Curious if a center console is the right vessel for you? Designed with inshore and offshore anglers in mind, center consoles are identified by their steering station on a console located — yes, you guessed it — in the center of the cockpit. These boats are incredibly versatile, thanks to their open deck space and fold-up stowable seating options in the aft deck and bow area. Center consoles are also known to make great general-purpose vessels, ideal for a variety of recreational activities.
Today’s largest center console boats are often equipped with multiple outboard engines that allow boaters to easily cut across big swells at high speeds. Open them up to full throttle on calm waters, and they can run like angry hornets on a hot day – straight out to those coveted fishing grounds and back. Dive into the center console boat’s most important characteristics and features.
Offshore Fishing
With 360-degree views and open decks for following a fish, center console boats are a favorite among offshore sports fishermen. Today’s center-console tournament fishing boats are big, powerful and optimized for speed.
Advanced Fishing Features
Most large models include an extensive make-up of fishing features:
- Livewells with macerator pumps
- Rod lockers
- Multiple baitwell options
- Bait tackle stations
- Rocket launchers
- Individual storage compartments
- Insulated fish boxes
- Bait freezers
- Rigging stations
- Outriggers
- Cutting boards
Impressive Seakeeping Ability
The center console’s reliable sea handling allows boaters to breathe easily when faced with rough waters. Larger center consoles are ideal for quick transport to fishing grounds and provide a decent range with a sizable fuel tank. If you plan to fish offshore, consider a high-performance vessel like the Fountain or Contender for increased confidence through choppy seas. Center console boats between thirty and forty feet can typically cut across three to five-foot waves safely at cruising speeds. A handful of premium builders including Invincible, Freeman, Twin Vee, SeaHunter and World Cat have also constructed impressive models, mostly in the power catamaran class, that can safely handle steep six to eight-foot swells.
Center consoles are diverse in their design, and the serious angler will consider how these differences impact performance offshore. Variables that affect a center console’s performance include:
- Width (Beam)
- Length overall (LOA)
- Depth of the V and deadrise
- The vessel’s weight
- The hull shape
- Position of helm
- Power choice
- Capacity (including passengers, fuel, and freshwater)
- Console storage (and/or berth/head and other amenities)
- Weather conditions
- Waves and tides
Covered Helms
Center consoles are considered day boats, so they offer basic protection from the elements. You’ll find a windshield in front of the main helm controls to block wind and overspray. For added shade and comfort, center console owners can choose models with removable Bimini tops, extendable sun shades, or fiberglass hardtops, commonly referred to as T-tops.
Bimini Tops
The primary advantage of a Bimini top is that it can be lowered and concealed. Typically, it will also be removable and stowable, so you can shield yourself from pelting rain or sit back and enjoy the sunshine. Aft sun shades usually come in a telescoping style, with a collapsible awning that extends from the back of a T-top over the aft deck. You may instead opt for forward sun shades that can be affixed to set mount points, offering cover for the bow passenger area. A Bimini and its sunshade are composed of three core materials: acrylic, polycarbonate and vinyl.
Full T-tops
A full T-top will offer more protection as the seas kick up and the wind cranks up a few knots. Many large center consoles come with well-designed T-tops and wrap-around side windshields. These, along with the hull’s design and ride characteristics help those at the helm stay dry during rainstorms.
Center Console Sizes
Center consoles are available in a large variety of sizes, from fifteen feet to a whopping sixty-five feet, so you can prioritize the features best suited to your lifestyle. The standard center console falls between twenty and thirty feet long. Smaller and average-sized vessels are perfect for coastal and inshore fishing or cruising through calm waters. If you plan on taking overnight trips, you may want to opt for a thirty-four-foot to thirty-six-foot center console that can accommodate an onboard marine head, or toilet.
As a general rule of thumb, the longer the boat, the smoother the ride. This is because longer boats are able to bridge waves instead of simply following their contours. You can also cover substantially more ground while fishing on larger consoles since these can venture further offshore in a faster, safer manner than smaller models. The largest center console boats in the world exceed fifty feet in length with extra wide beams.
Power and Engine Options
Ocean-going, high-performance center consoles are often fitted with aggressive double or triple outboards. On the world’s fastest center console models, you’ll find quad outboards or more. Large center consoles on today’s market are rated for over 1,500 HP, provided by multiple outboards in complex, highly-engineered transom riggings.
In most circumstances, smaller boats around eighteen to twenty-two feet require less power, the average falling between 90-200HP. Mid-sized twenty-three to thirty-foot center consoles may increase in max power ratings, typically 250 to 400 HP. A single-engine is normally adequate for inshore fishing or cruising, given the close proximity to the coastline and other boaters. Twin engines are recommended as a safety measure when traveling further offshore. Keep in mind that two engines are almost always the smart choice, so you are not left stranded or “dead in the water” should one happen to cut out.
Popular Tender Choices
The center console is a favorite when it comes to tender choice since it allows for greater freedom of movement with easy bow access and convertible dining stations. Many families and groups prefer center consoles for day trips because they come fit for a wide range of activities, from fishing and tow sports to cruising and picnicking. Medium to large consoles are the most popular tender choices due to their added protection, stowage and comfortability.
Luxury Center Consoles
When it comes to size, most luxury center console boats fall on the greater end of the scale and offer exemplary performance and comfort. Usually, these are heavily powered with triple or quad outboard engines of at least 300hp each.
Best Center Console Boat Manufacturers
Two of the world’s finest performance boat builders are Cigarette Racing and Fountain Powerboats. Catering to the boater’s every need, their center consoles come complete with integrated cup holders, glove box compartments, ergonomic multi-density foam seats, LED lighting, wind flairs and wind doors. A helpful benchmark for used Cigarette boats includes an average starting price of $100,000 and a price tag of $2,000,000 on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Other leading brands pushing the limits of center console boats are Scout Boats, Midnight Express and HCB Yachts. Their newer models are strapped with more engines and luxurious amenities historically reserved for larger motor yachts. Familiar industry names like Boston Whaler, Contender, Everglades, Pursuit, Nor-tech Boats and Intrepid are also constructing center consoles ranking high in terms of performance. Particularly popular with families are builders like Cobia, Edgewater, Sea Fox, Caymas, Aquasport, Grady-White, Robalo, Regulator and Sea Hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between a center console and a dual console?
A dual console’s layout is best suited for families who do a lot of cruising. These boats are associated with creature comforts like extra seating and storage, making them ideal vessels for accommodating more passengers and gear, often even a marine head.
A center console is considered to have a more “fishable” layout than a dual console. On a dual console, anglers are usually limited to casting areas on the bow and stern, whereas on a center console, they can easily walk around the entire deck with a rod in hand and 360-degree access to water.
What is the largest console boat in the world?
HCB Yachts 65’ Estrella has earned the title of largest console boat in the world. This premium boat builder is known for its collection of larger models. Discover more ferociously fast center consoles on the fastest center console boats in the world.
How fast can a center console boat go?
Most high-performance center consoles can reach speeds of 60 MPH to 85 MPH, though any speed over 50 MPH is considered fast for these vessels. On quick day trips, center consoles cruise efficiently between 25 MPH and 35 MPH.
What are the disadvantages of a center console boat?
One of the main drawbacks of center consoles is their lack of interior accommodations and protection from the elements. Installing side curtains with zippers and doors and a quality T-top can fill in these gaps. Boaters in colder climates who want to avoid the chill may also want to consider a pilothouse style boat or an express style boat.
How much do center console boats cost?
Center console boats are available for a wide range of budgets, with average price tags of $10,000 to $1,200,000.
Whether you’re casting a line in calm, coastal waters or embarking on your next deep sea adventure, there is a center console perfectly suited to you and your lifestyle. First-time buyer? We have your back. Uncover the basics of all things fishing boats with our fishing boat guide.
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