2020 Center Console Buyers Guide

Our Center Console Buyers Guide has options for everyone.

Center consoles were the hottest boat introductions this past spring as builders launched versatile models in all shapes and sizes. The theme this year continued to be “everything for everyone” as most boats are now asked to do double and triple duty from specific species fishing to general family adventure. The latest designs are feature-laden and thoughtfully laid out so whether they’re taking a bunch of buddies fishing, tubing with the kids, or harbor entertaining with friends, they can do just about anything. Imagine a quiet morning on glassy water with coffee in hand or a spirited fight with the big one on the line in lumpy seas. Any way you spend it, time on a center console is the first step to becoming well centered. Enjoy our Center Console Buyers Guide!

Scout 530 LXF

Regal 38 SAV

SeaVee 390z

Grady-White Canyon 336

Blue Wave Boats 2800 Makaira

Cobia 350

SeaHunter 46 CTS

Marlow Prowler 375 Havana

Century Boats 3200 CC

More Boats Added Daily Through July

By Zuzana Prochazka, Southern Boating July 2020

Want more Center Consoles?

Download the 2018 Center Console Roundup

Download the 2017 Center Console Roundup

Download the 2016 Center Console Roundup

Center Console Roundup

Our Center Console Roundup has options for everyone.

Far beyond the basics, today’s center consoles offer features to make boating more fun. And, in some cases, more luxurious. The evolution of the age-old, center console design continues to improve its versatility and usability for a wide range of watersport enthusiasts.

Center console boats elicit images of everything from a single-engine, 20-foot runabout to a 60-foot, carbon-infused, luxury fishing machine with quad outboards dominating the transom. Each year, builders school us on how versatile center consoles are, how much they’ve evolved and what models technically fall under that moniker.

Your father’s center console has morphed, and it’s not hard to find upscale features offered as standard equipment. Multiple and larger engines, gyrostabilizers, air-conditioned cockpits, side gates cut into gunwales, full outdoor galleys, and complete interior accommodations are just some of the evolutions you can have on what used to be a fairly utilitarian design. That means these boats are asked to do double and triple duty as fishing boats, dive boats, tow boats, weekenders, and crowd-pleasing entertaining platforms.

Powerful, quiet, fuel-sipping propulsion has enabled the center console to go just about anywhere, get there quickly and maybe even stay the weekend due to numerous lux amenities so cruisers won’t feel like they’re camping. Whether you’re an old salt with multiple center consoles under your belt or haven’t considered one yet, check out some of the latest designs. Maybe one of these new models in our Center Console Roundup will leave you perfectly centered.

By Zuzana Prochazka, Southern Boating July 2019

Want more Center Consoles?

Download the 2018 Center Console Roundup

Download the 2017 Center Console Roundup

Download the 2016 Center Console Roundup

Ocean 1 Rogue 330

The Ocean 1 Rogue 330 is two boats in one, sort of.

Engineered to provide top performance with supreme comfort, the stepped hull combines a lightweight cored composite construction with inflatable side tubes for exceptional stability. The Ocean 1 Rogue 330 can go fishing and off to dinner without missing a beat.

Additionally, thanks to soft sides, some superyacht owners are eyeing this design as the perfect, bump-free, scratch-free tender.

With twin Yamaha 300-hp outboards, expect a top speed in excess of 50 knots and with 275 gallons of fuel capacity, she can run all-day exploration trips in waters where the mothership can’t venture. Seating abounds with two that foldout across the transom, two integrated into the port and starboard hull sides aft and one atop the cooler that rests behind the post. A double bench accommodates the driver and a guest behind a well-laid-out dash.

Forward are two lounges with flip-up backrests, but if you remove the cushions, the whole bow becomes a casting platform.

32′ 10″ LOA, 10′ 3″ beam

ocean1yachts.com

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Blackfin 332CC

Blackfin launched its new 332CC with a choice of engine packages.

Opt for either twin Yamahas (300-hp to 425-hp) or twin Mercurys (300-hp to 400-hp) and expect to reach top speeds from 45 to 57 mph depending on engine choice and conditions. The central rigging station doubles as the entertainment center with two large pullout coolers and twin sinks so you can keep your fish guts and your hors d’ oeuvres separate.

The hardtop can be accessed via the aft cockpit as well as a dedicated hatch, and there’s a pantographic door to the head. Forward of the console, you’ll find a lounge with large integrated storage for buckets or dive tanks. Access to it is easy with the help of gas shocks that hold the compartment open. At the helm, the driver benefits from twin MFDs and an electrically operated helm seat with folding armrests. The Blackfin 332CC is a solid option for anglers wanting a bit more than a fishing platform.

33′ 2″ LOA, 10′ 6″ beam

blackfinboats.com

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BlackWater 43 SF

When the going gets rough in the BlackWater 43 SF, you probably won’t notice. Due to an aggressive bottom design and an overbuilt 18,000-pound dry-weight hull, the 43 SF (LOA: 43′, Beam: 11′ 11″) carves through the waves.

When powered by quad Mercury Verado 350-hp engines, the 780-gallon fuel tank has a range of 650 miles. Standard features include a dive door, second-row seating, oversized T-top, and air conditioning in the cabin and at the helm station. The console cabin has more than six feet of headroom and offers a large berth, toilet and shower. The helm can house up to two 24-inch Garmin screens along with all the electronics and features needed. When the sun goes down, custom color changing LED lighting sets the mood while the amazing sound system comes to life.

blackwaterboats.com

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Southport 33 ST Center Console

The Southport 33 ST (Sport Tower) builds upon the heritage of Southport as a stable, dry and seaworthy offshore boat, and now adds the advantage of the performance of triple engines and extra fishing capability of the Sport Tower. The 33 ST (LOA: 32′ 6″, Beam: 10′ 8″) is a variant of the 33 FE (Family Edition), which shows the versatility of the Southport 33 platform. Powered by triple Yamaha or Suzuki 300-hp engines, the Southport 33 ST reaches 63 mph and cruises comfortably anywhere between 25 and 40 mph, with no added motion from the all-aluminum and fiberglass fully customizable sport tower.

Like all Southport models, she corners like on rails and never shows any signs of confusion or uncertainty no matter the sea conditions. Once you arrive on the fi sh, the massive forward and aft cockpits leave plenty of room for setting up gear and working fish, with the helmsman high above it all.

southportboats.com

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Pursuit S 368 Center Console

The Pursuit S 368 (LOA: 37′ 11″, Beam: 12′) features an integrated hardtop and windshield system, transom extensions and class-leading styling detail for luxury center consoles. At the helm, Pursuit pairs Garmin electronics with Yamaha engine controls for seamless operation of the mechanical and navigation functions. Below the center console are amenities including a fully enclosed head, convertible sofa berth, large storage areas, and galley.

Above-deck social zones in the bow area, at the helm and aft in the cockpit give plenty of guest space. A forward sunpad and teak tables provide room for entertaining. Anglers will appreciate a 24-gallon livewell and two fish boxes, along with the raised mezzanine seat in the wideopen cockpit. When powered with triple Yamaha 300-hp engines, the Pursuit S 368 runs to a top speed of 49 mph, cruises at 32.1 mph and has a range at cruise of 317 miles utilizing the 425-gallon fuel tank.

pursuitboats.com

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