Center Consoles are the fastest-growing segment of the marine marketplace—making the choices seemingly endless. Center Consoles are perfect for many occasions and appeal to a wide range of boaters, including the serious anglers, families, and the luxury day boater. View our library to learn more about the latest center console models and their various features.
Robalo Boats updated the R230 center console for 2024 with an optional Cayenne interior featuring SiO Envision silicon upholstery. The R230 (23′ LOA, 8′ 6″ beam) uses Robalo’s proprietary Hydro Lift multi-angle hull, delivering a fuel-efficient ride with a top speed of 50 mph thanks to a 250-hp Yamaha VF250XB outboard. With a Kevlar-reinforced hull and poured transom coring for added strength, Robalo backs the R230 hull with a lifetime warranty. The R230 can be used for fishing or entertaining, and anglers will appreciate the bow casting deck with the cushions removed. Robalo provides abundant stowage including a console head locker that opens from the front. robalo.com
Stingray Boats is launching the 253CC center console and the outboard-powered 23 OSX sport boat at the Miami show. The twin-engine 253CC (25′ 3″ LOA, 9′ 1″ beam, above) is built for fishing with an aerated livewell, an insulated fish/storage box, and a tackle station complete with a sliding cooler. Anglers will appreciate the head and sink in the console. The 23 OSX (23′ 5″ LOA, 8′ 4″ beam) is Stingray’s sole sport-boat offering and can carry a crowd with two bucket seats with bolsters, a rear U-shaped bench, and abundant bow seating. Stingray included oversized cupholders, a 25-quart Igloo cooler, and a transom shower for an enjoyable day on the water. stingrayboats.com
Bluewater Sportfishing Boats spent two-and-a-half years perfecting the tooling for its new 25T center console. Based off the company’s popular 2550, the 25T (28′ LOA, 8′ 5″ beam) features three-piece construction, a redesigned console with extruded aluminum legs, and a flat deck for improved fishability. Bluewater updated upholstery for the two-person helm and front console seat, matching it to the gunwale padding. The helm is clean and modern with electronics packages available from Garmin and Simrad. A new leaning post with flip-up bolsters and tackle station maximizes cockpit space. Bluewater allows for full customization, including power options from Mercury, Suzuki, and Yamaha. bluewatersportfishingboats.com
The venerable Yellowfin 36 Offshore got a major update for 2024. Yellowfin extended the console, adding a forward lounger with insulated stowage below to complement the in-floor fish box. The lounger, which includes additional rod holders, and the U-shaped bow seating offer a roomy area to hang out. In updating the helm, Yellowfin added a windshield, new upholstery, and removed exposed hardware. The 36 Offshore (36′ 8″ LOA, 10′ beam) now has a new-look transom with the builder removing a door and redesigning the livewell on the twin-engine model. Other improvements include better bilge access and handrails added to each side of the leaning post. yellowfin.com
The Blackfin 400CC is one for the family and the fisherman.
I love walking out to the docks and looking at all the boats. There’s such a variety, and the ones I see are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the different options available. Knowing I’m going to step aboard a new model, my thoughts automatically size up the boat before I even see it. That can be a bad thing, but when the Blackfin 400CC came into view, I was pleasantly surprised. Its black hullside color shows a sign of strength as it wrapped up to a subtle, yet commanding Carolina-style bow flare. The center console with its solid hardtop setup has a somewhat swept-back look with double row seating that makes her look fast just sitting there, and seeing fourMercury 400-hp V10 outboardson the back, well, it definitely has the power to go fast.
Stem to Stern
Anglers and families will appreciate this boat as it’s designed for both. In the bow, the flare allows for a wide gunwale that not only houses the anchor locker, but storage boxes for fenders, dock lines, or extra gear. Along with inset rod holders and pop-up cleats, the gunwale is clear so fishing lines or pulling in a catch won’t get caught. An insulated cooler in the forepeak provides a step-up to aid in setting the anchor as well as does double duty to hold cold drinks or as a 30-gallon livewell with acrylic lid. There are also two in-floor storage boxes with overboard drains.
A thick coaming pad cushions the rail, and there are plenty of drink holders, including those on the sunpad armrests. Music is provided through a JL stereo system that has a wireless remote at the bow along with four speakers. Whether cleaning up after fishing or needing to cool off from the heat, raw- and freshwater washdown hoses are tucked in a cubby. In addition, a bow shade is available to help block the sun. A really nice and secure safety feature is the recessed grab rail along the entire gunwale, and even more secure is the freeboard; it’s above waist high.
Access to the cabin is on the starboard side ahead of the helm and includes a circular vessel sink with a wine chiller below and microwave above along with the flat-screen TV. A bench seat folds down to a bunk. There are three convenient rod storage brackets on each side wall as well as storage cubbies. The enclosed head also has a sink with a separate shower stall, a nice feature on a boat this size. For real comfort, the cabin is air-conditioned, perfect when you’ve been in the sun all day. A skylight in the cabin top and forward keep the cabin bathed in natural light. Access to all the electrical and mechanical connections is in the cabin protected from the outside elements.
Command Center
The center of operations is under an oversized T-top, oversized meaning everyone’s comfortably covered, and there’s room for outriggers, a rocket launcher, antennas, a FLIR camera, and radar on top as well as controls, VHF, and an engine status display underneath above the helm. The command center at the helm can accommodate two 24-inch displays, in this case, Garmin, along with controls for a bow thruster, Zipwake trim tabs, the JL Audio system, and Mercury controls with joystick. A SeaDek helm pad atop the dashboard keeps stuff from sliding around.
Two rows of heated, bolster seats are covered with Ultrafabric’s Coast fabric that resists moisture and UV rays. The second row is elevated to give passengers a great view, and grab rails, cupholders, and charging ports keep guests secure and devices charged.
Anchoring the T-top aft is an ingenious entertainment center. Open the countertop to reveal an organized tackle station with holders for line spools, tools, knives, and lures, as well as a cutting board. Open the second cover to access the sink and optional electric grill. Three storage drawers underneath hold accessories for fishing or cooking, and two Yeti pull-out 45-quart coolers are below and standard equipment. Nice.
The Blackfin 400CC Is Lifestyle Friendly
The entertainment/fishing center faces the cockpit, and with the boat’s 12-foot beam, there’s plenty of room for anglers or the family. A large tuna door has room for a big catch and for boarding. For swimmers, a boarding ladder is stored under the gunwale next to the door. A starboard transom door provides access to the aft swim platform that has ladders on each side for water access. There are two in-floor 160-gallon fish boxes with macerated pump-outs, and the finished center bilge compartment has plenty of room for dive tanks or inflatables and a gyrostabilizer as well as easy access to the filters and pumps. Additional storage is in the transom to port and in cubbies under the gunwale where raw- and freshwater faucets are located. For a little more stability while fishing, molded toe-kicks get you a little closer to the gunwale and the padded, upholstered coamings provide a soft cushion when leaning over, just as in the bow.
Blackfin came up with a unique transom bench seat that sets over the 70-gallon livewell. The seat is removable when the fishing is hot or, if you want to sit and watch the trolling lines or have a place for the ride out and in, the center of the seat cushion opens to the same size as the top of the livewell for easy access.
Blackfin celebrated 50 years in 2023, and the flagship 400CC stays in step with its tradition, “designed by fishermen, built for life.” The Michael Peters’ designed two-stepped, deep-V bottom improves performance and ride, and the deck layout accommodates more utility and family friendly features. Almost everything is standard, including the FLIR camera and Taco outriggers. Powered by twin quad Mercury 400XXL V10 Verados, she not only has the comfort and ability to please any boater, but also the power and stability for a safe and enjoyable ride.
We take a deeper look into what’sdriving the market for larger center consoles.
It was not so long ago that a 39-foot center console really got you noticed. Take, for example, the Yellowfin 39, a lovely and, some might even say, iconic boat, that one magazine proclaimed its “mammoth size” in a 2011 write-up. But in today’s hypercharged, large center console market, that sportfishing machine could be taken for a guppy. Heck, a 39-foot LOA won’t even get you in the door at that club. These days, it takes at minimum 40 feet to be considered a large center console, and with true monsters like the much ballyhooed HCB Estrella 65 and the even larger, soon-to-come, Scout 670LX in the mix, the ceiling seems nearly limitless.
But what’s driving this push for the seemingly outrageous? It turns out a few factors, from age-old ticks of the human psyche to the most modern outputs of engineering and design. Perhaps Mark Taiclet, Pursuit Boats’ director of brand management, put it most succinctly when he told me, “It sounds almost too simple, but people are building these boats because they can.”
The Driver
Any discussion of mega center consoles and the factors that are, well, propelling them, needs to begin with the recent onset of massive outboard engines—first from the now-defunct upstart Seven Marine, and then in expectedly more long-lasting form from industry giants Yamaha and Mercury.
Mercury Verado Outboards, 300 HP, 400 HP, and 600 HP
“We started coming to the market with outboard boats right around when Mercury released the three hundred-fifty and four hundred, and then a four hundred-fifty-horsepower V8 in 2019, and then the six hundreds came out,” says John Cosker of Mystic Powerboats, which has a 52-foot center console flagship. “That’s the real driver. You can have a fifty-foot center console now because of these outboards; they’re so fast and powerful. And they’re also easy to maintain. The reliability of the outboards has gone up so much that there’s very little problems. I’m in the Bahamas right now with twelve outboard-powered boats and nothing else. If you told me ten years ago I’d just be building outboard boats, I would have said you were crazy, but they are just so easy and reliable. We don’t even make inboard-powered boats anymore.”
Mystic Powerboats M5200
Chris Landry, marketing director at Viking Yachts, echoes Cosker’s sentiments about the new generation of massive outboards, particularly in regards to maintenance. “The outboards are easy to get to and easy to maintain,” he says. “What’s great about them is that they’re readily accessible. If one engine needs to be replaced, it’s right there. You don’t need to do major surgery to fix anything.”
Viking’s Valhalla line of center consoles had the unusually fortuitous situation occur where they were invited to Mercury’s headquarters to get a sneak preview of the 600-hp V12s that are currently all the rage with the biggest center consoles. “When it comes to the forty-six and fifty-five, those boats were actually designed specifically for the six-hundred Mercs,” says Landry. “So I think, inarguably, you can say the power is driving it.”
The Valhalla 55
Viking wasn’t the only one who got an early look at the 600s. “We brought down key people from Valhalla, Formula, and Tiara in 2019,” says Jeff Becker, Mercury’s senior category manager for outboards 150-horsepower-plus. “We gave them a sneak peek into what we were doing, and we showed them all the features and benefits, and told them our launch plans, and gave them an opportunity to think about what they wanted to do.” The largest Valhallas, the Tiara 48 LS, and the Formula 500 SSC became some of the first boats to showcase the now nearly ubiquitous engines.
Yamaha has its own relationships, perhaps most notably with Pursuit, who runs the company’s biggest engines, the 425s, on the back of its biggest center console model, the S 428.
Pursuit S 428
The Desire
So, okay, the potent and capable propulsion units made possible today’s colossal center console models at a macro level, but what is driving this market at a human level? What is it about the boats that make them so popular?
Well, for one, this is the boating industry, so we might as well get this part out of the way first—a lot of it has to do with ego. “Guys want to go bigger and bigger and bigger,” says Taiclet. “You pull into the marina, and you want to have the baddest boat. For years, maybe, people didn’t think a market for these boats over forty feet was sustainable, but now if you’re not over forty feet, you’re not really a player in the game, and a lot of these guys are going a lot bigger than that—they want the biggest boat wherever they go.”
Another factor manufacturers point to for the popularity of these boats is their versatility. “Before the advent of the large center consoles, a lot of owners had multiple boats depending on what they wanted to do,” says Becker. “They had a twenty-five- or thirty-five-foot center console and a large sportyacht, and as the forty-two, forty-five, fifty, and sixty-five center consoles emerged, these owners could consolidate from two boats that do separate things to one boat that can do it all—cruise, entertain, fish—and they feel comfortable captaining it. This is really a do-everything segment of the market.”
The consolidation makes not only for easier boating, but also for more cost-efficient boating—for one thing, a lot of these owners don’t feel they need a captain to help them run the boat.
Compared to a convertible, the single-level center console is a much simpler boat. The model type is much less cumbersome to clean after a day on the water, easier to maintain, as we’ve already discussed, and they are also easier to drive thanks to joystick controls at slow speeds and two-speed transmissions that help the boats get on plane quickly and safely.
“That was a big thing when we were developing the six hundred,” says Becker. “We talked to owners moving up from smaller center consoles or down from diesel sportfishers, and in both cases, they wanted acceleration and an ease of operation getting the boat on plane. These big heavy boats can lose the horizon when they start to plane, and that can be dangerous.”
Mercury found an answer in a two-speed transmission that works first to get the boat on plane and second to quickly get it up to full speed.
Performance
Speaking of speed, it’s an area where center consoles really shine. It’s not just a folly for thrill-seekers; it gives these large center consoles a major leg up on the tournament trail. Think about it. The benchmark for a fast convertible is 40 mph. The Viking 80, for example, is a celebrated platform, known for being able to get to and from the fishing grounds swiftly, with a top speed around 43 mph. Yet some of these center consoles can go 60 mph. “That’s a real advantage to the center console,” says Josh Slayton, product specialist at Scout Boats. “It means you can fish for an extra hour. That’s legitimate; that can help you in a tournament.”
Of course, what you give up in speed aboard a convertible, you gain in comfort. And that’s another driver of the large center console market. Customers want to be able to take their boats across to the Bahamas and elsewhere and spend real time aboard, overnighting on the boat, perhaps even with another couple. Thus, the real driver at the very upper end of the market, say 55 feet-plus, is accommodation space. “We were getting customers looking at our forty-two and even our fifty-three, and they just couldn’t see themselves spending multiple nights aboard,” says Slayton. “So we figured, ‘Shoot, we’ve already got them here, we might as well give them what they want.’ On the sixty-seven, you’ve got a master and a VIP, and you can fit two couples or five or six friends comfortably.”
So where does it all end? Will we one day see a true center console superyacht, 80 feet long and powered by as-yet mythical, quintuple Yamaha 850s? The answer is anyone’s guess, but as long as the propulsion units keep growing, it seems unlikely that owners’ collective thirst for something even bigger and badder will ever actually be slaked. But don’t feel bad for the Yellowfin 39s of the world. Once these monster center consoles reach superyacht size, they’re all going to need tenders.
Mystic Powerboats’ M5200 Boat Review: A Marine Engineering Marvel
The story of our Mystic Powerboats‘ M5200 boat review starts with the founder. At the helm, racing along at more than 200 miles per hour, John Cosker was keenly aware of his surroundings: the way the boat handled, the sound of the engines. He knew the boat well, it was his design. He won the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout that day in his 51-foot Mystic American Ethanol, and Mystic Powerboats have set speed records reaching 244 mph.
Cosker founded Mystic in 1996, and through his racing career, figured out how to make a boat go fast and be comfortable while doing so. He took that knowledge to the recreational boating market in 2015 and with Mercury outboard power, has designed and developed more than 100 boats that started with the M4200, Mystic’s first performance center console. The latest in Mystic Powerboats’ lineup is the M5200 that had its unveiling at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout last August and its global launch at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. It now graces Southern Boating’s cover for the 2023 Annual Swimsuit Issue.
Designing Comfort at High Speed: Inside the M5200
“The fifty-two is my forty-fourth stepped bottom design over a span of twenty years and by far my best,” says Cosker. He does all the naval architecture and design work himself and because of the 14-foot beam, there are 11 seats with bolsters under the massive hardtop over the helm area, three huge lounge seats and wraparound seating in the bow area, and eight seats on the aft deck (four rear-facing lounges and four forward-facing seats), all upholstered with Sileather that’s easy to clean and cool to touch in the sun. Cosker once noted that there were 18 on board and no one was stumbling over another.
“We’ve got very deep gunwales on this boat,” he continues. “We’ve got a big bow to get through big waves. This is a long-distance cruiser. It’s comfortable, it’s fast, and it’s efficient. We have a Seakeeper six on board, so it’s incredibly stable when you’re sitting at rest as well as when you’re running out in the ocean.”
Unmatched Speed and Stability: M5200 Performance Review
Brandon Ferris, AllSports Productions’ marketing manager, was piloting a drone this year at the photo shoot and got a chance to ride along on the M5200. “We were going sixty miles an hour, and I wasn’t bumping up and down though the seas were a little choppy,” he says. “It was a very smooth ride that cut through the water very easily. We reached eighty miles an hour with twelve people on board. I was in the bow and never felt like I was going to bounce out. I felt super secure.” He adds that the only reason he knew they were going that fast was because of the unique placement of a touchscreen display in the forepeak coaming bolster pad.
Experience the M5200: A Symphony of Luxury and Power
“We really opened the bow up quite a bit with the extra beam,” says Cosker. “We actually have tables on the floor that will go up and down. They go up to a sunpad height, and we can fill the whole front area and make it into a great sunpad, or it can go up to dining height so you can actually have lunch, dinner, whatever you want.”
“The sound system was amazing,” adds Ferris. “Probably one of the most immersive experiences on a boat that I’ve been on. Everywhere you sat, it was like you were at a concert.” Controls for the stereo system as well as mood lighting are in the coaming on each side, and phone chargers are incorporated into the lounge seating armrests.
Speaking of lounging, the M5200 has a large cabin below with an aft section perfect for spending a long weekend aboard. The front berth converts into a nice bed, and the head and shower are separate (which keeps the head dry) for privacy. There’s air conditioning below and an option to air condition the cockpit for extra comfort. “In our XLC version, the helm moves back four feet creating a much larger cabin with a walk-in aft suite,” explains Cosker. “This gives us the option for a larger cockpit or larger cabin depending on the owner’s use of the boat.”
This M5200 had quad Mercury 600-hp V12s, although owners have the option for five or six Mercury Racing 450s, which could take speeds into the 90-mph range. “It is a deep deadrise boat with a deep forefoot for a really good ride and reversed chines and flam (as opposed to flare) in the topsides for a very dry ride,” says Cosker. “It is a double-stepped hull with large steps for maximum lift and great weight-carrying capabilities. The design gets on plane quickly, turns beautifully, and has no transitions up to its top speed.”
The M5200 Boat Review: Perfect for the Bahamas and Beyond
The boat is also a perfect Bahamas boat, not only because of speed getting from place to place, but because the draft is 3 feet, 2 inches, which worked out well to get in to the beach during Southern Boating’s swimsuit shoot, not to mention the luxurious quality and detail of the interior and its sleek, powerful profile. The M5200 and M4200 were definitely stars in their own right.
Mother Nature stacks the deck. Mystic Powerboats even the odds.
Mystic Powerboats recently delivered their new M5200 prototype to returning customer Josh Denning located on the Lake of The Ozarks. Josh says,
"John thought of everything when building this elegant and sexy boat. My favorite feature is how the M5200 handles the rough water of LOTO with performance, without giving up the amenities of a cruiser."
During its time as the Mystic 52 demo, Mystic put 250 hours on it, covered 5,880 miles, and poured nearly 10,000 gal. of fuel through it. Being launched at Mercurys Lake X and then traveling to LOTO in 2022, Key West Poker Run, 1000 Islands, Bahamas.
It made it’s debut Internationally at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show as well as St. Petersburg and the West Palm Beach Boat shows. This boat has been up the eastern seaboard. Mystic will debut the new 52 demo boat at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show in November with a new cabin layout that is four feet longer than the current ones built to date.
John Cosker says,
“Up until we built the new M5200 model my favorite boat that we ever created was the Mystic SL700. It was a custom-built 70 ft. center console with Caterpillar diesels, Arneson Drives and ran over 80 mph. We built the boat in 2005 and it blew me away back then as to what an amazing boat it was. The M5200 has surpassed it in so many ways. Using the latest technologies and exhibiting the growth of Mystic in the center console market the boat reflects everything we strive for. My family and I have enjoyed countless hours on the boat and have had literally hundreds of people on board over the last year and we are really looking forward to our next one. I think it’s very fitting that the boat will now live at LOTO where it debuted and I wish the Denning family nothing but happiness with it for years to come.”
The new Phenom 37 is engaging both in and out of the water.
Taking a boat like the Phenom 37 out on the water is the only way to get the true feeling of how she accelerates, rides through a turn, handles the chop, and how the deck layout works when you’re underway or at anchor. Sitting on a settee at the boat show gives you a break from all the walking around, and you can imagine being out on the water, but it’s quite a different experience.
Phenom 37: Where Family, Fishing, Performance, and Luxury Meet
I first saw the Phenom 34 center console at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show—out of the water. She was pretty impressive with her Carolina-style bow flaring over anyone who walked by, a sweeping gunwale down to the transom, and twin Mercury 600 V12s hanging off the stern. Boats sure look a lot larger when they’re out of the water, but the advantage is the ability to get down and inspect the hull design and get a detailed look at the deck and its accessories without rocking back and forth.
Exploring the Uniqueness of the Phenom 37’s Hull Design
The Phenom 37’s hull design always catches my eye, so I commented to Victor Gonzalez, Phenom’s marketing director, about the shape of the hull, particularly noting the boat’s profile. “We developed our very own step hull,” he says. “The first thing you see is we have three strakes in the front step of the hull. Typically, you only see two strakes down here, so the surface area of these three strakes is identical to what the surface area would be of two strakes. The difference is that our bottom strake ends up closer to the keel.” What that does is reduce the vertical speed (and the force) as the hull re-enters the water to provide a much smoother ride.
“The other thing we did is chamfer everything at forty-five degrees. Every race boat has razor-sharp edges because water will shear off the edge and not wrap around a rounded corner…that would rob performance out of the boat….We gained about two-and-a-half miles an hour by doing that.”
What I really noticed about the hull design was how it handled a mild swell with a 15- to 20-knot breeze creating a three- to five-foot chop off the port bow. Every boat rides well when it’s calm, but that’s not usually the case in open water, and I got my chance to find out when I joined Shaun Reale, Phenom’s national sales manager, on the new Phenom 37 with triple Mercury V10 400-hp Verados to deliver her from Palm Beach down to the Miami International Boat Show.
As I mentioned, it was pretty choppy with the wind and waves off the port bow and though the wind blew the occasional spray onto the windshield, the Carolina flare-type design did its job directing the wash out and away from the hull. So did the stepped hull.
“That’s the thing about stepped hulls,” says Gonzalez. “One of the reasons why you want one is because of the performance in rough waters; you’re able to just get through all that stuff over the top at a higher speed where everything kind of gets smoothed out, as opposed to beating yourself up at a slower speed.”
The Phenom 34 and Phenom 37 are designed to reach speeds of 70 mph plus, but maneuvering speed was the call heading into the chop. Still, that was at 35 mph. The boat was solid with no rattling of nerves, hinges, lazarettes, or the hardtop structure. Even the cushions remained in place. The auto trim also did its job, but with some fine-tuning, the boat worked her way through the waves as if riding on an air cushion.
Safety Measures: A Priority in Design
“We had to build a very safe boat,” says Gonzalez. “We’re one of the only, if not the only, National Marine Manufacturers Association-certified boat in this class.”
Where Family, Fishing, Performance, and Luxury Meet
While Phenom’s four pillars are family, fishing, performance, and luxury, safety is paramount in every aspect. One example is the hawse pipe built into the aft gunwale with the cleat down underneath and out of the way. Another is the smart plug for shore power.
“It allows you to plug in the shore power and run a test,” says Gonzalez. “If you get the green light, then you can go ahead and actually activate the shore power. That way you don’t have any safety or electrical shortages or polarity reverse.” Every sound speaker is flush, and the bow handrails are recessed, nothing protrudes to interfere with moving about the deck.
Family Comfort and Fishing Capabilities in Phenom 37
Family
Then there’s the family comfort. Spacious entertainment zones in the bow and cockpit include Ultrafabrics’ Ultraleather, multi-texture upholstery. Console chaise lounge seating in the bow can be complemented with optional permanent bench seating forward with backrests and storage underneath. The chaise lounge hides a 330-quart cooler. Another bow option is the electronically actuated table that lowers flush with the deck, another safety feature.
Triple captain’s chairs are designed to let cool air from the air conditioner flow through the backrests, and for those cold days, the seats are also heated. I can attest to the comfort of the aft-facing mezzanine seating as that’s where I leaned, sat, knelt, and hung on throughout the trip down to Miami. The cooler underneath carried the water and drinks. The transom has a bench seat with backrest that conveniently folds out of the way for more room, especially when fishing.
Fishing
Speaking of which, the Phenom 37 center console easily transforms into a fishing machine. The model I was on didn’t have the optional bow forepeak seating, so there was plenty of room to maneuver from side to side with a comfortable bolster wrapped right at thigh height. Rod holders line the gunwale, and Phenom has a patent-pending automatic pressurized aquarium (meaning you can see the bait through the front windows) livewell system with a 30-gallon tank on each side.
Two 290-quart macerated fish boxes are built into the cockpit floor, and there are two 220-quart in-deck storage boxes amidships. Washdowns are located fore and aft, and rod storage is abundant under the gunwales and with the optional in-floor vertical storage inside the console. Gemlux Bluewater outriggers are an option in-floor as well. The hardtop also has room for a rocket launcher-style rod holder, and a big upgrade replaces the standard pancake reels in the hardtop with Penn auto teaser reels.
The helm is outfitted with Garmin 22-inch displays, JL Audio, Lumitec lighting, Zipwake trim control, and Mercury Joystick piloting to match the Vetus bow thruster and Mercury outboards.
The Phenom’s standard equipment will have you out on the water immediately once you add either twin 600-hp Mercury Verado V12s or the triple 400-hp Mercury Verado V10 outboards. Inside the console, a six-foot berth with a convertible seat adds to the comfort level as does the head and, maybe more importantly, a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer is standard.
Walking through the Phenom 34 at the Fort Lauderdale show showed me what the center console had to offer and provided the details of her features and innovations. “Not everybody does this type of boating,” says Gonzalez. “For the people that do, we don’t believe there’s any boat out there that meets all criteria and checks every box the way that these Phenoms do, and that’s a very difficult task to do.”
I have to say that because of the trip down to Miami, the Phenom 37 proved she was built for family, fishing, performance, and luxury. She’s solid, clean, and a joy to ride.
Embarking on the 2023 Mystic Powerboats Journey: A Personal Experience
On a crisp Wednesday morning, I found myself standing on the deck of the magnificent M5200, ready to embark on the highly anticipated 2023 Mystic Powerboats Owners Run to the Bahamas. Sailfish Marina in West Palm Beach buzzed with excitement as all 11 boats revved their engines, preparing to set sail for Grand Bahama.
As we crossed the glistening waters, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of exhilaration. The M5200 gracefully sliced through the waves, offering an unmatched sense of power and freedom. Finally, we arrived at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club, a picturesque destination that promised unforgettable experiences.
Luxury and Adventure: The 2023 Mystic Powerboats Experience in the Bahamas
After swiftly clearing customs, we boarded a shuttle that whisked us away to the Pelican Bay Hotel, our home away from home for the duration of this extraordinary journey. The hotel exuded luxury and comfort, instantly putting us in vacation mode. But there was no time to waste—we were eager to begin our Bahamian escapade.
As the sun began to set, our group gathered on Taino Beach, a vibrant locale known for its local fish fry. The aroma of sizzling seafood filled the air as we indulged in a delicious dinner, savoring the flavors of the Bahamas. With contented bellies, we moved to the dance floor, where laughter and music intertwined, creating an atmosphere of pure joy.
Creating Bonds and Memories: The 2023 Mystic Powerboats Raft-Up Experience
Thursday morning arrived with a promise of new adventures. Energized by a delightful breakfast at the hotel, I eagerly prepared for the boat raft-up—a chance to connect with fellow boat owners and revel in the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas. Our convoy of 11 boats set sail, and as we reached the lagoon, we were joined by a lively party barge, transforming the water into a floating paradise. With music wafting through the air and tantalizing food and drinks at our fingertips, we spent the day forging bonds and immersing ourselves in the beauty of the surroundings.
As the golden rays of the setting sun painted the horizon, we returned to the hotel, where Sabor awaited us with its tantalizing menu. Each bite seemed to encapsulate the essence of the islands, and we savored every moment, cherishing the shared experience.
Friday morning brought us to Sandy Cay, a secluded oasis brimming with natural wonders. Anchored amid the serene beauty, we embarked on yet another raft-up, this time with the thrill of swimming with sharks and stingrays. The ocean embraced us as we marveled at its majestic inhabitants, creating memories that would forever dwell in our hearts.
The day culminated in a spectacular cocktail party at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club. The atmosphere pulsated with infectious energy as we reveled in the delectable food, flowing drinks, and the electrifying beat of Junkanoo music. Laughter echoed through the night, intermingling with the sounds of clinking glasses—a symphony of pure bliss.
Reflecting on the Unforgettable 2023 Mystic Powerboats Owners Run
Saturday morning arrived, bringing with it a bittersweet tinge. The time had come to bid farewell to the Bahamas. The engines roared to life as we retraced our journey, heading back to Sailfish Marina. While the adventure had come to an end, the memories we made during the Mystic Powerboats Owners Run would forever hold a cherished place in my heart—a testament to the camaraderie, the untamed spirit of the sea, and the sheer thrill of embracing life’s extraordinary moments.
The all-new 41 Valor from Intrepid Powerboats features a wider beam and transom on a newly designed hull. The larger cockpit’s transom door opens to a spacious swim platform. New features include a sliding companionway door, a helm with more room for electronics, and more fuel capacity (468 gallons). Owners can customize the luxury cabin. The 41 Valor (41’ 8.5” LOA, 11’ 9” beam) comes standard with either twin 600-hp Mercury or triple 400-hp Mercury outboards. The triple outboard setup has a cruising speed of 40 mph with a range of 424 miles. Opt for quad Mercury 400 Verados and a top speed of 70 mph. intrepidpowerboats.com
Formula’s 387 center console comes in two styles, but they share the love of fishing and the need for playtime.
Formula has re-entered the center console market with vim and vigor, meaning its enthusiasm and positivity with the introduction of the 387 CCF and 387 CCS has fishermen and their families realizing they can both have fun out on the water—together.
“It was the [Formula] family’s idea to do the sport and fish styles,” says Abe Haines, product specialist for Formula Boats. “They actually put a team together. There were three of us that went out and did almost two years of market studies. We went on fishing charters, we walked docks, we saw what was docked at people’s houses…we knew we were going to build a center console, but we didn’t know where we were going to build it or how fishable we’re going to build it. So that two years of research showed us the market’s trend, and we decided thirty-eight feet was a good place to start. It left us room to go bigger or smaller depending on how it was received.”
What that did was allow owners to choose one style with more fishing features or one designed for more sandbar/family cruising options. What didn’t change was Formula’s recipe for a solid, performance hull, the FAS3Tech. The double-stepped hull is a proven offshore design and with a touch of flare, keeps the deck dry.
“We got into some four footers one day, and it wasn’t real enjoyable fishing, but we had to
do it. We wanted to see how the boat performed in real conditions,” says Haines. “It’s pretty heavy for this size of boat, but it handles great and it’s smooth. We were getting good splash-ups; it wasn’t real windy, so the water wasn’t blowing back in, but the cockpit stayed dry.”
“I think my first indication of this boat when I ran it for the first time about a month ago as Hull Number One is how solid it was,” says Vic Spellberg, our captain for the day. “We’ve had to do nothing as far as rattles and squeaks and things of that nature. It’s just solid. It reacts at higher speed right away. It reacts to the helm, trim, and tab adjustments immediately and has performed with the triple Mercury 450R engines with no issues for more than one hundred-twenty-five hours.”
The boat was launched in Miami prior to the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and was taken through the paces to test her skills. Over in Bimini, she fished the deep drops for more than a week before heading back across and south to the Keys and the fishing grounds off Key West. It wasn’t hard to put on those first 125 hours. After arriving back in Miami, the crew was still impressed with her handling and stability.
We were out on the Formula 387 CCF, the fishing model, and were up on plane and running 52 mph at 6,000 rpm within a minute. Yes, it was a beautiful day and there wasn’t a four-foot chop, but without feeling a thing, we were “hauling the mail.” The more popular Mercury Racing 450 outboards powered us out, but there are options.
“Fuel economy would tell you a fisherman is going to put four-hundreds on it,” says Haines. “They’re just a little better for where your shift range is and the fuel economy.” An owner can choose from the standard triple 300 Verados to dual 600 Verados, and now, the new Verado 5.7L V10s, all with Mercury Joystick Piloting.
At the helm, Spellberg found everything he needed. The helm comes standard with twin Raymarine Axiom XL 16 GPS chartplotters for the Sport model, while twin Garmin 8616 16 chartplotters are standard on the Fish model. Owners have a choice of either brand and up to three displays.
On our boat, triple Garmin 16s were at play. “Everything at the helm is within easy reach,” Spellberg says, including the bow thruster that is integrated into the joystick, a new feature, and controls for a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer system. The options list goes on, but standard features are excellent, such as the cockpit refrigerator, bow seating with power table, and ReFLEX decking on the helm pad for the Sport model. The Fish model adds aft cockpit fish boxes with macerators, a YETI Tundra 35 pull-out cooler, and GEMLUX deluxe outriggers. Needless to say, the Formula 387 is ready to go out of the box. Customize it to your desire with a variety of color graphics and décor, not to mention stereo and speaker setups.
Whether fishing or taking a family outing, comfort is key. Triple helm seats with folding armrests, mezzanine seating in the cockpit along with a flip-down bench at the transom, and forward-facing twin sun lounges with flip-up armrest with drink holders up in the bow are just the beginning. The bow can also accommodate additional seating forward of the lounge with a power-adjustable table, though the fishermen will want to keep that area open as a walkaround.
Not always considered a comfort zone, the center console cabin on the Formula 387 is roomy (6-foot, 4-inch headroom) with filler cushions for a nearly queen-size bunk. When that’s not in use, a table for two fits in and is great for holding snacks and sizable enough for card or board games. The cabin also features a 32-inch HDTV as well as a small galley area with a microwave oven, sink with cutting board insert, drawer for utensils and plates, and a pull-out refrigerator stacked between the sitting area and the head with sink and shower. There’s plenty of storage with enough room for fishing rods.
There are around 30 drink/rod holders (even the gunwale for the tuna door has drink holders when flipped open), seven dual USB charging ports, spring-loaded wireless phone chargers, and storage in cabinets, floor boxes, and along the side walls. As mentioned, options abound from air conditioning to stabilization to FLIR thermal cameras to radar, but with the standard gear, the Formula 387 CCF and CCS gives you all the flexibility to turn the key and go.
As a performance boat company that is focused on the on-water lifestyle from fishing to water sports to family cruising, these two new models fit nicely into the Formula Crossover series and satisfies those who want more than the standard fishing or day boat. Formula Boats
Distinctive Flair
The new Scout 377 LXF adds more luxury and technology to the S-Class family.
The first thing I noticed about the Scout 377 LXF is the profile. There’s no mistaking that Carolina flair that sweeps down from bow to stern. The boat whispers with confidence, “Don’t worry, I can handle rough seas.”
“It keeps the deck really dry,” says Len Renné, president of Seven Seas Yacht Sales in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Even in the Intracoastal when it’s like a washing machine, you won’t see people sitting in an open bow, but you will in a Scout because they’re not getting wet.”
Step Aboard
The Scout design is distinct with its sheer line settling evenly just aft of the helm that creates a comfortable level cockpit coaming for fishing or for entertaining. I’m looking at the new 377 LXF(there’s a fishing and sport version), and as I step aboard through the port-side dive/tuna door, it’s easy to see the cockpit is nicely set up for either activity. It’s not overly huge, but cozy with an aft-facing bench molded into the back of the helm seats (with two inductive phone charger holders) and a large, centerline, slide-out cooler with a seat cushion tucked in the transom.
Whether fishing or entertaining, a summer kitchen is a must when boating, so atop the slide-out cooler under cover in the transom is an optional grill along with a cutting board and sink. If an owner decides to forgo the summer kitchen, a comfy forward-facing bench seat with a large cooler underneath is standard.
Anglers will appreciate the port-side lighted, aerated baitwell with clear top and frontside to check on bait without opening it. Swimmers will enjoy the starboard transom walk-through door opening onto a fully walkable swim platform with Esthec decking and a built-in swim ladder. There’s plenty of room because the engine rigging is out of the way, neatly cabled within flexible conduit for a clean look, no connections to accidentally uncouple.
While we’re on the swim platform, this model had twin Mercury 600-hp Verados, but triple Mercury 400-hp Verados are the standard setup. “It works really well with the six-hundreds,” says Renné. “It’s amazing, the power, but the nice part when you’re fishing is when you have three or four motors back there and you’re dragging lines; you usually have to cut two motors off because you get so much whitewater back there. These have very little slip, so the wash behind you is almost clean water. The fish can see your baits pretty well.”
Back in the cockpit, I notice that the hardtop protects the aft-facing bench completely, so to continue coverage back to the transom, an electrically retractable SureShade is an option.
Scout designed the new 377 LXF as a luxury center console that blends performance, style, and innovation for a comfortable ride that is functional and has all the conveniences for today’s families. This model can easily fit the “crossover” description, but as Renné says, “I would say we cater a little bit more to the families, and the wives, and keeping them happy, but it’s a die-hard fishing boat if you want to die-hard fish it. However, we’ve got a lot of amenities on here to keep everybody happy.”
The 377 LXF is part of the S-Class family, Scout’s highest level of luxury. Beyond the carbon-epoxy construction and Scout’s highest-performing, dual-stepped hull technology, the systems, the electronics, even the upholstery show an air of sophistication.
From a technological point of view, one creature comfort is the Zipwake trim-control system to control pitch and roll when underway. Add to that the optional Seakeeper 3 stabilizer system, and you have a stable ship for those with an inclination to seasickness.
Solar panels come with it to help keep the system charged up, but it’s the innovative lithium-ion battery with battery management system that really does the trick. It eliminates the need for a generator as well as the noise that goes with it when at anchor. There’s also plenty of power for the air conditioning, electric grill, lights, stereo, and TV.
“It’ll invert to one-ten and has solar panels on the roof, so you really don’t even have to plug the boat in,” says Renné.“…The boat does have shore power and it will charge everything and keep everything running, but basically all you’re running is a battery charger. …This is the largest model Scout has done without a generator, and it’s working well.”
At the bow, the comfort level comes in the form of two lounge seats with molded back/head rests port and starboard and a large centerline lounger with armrests ahead of the console. As with most seating, there’s an abundance of storage underneath, and one cool feature is the optional electric Esthec dinette that lowers out of the way into the deck, lifts to seat height to make a sunpad, or extends up to table level. Cupholders, stereo controls, charging ports for phones, and the optional Med-style canopy complete the perfect area for socializing and relaxing.
Then there’s the spacious cabin below for weekenders or a quiet spot away from the action. There’s room to seat four around a side-mounted table and with the filler cushion, the space quickly turns into a lengthy double berth. A 32-inch TV is standard, as is a six-gallon water heater in the head that makes the built-in ceiling rain shower a refreshing way to clean up and warm up, even if you’re taller than six feet. There’s a small counter area with a microwave along with air-conditioning and heating controls and sound-system controls. The electrical panel here is easily accessible and protected from the elements.
“You can put the kids down here and let them play games or whatever, and from a couple’s perspective, you’ve got plenty of room,” says Renné. “It’s a great little island-hopper. We have a lot of customers that might sleep on the boat for two nights and get a hotel one night, but most of them find it’s pretty comfortable.”
Comfort carries on in the design of the helm. The helm sports three heated seats with flip-up bolsters that face a dash with a centerline wheel and all the controls within easy reach. Two Garmin 8612 displays are standard, but this model was decked out with the three Garmin 8616 displays as well as the optional radar and FLIR camera setup. In front of the wheel sits the VesselView diagnostic display with a wireless phone charger to port and the Zipwake control panel to starboard.
Another cool feature on board is the anchor camera that displays at the helm. The anchor is out of sight under the bow, so a camera is installed just below it.
“When you drop it, you can see your scope and how much anchor you’ve got out,” says Renné. “And then when you pull it up, you can see it coming in and when you go to leave, you can make sure there are no swimmers underneath the bow.”
The Scout 377 LXF checks a lot of boxes that not only give the basics for fishing, entertainment, and family fun, but does it with luxurious style and sophisticated technologies. The S-Class is Scout’s most superior line, and the new 377 LXF fits like a glove. Scout Boats Website
Formula presents the best of both worlds for fishing and sport boat enthusiasts with the new Formula 387 Center Console Fish (38′ 7″ LOA; 12′ beam) and 387 Center Console Sport (38′ 7″ LOA; 12′ beam). Making their debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, both have the option to power up with triple Mercury Verados, Mercury Racing 450Rs, or Mercury Verado 600 outboards. The new center consoles are built on Formula’s rich offshore heritage to give you the flexibility from all-out Fish to all-out Sport—and all points in between with performance, styling, and features for the ultimate center console experience. The helm boasts a standard electronics suite that includes twin Garmin or Raymarine 16-inch widescreen color chartplotters with depth sounder and 1,000W CHIRP B175M transducer, Mercury DTS with 7-inch SmartCraft VesselView, Mercury Joystick Piloting, and Bennett trim tab system. formulaboats.com
Grady-White boasts its new Adventure 218 has the widest beam (8′ 6″) in the 21-foot class. Designers packed a lot into the Adventure 218 (23′ 3″ LOA) while maintaining the walkaround concept. Highlights include a cushioned helm, fish boxes behind the helm seats, and two integrated swim platforms aft. For family water sports activities, Grady-White offers an optional retractable ski pylon that wasn’t available on previous walkaround boats. The cabin has plenty of room for overnighting, and a covered head is to starboard. Two side windows and a forward hatch provide fresh air. Grady-White included two insulated fish boxes (246 quarts total) and storage for up 10 fishing rods. Anglers can also add a 31-gallon livewell. gradywhite.com
