Center Console recommendations

[Ramblin Wreck]

I have a good friend that lives near me on a lake here in GA but also has property just south of Charleston, SC. He’s visited a local Parker and Grady White dealer but doesn’t feel comfortable making a purchasing decision with limited boating exposure. He is looking for a 21ftish CC. Can any of you provide some suggestions on brands outside of those that are jet propelled?

1. Overall best value
2. Best resale
3. Best fit and finish
4. What engine size (limited offshore needs)
5. Preferred layout. Some fishing but limited.
5. Etc

He’s really just looking for advice and I know several of you walk these things over at boat shows and such. I dont know that market well so hoping for your advice to pass along as he’s looking at both new or nearly new still under warranty.

 

[Bluewater272]

If fishing isn't a priority, but a key consideration, I'd be looking at dual console boats. I really like the larger version of this: Scout 210 Dorado - Dual Console Fish & Ski Boat

 

[Weeb]

If he wants to keep it cheap Bayliner makes one.

 

[Beachbummer]

Makko or Boston Waler make awesome center console boats. an older bare bones one of these will beat most new ones out there in my opinion as it relates to value and seaworthiness now and long term.

 

[Dixie Highway]

I’ve looked at most brands when shopping, unfortunately we’d need more info to make a suggestion. New boats in the 20’-22’ size can range from a $30,000 Bayliner to an $90,000+ Blackfin. Scout, G-W, Whaler, Blackfin, these are all top tier builders. Robalo, Nauticstar, Mako, Sea Hunt, these are all popular mid-range boats. Personally, I was looking at Sea Hunt and Nauticstar when I bought, but these were all $10-12,000 more than the Yamaha and being that 90% of my boating will be done in lakes for the next decade, I’ll move up to a 24’-26’ offshore when I move to the Gulf.

 

[Elliott]

If we had not purchased the FSH 190, we would have bought a Scout Sport Fish 195. Scout has some good sale prices - see attached PDF.
Of course, apples to apples the Scout would have been more than 10K higher or 1/3 more than the FSH.
Scouts factory is near Charleston. FWIW, we also looked at Whaler, and the price would have been much more than Scout. Whalers are good boats, but they very pricey. We also looked at Sportsman; they were priced similarly to Scout.

 

[jocolo21]

me i would buy jupiter Sevee or yellow fin, but good value for the money Sea Fox

228 Commander | Center Consoles | Sea Fox Boats

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

I agree with @Dixie Highway that without a budget hard to make a suggestion. I will say that if he's looking at Parker & Grady White his budget must be pretty high and he's got refined taste. While I don't have a CC, I'm actually considering a 24-25ft CC but need to sell my boat first. (Shameless plug here: https://jetboaters.net/threads/2014-yamaha-ar210-greenville-nc-33-000.23646/ ) The 21ft CC market is HUGE. 1000's of models between all the builders/models. Needs a budget, that will narrow down a lot.
-Does he want/need a t-top? Most have t-top but you save a lot of $ without it and if he has to go under lot of low bridges the T-top may be huge hindrance.
-I would say whatever he does go for the 150hp motor. Some 21ft CC will come with a 115 if on the lower cost but the 150hp is worth the extra paid and is a minimum in my mind. Although some of the heavier boat builds (ex. Grady White) will have 200 as minimum and go to 250hp. Price goes up dramatically for this.

I have a close friend with a 2015 21ft seahunt ultra (no t-top) with the 150hp Yamaha and he got the factory installed tow point and it has been a great boat for his family of 4 for tubing, wakeboarding, day trips to coast, inshore fishing, and beach exploration. He is a "paralysis by analysis" kind of guy and took him over a year to make his decision on the SeaHunt. The resale/value of these boats make them good sellers. Around here NC coast, you see a lot of 21ft SeaHunt models.

SeaHunt Ultra is currently on my short list, along with the Robola explorer series & the Scout XSF. My biggest problem is I love the swim platform on the Yamaha and we spend so much time back there. Hard to look at some of these boat as the "swim platform" is often just a glorified step. I'm still debating the Scarab 255 Open just for this reason, and wishfully waiting for Yamaha to come out with the 24FSH.

My other thought on this if he's looking at 21ft Grady whites that can cost up to $100,000+ then why not go to a 24-25ft mid level CC that will have more space, bigger swim platform? Ie the Scout 235XSF is a nice boat, with big walk-able swim platform and according to their performance data still gets 3.5mpg with a 300hp yamaha and is probably less/same $ than the Grady 216 Fisherman.

Sorry rambling....

 

[sfadchi]

While not your traditional center console, I'm in love with the Axopar boats. They have a 24' and 28' T-Top boats that offer a lot of features for the money. All the reviews of these boats are awesome.

Don't get me wrong I love my new AR240, but when the warranty is up in 4 years, I'm getting an Axopar 28' Sun-Top with twins... unless I'm doing really well, then I'll spring for the 37' Sun Top!

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

Those Axopar boats are extremely good looking but I would say they fall very solidly in the dual console class not center console.

 

[swatski]

Those Axopar boats are extremely good looking but I would say they fall very solidly in the dual console class not center console.

Well, you can walk around the helm, no? And it’s pretty far back just like a cc. It’s a glorified CC.

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[sfadchi]

Those Axopar boats are extremely good looking but I would say they fall very solidly in the dual console class not center console.

All of the reviews on the t-top call it a unique center console. You can walk completely around the console.

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

Let's just agree, no matter what unique category you place it, those Axopar boats are very good looking distinctive boats and let's get back to how to spend @Ramblin Wreck 's friend's money. @Ramblin Wreck keep us posted on what he looks at & what he ends up getting if anything. So far I've just been internet shopping and haven't gone to any dealers yet. Will be interested to hear his comments/concerns.

 

[swatski]

Scout 235XSF is a nice boat, with big walk-able swim platform and according to their performance data still gets 3.5mpg with a 300hp yamaha and is probably less/same $ than the Grady 216 Fisherman.

Over 300 miles range... Wow.
That pass-through to the "deck" is actually kind of nice, a huge advantage of a single I would think.

So, about the single vs twin o/b: other than redundancy and (possibly) some better low speed maneuverability/joystick control (maybe), is there an advantage to twins? What is the range if comparing those boats similarly powered (w/similar speed/hole shot)?

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[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

Yeah that swim platform on the Scout 235 is as good as they get on outboard center consoles. They definitely are targeting family boating and not hardcore fishermen with that layout. And the fuel economy of that boat is pretty impressive too given it's size. I like the fact that rear seat folds up too so can get it out of the way when not needed. Need to go check it out in person, just make sure I leave the checkbook at home.
@swatski why don't you buy my boat so you can do all sorts of side by side surf comparisons between an AR210 and an AR240. The group would love you for it. Would be internet gold! Think of the glory!

The twins do give redundancy that most offshore guys insist on, which is understandable when you are 50+miles from shore . Also allows you to just troll with one small motor vs the only big motor. The twins also allow you to have some upgraded joystick control options for docking as well. The helm master stuff is pretty amazing if you haven't ever seen that. Way out of my league but impressive. Yamaha Outboards
Go to Scout 255 page and at bottom has all sort of single vs twins comparisons. Scout 255 LXF - Luxury Sport Fishing & Family Boat Long story short that Evinrude 300 still gets 3.6mpg at 29mph in at 26ft boat. With 130 gallons on board you can go a long ways!

 

[zipper]

My parents have a Scout 220 Bay CC, as well as a 17' Maverick Flats (skinny water) boat in Fla. An older 15' Boston Whaler in Vt. Mom really likes the Scout for cruising the ICW, going to the beach down near the Englewood/Punta Gorda area. They recently talked about selling it when they return this fall. IDK if my mother will let him though, she is not a fan of doing 40mph in 6" of water in the Maverick when he goes fly fishing back in the mangroves.

 

[swatski]

Anyone here with an opinion on the new dual consoles from Cobia like the 280 DC?

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[zipper]

Anyone here with an opinion on the new dual consoles from Cobia like the 280 DC?

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It looks like a nice sportfishing blue water boat that was built to go offshore. Here are a Sailfish 241 CC, a Cobia 280DC and a Glasstream 36 walk-thru. Need a permit to trailer and $156k+.

 

[swatski]

It looks like a nice sportfishing blue water boat that was built to go offshore. Here are a Sailfish 241 CC, a Cobia 280DC and a Glasstream 36 walk-thru. Need a permit to trailer and $156k+.

Yeah, I realize that.
that looks like one of @robert843 vids? Lol

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[SlowDorado]

I have a 210 Dorado, bought new in 2015

pros
good looking boat
good layout
great gas mileage ( i was getting over 5mpg crossing over to Bimini on the Yammie 150)
fairly dry boat
relatively light boat, makes it fuel efficient for towing.
tons of storage
direct contact to Alan Lang (see con)

cons
i have a ton of gel coat stress cracks. my local dealer fixed them once, and more developed.
Alan Lang - whole lotta promises to fix my gelcoat issues. but their warranty team refuses cover the dealer costs.
price can go up substantially once you start adding options. the advertised price is just for the hull.