Center Console

P

Planeguy

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For years I have been wanting a small center console boat to just putz around in and maybe pull a tube or something like that. I don't need all the live wells that most of these come with so does anyone have a suggestion?
 
Most small center consoles are fishing boats and don't have much seating for passengers, and no provision for a rear-facing observer. If it's primary use will be putzing or tubing, a small runabout might suit your purposes better.

JMO
 
I've been passenger fishing in several CC's. Plenty of room to fish, but a little wet on the way home if the water is rough.
I'd have one!
 
This little boat has provided more enjoyment & has more uses than almost any of our large boats.



A 14' Maritime Skiff.
 
Try a mid 80's Wellcraft V20 cuddy cabin. Plenty fast, good seating and takes rough water very well.
 
If you are on small lakes, or rivers, and do not intend to use it on a large body of water, that changes the scope of the search significantly IMHO. A deep V is not going to be a requirement. If you have family aboard and anticipate the need for a head, there are CCs out there with heads in the console but most of these are going to be 17 feet or more.
For skiing and tubing I would suggest 100 hp or more because you will most likely have other folks in the boat at the same time. Whalers are over priced in my opinion.
Think no wood in the hull, and none for trim. A Ttop will provide shade but could be a head banger. I looked around on Craigs List quite a while before I decided we would go with a new RIB because of our itinerary. I didn't want something that would be heavy as a tow. The killer came when the insurance went through the roof over 40 hp.

But I was looking at Makos, Sea Chasers, Sea Pros, and Scouts.
 
My suggestion is look at a 19' cc with a ttop that you can use for the water toy. Your budget will tell how new or old. on newer Gradys they have the pull post as options...just stay away from boats that pound and anything underpowered...I used all my cc's to pull skiers and toys. Just consider where you are putting the toy after use. The ttop's a great place to strap it down to.

Water toys take more hp than skiing and have much more mass. A smaller boat will feel the weight if you use a big toy.
 
I have a 17.5 Scout that I love. It has a 90 HP yamaha four stroke that purrs like a kitten.

scout.jpg
 
I have a 20' Mako with a 175 on it. We also have the tee top. The tee top gives you room for antennas or even a solar charger. I love the way it cuts through the chop of the Great South Bay and gives a comfortable ride. The best part is when I get back to the dock, a quick rinse with the hose and we're done.

As for the live wells, empty them and plug them from the stern. No worries.

Billy K.
 
Thanks for all the info. Hogan love the look of your Scout.
 
I like that look also. Be careful with the model Scout. There have been reports of water getting into the console over the transom. I had a tough time finding out which models this was associated with. I have seen them in the Bahamas, along with Grady's, Whalers, Sea Fox, Mako, Sea Pro, Key Largos, etc.. Of course there is the Albury Brothers brand but you better have very deep pockets for those as well as Regulator.
 
Water does not come over the transom, it does come in through the scuppers at times, but flows right out once you get on plane.
 
Water coming in through the scuppers can be an annoyance on some CCs, particularly with a big (heavy) engine. Not usually a problem though as it goes right back out. It IS something you want to check.
 
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