Our pick of the centre console sports fishers

In the past few years we've witnessed an invasion of fibreglass centre console craft from overseas, mostly from the US.

In the States, centre console boats represent big business for boat builders, with dozens of brands and models available. With the advent of big power outboard engines such as the Yamaha 425 XTO, Mercury Verado 400 and Suzuki DF350, boat-makers are releasing bigger, better, faster centre console models.

Not only that, but brands including luxury fishing specialists Pursuit and Scout are sounding out Australia as fertile ground for their boat lines.

You can now buy sea-going fibreglass centre console craft starting from around 5.0m and stretching through to massive 12m monsters decked out with all the trimmings, and powered by triple- and quad-outboard engines.

These mega-size console boats are pseudo offshore racers, capable of speeds in the 50 knot-plus range.

Boatsales.com.au has tested several of these plus-sized centre consoles, including the Boston Whaler 420 Outrage, Mako 284CC, Sea Fox 288 Commander, Robalo R302, and the Wellcraft 302 Fisherman.

All are very impressive, very fast, very expensive boats, but the centre console arrivals we see the most are mid-size trailerable models in the 7.0-7.5 metre range.

These smaller centre console models are obviously more affordable than the range-topping behemoths, but it could be argued they are also more usable, easier to store (you don't need a marina berth) and cheaper to maintain.

Regardless of size, most of the US centre console imports are designed as crossover models used for serious offshore fishing one day, and then taking the family day cruising the next. They generally have bow and stern seating areas, changeroom/head compartments beneath the console units, and lots of storage space.

As well as the super-sized flagship models noted above, we have also tested a number of the more popular, more affordable 7.0-7.5 metre centre console boats. Below are spotlight reviews (in alphabetical order) on eight of the best.

Pricing is not included for these boats as package prices are constantly fluctuating and will depend on trim levels and outboard engine options. For accurate pricing, specifications and options contact the dealer/importer using the link provided.

A leader in centre console fishing boats for decades, Boston Whaler is one of the world's most recognised and respected boat builders.

We have tested several of these premium-quality, high-end craft in recent years, none more impressive than the Boston Whaler 230 Outrage. This 7.0-metre centre console with all the bells and whistles is the second to smallest model in the Outrage range, but it is just as well appointed as its siblings, superbly finished and built to last.

The 21-degree, foam-filled (unsinkable) deep vee hull is quiet, seaworthy, stable and wonderfully soft riding. The boat handles beautifully underway, the hull responding instantly to steering and throttle input, and to changes in trim angle.

The 232 Outrage is available with single and dual outboard engines to a maximum of 350hp. Our test boat achieved a top speed of 44 knots with a pair of Mercury 150hp four-stroke outboards on the transom.

Similar to most of its rivals, the Boston Whaler Outrage 230 has bow and stern seating areas and a plethora of fishing features and accessories including dual underfloor kill tanks, transom live bait tank, horizontal rod racks, coaming bolster padding, inboard-mounted stern cleats (to avoid snagging fishing lines), and stainless steel toe-rails that encircle the cockpit floor.

The most innovative interior feature is the cleverly designed helm station lean seat. It's a multifunction set-up that incorporates a dual-width helm bench seat, an aft-facing padded seat and a bait or food preparation table.

More information: Queensland Marine Centre

Dorado boats are made by Sailfish Boats USA and distributed in Australia by the Gold Coast's Queensland Marine Centre. The range is re-badged as Dorado Boats locally to avoid any confusion with northern NSW boat builder Sailfish Catamarans.

Dorado (nee Sailfish) Boats are not as well-known as iconic brands such as Boston Whaler, but these boats are well crafted and solidly built in the US in a factory in Georgia.

Dorado Boats are available from 5.7 metres to around 10 metres in length and with a range of configurations. There are nine centre console models, seven of which are designed for offshore fishing and boating.

We tested one of the first boats to arrive locally, the Dorado 241CC. This smart-looking, wide-beam (2.59 metre) centre console craft has a variable deadrise, fibreglass composite deep vee hull with a fine entry at the bow to cut through waves, and a noticeable sheer-line to the high topsides.

Key internal features include the large U-shaped bow seating area with dual storage/fish boxes, a moulded seat/icebox in front of the console, folding rear bench seat and a side-accessed changeroom/head compartment beneath the console.

Our test boat was also rigged with an alloy framed fibreglass T-top with rocket launcher, dual-width helm lean seat post, built-in rod racks, wide, flat coamings with padded bolsters, 710mm of cockpit freeboard, a large raw water wash down, and a transom corner live bait tank.

More information: Queensland Marine Centre

Grady-White is a US boat-builder famous for producing premium quality sport fishing boats. We have tested several of these superb craft in recent years (most recently the stunning Grady-White 330 Express) and they never disappoint. These craft are truly top drawer, high-end models that are beautifully finished and appointed.

Grady-White's entrant into the 7.0-7.5 metre centre console sport fishing class is the Fisherman 236, one of 10 centre console models and the second to largest in the trailerable Fisherman range.

The Fisherman 236 is designed for offshore fishing and family day boating, and is equipped accordingly. There is ample seating in the bow and the stern, and much of it can reconfigure into various layouts.

At the bow, for example, a two-piece centre infill board arrangement allows you to convert the two moulded side seats into a U-shape seating area, or into a full-width padded sun lounge. Remove the two infill boards and you can walk forward to fish right up on the nose of the boat.

The Grady-White Fisherman 236 is a fine looking boat, the 20-degree deep vee hull notable for its distinctive sheer line and pronounced Carolina flared bow. Underway the boat is wonderfully soft riding, stable, dry, and capable of a 40-knot top speed when paired with a Yamaha 300hp outboard engine.

Fishing features include a large transom live well and storage box/kill tank, self-draining cockpit, deck wash, rod/gaff racks, lean-seat rod rack, tackle trays and more.

More information: Short Marine

The only locally made boat in this group is the superb Haines Signature 788SF. We should also note that the 788SF is the only boat here with an Aussie road-legal 2.5 metre maximum beam. All the others are slightly overwidth at 2.59 metres and may be subject to towing restrictions.

The Haines Signature 788SF is one of the centre console boats here with an interior design placing more emphasis on fishability than family creature comforts. There is no standard bench or fold-out seat in the stern for example, and this allows anglers to stand right up against the high, full-width transom wall to fight a sport fish over the stern.

There is the option for a rear bench seat, and the boat does have a large horseshoe-shaped moulded seating/storage area up in the bow, complete with an optional drop-in cocktail table.

There's also a spacious head compartment/changeroom under the console with a removable chemical toilet along with a sink and freshwater mixer tap.

Fishing features abound. There's a large, aquarium-style live bait tank behind the two-seater leaning post, as well as two mackerel-sized kill tanks, toe/foot space under the side pockets and tackle storage cupboards.

There's the option for an overhead hardtop and loads of helm fascia space for installing dual electronics displays and marine radios.

The Haines Signature 788SF uses the John Haines' patented variable deadrise, concave shaped vee hull bottom that is soft riding, stable, and rated for a pair of Suzuki 250hp four-stroke outboard engines.

More information: Haines Signature

Established in the mid-1960s, Mako is another world-renowned US centre console boat builder. Old salts and experienced boaters might remember the classic 19- and 20-foot Mako centre consoles from the 1970s; these pioneering models were available locally for a period.

Today's Mako models are just as fisherman-friendly as ever, with the range stretching from 5.0 metres to a massive 12.5 metres in length. The flagship Mako 414 Centre Console with quad 350hp Mercury Verado outboard engines spread across the transom is one incredible beast to behold.

We have yet to test the flagship model, but we have reviewed the Mako 284CC and the smaller 234CC models. I have actually tested the latter twice, once with a pair of Mercury 150hp four-stroke outboards on the transom, and again with a single supercharged 300hp Mercury Verado. Both boats were very impressive.

If pushed, I'd have to say that ride comfort is the standout feature of the Mako 234. The transom deadrise angle of 21 degrees is similar to rival makes, but the entry shape at the bow is knife sharp, allowing the hull to slice easily through wave chop and ocean swell.

Internally, the Mako 234 is arguably more fishing orientated than some of the other boats here. The seating area at the bow is smaller to allow anglers to fish more easily, while the rear bench is designed to tuck into the transom wall to improve fishing access over the stern.

More information: Nitro Marine

In this eight-strong group of centre console fishing boats, the Sea Fox 248 Commander is one of the most family-friendly. Similar to the smaller Sea Fox 228 Commander we will be reviewing shortly, the 248 series model has a large, reconfigurable bow seating area, loads of storage space and a fixed, moulded rear bench seat that doubles as a storage locker/kill tank.

Whilst the Sea Fox 248 Commander is great for family day cruising, it also has the features and fit-out to excel as a sport fishing platform.

The bow seating area, for example, converts easily into a large, raised casting deck. There's also plenty of standard fishing features such as the big, aquarium style 114-litre live bait tank, the horizontal and vertical rod racks, the dual-width lean seat, and the wide side coamings with included coaming bolster padding

At the helm, the upsized console dash and fascia can fit dual 12-inch electronics displays, while customers can choose between a regular hardtop overhead or the optional Ultima hardtop with multiple storage lockers, spreader lights, rocket launcher and more.

Compared with some of its competitors in this size class, the Sea Fox 248 Commander has a conservatively designed, moderate vee hull. The transom deadrise is just 18 degrees, though this vee sharpens up nicely at the bow to smooth out the ride while maintaining excellent stability.

Rigged with a single 300hp Yamaha V6 four-stroke outboard, the Sea Fox 248 Commander is a quick and agile boat, accelerating easily to a top speed of 42 knots.

More information: Sea Fox Boats

Established in 2012, South Carolina-based Sportsman Boats is a relative newcomer to the industry, but this expanding brand already has more than 20 models.

For offshore fishing the Sportsman Open series boats are the craft of choice. There are seven boats in the range, stretching from the entry 212 Open Centre Console up to the 9.5 metre long, 312 Open. We tested the second to smallest model, the Sportsman Open 232.

Similar to several of the other boats here, the Sportsman Open 232 is a crossover model with appeal to both family boaters and serious anglers. There's a spacious seating area up in the bow, for example, but anglers can still walk right up to the forepeak to stand and fish.

Similarly, at the stern there is a cleverly designed bench seat that retracts so it sits flush with the transom wall. Folded away, you can stand up against the transom wall with your toes tucked nicely under the bottom of the seat.

Other fishing features include horizontal rod racks under the gunnels, a starboard side transom corner live bait tank, optional hardtop, pop-up cleats, raw water wash down, and a self-draining cockpit with high freeboard.

The Sportsman Open 232 has a modest 18-degree transom vee angle combined with a fine bow entry shape to cut through the chop, along with pronounced Carolina flare to the high topsides to shed spray away from the boat.

Our test rig was paired with a 250hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard engine for a top speed of 42.5 knots.

More information: Sportsman Boats

The last, but not least of our featured centre consoles is the Wellcraft 242 Fisherman. This Beneteau-owned, Michigan, USA-based boat-maker needs little introduction as Wellcraft boats are respected the world over.

We have tested several of Wellcraft's current models, including the Wellcraft 182, Wellcraft 222, and the Wellcraft 302 Fishermen.

We've also tested the mid-size Wellcraft Fishermen 242, which is big enough to fish wide offshore waters, yet small enough to tow behind a large SUV or dual-cab ute.

The Wellcraft 242 has a 20-degree vee deadrise hull that provides a good mix of ride comfort and stability, allowing the skipper and crew to feel comfortable, safe and secure at sea.

Our test boat was rigged with a pair of the older 200hp supercharged Mercury Verado outboard engines (for a top speed of 49.5 knots), but the boat can be powered with a single extra-long shaft outboard engine.

Internally the Wellcraft 242 Fisherman CC suits family boating and fishing. Similar to its rivals, it has a bow seating area, but the seats in the Wellcraft are wider, longer, and can reconfigure into a full-width sun pad.

Unique to the Wellcraft among this group of centre console boats is the front access to the console head compartment. The seat and front face of the console hinges up vertically to reveal the compartment beneath.

Fishing features include a transom live bait tank, wide side coamings, horizontal rod racks, a dual-width leaning post with rod rack, optional bait board, and a removable icebox/cooler.

More information: Brisbane Marine