If you want to see the newest boats on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Sport Fishing‘s editors have you covered with this gallery of the brand-new fishing boats on display at this year’s event.
Some other fishing boats might have made their debut at previous boat shows, but they remain hot commodities within the fishing and boating community. Many also sport updates and redesigned deck elements.
Avenger AV-26 Bay
This 26-foot bay boat features an 89-gallon fuel tank, dual battery switch, deluxe aluminum leaning post, 12-gallon bow livewell and two 27-gallon stern livewells, port and starboard rod lockers, insulated 260-quart forward fish box and insulated 180-quart aft fish box, 96-quart front-step cooler, four flush gunwale rod holders and two aft deck rod holders, and more.
Bahama 41
This versatile 41-foot center console now features an optional Seakeeper gyro system. It comes with 580 gallons of fuel capacity, a 65-gallon freshwater tank and a 60-gallon livewell. Three forward-seating options in the bow, each with a fish box underneath, add to the features of this fishing machine, which can handle up to 1,700 hp.
Bertram 35 Sport Fish
Pulling inspiration from the iconic 31, the Bertram 35 sport fish has been popular since its unveiling in 2016. There is cockpit seating above the two engine boxes where the Caterpillar C7.1 engines are located. The convertible is expected to top 40 knots and the galley has a modern look and offers cook tops as well as refrigerated storage, making it a boat perfect for a weekend getaway.
Carolina Skiff 21 Ultra Elite
Hydraulic steering, a power-grip steering wheel, a console livewell with LED lighting, a 200 hp Suzuki outboard, and a bow table are some of the many features of the Carolina Skiff 21 Ultra Elite.
Contender 39 Fisharound
Sport Fishing reviewed Contender’s new 39 Fisharound earlier this year and the design has proven extremely popular. The 460-gallon fuel tank, 1,600 maximum horsepower, top speed of 68.2 mph and more make this 39-footer a serious offshore machine. Contender placed a pair of 40-gallon livewells in the transom, and the cabin includes a full galley, stand-up shower and air conditioning.
HydraSports Custom 5300 Sueños
The 5300 Sueños has been around for a little while but what’s new, HydraSports Custom’s Alex Leva tells SF is the increasing popularity of its tender model. That’s right: More and more superyacht owners are using this largest production center console boat as a tender for their yachts.
Regulator 31
Sport Fishing reviewed the Regulator 31 center console earlier this year. The 300-gallon fuel tank, twin Yamaha F300 outboards and top speed of 53 mph are some of the features of the boat.
Sea Vee 270Z Bay
Sea Vee’s celebrated 270Z Bay boat sports a brand-new leaning post/tackle station configuration for 2018. The full fiberglass captain’s edition helm unit replaces the original streamlined leaning post. The 270Z also comes with front and rear fish boxes that can be converted into bait wells, an additional bow well, two rod lockers and vertical rod storage in the leaning post for up to 19 rods on the boat. The 270Z offers pop-up seating astern for additional comfort on long runs, and Sea Vee provides three options for power: 300, 350 or 400 hp.
Southport 33 FE (Family Edition)
The Southport 33 FE center console, which is 32 and a half feet long, features four rod holders aft of the helm and twin Suzuki 350 hp outboard engines. The boat also has an insulated console front-seat cooler, an in-deck 75-gallon fish box and the option of an entertainment center behind the console with a sink and electric grill, one of the family-oriented features on this model.
Stamas 392 Tarpon
The 39-foot center console fishing boat from Stamas made its debut at the Miami boat show earlier this year. The Tarpon comes with triple Yamaha 300 hp outboards. It features a 120-quart transom baitwell and two forward fish boxes, each 347 quarts. A gunwale storage box is another feature, plus four under-gunwale rod holders, along with the boat’s 410-gallon fuel capacity and 40-gallon freshwater capacity.
Wellcraft 302 Fisherman
Wellcraft’s 302 Fisherman, a 30-foot center console introduced at the Miami boat show, offers anglers 268 gallons of fuel capacity, nine color options and an array of fishing-first features. A transom folding bench, built-in livewell, T-top with rod holders, extensive casting platforms, captain’s chair and multiple forward storage options are some of the key crowd-pleasers.
World Cat 280CC-X
Still a much-talked-about model, the 280CC-X from World Cat includes twin 89-gallon fish boxes with rod storage and a 30-gallon livewell. The catamaran is 27 and a half feet long, carries 220 gallons of fuel and is available with up to 400 horsepower.
