Offshore Fishing Boats – Sport Fishing Mag https://www.sportfishingmag.com Sport Fishing is the leading saltwater fishing site for boat reviews, fishing gear, saltwater fishing tips, photos, videos, and so much more. Sun, 07 May 2023 22:35:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/favicon-spf.png Offshore Fishing Boats – Sport Fishing Mag https://www.sportfishingmag.com 32 32 Sailfish 316 DC First Glance https://www.sportfishingmag.com/boat-reviews/sailfish-316-dc-first-glance/ Mon, 18 Jul 2022 16:30:48 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=50883 Sailfish Boats introduces its biggest dual console to date.

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Sailfish 316 DC out on the water
LOA: 30 ft. 6 in.; Beam: 9 ft. 9 in.; Weight: 8,100 lb. (w/ engines); Draft: 1 ft. 10 in.; Transom Deadrise: 22 to 24 deg.; Fuel Capacity: 265 gal.; Max HP: 700 hp Courtesy Sailfish Boats

Sailfish Boats has added its largest dual-console model yet—the 316 DC—bringing to three the number of models in this series for the brand. “Based on the positive response to our other DC models, we wanted to offer a larger option for boaters seeking the all-around versatility and stability of a dual console model,” says Rob Parmentier, company president and CEO.

Sailfish 316 DC running through a wake
The offshore capabilities of the 316 DC come courtesy of the Sailfish Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) hull and twin outboards, providing up to 700 hp total. Courtesy Sailfish Boats

Offshore Capable

The 316 DC offers an offshore-capable hull featuring the company’s Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) design with three step angles. The deepest of the three steps features a 24-degree angle designed to slice through the water, with a second surface of 23 degrees enabling air to flow efficiently under the hull for less friction and greater fuel economy. The third and outermost step measures 22 degrees to enhance stability at rest. Power choices include twin Yamaha or Mercury outboards up to 700 total horsepower. The Sailtech construction of the 316 DC incorporates materials including Kevlar, quad axial fiberglass mat, spray core and Trevira to ensure reliability, strength and durability in rough conditions.

Sailfish 316 DC out fishing
The 316 DC offers a host of fishing features, including a roomy aft cockpit, a 30-gallon livewell and 14 rod holders. Courtesy Sailfish Boats

Angling Amenities

Fishing features include a spacious aft cockpit made possible by a 9-foot 9-inch beam. A 30-gallon livewell is nestled into the port quarter; a transom door resides on the starboard quarter, and there are two in-sole fish boxes with overboard pumpouts, in addition to a pair of insulated fish lockers, in the bow. The 316 DC boasts a total of 14 rod holders, and an inward opening door on the port side aft cockpit lets you haul aboard a big tuna or swordfish.

Coaming pads encircle the cockpit to cushion legs while fishing. The integrated hardtop boasts a full-height windshield, and a unique sliding center panel for the walk-through blocks the wind when closed and eliminates the need to flip over a heavy pane of glass to access the bow. The 316 DC is equipped with an in-stem anchor roller.

Read Next: Sailfish 320 CC Boat Review

Sailfish 316 DC cabin
The 316 DC offers abundant comfortable seating and a spacious port console interior with an electronic marine toilet, a vanity, freshwater sink and teak-framed mirror. Courtesy Sailfish Boats

Creature Comforts

The dual-console layout enhances family cruising opportunities, as do a trio of fold-out bench seats in the aft cockpit, aft-facing seats abaft the port and starboard deluxe helm chairs with flip-up bolsters and fold-down armrests, and wraparound loungers in the bow. You can also order the 316 DC with an optional wet bar and summer galley that fits behind the captain’s seat and includes a refrigerator, wine rack cooler, countertop and freshwater sink.

The dash on the starboard console is large enough to accommodate a pair of 12-inch Garmin multifunction displays. The port console houses a spacious step-down head compartment with an electronic marine toilet, vanity, freshwater sink and teak-framed mirror.

Specifications

LOA:30 ft. 6 in (32 ft. 6 in. rigged)
Beam:9 ft. 9 in.
Weight:8,100 lb. (w/ engines)
Draft:1 ft. 10 in.
Transom Deadrise:22 to 24 deg.
Fuel Capacity:265 gal.
Max HP:700 hp

Sailfish Boats – Cairo, Georgia; 229-377-2125

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Mystique 48 CC First Glance https://www.sportfishingmag.com/boat-reviews/mystique-48-cc-first-glance/ Wed, 13 Apr 2022 18:14:23 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=50490 Mystique Boatworks unveils plans for a luxury 48-foot outboard-powered fishing machine.

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Mystique 48 CC rendering
LOA: 48 ft.; Beam: 15 ft.; Weight: 30,000 lb. (w/engines); Draft: NA; Transom Deadrise: 19 deg.; Fuel Capacity: 600 gal. (standard), 750 gal (optional); Max HP: 2,400 hp; MSRP: N/A Computer rendering courtesy Mystique Boatworks

North Carolina-based Mystique Boatworks will hit the market this fall with its first model—the Mystique 48 CC—a custom outboard-powered luxury sportfisher. Hull No. 1 will incorporate cold-molded wood-boat techniques, with each subsequent model featuring composite materials and technology.

Designed by Jim Luxton, a co-founder of Jarrett Bay Boatworks, the 48 CC will feature 19 degrees of deadrise at the transom and progress to 24 degrees forward to help smooth the ride. The 48-footer will boast a 15-foot beam and a gyro-stabilizer for roll stability in rough seas.

Mystique 48 CC forward quarter
The Mystique 48 CC will feature classic Carolina sportfisher styling with a wide bow flare and broken, sweeping shear. Computer rendering courtesy Mystique Boatworks

Renderings depict handsome Carolina styling with a broken sweeping shear, wide bow flare, classic tumblehome in the aft quarters and a sculpted integral outboard bracket. Power will take the form of quadruple Mercury 600 hp Verado V-12 outboards with contra-rotating propellers. The company lists standard fuel capacity at 600 gallons with 750-gallon capacity available as an option. There’s also a 75-gallon diesel fuel tank for powering a marine generator. Mystique estimates that the 30,0000-pound boat will achieve a top speed in excess of 60 mph.

Read Next: Jarrett Bay 34 Walkaround Express First Glance

Mystique 48 CC with quad outboards
The new Mystique 48 CC will feature quadruple Mercury 600 hp Verado V-12 outboards with contra-rotating propellers. The company estimates a top speed in excess of 60 mph. Computer rendering courtesy Mystique Boatworks

Mystique plans to offer the 48 CC on a bespoke basis, with each boat customized to the buyer’s wishes. Concept rendering shows doors on both sides of the aft cockpit, a pair of 40-gallon transom livewells, and elevated mezzanine seating abaft the helm chairs. A lounge for two adorns the forward console. The center console merges seamlessly with the hardtop, and a three-sided tempered-glass windshield protects the helm area. Within the center console lies ample room for incorporating custom overnighting amenities such as a berth, galley, head and shower. Pricing was unavailable at press time.

In this video from Mystique Boatworks, the company’s design and engineering team members describe the concept of the 48 CC and the thinking that went behind it. Courtesy Mystique Boatworks

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Sailfish 320 CC Boat Review https://www.sportfishingmag.com/boat-reviews/sailfish-320-cc-boat-review/ Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:42:33 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=50471 Sailfish Boats’ 320 CC merges an efficient wave-taming hull design with a versatile and comfortable layout.

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Sailfish 320 CC in the ocean
LOA: 31 ft. 6 in.; Beam: 10 ft.; Transom Deadrise: 24 to 22 deg.; Draft: 1 ft. 10 in.; Weight: 10,500 lb. (w/ engines); Fuel: 285 gal.; Max HP: 700; Base Price: $301,683 (w/ twin Mercury Verado 300 V-8s) Courtesy Sailfish Boats

Stiff east winds buffeted the south Florida coast as I stepped aboard the new Sailfish 320 CC at Miami’s Sea Isle Marina. Michael Cohen from Nautical Ventures, the local Sailfish Boats dealership, welcomed me aboard, and the discussion immediately turned to the weather. “Dang wind,” I cursed. “It’ll be rough out there.”

“Yeah, but this gives us an opportunity to put the 320 CC to the test,” Cohen replied, as we cast off the dock. I sighed and nodded in agreement.

Sailfish Boats has a reputation for building wave-taming boats, thanks to an exclusive Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) hull. Now in its sixth generation, VDS features three distinct running surfaces. The transom deadrise, for example, changes in three 1-degree increments from 24 degrees (a true deep-V) at the very bottom to 22 degrees as it ascends to the hull sides.

Occurring along the length of the stepped hull, this multi-angle geometry helps deliver the soft ride of a deep-V in rough offshore waters (which the 320 CC is designed to fish), but also maximizes speed and fuel-efficiency in smooth water. What’s more, triple strakes and hard chines boost lift and toss aside spray to help ensure a dry ride.

Sailfish 320 CC offshore
Though this picture shows the 320 CC with Mercury Verado inline six-cylinder outboards, my test boat was powered by twin Merc Verado 300 V-8 outboards. Courtesy Sailfish Boats

Beefy Build

We’ll talk more about ride and handling later, but first let’s look at how Sailfish builds and equips this boat. Construction starts with a hand-laid stringer grid that’s injected with closed-cell foam and reinforced with fiberglass mat for structural integrity and durability. That explains the solid feel of the boat as we traversed the lumpy water.

Sailfish uses Kevlar- and carbon-fiber-reinforced high-load areas, and avoids using wood to eliminate any worries about rot. Sailfish backs it up with a 10-year warranty on the hull. Built-in rigging tubes with pull cords facilitate the addition of accessories that require running wires or hoses from the bilge to the helm. 

This video tour highlights many of the interior elements of the Sailfish 320 CC, including the bow seating, helm area, cockpit, transom design and deck layout. Jim Hendricks

Helm Heaven

Sailfish has enhanced the 40-inch-wide dash with an upholstered brow, which substantially cuts down on reflected glare. A pair of Garmin 16-inch multifunction displays, a Mercury Vessel View display, a Fusion audio source unit (serving Wet Sound speakers), and an accessory switch panel filled the dash of my test boat. A tilt-and-lock steering wheel lies to port.

I relished the convenient storage nooks at the helm, including a shelf and glove box to starboard. At the base of the console, behind the footrest, I discovered another convenient storage locker, and I really appreciated the full-width watertight tackle-organizer storage locker atop the console. There are also two USB charging ports inside.

To complete this offshore center-console fishing machine, nearly all boating anglers will opt for the available Offshore Tournament Pack II hardtop ($18,804), which includes an overhead electronics box, life-jacket stowage and 10 rod holders. Backing plates are integrated into the hardtop for adding antennas and radar.

A modest acrylic windshield wraps around the console, but I highly recommend the optional, three-piece clear-vinyl enclosure ($3,310) to minimize wind blast while underway.

Sailfish 320 CC livewell
The 320 CC features a 30-gallon livewell in the starboard quarter, as well as a 35-gallon well in the leaning post. Jim Hendricks

Bait Up!

I liked the 320 CC’s livewell capacity, which includes a 30-gallon tank in the starboard quarter and a 35-gallon well built into the leaning post abaft the twin high-back adjustable helm seats with flip-up bolsters and fold-down arm rests.

While we did not fish on this blustery test day, I found plenty of room to ice a catch inside twin 65-gallon insulated fish boxes in the bow and an 80-gallon insulated fish locker below the aft deck—all discharge overboard with pumps to evacuate ice melt, blood and slime.

I also discovered built-in rod and tackle storage on both inwales of the aft cockpit. Buyers can also order built-in tackle storage in the leaning post, accessible from the aft side, but this negates the leaning-post livewell, so I don’t recommend this option.

Sailfish 320 CC hull
Sailfish boats feature an exclusive Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) hull. Now in its sixth generation, VDS incorporates three distinct running surfaces along the length of the hull. Courtesy Sailfish Boats

Ride It Out

With the Atlantic festooned with white-capping 7- to 8-foot rollers, we diverted to Biscayne Bay where seas ran 2- to 4-feet to put the 320 CC through its paces. The hull sliced through waves at speed, producing a smooth ride without taking on a drop of spray. Handling proved crisp and predictable, and electric-power-assist hydraulic steering made turns fingertip easy.

In the more sedate waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, the twin Mercury 300 hp Verado V-8 outboards propelled my test boat to a top speed of 51 mph. (In previous testing by Mercury in even calmer seas, the boat reached a top speed of 56 mph.) In my test, the lift generated by the VDS design help vault the 31½-foot hull from zero to 30 mph in six seconds flat.

The 320 CC achieved its best cruising efficiency at 26.4 mph (3,500 rpm), where the outboards burned 16 gallons per hour for 1.65 mpg. Offshore anglers will love the cruising range of 423 miles based on 90 percent of the 285-gallon fuel capacity.

Sailfish 320 CC head
The console interior features an electric marine head, vanity with sink and freshwater faucet/pull-out shower fitting, mirror, port light and comfortable SeaDek flooring. Courtesy Sailfish Boats

All Decked Out

The 320 CC features a level deck, diamond “dot-matrix” nonskid and a center-console layout with plenty of room to follow a hooked fish while moving between the console and gunwales. With the seating pads removed from the elevated forward area, you can easily step up to battle a fish around the bow or man the anchor.

I found that the optional transom bench ($1,844) quickly tucks against the bulkhead to open up the aft cockpit for fishing, and the standard transom door in the port quarter enables the crew to haul aboard a big tuna or swordfish.

For all of its fishing prowess, the 320 CC can offer a softer side for those who order the optional Comfort Package, which adds an inviting sunpad and lounges in the bow area. There’s also a comfy seat on the forward console with a removable cooler underneath.

Read Next: Sailfish Boats 236 CC

Whether miles offshore or just on a harbor cruise, everyone will appreciate the comforts afforded by the console interior. Accessible via a companionway on the port side, the interior features an electric marine head, vanity with sink and freshwater faucet/pull-out shower fitting, mirror, port light and comfortable SeaDek flooring. I also discovered easy access to the backside of the helm rigging.

I like the style of the 320 CC, particularly the subtle sweep of the shearline and bold Carolina flare. Ultimately, Sailfish Boats’ 320 CC merges a wave-taming hull design, state-of-the-art construction, and a versatile offshore fishing layout in a package that offers superb performance, fuel efficiency and comfort.

Performance

Engines:Twin Mercury 300 hp Verado V-8 outboards
Load:207 gal. fuel, two crew
Time to 30 mph:6 sec.
Top Speed:51 mph @ 5,700 rpm
Best MPG:1.65 mpg @ 26.4 mph (3,500 rpm)

Hull

LOA:31 ft. 6 in.
Beam:10 ft.
Transom Deadrise:24 to 22 deg.
Draft:1 ft. 10 in.
Weight:10,500 lb. (w/ engines)
Fuel:285 gal.
Max HP:700
Base Price:$301,683 (w/ twin Mercury Verado 300 V-8s)

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Nor-Tech 392 Superfish Boat Review https://www.sportfishingmag.com/boat-reviews/nor-tech-392-superfish-boat-review/ Fri, 18 Mar 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=50406 High performance meets superior fishability.

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Nor-Tech 392 Super Fish in the ocean
LOA: 39 ft.; Beam: 10 ft.; Transom Deadrise: 21.5 deg.; Draft: 2 ft. 6 in. (engines down); Dry Weight: 17,000 lb. (w/ engines); Fuel: 465 gal.; Max HP: 1,800; MSRP: $1,063,193 (w/ test power) Courtesy Nor-Tech Boats

Nor-Tech built this 39-foot fishing platform on a double-stepped performance hull. With 1,800 hp in the form of four Mercury Racing 450 outboards, the 392 Superfish posted a top speed of 81.9 mph in my December test, even with the heavy upper-station superstructure.

The 10-foot-beam hull, equipped with SeaStar all-electric steering and digital throttle and shift, powered around turns like a barrel-racing horse, exhibiting zero side slip—a feat not all step-bottom boats can claim. Even though the flat-running attitude of the Nor-Tech gave us a butter-smooth ride, the design can accept a gyrostabilizer to add even more comfort for the offshore fishing crew.

392 Super Fish helm
The helm features an aircraft-quality windscreen and carbon-fiber dash panels. Courtesy Nor-Tech Boats

The aircraft-quality acrylic windscreen at the helm flared out on the sides to deflect wind away from the aft passengers. Carbon-fiber dash panels complement the true carbon-fiber-Kevlar hull construction; they add strength and rigidity to the dash panels to secure dual 22-inch Garmin displays. A 12-inch Garmin display on the upper station delivers data to the captain when he or she goes aloft, and two more 17-inch screens over the rigging station face aft, keeping the anglers engaged.

Belowdecks, a roomy compartment with a double berth and porcelain head also offers service access to the dash and battery switches for the four starting batteries, three trolling-motor batteries for the Rhodan trolling motor—a popular virtual-anchor choice for offshore bottom-fishing—and three more batteries for the electronics and stereo system with nearly three dozen speakers.

392 Super Fish tackle station
Nor-Tech included loads of features for anglers including a tackle station, twin livewells and tuna tubes. Courtesy Nor-Tech Boats

On the transom, two 65-gallon oval livewells and two tuna tubes keep baits lively. An enormous sea chest, with pre-installed spare pumps, feeds the pressurized tanks and the onboard raw-water washdown. I counted more than 80 Gemlux rod holders on my test boat as well as a pair of carbon-fiber outriggers with internal lines to reduce tangling and drag.

In the deck I found dual gear lockers with bucket racks and thousands of pounds of fish-box capacity. Interior cockpit height measured 24 inches aft, allowing a mate or angler to reach down to wire a fish.

Nor-Tech’s hulls are laid up in North Fort Myers, Florida, and shipped to St. Augustine, Florida, where the fishing team, led by billfish tournament champion Alden Thornton, rigs them to the exact specifications of a serious tournament angler. When Nor-Tech’s reputation for quality engineering and layup meets the talent of a committed tournament angler, we can be assured the 392 Superfish will live up to its name.

Read Next: More Saltwater Fishing Boat Reviews

392 Super Fish bow seating
The unobstructed bow area means anglers can walk a fish to the bow unimpeded. Courtesy Nor-Tech Boats

Hull Specs

LOA:39 ft.
Beam:10 ft.
Transom Deadrise:21.5 deg.
Draft:2 ft. 6 in. (engines down)
Dry Weight:17,000 lb. (w/ engines)
Fuel:465 gal.
Max HP:1,800
MSRP:$1,063,193 (w/ test power)

Performance

  • Engines: Quad Mercury Racing 450s
  • Load: Two crew, 200 gal. fuel, 50 gal. water
  • Time to 30 mph: 6.3 sec. Top speed: 81.9 mph @ 6,400 rpm Best MPG:  0.75 mpg @ 43.8 mph (4,000 rpm)

Nor-Tech Boats – Cape Coral, Florida; 239-567-5030

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World Cat 400CC-X Boat Review https://www.sportfishingmag.com/boat-reviews/world-cat-400cc-x-boat-review/ Fri, 11 Mar 2022 18:31:09 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=50386 Full-featured fish boat on a proven catamaran hull.

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World Cat 400CC-X running near shore
The World Cat 400CC-X can pair with twin Yamaha 425 XTOs, as pictured, or with quad F300s, as we tested it. Courtesy World Cat

I had previously tested the World Cat 400DC-X, a dual-console catamaran made for family fishing and fun. So when I saw the new 400CC-X cat last month in South Florida, I was amazed at how modifying the deck to accommodate a center-console design also created a fishing war wagon.

From the foredeck with its own lockable rod stowage to the 60-gallon aquarium-style livewell and the cooler with Dometic chiller plate in the transom, anglers will appreciate the 400CC-X. The cockpit features more than 200 square feet of space, and the side passageways with padded coamings are wide enough at 30 inches to chase fish forward. The standard hardtop comes loaded with rod holders and is designed to minimize overhead obstructions. 

World Cat 400CC-X cockpit
The wide-open cockpit gives anglers more than 200 square feet of fish-fighting space. Courtesy World Cat

With all that deck space, World Cat included multiple cavernous fish boxes. A pair of 115-gallon insulated boxes lie aft (with overboard Gulper Grouper pumps), another pair of 154-gallon insulated boxes that can be optioned as livewells lie forward.

I found ample coolers, too, including a 70-quart cooler under the cockpit bench seat and a 68-quart cooler forward. The portside tuna door opens inward for dock use, and a bait rigging station folds down from behind the helm seat.

World Cat 400CC-X rod storage
The full beam of this cat allows for lockable rod storage in the foredeck. Courtesy World Cat

The forward-entry console door when opened doesn’t block the skipper’s view, and the fully-lined head inside features a sink and freshwater electric toilet. At the helm, I found vented windows in the tempered-glass windshield, footrests at two levels, and a pair of Garmin 22-inch displays, which are protected by a reflection-blocking eyebrow.

World Cat lists twin Yamaha XTO 425s as standard power, but our test boat ran with quad F300s which, with the hammer down, gave me a top speed just shy of 60 mph. I found a cruising speed of 27 mph at 3,000 rpm, where the outboards consumed just 24 gph for 1.125 mpg and a range of more than 600 miles (with a 10 percent margin).

No question: The World Cat 400CC-X checks all the boxes for dedicated anglers.

Read Next: World Cat 400DC-X Boat Review

World Cat 400CC-X bow seating
Forward, the twin loungers, with storage beneath, move on tracks to join amidships forming a sunpad. Note the multiple rod holders flanking the sides of the loungers. When the backrests are removed, the sockets become additional rod holders. Courtesy World Cat

Hull Specs

LOA:39 ft. 8 in.
Beam:12 ft. 8 in.
Transom Deadrise:N/A (catamaran)
Draft:1 ft. 9 in.
Dry Weight:14,500 lb.
Fuel:Fuel: 604 gal.
Max HP:1,200 hp
Base Price:N/A
World Cat 400CC-X helm
The helm on our test boat featured three-across seating (sleigh seating option available), a tempered-glass windshield, footrests at two levels, and a pair of Garmin 22-inch displays protected by a reflection-blocking eyebrow. Courtesy World Cat

Performance

  • Engines: Quad Yamaha F300s
  • Load: 800 lb.
  • Time to 30 mph: 6.7 sec.
  • Top Speed: 57.4 mph @ 5,900 rpm
  • Best MPG: 1.125 mpg @ 27.5mph

World Cat – Tarboro, NC; 866-485-8899

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Sea Chaser 26 LX Bay Series: 2022 Boat Buyers Guide https://www.sportfishingmag.com/boats/sea-chaser-26-lx-bay-series-2022-boat-buyers-guide/ Mon, 24 Jan 2022 20:27:04 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=50171 While able to play multiple roles, fishing is clearly the LX Bay’s favored pursuit.

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Sea Chaser 26 LX out fishing
While able to play multiple roles, fishing is clearly the LX Bay’s favored pursuit. Sea Chaser

In sports, Sea Chaser’s 26 LX Bay would affectionately be referred to as a tweener, a versatile center-console that can’t be pigeonholed into one single category but instead excels in a variety of roles. In the bay, offshore, upriver or plying the waters of your favorite lake, it handles all with equal aplomb, whether the task at hand be fishing or just cruising with family and friends.

Much of the craft’s on-water versatility can be attributed to the hull—a stepped, dynamic-V design with a 17-degree deadrise that can slice its way through big water, display spirited handling in calmer conditions, and prove a stable platform at rest. Completely devoid of wood, it’s backed by a fiberglass stringer grid and high-density fiber-core foam transom. Topside, a molded fiberglass deck liner gives the interior a finished appearance, incorporates plenty of storage and fish-friendly compartments, and is self-bailing to funnel water overboard.

Sea Chaser 26 LX in the bay
Additional fishing highlights include trolling-motor panel with trim/tilt, port and starboard coaming pads, below-gunwale rod holders, eight flush-mounted rod holders, dedicated bucket storage. Sea Chaser

While able to play multiple roles, fishing is clearly the LX Bay’s favored pursuit. Spacious raised decks are found at both the bow and stern, each of which can be fitted with an optional pedestal fishing seat. At the bow, lockable rod/storage compartments are positioned to both port and starboard. Savvy buyers will appreciate that the lids open lengthwise, making it easier to both stash longer rods as well as access contents whether aboard or loading or unloading from the trailer. Open the additional flush deck hatches to reveal an anchor locker, insulated fish box, and a tackle box array. One of two onboard baitwells is found below the forward console seat. Aft, the other is located within the even-more-spacious rear platform. Two flush-mounted jump seats await below that deck’s surface when it’s time to relax and cruise. The center of the two raises to reveal spacious maintenance access to pumps and seacocks, with room for additional storage.

Sea Chaser 26 LX leaning post
At the console, Sea Chaser’s Ultra Leaning Post offers the function of a leaning post with the comfort of a seat, with backrest, flip-down footrest, four rod holders and designated storage for a 70-quart cooler. Sea Chaser

At the console, Sea Chaser’s Ultra Leaning Post offers the function of a leaning post with the comfort of a seat, with backrest, flip-down footrest, four rod holders and designated storage for a 70-quart cooler. A clean dash layout offers plenty of space for additional electronics. Overhead, a variety of top options are available, from Bimini to canvas T-top to a nicely finished molded fiberglass hardtop that matches the hull color on the underside and includes speakers, LED lights and electronics box.

High Points

  • Versatile design includes high gunwales, large bow grab rails for more security in big or offshore conditions, and minimal draft to get into skinnier coastal waters.
  • Additional fishing highlights include trolling-motor panel with trim/tilt, port and starboard coaming pads, below-gunwale rod holders, eight flush-mounted rod holders, dedicated bucket storage.
  • Standards include Sea Star hydraulic steering with tilt helm, blue LED underwater lights, raw-water washdown, swim platform with telescoping ladder.
  • Optional flip-up console offers a step down to a portable toilet or electric head with 9-gallon holding tank.

Specs

LOA: 25′11″

Beam: 8′7″

Draft (min): 12″

Dry Weight: 3,234 lb.

Seat/Weight Capacity: 12/3,400 lb.

Fuel Capacity: 84 gal.

Available Power: Single outboard to 350 hp

More Info

Sea Chaser – Waycross, Georgia; 800-422-7282; seachaser.com

MSRP: For pricing and additional details, please contact your local authorized Sea Chaser dealer.

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Grady-White Canyon 306: 2022 Boat Buyers Guide https://www.sportfishingmag.com/story/boats/grady-white-canyon-306-2022-boat-buyers-guide/ Tue, 21 Dec 2021 20:42:04 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=50020 The Canyon 306 meets the demands of even the most discerning anglers.

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Founded in 1959, Grady-White Boats builds 26 models of fiberglass offshore, sport-fishing and family-fishing boats, from 18 to 45 feet, in Greenville, North Carolina.

Grady-White Canyon 306 fishing near shore
The Canyon 306 can easily accommodate multiple anglers. Courtesy Grady-White Boats

One of the best-known and well-respected brands across several categories—and most represented in our survey—Grady-White’s reputation rides in large part on its hand-laid SeaV2 progressive hull. Deadrise begins at a stable 18 to 21 degrees at the transom, with wide chines providing stability both at rest and trolling, sharpening as it approaches the bow to split waves cleanly and softly.

The company has been awarded every third-party customer-satisfaction award ever presented in the marine industry, including JD Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Awards and NMMA Customer Satisfaction Index honors.

Grady-White Canyon 306

Grady-White’s popular 30-foot Canyon 306 has evolved, while retaining signature features.

Bow seating on the center console now features forward-facing backrests that fold away to further boost already -generous fishing room. An optional insert converts the entire bow to a roomy casting platform. Beneath the seat cushions are a pair of 150-quart insulated fish boxes.

The 306′s helm can accommodate two 16-inch displays, plus additional electronics and controls. The standard -fiberglass T-top has a large radio box, rod holders, outrigger plates, overhead PFD storage, LED lights, molded-in sound-system speakers, and spreader lights fore and aft, plus a full-height windshield.

Aft of the companion seat is a 47-gallon lighted livewell with a patented full-column aeration plenum and viewing window. A stand-up rigging station/-multipurpose area attends it.

The console features a roomy stand-up head enclosure with marine head, shower system and sink, teak accents, and recessed lighting.

Tuna-stick storage is -important to offshore center-console -respondents—68 percent stash seven or more—and the Canyon 306 meets their demands. Gunwale storage accommodates fly rods 9-plus feet, or 50-pound-class trolling sets, reels positioned forward or aft, secured behind a hinged locker door.

A 304-quart aft cockpit fish box, in addition to the two in the bow, awaits the catch of the day.

Survey Says: On Target

  • Patented foldaway transom seat
  • Unsinkable construction

Owners Say

  • Very reliable and steady offshore platform
  • Sturdy, reliable, functional
  • Quality and customer support

Brand Says

  • The size-range standard in the luxury sport-fishing market
  • We always keep key fishing features first in our designs, then we add the luxurious comfort and other features

Reader Response

  • “A solid, seaworthy boat in all types of seas”

Specs

LOA: 30′6″

Beam: 10′7″

Fuel Capacity: 290 gal.

Dry Weight: 6,950 lb. plus power

Max HP: 700

Certifications: NMMA

More Info

gradywhite.com

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Regulator Marine 31: 2022 Boat Buyers Guide https://www.sportfishingmag.com/story/boats/regulator-marine-31-2022-boat-buyers-guide/ Tue, 21 Dec 2021 19:09:27 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=50019 Regulator’s 31 is built to handle rough seas while satisfying the needs of a variety of anglers.

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In our survey, Regulator was among the handful of respected brands current boat owners were most likely to consider for their next purchase.

Regulator 31 on its way out fishing
The Regulator 31 mixes a solid ride with loads of fishing features. Courtesy Regulator Marine

It’s no wonder, with hand-built Lou Codega-designed hulls, their four components crafted and then polybonded, fiberglassed and foam-filled to create a single no-wood unit free of noise, creaking, soft spots, leaking, cracks and caulk. A boat ready for the brand’s signature, “Offshore Life.”

Standard are fiberglass hardtops, which 23 percent of offshore CC owners list as the most important convenience feature in a boat like theirs. Those hardtops welcome options such as Taco Grand Slam outriggers. Other options include Yamaha Helm Master EX controls that include autopilot, waypoint deceleration, and Multimode Set Point to hold the boat in desired position.

Regulator Marine 31

One can arm this massive center-console with a pair of twin Yamaha 300s, but an exciting new option is dual Yamaha 425s, producing a top speed of 64 mph, making this the fastest boat in the swift Regulator fleet.

The helm is served by a factory-installed Garmin Offshore Package electronics suite to complement the Yamaha CL5 display. Seakeeper 2 gyroscopic stabilization is an option, controllable via the Garmin or CL5 displays. Seakeeper is sought by 32 percent of those surveyed.

Helm-seating and tackle-center options include a new 3X Deluxe Mezzanine Tackle Center, with rear-facing seating in addition to twin forward-facing console seating.

Angling is enabled by the 31′s massive cockpit, with four gunwale-mounted rod holders that meet the demands of 33 percent of survey respondents; tackle center, in-deck fishbox and T-Top hold more.

Forward are three 200-plus-quart fish or gear compartments within seats, plus a 500-quart in-deck compartment that can also provide the lockable rod storage that 28 percent of CC survey respondents request. Within the transom are a 228-quart fish box and a 36-gallon livewell, which meets the needs of 69 percent of survey respondents.

Survey Says: On Target

  • Cockpit and forward SunShade options
  • Stand-up head with rod storage on the 31

Owners Say

  • The ride in rough seas is fantastic
  • Well-laid-out boat; comfortable in the water

Brand Says

  • Tested against in the conditions of the Outer Banks
  • Maximum versatility
  • When nothing is moving beneath your feet, you know you are on a boat built to handle the high seas

Reader Response

  • “Good riding, dry, with tons of storage”

Specs

LOA: 31′4″

Beam: 10′4″

Fuel Capacity: 300 gal.

Dry Weight: 10,800 lb. with power

Max HP: 850

Certifications: NMMA

More Info

regulatormarine.com

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Everglades 455cc Boat Review https://www.sportfishingmag.com/story/boat-reviews/everglades-455cc-boat-review/ Fri, 15 Oct 2021 00:28:00 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=48902 A luxury center console with the fishability of a battlewagon.

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Everglades 455cc running in the ocean
LOA: 45 ft.; Beam: 13 ft. 3 in.; Transom Deadrise: 25 deg.; Draft: 4 ft. 2 in.; Dry Weight: 28,000 (w/ engines); Fuel: 683 gal.; Max HP: 1,800 hp; Price (as tested): $1.7 million Courtesy Everglades Boats

On my summer test day—with fair winds and bluebird skies off Long Island—I worried about how we’d put this 45-foot Everglades through its paces. But when I got to the docks and saw the 455cc tied in its slip, I knew at first glance that it would be a serious offshore fishing machine.

Rigged for an upcoming tuna tournament, this center console sported a quiver of rods jutting elegantly from its hardtop. More rods lined the gunwale topsides and still others stowed away in the inwale racks. Overall, I found space for 40 rods.

Other great fishing features include the two pressurized 50-gallon livewells with clear acrylic lids, the 75-gallon and 40-gallon insulated fish boxes in the transom, plus the two 22-gallon boxes in the main cockpit sole, and a 120-gallon insole one forward of the console. The second helm station on the hardtop features redundant systems that make it easy to drive the boat and navigate while fish-spotting. The main cockpit features twin dive doors port and starboard for landing fish. Two 22-foot Gemlux outriggers come standard, as do the built-in bait-prep station and tackle drawers behind the helm seats.

Everglades 455cc cockpit
Fishing features include two 50-gallon livewells, five fish boxes, a bait station, and standard Gemlux outriggers. Courtesy Everglades Boats

With its single-level deck, high freeboard and wide passageways around the console, the 455cc also makes it easy to fight fish hassle-free.

Yamaha specifically designed the 425 XTO Offshore outboard to propel boats just like this one, and the quad installation helped this 28,000-pound boat plane exceptionally quickly, with no loss of visibility at the helm. During my sea trial, we executed lock-to-lock turns at 30 mph with the precision of a much smaller boat. We could not muster up enough of a sea state to rattle the boat in any way.

Read Next: Everglades 455cc First Glance

Below the waterline and beneath the deck, Everglades delivers the engineering that makes this boat a true bluewater battlewagon. The close-molded RAMCAP construction gives the hull an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It’s also foam-filled, making it unsinkable. The variable-deadrise hull tapers to a steep 25-degrees at the transom, helping it perform well in heavy seas.

I left the docks that day wishing I could be part of the tournament crew. Fishing on a boat like that would be top-notch.

Everglades 455cc helm
Two rows of seating and an expansive helm face provide comfortable room for a crew of anglers and high-tech navigation and fish-finding capabilities for the captain. Courtesy Everglades Boats

Hull Specs

LOA: 45 ft.
Beam: 13 ft. 3 in.
Transom Deadrise: 25 deg.
Draft: 4 ft. 2 in.
Dry Weight: 28,000 (w/ engines)
Fuel: 683 gal.
Max HP: 1,800 hp
Price (as tested): $1.7 million

Performance

  • Engines: Quad 425-hp Yamaha XTO Offshore
  • Load: Half fuel, full water, full gear
  • Time to 30 mph: 9.9 seconds
  • Top Speed: 59 mph @ 6,000 rpm
  • Best MPG: .74 mpg @ 17.7 mph (2,500 rpm)

Everglades Boats – Edgewater, Florida

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Everglades 455cc First Glance https://www.sportfishingmag.com/story/boat-reviews/everglades-455cc-first-glance/ Wed, 09 Jun 2021 18:05:38 +0000 https://www.sportfishingmag.com/?p=47655 Everglades’ biggest boat yet: the 455cc offshore fishing machine.

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Everglades 455cc rendering
LOA: 45 ft. (47 ft. 2 in. with engines); Beam: 13 ft. 3 in.; Weight: 28,00 lb. (w/ engines); Draft: 4 ft. 2 in. (engines down); Transom Deadrise: 25 deg.; Fuel Capacity: 683 gal.; Max HP: 1,800 hp Courtesy Everglades Boats

Everglades Boats has unveiled the largest model in the 20-year history of the brand: the 455cc. This 45-foot center console is available with quad 425 hp Yamaha XTO Offshore V-8 outboards capable of propelling the 455cc to speeds in excess of 59 mph at 6,000 rpm, according to Everglades test data.

Factory testers reached optimum cruising speed at 4,500 rpm, where the boat ran 41.1 mph and burned 70 gallons of fuel per hour (0.59 mpg), resulting in a cruising range of more than 360 miles based on 90 percent of the 683-gallon fuel capacity.

Featuring Everglades’ patented closed-molded RAMCAP construction, the deep-V hull with 25 degrees of deadrise at the transom features high-density closed-cell structural foam flotation, rendering it unsinkable. The hull carries a lifetime warranty.

The Everglades 455cc has numerous rod holders
Twenty rod holders line the gunwales and transom of Everglades’ 455cc, and the transom sports two pressurized livewells, leaving little doubt concerning the angling mission of this big new center console. Courtesy Everglades Boats

Built to Fish

Though the 455cc comes replete with creature comforts, Everglades touts this big center console as an uncompromising fishing machine. It offers a single-level deck for unfettered access from bow to stern. A pair of pressurized 50-gallon transom livewells with latching clear-acrylic lids are served by a pump box. Two transom fish boxes (40 and 75 gallons) drain overboard; twin insulated 22-gallon macerated fish boxes lie under the aft cockpit sole, and an insulated 120-gallon macerated fish box resides under the forward deck.

Everglades placed tackle storage under the mezzanine seating and horizontal rod stowage under the gunwales. Tuna doors occupy both sides of the aft cockpit to ease landing of big fish, as well as boarding from floating docks.

The 455cc has a plush cabin
A plush air-conditioned cabin within the console features a galley, enclosed head/shower, and a dining area that converts to a king-size berth for overnighting. Courtesy Everglades Boats

Interior Layout

Two rows of richly upholstered helm seating, plus aft-facing mezzanine seating, accommodate eight crew members. The forward console features contoured loungers for three more crew, with a pair of loungers in the bow.

Within the console resides a step-down, air-conditioned cabin with a galley, convertible dining area that converts to a king-size berth for overnighting, and an enclosed head with a shower. There’s also a 32-inch flat-screen TV and access to the 455cc’s AC/DC control panel.

Read Next: Everglades 395cc First Glance

The console integrates with hardtop and boasts a windshield that slides down at the press of a button to usher in fresh air on sultry days. A motorized cockpit shade extends from within the hardtop for UV protection.

The 455cc with an optional tower
Everglades’ 455cc is available with an optional tower that includes a second station and a secondary hardtop to provide shade for those who go aloft. Courtesy Everglades Boats

King-Size Console

With the largest helm area ever on an Everglades, the dash features integrated control of onboard system, as well as chart plotting and sonar functions, via three massive Garmin GPSMap 8622xsv multifunction displays. A standard Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer quells roll in lumpy seas, and Yamaha’s Helm Master system offers a host of station-keeping and low-speed docking benefits. An optional tower with an upper station includes folding helm-seat bolsters, a Garmin 8616 MFD, and a second Helm Master joystick.

The 455cc forward console with spacious seating
The forward console features three contoured lounge seats, and there are two more loungers in the bow area. Courtesy Everglades Boats

Specifications

LOA: 45 ft. (47 ft. 2 in. with engines)

Beam: 13 ft. 3 in.

Weight: 28,00 lb. (w/ engines)

Draft: 4 ft. 2 in. (engines down)

Transom Deadrise: 25 deg.

Fuel Capacity: 683 gal.

Max HP: 1,800 hp

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