Boats

New Boats Roundup 2017

Wellcraft 302 Fisherman

Wellcraft 302 Fisherman Courtesy Wellcraft

Specs:

Wellcraft’s 302 Fisherman accommodates families and fishermen alike, with five appointment packages available. Anglers appreciate the open bow and vast rod storage, which includes some two-dozen holders on the gunwales and T-top, with undergunwale rod racks flanking the console. Aft sit a sink, bait prep station, twin 23-gallon livewells and four large macerated fish boxes. An optional transom dive door serves bathers and big-fish gaffers. Lifestyle options include bow seating and an oversize forward lounge. Additional seating is provided by a rear folding seat and an aft folding bench. The console holds an electric head, vanity and freshwater sink.

Scout 380 LXF

Scout 380 LXF Courtesy Scout

Specs:

The 380’s epoxy-infused, double-stepped hull offers stability and reduced weight. The long list of standard features includes a full transom, walk-through platform with dive ladder, portside door, gas-assisted hatches, flush-mounted cleats and rod holders, port and starboard fish boxes, powder-coated hardtop with curved glass enclosure, LED lighting, and raw- and freshwater hoses, to name a few. The sizable helm provides ample space for three 16-inch displays and the C-Zone digital switching that controls features throughout the boat. Below there’s a full galley, well-appointed head, convertible queen berth and entertainment center. Available options include an electronically actuated, integrated retractable aft awning and optional electronic articulating rocket launchers.

Grady-White Freedom 235

Grady-White Freedom 235 Courtesy Grady-White

Specs:

This dual console boasts luxurious seating, a smart layout with lots of room, and Grady-White’s signature fishing and fun features. Its many comforts include a large, enclosed head compartment with extended storage, a recessed freshwater cockpit shower, built-in swim platform extensions to port and starboard that also help boarding, a transom door, swim ladder, the builder’s patented lounge chair with tilting backrest and aft bench-style seat, which folds away when fishing starts, and an optional wet bar with a sink, drink holders and a removable 35-quart Yeti cooler, to name a few. The boat blends storage and function perfectly. For instance, the built-in 160-quart insulated box on the transom serves as a fish box or a giant cooler, and the adjacent storage can be plumbed as an optional 15-gallon livewell.

Pursuit S 328

Pursuit S 328 Courtesy Pursuit

Specs:

Pursuit’s new flagship, the S 328, showcases an integrated hardtop and windshield system, and dons an updated sheer line, through-stem anchor system and integrated transom extensions. The exterior styling features a forward wraparound lounge at the bow, just opposite the forward-facing seating in the console. Inside, a head and sink complement a twin berth that converts to an aft-facing seat with large storage. All fishing necessities are built-in, and the Pursuit offers the option of a side door. Incorporating foldaway seats fore and aft, the roomy cockpit easily converts to a social area.

Boston Whaler 380 Outrage

Boston Whaler 380 Outrage Courtesy Boston Whaler

Specs:

The hull of the Whaler 380 Outrage is designed for efficiency, smooth, predictable handling, and a soft, dry ride. Expanded seating and storage are integral parts of the interior layout. Power is provided by triple Mercury Verados, with optional Joystick Piloting for effortless docking and seamless command. The Seakeeper gyrostabilizing system significantly reduces boat roll. Dual widescreen Raymarine displays at the helm, which offer full control of the Bluetooth-compatible stereo and Mercury propulsion, and remote connectivity available through Whaler Watch, an optional package that monitors boat systems and vessel position via satellite for 24/7 security, are among the state-of-the-art technologies that help the 380 stand out.

Stamas Yachts 392 Tarpon

Stamas Yachts 392 Tarpon Courtesy Stamas

Specs:

Stamas celebrates its 65th anniversary with Gen 2 technology in the new flagship 392 Tarpon, based on the successful 390 platform, with a hull-up redesign evident in the aerospace- influenced helm that features a hinged console for easy access to wiring and switching, vastly improving service and installation, plus an all-digital switch panel that adds redundancy to all systems. The hardtop enclosure allows passage to the bow on either side of the console, with an option for an upper station. Cruisers and distance travelers appreciate the summer kitchen with grill, sink, refrigerator, cabinetry and a Corian counter. Flush-mounted windows allow natural light into the queen berth in the air-conditioned cabin.

Everglades 273CC

Everglades 273CC Courtesy Everglades

Specs:

Fishability defines the DNA of Everglades boats, and the new 273 center console has it in spades. A hardtop with an aluminum powder-coated frame, LED lighting, life-jacket storage, spreader lights and an electronics box come standard. Rod stowage comes via undergunwale racks and rod lockers, augmented by four rod tubes on the hardtop and four flush-mounted holders on the gunwales. There’s also a 31-gallon lighted livewell with a clear lid with friction hinges, an 82-gallon fish box, cockpit coaming bolsters, raw- and freshwater washdown spigots, and a pair of coolers with a combined capacity of 142 quarts. The 273 comes with Optimus electronic steering and space at the helm for large displays, gauges, a stereo and more.

Sea Chaser 27 HFC

Sea Chaser 27 HFC Courtesy Sea Chaser

Specs:

For big-water anglers who want the option of family cruising, the Sea Chaser 27 HFC by Carolina Skiff fits the bill. The high-performance step-hull provides quick hole shots, and 100 percent composite construction promises years of dependability. Standard features include an anchor windlass, bow storage with tackle drawers, a 208-quart forward fish box, washdown hose, molded hardtop with LED lighting, molded fiberglass leaning post with 40-gallon livewell and two tackle centers, a rear 30-gallon livewell, sink with stainless faucet, freshwater shower, electric head, trim tabs, portside entry door, foldaway rear bench-style seats, and 12 flush-mounted rod holders on the gunwales.

Cobia 280 DC

Cobia 280 DC Courtesy Cobia

Specs:

Cobia unveils a new 28-foot dual-console model that maximizes usable deck space, has seating for 12, and comes loaded with amenities for the entire family, including an adjustable helm-seat module complete with kitchenette, cooler, wine rack, sink and counter, a deluxe head compartment, multiposition lounger with built-in cooler, bow seating with storage to port and starboard, freshwater shower, stereo package, stowable aft-seat assembly, plus a fiberglass hardtop with LED lighting. Fishing features include four flush-mounted rod holders, six rod tubes on the hardtop frame, additional undergunwale rod storage and a 25-gallon livewell. A telescoping shade that covers the entire cockpit is one of many available options.

Avenger AV24

Avenger AV24 Courtesy Avenger

Specs:

The Avenger AV24, Carolina Composites’ latest low-profile bay boat, speaks serious fishing. This quick and stable platform is complemented with extensive standard equipment, including a baitwell and two live-release wells, dual lockable rod-storage boxes, and an anchor locker built to accommodate both bow and stern anchors. Also standard are an electric jack plate, a compass, trim tabs, a 180-quart insulated fish box, gunwale rod holders and everything else you need to go fishing. The boat is wired and plugged for trolling-motor installation, and buyers have a choice of engines and extensive factory options for customization.

EdgeWater 262CX

EdgeWater 262CX Courtesy EdgeWater

Specs:

Taking its dual-console/crossover design to the next level, EdgeWater introduces this 26-footer combining offshore performance, configurable seating and storage, and a plethora of family-oriented amenities. An integrated hardtop shelters the double-wide helm with a dash big enough for a 16-inch display. The starboard console holds a well-appointed head compartment, while its portside counterpart has lots of space for storage. The 262CX showcases a back-to-back Ultra Lounger, which incorporates a fish box and offers multiple seating positions. A prep station includes a cooler, cutting board and sink, plus options like a grill, fridge and cabinet. The transom accommodates a large livewell, a dive door, and a full-width fold-out seat.

Intrepid 407 Panacea

Intrepid 407 Panacea Courtesy Intrepid

Specs:

The Intrepid 407 Panacea, a 40-foot day boat, melds proven performance with comfort and fishability, combining the utility of a center console with the well-appointed cabin of a sport yacht without compromising cockpit space. Comfort appointments include a full galley and head with shower, extensive seating options fore and aft, and a side door with boarding ladder. The integrated motor bracket allows for either twin or triple power configurations. Innovation is evident, such as the hydraulic at the helm seat that raises 4 inches to adapt to skippers of any stature. An extensive customization process allows for rigging and styling to suit any angler’s needs.

Sea Hunt BX 25 BR

Sea Hunt BX 25 BR Courtesy Sea Hunt

Specs:

From chasing your favorite inshore quarry to cruising the Intracoastal Waterway, the 25-foot addition to Sea Hunt’s BX series is loaded with all you need to make the most of your time on the water. The hull incorporates a classic Carolina flare and a sharp bow entry for a dry, comfortable ride, and the shallow draft lets you stalk redfish on the flats. The BX 25 BR features fore and aft casting platforms, twin storage lockers plus a massive 250-quart insulated compartment at the bow, a leaning post with backrest and rocket launcher, extensive rod storage, 18- and 28-gallon livewells, raw- and freshwater washdowns, dual bucket/cast-net compartments, console storage, rear jump seats, hydraulic tilt steering, recessed trim tabs, a stereo and more.