Innholdsfortegnelse for Fishing Boat Buyers Guide 2025 i Salt Water Sportsman

There's something about stepping aboard a freshly minted saltwater fishing boat—maybe it's that new-boat smell or the glint of gleaming gelcoat—that stirs my blood and sends my imagination soaring. Though GPS might pin me in a dealer showroom or at a boat show, I am suddenly transported to a far-flung lat/lon, finding myself afloat in the crystalline waters of the Bahamas battling a big mahi or amid the rips of Nantucket Sound feeling the surge of a trophy striped bass as it burns line off the reel. This is the magic of new-boat shopping. No matter what kind of saltwater fishing boat you seek, once on deck, you place yourself on the water and in the action. And in so doing, you begin to evaluate the features versus those in…

Sōlace is a company founded on open-minded adoption of new materials and processes, many of which have set new industry benchmarks. This is tempered by decades of experience in fiberglass boatbuilding, what the company calls “The Dougherty Difference,” a reference to the current president, Stephen Dougherty, and his late father, Bob Dougherty. In short, a Dougherty has helmed four different award-winning and iconic boat companies. With the 41CS and the 415 CS, all of that imagination, vision, experience and expertise is wrought in molded fiberglass. These boats ride a twin-stepped hull that we have experienced to be seakindly, efficient, fun to run, and free from quirks—from New England to South Florida and beyond. LOA 44'3” Beam 12'3” Transom Deadrise 22 degrees…

This past summer, my cousin spent 13 hours at anchor in the water off Panama City, Florida, in a center-console with no T-top. When a part-time guide's single outboard gave out during a half-day red snapper trip, my cousin and two other anglers aboard ran out of beer waiting on a tow service. Thankfully they had plenty of sunscreen. “This is a boat category for which many buyers need to look at the pluses and minuses of a single outboard versus twin outboards.” DAVE GREENWOOD, SUZUKI MARINE Therein lies the enduring argument for twin outboards, especially for the risk-averse. Even with increased depend-ability and the multitude of single-engine boats regularly returning safely from offshore trips, there remains a slim chance of being stranded without a backup. That risk increases for…

Ultimately, bonded-glass glazings have made boats safe and more comfortable, as well as better-looking. Advancements in glass molding and adhesive technology, coupled with the ingenious and dedicated work from marine designers, has sparked a transformation in boat windshields and windows, particularly on center-console saltwater fishing boats. Known as glazings in the marine-design field, the latest glass windshields and windows are not only strong and durable, but they are also more stylish and safer when compared with other windshields made from materials such as clear acrylic, polycarbonate or vinyl. “These glass glazings first appeared in the marine market on superyachts,” says Rob Kaidy, vice president of engineering for SeaVee Boats. Yachts require sweeping high-strength glazings, and today's styling cues often demand complex curves. Bonding Experience High-strength-yet-flexible bonding agents are available from…

Each Aquila Power Catamaran, from 28 to 70 feet, is designed top to bottom as a pure power catamaran, and not, as the company says, a de-masted sailing catamaran. The faster you go with this power cat, the softer the ride becomes. The tunnel between the hulls is designed to reduce drag, increase lift, and cushion the ride. The raised bridge deck enhances visibility. The transition from at rest to on plane is essentially undetectable—aside from pin-you-inyour-seat acceleration—because there is little change in trim angle and the ride stays virtually level. Aquila cabins and salons are served by smooth, quiet, and energy-efficient variable-speed air-conditioning pumps. At the helm, Raymarine electronics provide fully integrated and seamless information and control. 47 Molokai The Aquila 47 Molokai power catamaran boasts both serious offshore…

NEW FOR ‘25 Within their family's 70-year boatbuilding legacy, Bill and Gary Kenner created K2 Marine, which builds Frontier Boats and BlackJack Boats. BlackJack is a line of esteemed saltwater centerconsole bay boats. Frontier is also a line of dry-riding bay boats but with a focus on value. Each BlackJack is assembled by hand, its Carolina-flare hull built with molds designed by Bill and Gary Kenner. The concave-design bow slices into chop and waves and, combined with the reverse flare of the hull chines, turns spray down and away for a smoother, drier ride. Large lifting strakes reduce the hull's wetted surface for more efficiency at speed. The tumblehome transom hearkens back to classic wood hulls. Handmade touches include traditional hand-laid laminates to 57 individual pieces. BlackJack owners, many of…

NEW FOR ‘25 Cobia has crafted boats for more than 60 years. Acquired by the respected Maverick Boat Group in 2005, it joined the group's other industryleading brands: Maverick, Hewes and Pathfinder. Now Cobia is one of the country's bestselling lines of saltwater fishing boats, blending tournament-grade performance and family amenities. All Cobia models 26 feet in length and up are built with Maverick's proprietary vacuum-assisted resin infusion system, aka VARIS, producing a single, fused hull structure that is incredibly strong and has the highest strength-toweight ratio possible in fiberglass construction. This helps ensure long-term reliability and durability for safely fishing offshore for years amid challenging sea conditions. 265 CC Open The Cobia 265 Open's roomier center-console layout designed with ample deck space for fighting big ones builds on innovative…

At its plant in Greenville, North Carolina, Grady-White produces 28 models, from 18 to 45 feet, in Coastal Explorer, center console, dual console, walkaround cabin, and express cabin boat designs. Grady-White's signature SeaV2 hull is a continuously variable V-hull design: At no two points is dead rise the same, from 20 degrees at the transom to 30 degrees amidships to more than 50 degrees at the bow. The result is stability at rest and trolling, with the ability to slice waves cleanly, creating a soft and stable ride. Grady-White has been awarded every third party customer satisfaction award presented in the marine industry, including all eight J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Awards for the category, and consecutive Customer Satisfaction Index awards for the entire 22 years they've been presented…

NEW FOR ‘25 Phenom Yachts president and CEO Tommy Hancock and his team set out to design the most family-friendly, hardcore fishing and high performing semicustom center-console boat on the market. “At the core of everything we do,” the company says, “is an untamable drive to innovate, [to] design products that change lives and spark lifelong memories.” The Phenom Yachts—with a lineup that includes a 37- and 34-footer and the new 43— blend classic lines with the Phenom NexStep running surface that reimagines the step-hull. Curated materials and textures make up the plush, spacious interiors. Each Phenom purchase is accompanied by a concierge service guiding the owner through the option-rich build process. 43 The new 43 provides big helpings of style and performance. The helm features triple premium captain's chairs…

NEW FOR ‘25 Robalo boats are built in what the company calls the world's largest single-site boat-manufacturing plant: 1.25 million square feet in Nashville, Georgia, where it employs many second- and third-generation boatbuilding craftsmen who combine high quality into every boat. Robalo's diverse lineup blends tournament-level fishability and yachtlike comfort, making use of state-of-the-art technology and materials, including premium gelcoat, vinylester resin, Kevlar reinforcement, and stainlesssteel hardware. Advanced marine electronics are provided by Simrad. Robalo uses Envision upholstery material made from 100 percent SiO silicon. Supremely comfortable, it resists scuffing, scratching, sunlight, salt water, mildew and stains. Awarded the Customer Satisfaction Index Award from the National Marine Manufacturers Association for 16 straight years, Robalo boats carry a lifetime limited hull warranty and a five-year premier-level limited warranty for accessories and…

Most fishing boats are financed in one of three ways: financing arranged through a boat dealer and/or manufacturer; a home-equity loan or line of credit arranged through a bank or credit union; or a specifically designed consumer boat loan arranged with a bank, credit union, or other lender that specializes in marine financing. There are other ways of funding a boat purchase, but these three represent the financing methods available to a great many of Americans today when it comes to buying a new saltwater fishing boat. Even with today's tumultuous and often-unpredictable economic conditions, there are some general assumptions that a boat buyer can hold regarding boat financing. For example, interest rates offered by lenders will generally be lower as the amount of the loan goes up. Similarly, shorter…

However, it has been a pioneer in building big, tall and tough motors for the brine. The HD GPS Anchor+ saltwater trolling motors feature pivot mounts and digital pulse width modulation circuitry to maximize efficiency, minimize heat dissipation, optimize power, and extend battery life. A wireless and waterproof floating remote-control fob controls the trolling motor from anywhere on the boat. Available in 12-, 24- and 36-volt models delivering 80 to 120 pounds of thrust, these motors also have the unique ability steer the boat while the main engine is at low power, allowing trolling at higher speeds and anchoring in heavy current. The Anchor mode automatically compensates for wind, waves and crosscurrent. The Rhodan integrates with Raymarine Axiom MFDs to adjust thrust and motor direction, and to activate Anchor mode.…

These days, you can shop for anything online—from tacos to socks to barbecue grills—and with the click of button, have it delivered to your doorstep. It might be tempting to take advantage of the same technology in making your next boat purchase, and you should. But there are still advantages to going to a boat show or visiting a boat dealership. Here are the pros and cons of each. Research Rules Thanks to the internet, we now have unprecedented access to information about the boats we want to buy. So a good way to start your research online is by asking general questions in search engines to find out which type of boat best serves your needs. Whether you're a striper angler in the Northeast or chasing redfish in skinny…

The Barker 26 Calibogue Bay and 26 Open, both custom-built to order, were created by renowned naval architect Michael Peters. These models are based on Peters’ patented Stepped Vee Ventilated Tunnel hull design. The company says that this hull has one of the lowest drag coefficients of any monohull in the world, producing increased speed, better handling, better fuel economy, and a smoother ride than conventional step-hulls. These two breakout models were joined later by the Barker 40 HPC (High Performance Cat) twin-hull boat. Created more than a dozen years ago with the goal of building the world's best boats, Barker has built a reputation for best in class yacht-quality fit-and-finish. Sarasota, Florida-based Barker Boatworks is now part of Strike Force 7, which also includes Canyon Bay BoatWorks and Perry…

There's no logo that's better- known among boating anglers than the hull-and-harpoon-framed trademark of Boston Whaler. It's distinctive of boats ranging from 13-foot side-console skiffs to a 42-foot center-console. Dual-consoles, pilothouse boats and express cruisers complete the line. The “Unsinkable Legend” was born as a dream of Dick Fisher more than 60 years ago. That dream became the now-classic 13-footer, completely foam-filled for strength and unsinkable buoyancy. Today, every Boston-Whaler model boasts this unsinkable attribute. 365 Conquest The powerful, stylish, and comfortable 365 Conquest is a premier, all-season vessel—an offshore fishing machine ready for any quarry, as well as entertaining friends and families. The boat's modern design exudes style and versatility. It's ready for cruising to dockside shops and restaurants, anchoring overnight in a quiet bay, gathering the family for…

Contenders are built by a staff who are aware that serious fishing calls for serious boats that can go anywhere, anytime, no matter the weather. You join the design team when you buy a Contender boat because you select many of the details that make the semicustom sport-fishing boat your own. The first Contender was the 25 Classic, introduced by freediver, spearfisherman, and still company owner and president, Joe Neber, who founded the company in 1984. Admittedly competitive by nature, the Miami native has consistently pushed the envelop in boat performance. (Neber is also a strong supporter of the sport-fishing community who also possesses a strong conservation ethos.) Contender offers models from 23 to 44 feet, on both step-hulls and deep-V hulls, and in tournament, bay, and fish-around models. Each…

NEW FOR ‘25 NorthCoast is located in Bristol, Rhode Island, adjacent to Narragansett Bay and the rich fishing grounds of Rhode Island Sound. Having been and remaining the behind-the-scenes producer of hulls and other components for other premier brands, NorthCoast now builds its own lines of cabin/pilothouse and center-console boats, the latter of 19 and 23 feet, and the former from 23 to a massive new 46-footer, including bracket and engines. That boat, the NorthCoast 415HT featured here, won Boating magazine's 2024 Boat of the Year in the Large Fishing Boat category. 415HT As NorthCoast's new flagship, the 415HT is an inch over 46 feet in length overall and powered by quad Yamaha F300 outboards with Helm Master EX joystick control to get you to the fishing grounds first, or…

NEW FOR ‘25 Pursuit Boats makes, to exacting yacht standards, high-quality, luxury offshore fishing boats in dual-console, offshore, and sport centerconsole formats-all proven and popular layouts-in lengths from 24 to 44 feet. Made in two state-of-the-art facilities in Fort Pierce, Florida, Pursuit is part of the Tennesseebased Malibu Boats family, which also includes recreational and fishing powerboat brands Cobia, Pathfinder, Maverick and Hewes. Pursuit's designers and engineers take great consideration in a boat and its propulsion system that manifests in optimal ride and handling. Hull construction consists of resin-infused fiberglass grid systems, and gelcoat finishes are ultra-premium. The company, a boatbuilder for nearly 50 years, crafts its own custom-made components, and touts its helms as “intelligently designed.” Owners and other experts agree and approve: The company received the National Marine…

NEW FOR ‘25 Sea Sport, now back in the hands of the family who formed it in 1955, has been steadily expanding its line of hardy, Pacific Northwest-built fiberglass boats. In 1955, Wright Manufacturing opened in Bellingham, Washington. Frank Wright and sons David, Bud, Dennis, and Ronald fabricated fiberglass open-bow 8- to 12-foot boats, some under contract to Sears & Roebuck. In 2012 the company, which now includes three more boat lines, was sold back to Ronald Wright and other family members. They revived the four brands Sea Sport, C-Dory, Osprey and Skagit Orea and renamed the business Northwest Marine industries. Their current production facility is located 500 yards away from where it began in 1955. Today, Sea Sport builds several series of pilothouse boats, from a 22-foot deep-V to…

Tiara Yachts recently introduced a fishing module and other equipment options to lend its outboard-powered Luxury Sport and Luxury Express series boats a higher level of sport-fishing functionality. “We've always been a cruising company,” Tiara Design Principal Gabe Rose says. “We've had an open-style product for decades that you could cruise and dayboat on, and now one that you can fish on.” The fishing module, which replaces select facets of standard aft seating, includes rod holders and other amenities, and buyers can also add optional fish-focused accessories to enhance the standard hardtop. 48 LS The spacious Tiara 48 LS offers yacht aesthetics, plus the option of a strong fishing focus with a new fishing module and other features. The aft cockpit can be customized with either a Lounge or Adventure…

It was a rough wintertime crossing of the Gulf Stream as we powered to the fabled fishing grounds of the Bahamas aboard a pair of Sōlace 41-foot center- consoles. The 41 CS was powered by four Mercury 400 outboards. The 415 CS featured twin Volvo Penta D6 DPI diesel sterndrives. One boat made a better time of it. This trip was the latest in a string of “Outboard Versus Sterndrive” stories I'd produced over my decades working as a boating and fishing journalist. As in the past, we had planned to compare, out on the water, the different power choices available to boat buyers so that a better-informed purchasing decision could be made. The biggest challenge in producing these “versus” stories is getting access to two of the same-model boat…

While many marine electronics units are becoming more compact these days, marine multifunction displays are headed in the opposite direction. Like today's television flat screens, touchscreen displays are growing ever larger, with some brands offering screens as expansive as 27 inches or greater. And of course, the larger the screen, the easier it is to read and interpret various MFD functions such as a chart plotter, sonar, radar, and more. MFDs are also getting proportionately wider. The aspect ratios—the relationship between the screen width and height—are increasing. This is exemplified by 16-inch (diagonal) models such as the Garmin GPSMap 1643xsv and Humminbird Apex 16 Mega SI+, both of which feature wide screens that are 1,920 pixels wide by 1,080 pixels tall. That equates to an aspect ratio of 1.77-to-1. Simrad…

Albemarle says that its customers explain their loyalty in four components: superior ride thanks to the Carolina-style hull; fishability, especially in harsh conditions; unmatched quality in design, construction and components; and solid customer relationships. Albemarle's classic, dry-riding hull with a wide Carolina flare busts through head seas, landing softly in the troughs. Helms provide unsurpassed visibility from within a huge, clear wraparound windshield and enclosure, using superior Strataglass and EZ2CY materials. Albemarle hulls are handlaid with premium components and processes, including hull-to-deck joints that are fiberglass-bonded and mechanically fastened; bronze and stainless-steel underwater gear and through-hulls; color-coded, tinned stranded copper wiring; heat-shrink terminal connections; and detailed record keeping throughout construction. 30 Express The outboard-powered 30 Express combines the offshore performance of center-consoles, with a well-appointed cabin (including galley with solid…

With boat models stretching from 22 to 40 feet in length, Blackfin proudly proclaims itself the boat brand that offers the best of all worlds, whether headed out to the Gulf Stream or over to the Bahamas in search of adventure and big fish, or dropping anchor at the sandbar to take a dip and party with friends—or anything in between. Blackfin boats has you covered. Each Blackfin model-spanning from center consoles to dual consoles—is designed by anglers and built from the highest-quality materials, including carbon-fiber-reinforced hulls. Designs are classic, but Blackfin also adds such modern features as digital engine monitoring, integrated storage, insulated coolers, and posh seating, plus the highest-quality sound systems to rock the tunes. 302DC There's no need to make tough choices between fishability, performance and family…

NEW FOR ’25 Legendary marine-industry veteran Early Bentzfounder of Stratos and then Triton Boats, both premium lines of saltwater and freshwater fishing boats-created fishing-focused Caymas Boats in 2018. Caymas models are designed and built for hardcore offshore and inshore anglers, while also pleasing families with cruising and entertaining attributes. They're built on the Michael Peters double Stepped Vee Ventilated Tunnel running surface for top performance and fuel economy. A former national champion boat racer and bass-boat-manufacturing pioneer, Bentz has always aimed to engineer and build the most durable and bestperforming boats in their class, all featuring dry rides, outstanding speeds, and superior safety and comfort. The Caymas line of center-console boats lives up to that vaunted reputation. 291 The new Caymas 291 is the largest and most robust member of…

NEW FOR ‘25 Celebrating two-thirds of a century of advancements in marine manufacturing, Formula Boats since 1976 has been owned and managed by the family of the late Victor B. Porter, whose children and grandchildren now direct the firm. Formula had been founded in Miami in 1962 by Don Aronow, who created the original offshore-race-winning deep-V hull—a design impact that is still evident in Formula's famed Fas3Tech hull. The Porter family, meanwhile, had been a pioneer in the manufacture of fiberglass boats, focusing on product improvement throughout the line, from the smallest bowrider to the superlative 500 SSC (Super Sport Crossover). 457 CC Fish As its name suggests, the new Formula 457 CC (Center Console) Fish is anglingfocused, designed to roam far in comfort in pursuit of fun and fishing…

NEW FOR ‘25 Pathfinder boats specialize in fishing inshore and nearshore, pursuing tarpon in coastal waters, redfish in marshes, and muskie and striped bass in fresh water. But make no mistakethey are bluewater worthy too! Design features come from Pathfinder's angler-driven design team, pro guide staff, and loyal customers. Most models are built with Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion System construction for the best possible strength-to-weight ratio. 2400 TRS The 2400 TRS (“TRS” stands for “Third Row Seating”) is, like its predecessor of the same name, a smaller, younger brother to the popular Pathfinder 2600 TRS. It seats eight comfortably. The new 2400 TRS boasts more freeboard (24 inches versus the previous 19 inches), a 9-foot beam, and bow and stern integrated seating. It's roomy, with the security of a deeper…

Regulator Marine builds center-console fishing boats from 23 to 41 feet in length with hulls and structural integrity that have set the bar for strength, durability, and smooth-riding comfort. Regulator has also launched a number of firsts, including a full-height console head, twin outboard power, oversize fish boxes, multiple hull colors, and insulated iceboxes. Other innovations-largely unseen but key to reliability and seakindliness-have included wider chines, knitted fiberglass replacing woven roving, and the elimination of structural wood in the heavy-duty construction of each Regulator model. Regulator's durable construction practice has become the foundation of what the company proudly calls its “legendary ride”-the weight and depth of each boat creating a low center of gravity with the strength to take on heavy seas again and again. The wood-free stringer grid acts…

NEW FOR ‘25 Each new Scout hull design, across more than 35 years, is the result of in-house research and design teams working closely with engineering staff to take concepts efficiently from computeraided design to production. The result is a line of luxury sport-fishing center-console, dual-console, and bay-boat models ranging from 17 to 67 feet in length. Scout models from 37 feet and up use Scout's revolutionary Epoxy-Infused Carbon Hybrid technology, teaming epoxy with carbon fiber and E-glass to create a boat that's lighter than traditional construction and stiffness that's five times greater. 400 LXF LI-ION The new Scout 400 LXF LI-ION—an alternative version to Scout's current 400 LXF-boasts a 48-volt lithium- ironphosphate (LiFePO4) battery management system that, charged by the powerful twin Mercury 600 hp V-12 Verado outboards, dispenses…

NEW FOR ‘25 Yamaha's patented jet-drive system uses an internal impeller rather than external propeller, enabling shallow-water operation, enhanced maneuver-ability, reduced maintenance, and the safety and convenience of no lower unit or prop. Also exclusive to Yamaha boats are patented clean-out ports for easy removal of debris caught in the jet pump to keep it running smoothly. Yamaha's award-winning Connext helm control system and the touchscreen display allow boating anglers to control the entertainment features, the DRiVE system, GPS mapping, and other boat functions. 255 FSH H The supercharged Yamaha 255 FSH Sport H-the fishing-focused member of the company's flagship 252 and 255 series of 25-foot center consoles—has an exclusive Helm Master EX, providing precise slow-speed maneuverability with its twin jet engines. With this industry first, you can move the…