can hold its own when a competitive analysis of similar boats is performed.

We tested the boat on a cool early winter day out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a 10 mph easterly breeze and a two-to three-foot chop – great for a good run to check out the boat. As I eased the boat on plane out Port Everglades Inlet and turned a course to run up the beach looking for bait, I was pleasantly surprised by the hull’s handling of the slop. It was very consistent, not hard or loud on entry, and dry, thankfully, as I had forgotten my foul-weather gear.

I love to really drive boats, and I liked the responsiveness of the 284, with its twin 250 hp Mercury Verado engines and agility when reacting to my adjustments to the wheel – we lifted up and over waves and rode down the backside with no banging or massive amounts of water flying skyward. Even turning into the seas, the 284 hull did a fine job. It drifted beautifully for a nice kite spread or a fluke drift over a favorite piece of bottom. It slipped easily through the water for a slow troll and didn’t sneeze any spray in front of the boat when we sped up to troll a bit faster.

The 284 CC has its share of innovative features, including a nice complement of standards and some very useful factory options to make your 284 a bit more suited your personal needs. On the foredeck I found line chocks and a single 10-inch cleat, as well as deck-mounted USCG-compliant navigation lights and a brushed anodized aluminum bow rail that trails back along the sides of the forward cockpit. The anchor locker, under the foredeck, is accessed through a louvered door and features a hard mounting point for the ground tackle to keep it from banging around in the locker.

Two forward seats lie port and starboard, with 214 quarts of storage underneath. Along the centerline is a cavernous 470-quart storage bin in the forward cockpit sole. Aft, a 36-quart drink cooler in the console forward seat keeps beverages handy, and two cup holders rest beside the cushioned upholstery. There is a starboard-side gasketed, lockable walk-in door to the console with an oval porthole. Inside the finished console, there are 75 inches of headroom and a freshwater sink, plus good access on the back bulkhead to the battery bank and backside of the electronics dash. An optional electric head with holding tank is available.

The business end of the console features a safety-glass windscreen and a large panel for mounting electronics. Our test boat had two large 15-inch displays and a third 12-inch display mounted there. All switches are recessed under the portside helm, with a clear plexiglass cover. Trim-tab switches and the binnacle are mounted to starboard of the wheel along the centerline, with the gauge panel above the steering wheel and below the electronics, in plain sight of the operator. A standard aluminum T-top is a nice touch, but the optional fiberglass hardtop, with mounting space for radar and outriggers, makes the boat complete.

The standard leaning post comes loaded with features, including a lift-up seat lid with 38-quart storage underneath and a lockable glove box. Aft, a fully functional bait-prep table with a freshwater sink and hinged cover contains a removable cutting board. There’s a 50-gallon livewell with redundant pumps, as well as a full-width storage area accessed via a door in the front of the unit.

On the port side, a two-drawer tackle storage unit holds loose gear, and on the backside, I found a recessed utility unit that has hook holders, slots for a knife and pliers, a freshwater pull-out shower, and double cup holders. This makes tackle stowage and live- or dead-bait rigging much easier.

Alongside and slightly aft of the console lie port and starboard 390-quart insulated in-deck fish boxes with overboard drains. Along the centerline aft of the leaning post is a gasketed hatch leading to the lazarette for accessing pumps and the aft bilge area. There are under gunwale storage racks, aft coaming cushions, three gunwale-mount rod holders on each side and a raw-water washdown fitting mounted on the port side. The transom has a walk-through door with latch, molded-in swim platforms port and starboard and a transom-mounted, telescoping boarding ladder.

The Mako 284 CC is a nicely thought-out family fisherman. It will be comfortable navigating the blue-water edge, cruising the sound or plug-casting the rocks for monster striped bass, and it’s perfectly capable of both keeping you in the fish and keeping the family happy on play days.

Specifications

LOA……28’4″
Beam……9’10”
Deadrise……21 degrees
Max hp……600
Hull weight……6,000 lbs.
Fuel……235 gals.
Water……13 gals.
Base Price……$89,995 with twin 200 hp Mercury Optimaxs

Mako: 417-873-4555 • www.mako-boats.com

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Back in the day, Mako Marine had a well-deserved reputation for building solidly performing, well-built fishing boats. Indeed, through much of the 1970s and ’80s, Mako virtually owned the center console fishing boat market. But as with other companies, Mako eventually changed hands several times, and its luster was worn down by poor designs and a decline in quality. We’re happy to report, however, that the Mako of today is once again gaining ground with some innovative, practical and very affordable products, especially the new 18 LTS, which is a very nicely built and well-running boat.

We tested the boat on a beautiful morning in early December out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and got to experience the functionality and practicality of the design. Rigged with a 60 hp Mercury four-stroke outboard, it’s no speed demon, but that’s not the point of this boat. It’s a backwater, bay and estuary boat that can get you where you need to be with its versatility – and its maximum horsepower is 90, so there is plenty more speed available if you feel the need. I was glad to see the economical performance and common-sense power approach as opposed to the mentality of recent years, in which everyone packs as much horsepower on the transom as possible – a waste of money, equipment and function.

The 18 LTS has a casting platform forward large enough for you to throw a good-size cast net on a school of mullet, work a sod-bank shoreline with a plug rod for striped bass, or soak a live bait along the mangroves for snook. The foredeck is accented with a nice toe rail, so you know where you are without feeling like you’re going to step off the boat with every cast. There is a place for an optional trolling motor on the foredeck and a large anchor locker fully forward with a double-sided hatch and a gasket to keep water out. Aft of the anchor locker on the casting deck, a large compartment with a gasketed, molded lid keeps things dry.

The console is well thought out, with good access and room for three batteries underneath: one to handle cranking the engine, one to run the livewell and bubbler system, as well as any electronics, and one as a trolling-motor battery when that option is selected. There are three vertical rod holders on each side of the console for quick access and easy storage while fishing, and the cushioned forward console seat houses an 18-gallon aerated livewell. The business side of the console has a panel for flush-mounting electronics, a side-mount binnacle control to save dash space, and a gauge cluster that’s easily read in front of the helm. A wraparound windscreen and handrail fit the console and boat nicely. The console seat is a 72-quart cushioned cooler with a flip-flop backrest, so you can sit facing aft when drifting and lean back.

The huge aft deck offers a great work space and houses two large molded storage bins on either side that are easily accessible and are watertight with gasketed, double-sided hatch lids. Again, the toe rail surrounds the aft casting deck and gives you the extra security of knowing where the edge is when throwing a cast net or working a rod. I particularly like the way the rigging does not encroach on the fishing space on the aft deck.

The 18 LTS has what Mako calls a patent-pending Rapid Planing System hull design that provides a nice ride and quick acceleration. The boat turns well and runs shallow with its tunneled hull, sporting a 20-inch shaft-length motor on its 25-inch transom. As I rode along the beach looking for bait schools, we scurried along at 25 mph at 4,650 rpm, and as I slowed down to stand up and get a better look, we cruised effortlessly at 22.7 mph at 4,500 rpm. I felt like any minute I could pull it back and make a few casts to a school of tarpon. In the light chop and when crossing other boat wakes, we took no spray at all, and the boat reacted to the wheel quickly when I turned off to ease our crossing over large boat wakes. Our test boat was rigged with a hydraulic jack plate that helps take advantage of the boat’s shallow-water running capabilities.

The 18 LTS is clean, simple and well executed and can do many things well on many different bodies of water. Mako offers some really good standard features and all the options you could possibly need to rig out the boat for most any situation. It also comes complete with a trailer and very attractive package pricing for each of its power options.

Mako 18 LTS

LOA……18’6″
Beam……91″
Draft……11″
Deadrise……20 degrees
Fuel……33 gals.
Max hp……90
Base Price……$19,495 with a 90 hp Mercury

Mako Marine: 417-873-4555 • www.mako-boats.com

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Brand loyalty is critical to boat-building success and through the mid-1990s, Mako boat owners were among the most loyal in the industry. Makos were no-nonsense, rugged performers and established credibility through generations. But as other manufacturers started copying the formula, Mako’s dominance of the market began to slip. As of late, Mako has made a dedicated effort to return to its roots, including an investment in a new factory in Forest City, North Carolina.

North Carolina’s Lake Lure was the backdrop for the 284 trial, and its normally tranquil water was rolling a bit with confused boat wakes, which provided a good indication of the boat’s handling characteristics. The 284 is big and beamy with an aggressive 52-degree bow entry, 21-degree transom deadrise and 101-inch chine width. It punched through the wakes without hesitation and remained stable at rest. Spray was non-existent under the test conditions, but with these dimensions I would expect a relatively dry ride in the ocean. At 4,250 pounds dry weight, the 284 feels solid and durable, just like the original Makos. The variable hull design provides responsive maneuverability for a boat of this size.

||| |—|—| |SPECIFICATIONS| |Length|28′ 4″| |Weight|4,250 lbs.| |Deadrise|21 ¿| |Fuel|235 gals.| |Water|14 gals.| |Max HP|600| |Base Price|$85,613| |With twin 250-hp Mercury Verado four-stroke outboards| Our test boat was powered by a pair of 250-hp Mercury Verado four-stroke engines, which provided plenty of raw power. We were able to pop on plane quickly and reached a top-end speed of 52.2 mph at 6,400 rpm with four people onboard. At a cruising speed of 36.8 mph (4,500 rpm), the 284 has a 326.4-nautical-mile range with a safety reserve, thanks to its miserly 20.8-gph fuel burn. The power-steering pump on this particular boat was mounted in the console, which made things a bit noisy, but Mako has since moved that pump to a transom compartment and Mercury has added a dampening hose to reduce the noise level further. Even so, the sound reading at the helm was only 94 dB-A at full throttle.

The 284’s massive center console sports an aluminum T-top with canvas and five rod holders. Spreader lights are mounted topside. At the helm, there’s full instrumentation for the selected engine package, twin binnacle controls and a clear-molded windscreen. A comfortable leaning-post seat with a backrest is standard, and all seats, including the forward console cooler seat or the optional stern bench and bow cushions, are marine-grade vinyl. The helm’s mounting surface allows electronics placement to be where it needs to be – visible and accessible.

| |With plenty of storage, the 284 was designed to fish.| All the necessary amenities are available inside the enclosed head, including a fresh water sink with a combination pull-out faucet and shower, a hanging locker, a molded headliner and stand-up lockable rod storage. And with six feet, five inches of headroom, I was able to stand in the compartment comfortably.

In keeping with Mako’s lineage, the 284 was designed with serious offshore angling in mind. The bait-prep station behind the leaning post has a molded sink, removable cutting board and storage – two drawers and six tackle trays, plus a dedicated tilt-out bin for trash. The 50-gallon, rounded bait well comes with a clear acrylic lid to check on the bait easily. Four vertical rod holders are also standard. Large insulated fish boxes drained with macerators in the aft sole can house the day’s catch with room to spare. The cockpit also features horizontal rod storage under the gunwales on both sides, flush-mounted rod holders in the covering boards and a transom walk-through door to port. The integrated engine bracket allows easy access to the outboards or provides a leverage point to muscle a stubborn fish around the props.

| |The leaning post sports a four-rod rocket launcher.| The list of standard features in the mechanical department is lengthy, including a 14-gallon fresh water system, twin bilge pumps with automatic float switches, battery switches, fuel-water separators and hydraulic trim tabs. All switches are waterproof, with breakers, and the hardware is equally salt water-friendly. The bow rail is welded aluminum and all cleats are heavy-duty stainless steel.

Besides the transom bench seat and bow cushions, the 284 is available with several handy options. Notable add-ons include a fiberglass hardtop instead of the canvas, a battery charger, molded bow pulpit with anchor roller, boarding ladder, stereo system and T-top outriggers.

Time will tell whether Mako is able to recapture its former die-hard brand loyalty, but with the launch of the 284 Center Console, the company is off to a great start. Mako Marine; (888) 434-7487; www.mako-boats.com.

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